JVC GR-DVL120 Digital Cybercam Camcorder
Written: Mar 14 '02
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Low price, high feature content, picture quality, 16x optical zoom
Cons: For this price, there is nothing to complain about
The Bottom Line: The JVC GR-DVL120 is a great value. Although it has no USB or RS232C out, it is irrelevant for people who don’t want to ...
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| dkozin's Full Review: JVC Cybercam GR-DVL120 Battery |
The JVC GR-DVL120 is a MiniDV digital camcorder, which costs less than $500. Unlike more expensive models, it has no USB or RS232C port, but it still features a FireWire (i.Link) interface, which is faster than either USB or RS232C.
The camcorder is compact and has a 2.5” LCD, 16x optical and 700x digital zoom, digital image stabilizer.
Picture And Sound
With its 680,000-pixel 1/4” CCD, the camcorder produces excellent picture as well as good sound quality from its built-in stereo microphone. Just make sure you have enough light and use the right programmed AE (auto exposure). This camcorder, unlike more expensive JVC models, has no integrated auto light. Which is not so bad – majority of camcorders don’t have built-in lights and don’t need them.
Zoom
The camcorder has a digital image stabilizer to remove excessive shaking from the picture. It has 16x optical zoom and 700x digital zoom (with spline interpolation). Check out the 16x optical zoom – it is more than JVC’s more expensive camcorders achieve.
Manual Adjustments
Although you can leave all settings in automatic mode, the focus, exposure and white balance can be manually adjusted if you need. Not many camcorders allow you adjust white balance if you want to, which is a definite plus.
Inputs
The camcorder has no USB or parallel ports, however it has, virtually standard in digital camcorders, FireWire port (i.Link). It also features an A/V out, S-Video out. The FireWire allows you transfer digital video in real time to your computer for editing or to another digital camcorder, or a VCR.
Features
The camcorder can record in either standard SP mode or LP (LP allows you record 50% more on the same tape, but you loose the ability to add another soundtrack to your recording). The random assemble editing mode provides an eight-scene memory for favorite scenes and the ability to add special effects. The camcorder also has a digital image stabilizer and playback zoom, audio dubbing.
Unlike Sony’s inexpensive D8 camcorders, the DVL120 is compact and weighs just 1.4 lbs. It has a large selection of digital effects, which include classic film, strobe, slow shutter, black and white, negative, digital wipes and fades, 16x9...
There is an iris lock feature and the battery charger is built-in. The camcorder has a B&W viewfinder, which allows you to conserve battery power when the color 2.5” LCD (110,000 pixels) is off.
The camcorder uses a Li-Ion battery (a 800 mAh battery is included). The A/V cable is supplied.
Bottom Line
The JVC GR-DVL120 is a great value. Although it has no USB or RS232C out, it is irrelevant for people who don’t want to take still pictures. And its high feature content for the price is surprising.
Recommended:
Yes
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dkozin
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Location: California
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I love to push buttons on electronic (audio and video) equipment. It makes me happy.
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