JVC GRDV500 MiniDV 1.33 MP Camcorder with 2.5" LCD, 10x Optical Zoom, and 8MB MMC Card

Ranking: 9.2 out of 10

Manufacturer: JVC

Model Number: GRDV500US

Price: $699.99 -- get the latest pricing from Amazon

Features:

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)

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Description:

Sometimes you have to test the limits. See just how far you can go. Feel what it is like to go a step beyond. And experience a moment of a lifetime. The GR-DV500 makes it easy to get a grip on Quality and Creativity. The 1.33-Megapixel CCD for Superior Video (540 Lines of resolution) and Still Pictures (1600 x 1200), 123k-pixel 2.5" LCD, 300x digital zoom with Spline Interpolation, Power-Linked operation so your ready to shoot, a powerful software package and much more. The GR-DV500 will allow you to explore the imagination.

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Great camcorder for moviemaking

Rating: 4 out of 5

Weight: 7.0 out of 10

Created: Nov 17, 2003

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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

I love this thing

Rating: 5 out of 5

Weight: 6.3 out of 10

Created: Dec 24, 2008

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easy to use. Easy to understand manual. great clear digital stills as well as video. If you have windows xp, not even a need to load the software or drivers. XP friendly. very easy to take pictures and video from camera to your computer.brDont hesitate to buy this one. Would recomend the very good investment of the video or picture light you can order for that model at JVC.com if indoor shots are going to be taken with low light.

Very Nice

Rating: 4 out of 5

Weight: 5.1 out of 10

Created: Sep 1, 2003

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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.

GR-DV500

Rating: 5 out of 5

Weight: 3.4 out of 10

Created: Dec 24, 2008

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Its simply amazing what you can do with this piece of equipment!brVery user friendy and if you are operating on Windows XP,then you are in another entertainment world.brWith its compact nature and numerous facilities,it is a must buy.brI love it.

Great camcorder

Rating: 5 out of 5

Weight: 3.2 out of 10

Created: Dec 24, 2008

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I bought this camcorder last Christmas and I've loved it since. I was looking for a reasonably priced Mini DV camcorder and came across this one at a local Sears. It felt nice and sturdy in my hands unlike the smaller ones offered by Sony and Panasonic. I checked some reviews on it, found them to be good and bought it at JR over in NYC. The video quality is nothing short of outstanding in good lighting thanks to the 1.33 megapixel CCD (a godsend in this price range).pAs for faults, the only real Achilles heel this camcorder has is the worthless "Night Alive" mode. Sony's nightvision trumps the JVC in this respect because the picture becomes nothing but a bright, blurry mess in Night Alive mode. I will invest in a video light to remedy this problem and I suggest that those considering this camcorder do likewise. Overall this is still a terrific camcorder thanks to the 1.33 megapixel CCD not usually found in this price range.

Great quality for the price

Rating: 5 out of 5

Weight: 3.0 out of 10

Created: Dec 24, 2008

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I haven't had the camera for very long, but my experiences with it thus far have shown it to be an excellent lower-to-middle range Mini DV cam for the money. It captures image and sound excellently, is lightweight and very easy to use.

Happy owner for over a year

Rating: 4 out of 5

Weight: 3.0 out of 10

Created: Dec 24, 2008

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This is the first DV camera I've owned and I'm glad that I made the right choice. I've had this camera for over a year now (bought in Feb 2004) and have no major complaints with it. This camera has a very clear video quality that often amazes me! Digital stabilizer functions well. Stereo sound is good.
br /The only reason this camera didn't fetch 5 star is the relatively poor video quality in low light. Though this can be adjusted using shutter speed, still I can't seem to get what I want. Bear in mind though that almost all camcorders have this issue, unless you spend much more money and buy the high-end ones.
br /Good luck with your purchase. Fot this price, you won't regret it!

A very cost effective camcorder

Rating: 5 out of 5

Weight: 3.0 out of 10

Created: Dec 24, 2008

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If you're lookin for a crisp clear image, a powerfull ccd, a lightweight camera with photo capacity for a low price, from a trustble company, this is your choice. Despite some reviews that report bad quality images on low light, I've got nice movies under that circustances. Of corse you should know that you'd better use a tripod and as with any cam a bright light is prefereable. But once you watch your footage on TV it's better than you thoght. For this price you cannot get any better. Now I moved for a GR-DV4000, much expensive, including britgher lens and some other upgrades on the same body. If you're looking for daylly use camera, stop searching. You found it.

Blue Screen of Death

Rating: 5 out of 5

Weight: 3.0 out of 10

Created: Dec 24, 2008

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Since writing my first raving review on this camera it has fallen to the "Blue Screen of Death" that most JVC cameras face.
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br /No recording, no playback. The screen just states that I need to clean the heads. After 10 brand new head cleaners have been tried and fail the view screen still remains blue.
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br /I was trying to use the digital camera mode but even that hardly if ever works.
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br /I now have a shiny item to hold balloons down or better yet to use when I want people to THINK they are being videotaped.
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br /Gone is my previous high rating, this camera is just plain junk.