JVC GRDVM55U MiniDV Digital Camcorder
[Archived in $1000 - $2000, All Camcorders, All Digital Camcorders, Digital Camcorders, Digital MiniDV, JVC, Products]
Manufacturer: JVC
Price at amazon.com:
Used from $475.00List price $1,199.99
- MiniDV
- MiniDV camcorder
- 10x optical, 200x digital zoom with digital image stabilization
- 2.5-inch color LCD monitor and color EVF
- Photo mode records still images onto tape
- Uses an included lithium-ion battery; also includes remote control, AC adapter/charger, shoulder strap
Product Description:
The JVC GR-DVM55U is a true workhorse of a camcorder. A number of great features are packed into this small, easy-to-carry device. The 680,000-pixel CCD captures the amazing 520 lines of resolution standard in digital video. A low-light environment is no problem for the GR-DVM55U. The special night shooting function enhances low-light sensitivity so you can still capture clear images at night in full color. There is also a built-in digital still camera that captures images in many modes--such as full screen, frame, pin-up, negative, or multipicture--onto a tape. The GR-DVM55U also comes with a variety of multimedia interfacing capabilities, making transferring DV recordings or digital photos to a computer fast and simple. In addition to the standard IEEE 1394 DV interface, the serial terminal allows you to use the provided JLIP software to easily control image capture and linear editing from your computer. Serial terminals are compatible with practically any computer for greater connectivity. Also included are an AC power adapter/charger, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, remote control, CD-ROM software for photo editing, shoulder strap, jack box, PC connection cable, JLIP cable, AV cable, and editing cable.
Description from Manufacturer:The JVC GR-DVM55U is a true workhorse of a camcorder. A number of great features are packed into this small, easy-to-carry device. The 680,000-pixel CCD captures the amazing 520 lines of resolution standard in digital video. A low-light environment is no problem for the GR-DVM55U. The special night shooting function enhances low-light sensitivity so you can still capture clear images at night in full color. There is also a built-in digital still camera that captures images in many modes--such as full screen, frame, pin-up, negative, or multipicture--onto a tape.The GR-DVM55U also comes with a variety of multimedia interfacing capabilities, making transferring DV recordings or digital photos to a computer fast and simple. In addition to the standard IEEE 1394 DV interface, the serial terminal allows you to use the provided JLIP software to easily control image capture and linear editing from your computer. Serial terminals are compatible with practically any computer for greater connectivity.
Also included are an AC power adapter/charger, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, remote control, CD-ROM software for photo editing, shoulder strap, jack box, PC connection cable, JLIP cable, AV cable, and editing cable.Average Customer Rating: 
Comment: Room for Improvement Rating:
...First of all, and this is probably true of all camcorders, is that you can take the fold-out LCD screen and shove it. You can't use it in daylight, it is totally washed out and impossible to see anything whatsoever and, indoors, when you can see it, it is confusing to use and disorienting and makes for wobbly playbacks, the eyepiece viewfinder is the thing to use and the expense and battery consumption of these LCD screens is shameful and baffles me why manufacturers tout them so much. Second, there is no way that I can figure out how to monitor playback tape position (for porting to make tape copies) using the tape counter and NOT have the tape counter/time counter/frame counter digits appear on the finished copy. If you turn off the counter so it doesn't appear on the copied tape, how the heck can you monitor frame/tape location?? I wrote email to JVC service asking a work around to the problem, but they ignored any acknowledgement or reply. The battery life is very short, the upgraded 1-1/2 battery is almost as large as the camera itself and almost costs as much. The much touted "infinite life", "no memory" attributes of these new fangled battery chemistries is pure BS. The old NiCad camcorder battery from my 8-mm Minolta lasted longer and, the best, still is, lead acid batteries of all things! I've never replaced the lead acid backup battery in my home security alarm in fifteen-years! I paid a ton of money (to be first kid on my block with DVM) for this item, I wish I waited so as to get the latest "progressive scan" technology that improves image quality at the higher zoom levels. The digital zoom (>10x) is practically a joke in optical quality. And forget about low light recording, even at wedding receptions, low light graduation ceremonies, Bar Mitzvahs, Communion parties, this camera will just not record under those conditions (if for no other reason than the autofocus mechanism breaks-down in low light) and there is no provision for external light attachment. The camera's physical size is a JOY though, something this small you can take everywhere, every time, it does get used! In fact it is a bit too small in the button department, my fingers have trouble pressing the teensy-weensy buttons, very frustrating actually. I would not trade this sized camera for any amount of improved optical quality in a larger unit and in fact the larger units don't have better image quality, only more convenient finger dexterity/functionality. As far as the snapshot mode is concerned, uploading them to your PC really degrades the image quality if you use the JVC docking station. I tried using these images in ebay listings, but the image quality was just too poor. You will love the credit card sized remote control and the convenience of being able to operate the camcorder using the remote, certainly worth its weight in Pistachio nuts.
Comment: Good Performer Rating:
I have the JVC GR-DVX48 , which is exactly the same as the 55U, but the model number is different here in Australia.
I've had the camera for a few months now and have been quite impressed by the quality of picture and ease of use in the camera.
I've had no problems with reliability, and JVC in Australia are always at hand to answer any stupid questions I have.
There is one thing which I utterly HATE about this camera though. I believe it's rated at 0.5 lux, and am not sure how much different a 0 lux rating would effect night shooting - but the camera performs poorly in low light conditions. Low light conditions being night time shooting under street lights. The camera doesn't seem to hold focus very well when it is dark and seems to get confused, and keep switching between being in focus to out of focus.
I was hoping i'd be able to attach an external light for night use, but there aren't any available for this model. Many JVC cameras have a socket on them called Info shoe, which allows easy attachment of external lights and microphone - for some reason this model does not have that socket. There are some info shoe adapters which can be put on this kind of camera but the JVC website said they can only be used for the external microphones, and not to be used for external lights. Although I would much prefer if this camera had a bit better capabilities at night, as an external light would be a hassle and not give me the natural effect I want.
Adding to that, the Nightscope function is complete and utter... I guess it is ok if you stick it in a tripod and are shooting something which isn't moving. Nightscope drops the frame rate to 3fps, and even then it doesn't improve lighting that much at all.
Besides the lack of night shooting capabilities, it really is a great camera.
If I had a choice again, I would go for the Sony TRV-15, which is a 0-lux rated camera, and also the night vision works properly (although making the image appear green).
But consider the fact that I haven't seen how well the Sony performs at night - so maybe I am just asking for too much when it comes to shooting at night.
Comment: A step backward. Rating:
I've had the 50U for 3+ years and it has never disappointed me. It is compact, rugged and handsome. The 55U is an even more physically attractive update. The quality of the movies is excellent, and the quality of the still pictures is quite good (though not as good as any of the 3+ megapixel cameras available). The drawbacks, as I see them, are the relative expense of the mini DV film and more importantly, the loss of the MultiMediaCards for stills. Now all stills are recorded on the tape, making downloading images to your PC much more complex than with the older model. I think at that price, I'd opt for a camera with removeable media and perhaps image stabilization, such as the 80U.
Posted at November 11, 2003 07:56 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
This is