JVC GRDV500 MiniDV 1.33 MP Camcorder with 2.5" LCD, 10x Optical Zoom, and 8MB MMC Card
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Manufacturer: JVC
Price at amazon.com: $599.99This item is not stocked or has been discontinued.
- MiniDV camcorder with 10x optical zoom, 300x digital zoom, image stabilization
- 2.5-inch fold-out color LCD screen and color viewfinder
- Comes with Presto! ImageFolio video editing software
- Takes digital stills and stores them on the included MMC card
- Connects to PCs and Macs via Firewire (IEEE1394)
Product Description:
The compact JVC GR-DV500 is a stylish digital video camcorder that offers advanced features, such as digital still-photo capability and the ability to create high-quality MPEG-4 video clips. The GR-DV500 features a 1.33-megapixel CCD, 10x optical zoom, and 2.5-inch color LCD. It comes with Presto! ImageFolio and Presto! Mr. Photo 3 digital video editing software and an 8 MB MMC memory card. Optics und Audio The GR-DV500 offers a 1.33-megapixel CCD with 540 lines of horizontal resolution. Combined with JVC's super-hi-band processor, you'll be assured of capturing crisp, clear video. Equipped with a 10x optical zoom, the GR-DV500 also features a 300x digital zoom that allows you to zoom in for incredible close-ups. The GR-DV500 also features PCM digital stereo sound in either 12-bit or 16-bit options. The 16-bit mode offers one set of stereo tracks and achieves the same quality as a CD, while the 12-bit mode creates two sets of stereo tracks. Audio dub is possible when recorded in 12-bit mode. Digital Stills The still mode is capable of capturing crystal-clear still images of up to 1,600 x 1,200 pixels. The images are stored onto the included 8 MB MMC memory card; the GR-DV500 is also compatible with Secure Digital memory cards. You can also record still images onto the video cassette with a "shutter" sound effect in full frame or pin-up mode. More Features The GR-DV500 offers the capability to create high-quality MPEG-4 video clips from recorded video footage, or in real-time using the camcorder as a Webcam. This allows for computer-based editing, e-mailing video clips, or uploading to Web sites. The camcorder will also double as a Webcam when connected via USB to your PC. Other features include: 2.5-inch tiltable LCD screen JVC's Night Alive feature boosts light sensitivity for a bright picture, even in situations with minimal illumination The picture-stabilizer system corrects camera shake instantly, giving you smooth and stable pictures The Power Linked Operation feature prepares the camera to record simply by opening the LCD or pulling out the viewfinder The IEEE 1394 (FireWire) connections provides fast loss-less digital transfer to a computer, or dubbing from or to another DV unit Built-in analog-to-digital converter that converts analog audio-video signal to a digital signal, and can be recorded to a DV tape Remote control features include playback with special effects, zoom, slow motion, and audio dubbing/insert editing MiniDV Format MiniDV is the preferred format for personal and broadcast-quality video, highly regarded for its high audio and image quality. With 540 lines of horizontal resolution and minimum color noise, MiniDV delivers a 20 percent clearer picture than analog camcorder formats. This is all delivered on a cassette that's 1/12th the size of a standard VHS tape. A MiniDV tape offers digital recording time of 2 full hours--20 times the capacity of a CD. Contents This package includes the GR-DV500 camcorder, 8 MB MMC memory card, AC adapter, battery pack, shoulder strap, AV cable (mini-3 RCA), USB cable, wireless remote control, lens cap, and CD-ROM with Presto! ImageFolio and Presto! Mr. Photo 3 software.
Description from Manufacturer:The compact JVC GR-DV500 is a stylish digital video camcorder that offers advanced features, such as digital still-photo capability and the ability to create high-quality MPEG-4 video clips. The GR-DV500 features a 1.33-megapixel CCD, 10x optical zoom, and 2.5-inch color LCD. It comes with Presto! ImageFolio and Presto! Mr. Photo 3 digital video editing software and an 8 MB MMC memory card. Optics und Audio
The GR-DV500 offers a 1.33-megapixel CCD with 540 lines of horizontal resolution. Combined with JVC's super-hi-band processor, you'll be assured of capturing crisp, clear video. Equipped with a 10x optical zoom, the GR-DV500 also features a 300x digital zoom that allows you to zoom in for incredible close-ups.
The GR-DV500 also features PCM digital stereo sound in either 12-bit or 16-bit options. The 16-bit mode offers one set of stereo tracks and achieves the same quality as a CD, while the 12-bit mode creates two sets of stereo tracks. Audio dub is possible when recorded in 12-bit mode.
Digital Stills
The still mode is capable of capturing crystal-clear still images of up to 1,600 x 1,200 pixels. The images are stored onto the included 8 MB MMC memory card; the GR-DV500 is also compatible with Secure Digital memory cards. You can also record still images onto the video cassette with a "shutter" sound effect in full frame or pin-up mode.
More Features
The GR-DV500 offers the capability to create high-quality MPEG-4 video clips from recorded video footage, or in real-time using the camcorder as a Webcam. This allows for computer-based editing, e-mailing video clips, or uploading to Web sites. The camcorder will also double as a Webcam when connected via USB to your PC.
Other features include:
- 2.5-inch tiltable LCD screen
- JVC's Night Alive feature boosts light sensitivity for a bright picture, even in situations with minimal illumination
- The picture-stabilizer system corrects camera shake instantly, giving you smooth and stable pictures
- The Power Linked Operation feature prepares the camera to record simply by opening the LCD or pulling out the viewfinder
- The IEEE 1394 (FireWire) connections provides fast loss-less digital transfer to a computer, or dubbing from or to another DV unit
- Built-in analog-to-digital converter that converts analog audio-video signal to a digital signal, and can be recorded to a DV tape
- Remote control features include playback with special effects, zoom, slow motion, and audio dubbing/insert editing
MiniDV Format
MiniDV is the preferred format for personal and broadcast-quality video, highly regarded for its high audio and image quality. With 540 lines of horizontal resolution and minimum color noise, MiniDV delivers a 20 percent clearer picture than analog camcorder formats. This is all delivered on a cassette that's 1/12th the size of a standard VHS tape. A MiniDV tape offers digital recording time of 2 full hours--20 times the capacity of a CD.
Contents
This package includes the GR-DV500 camcorder, 8 MB MMC memory card, AC adapter, battery pack, shoulder strap, AV cable (mini-3 RCA), USB cable, wireless remote control, lens cap, and CD-ROM with Presto! ImageFolio and Presto! Mr. Photo 3 software.Average Customer Rating: 
Comment: Nice Change of Pace! Rating:
When I got this camera my first thought was that it just would not deliver, very skeptical. HOWEVER this is the coolest camera in my collection of photo and video gear. Before I get excited let me tell you a few of the bad things first:
1. Not to sporty on Windows 98, have problems from time to time on my old computer running Win 98 getting this to be recognized.
2. The tape loads underneath which means if you are on a tripod that camera must be taken off in order to change tapes.
3. USB and Firewire ports are underneath the view screen which means the camera must be opened in order to use them.
With that said let me say that the camera performs well on my two other computers using Win XP. I enjoy Windows Movie Maker and this camera, they make a perfect match and good outcome.
If you have Win XP or newer this is the camera for you. PLEASE don't forget to get the Flash and Light accessories which really make this a wonderful camera. It is a lightweight and very easy to use camera. I put a 256SD card in this and have not been able to come close to filling it.
I like being able to video and also digital image at the same time, before I had to use two cameras. This camera puts your digial images on the SD Card and also adds the snapshot effect right on the tape. I use this camera daily and have not been let down yet.
Comment: Great camcorder for moviemaking Rating:
I purchased this camcorder to make a low budget movie. I was impressed with how many features (like 540 lines of horiz. resolution) were available on this camcorder that were hard to find on anything but the best quality professional mini-dv camcorders.
The image quality was great when adequate lighting was used, and there was no picture distortion, even on a larger (close to 50") television. I recently had trouble with the tape loading mechanism, but that could just be my fault.
Pros:
-1.33 Megapixel CCD hard to find on less expensive camcorders
-Sharp LCD screen
-Viewfinder has diopter (so you can take off your glasses)
-Accepts many lens attachments (I use a wide angle and telephoto lens from Sony)
-Body feels strong, not cheap and light like many Sonys or Panasonics
-Some of the picture effects are useful (like shutter speeds)
-Digital Wide Angle setting (allows you to reach <1x zoom with built in lens)
-Great battery life for included battery
-High quality mic preamp built in
-Amazing picture quality for price when used in good lighting
Cons:
-Bottom loading tape (can't open with tripod attached, but few cameras don't have this now)
-No focus ring (you have to use the tiny scroll wheel, but focus rings are only available on camcorders that cost $1000+. Just use a telephoto lens if you need to pull focus)
-Remote sensor can only be used in front of camcorder
-Poor low light shots (just use good lighting)
All in all, this is a great camcorder for making low budget movies, as long as you have decent lighting. Many options are available in manual mode, allowing you to have more control over picture. Automatic mode works great too.
Comment: Very Nice Rating:
So far, the only thing keeping me from giving this camera 5 stars would be that the night vision is choppy. I'm sure its a side effect of the slower shutter speed required for night viewing, but it made all movement look blurry but the color was great. It's light weight, and easy to use right out of the box. The software that comes with it is usable. It would be better if they would just use a standard windows look and feel though. I could not get XP's movie maker to recognize the camera, but after reading one of the other reviews, I'm sure it's my problem and not the camera's. (8 USB devices and 4 cameras hooked to the same computer may have something to do with it.) All and all, a great package.
Posted at November 11, 2003 07:58 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
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