Awesome video camera for an Awesome price!
Written: Jul 11 '02 (Updated Jul 18 '02)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Price, features, 16x optical zoom, video & sound quality.
Cons: Position of snapshot (still picture) button, bottom loading tape compartment. Minor stuff...
The Bottom Line: A high feature set, excellent movie and sound quality and price make this a truly super buy!
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| samdavidowicz's Full Review: JVC Cybercam GR-DVL120 Battery |
How I got it:
After months of pondering, I finally decided to get a camcorder. Of course, which one? Being that I set a mental limit of $500 (including accessories), digital models through retail outlets were out of the question. So I was initially going to go for the Sony CCD-TRV608, an analog model that has very good write-ups. Then I figured I'd try the "hole-in-the-wall" e-tailers. The lowest onw would have only saves me 25 bucks, however. Then I'd figured I'd try my old friend Ebay. After losing about 5 different auctions, I found someone who was selling one by JVC, the GR-DVL120u. Now, I haven't been too impressed with JVC products in the past, but this cam had a pretty strong list of features for the low price this guy was hawking it for. So, I place my bid in, fully expecting to get outbid. When it was over.. I won! The final price was $345 shipped (would have been $315 shipped if some moron didn't come in there in the last 3 min and raise the price).
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First impressions
The GR-DLV120u is relatively compact, but is big compared to, say, my friend's Canon Elura 10. Hey, I wasn't expecting super-small at $345. The controls are logically placed (except for the snapshot button - more on that later) and easy to reach. The battery that comes with it looks pretty small - better get the high-capacity one for long trips. Finally, for a low-end model this camera looks pretty cool.
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Specs
680,000 Pixel, 1/4" Interlace CCD
F1.8 Bright lens
Digital CyberCam Video Camera
110,000-pixel 2.5" High Resolution, 270-degree rotating LCD color monitor
700X Digital Hyper Zoom with Spline Interpolation
16X Optical Hyper Zoom
Digital Image Stabilizer
Black/White Viewfinder
16x9 Squeeze Mode
PCM Digital Stereo Audio
Snap Shot Modes: Full screen, Frame, Pin-up, Negative, Multi-Picture, 4-Frame / 9-Frame, Digital Still Output
Iris Lock
Wide Mode
Manual focus, Exposure, and White Balance modes
Black Fader
Digital Wipes and Fades
Variable-speed Shutter (1/500,1/250, 1/100, 1/60 sec.)
High Density Image Recording, Mini DV NTSC (SD specifications)
BN-V408U 800 mAh Lithium-ion, High Capacity, rechargeable battery pack
Built-in AC Power Adapter/battery charger
i.Link Digital Input/Output (IEEE 1394 compliant) DV in/out
S-Video Output
Shoulder strap, AC Adapter and AV output cables
Audio Dubbing
1 year parts, 90 days labor warranty
1.39lbs (630g)
3.7" (94mm)
3.27" (83mm)
8.78" (223mm)
That's a pretty high feature set for $345 ($500 retail)!
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Pros
This is one of the few low-end video cameras that can produce 520 lines of resolution. That's more than even some higher-end models. Oh, and video quality is outstanding.
Audio quality is excellent too.
The 16x optical/700x digital zoom is totally awesome and is larger than even JVC's higher-end models.
The 2.5" LCD display is very nice and can tilt 270 degrees, which is good, sence the viewfinder is black and white.
Lots of special effects you can add to your work (I haven't tried them out yet, but... I'll keep you posted).
Look at the specs!
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Cons:
The snapshot button (to take still pictures) is located way too close to the zoom's rocker switch. If you finger slips backwards when on the zoom switch, you could find yourself hitting the snapshot button accidentally. Something to get used to I guess.
Bottom-loading tape drawer (only a problem if you're putting it on a tripod for long periods of time, as you'll have to remove it to change the tape).
Lens cap not tethered to the camera.
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neutrals
The only things missing are:
A USB port (for transfering still images). Who cares, I have a really good digital still camera (a Minolta Dimage 5). Besides, like all digital video cameras, it has Firewire (aka i.link and IEEE 1394), which is way faster.
An external accessory shoe (for adding a video light). Only a problem if you're shooting in extremely low light (and JVC's Night Alive will help you get through that).
The included battery seems to only last 45-90 min.
Not a con because you can always pick up an extra, higher-capacity one.
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Sam's conclusion:
For all the great stuff you're getting, it's a great deal at $500 retail. For the price I paid, it's outstanding! Highly recommended!
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
samdavidowicz
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Member: Sam Davidowicz
Location: Tamarac
Reviews written: 24
Trusted by: 2 members
About Me:
I work tech support and also do freelance tech work.
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