This is the first camcorder I've ever owned. I saw it demonstrated on the shopping channel, and eventually went shopping myself for an equal good price. It's a 2006 model, and has only been around for a few months. After having it just a few days so far...I'd say so far so good! I'd have to say it's fairly simple to operate, and offers a great many bells whistles for the price. The 32x optical zoom is what sold me, and it works like a charm. The digital zoom extends that to 64x and 800x. I have yet to try out the "super-zoom". The camera features stabilization control, but I'll admit its still tough to keep it steady even at 32x! The other features include night vision, live slow, an automatic focusing control, with auto white balance etc... and can operate as a digital (still) camera as well. If I was to make design changes, it would be to have some of the operating controls, FF - STOP - etc, on the outside of the unit, instead of having to open the LCD viewfinder to operate many of the basics. The only operational button within easy reach, is to release the pause mode record from standby. Actually, the button to take "a picture" is right there too.
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br /Battery power is ok I guess. The rechargeable pack (included) allows up to 90 min on average. To upgrade to a 3 hr or 7 hr battery will cost you!! No SD memory card included either.
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br /So in the end, if you compare the features and prices of JVC's competitors, I'd say they did pretty well with this one.

This camera was great at first and very easy to use, however, the condensation error many others seem to have came true for us as well. When we first got the error it had not been anywhere near any water or moisture, so we put it in our cedar chest (we keep our house very dry and don't live in a humid area - Nebraska). This worked for a few months, but the error is now on permanently and the camera is useless. I wish it was different, but bottom line, this is a disposable video camera - a nice one, but still disposable!

This camera was great at first and very easy to use, however, the condensation error many others seem to have came true for us as well. When we first got the error it had not been anywhere near any water or moisture, so we put it in our cedar chest (we keep our house very dry and don't live in a humid area - Nebraska). This worked for a few months, but the error is now on permanently and the camera is useless. I wish it was different, but bottom line, this is a disposable video camera - a nice one, but still disposable!

First one I bought was defective upon purchase. Returned for new one at JVC advise. Second one broke after 5 uses and 6 months. Was told by JVC it would cost me $145.00 to repair. Total piece of junk and JVC will not stand behind their own product. Bought a Sony for about the same price and it is working just fine.

I agree with the many other users who have experienced the "Condensation, Operation Paused" defect on their JVC GR-xxxx. Despite numerous others reporting this problem, JVC says its not a recognized problem. I would disagree - it is a recognized problem, but its your problem, not theirs.

Everything positive written about this camera is true while the camera is working. Specifically impressive is the image quality (I shop for cameras like I shop for TVs...what's the picture I want to see? This looked sharper and more film-like than others in the store at the time).
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br /If you're curious, we only had the 90 day warrantee and after two years it quit in storage. The hardware evaluation to fix it is around $50 last I checked, and ordering the suspected damaged bit (the CCD) cost more than I bought the original camera for. Haven't yet found a place that'll recycle it since it's slightly older, and I feel bad paying too much for replacement parts and worse for buying the exact same thing over again.
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br /I think I just joined that club of "Charge me more and build a durable working product rather than making it cheaper and having it promised not to die within a certain timespan."

Even though I have only had my JVC GR-D370 MiniDV Camcorder only a short time and I am 77 years old, I have found getting to know and use my new JVC camcorder has been quite easy as it seems to be very user friendly. Sincerely Joseph Ellsworth
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I used this for several occassions now and I thought this was a good buy. I was able to transfer video to my computer pretty easily. There is an SD slot on this for still pictures but nothing for moving video.
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br /I'm hesitant to buy newer cameras with Hard Drive capabilities or High Definition, because they cost way too much right now. It'll go down by next Christmas, but until then, I'll stick to this one.

Product is working good and clarity is fine.
br /But I found the next version product (with remote)
br /cost lower than this product.
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Works well. Packaging of item was good and package came to destination in good condition.

just as advertised, very small, very useful, great video, great photos, just what I needed
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br /this is the second JVC camera I own and both satisfy my needs.

I agree with the people complaining about the poor CS policy at JVC. They let me down as well, when it was obvious the camera was poorly designed and built.
br /I am now using a different brand and will definitely avoid JVC in the future. I just hate it when companies do not care about their customers but just about profit. This will come back and bite them in the behind.