JVC GR-DVL320 Digital Cybercam Camcorder
Written: Mar 12 '02 (Updated Mar 12 '02)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Price, performance, features, manual adjustments available, compact size
Cons: Only 10x zoom, no USB
The Bottom Line: The JVC GR-DVL320 is compact, has good feature set and is a good value.
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| dkozin's Full Review: JVC GR-DVL320 Battery |
The JVC GR-DVL320 is a MiniDV digital camcorder with i.Link (FireWire) interface and RS232C port.
Picture And Sound
The DVL320 produces excellent picture and sound quality. However, as with majority of camcorders, you have to make sure you have enough light, use appropriate programmed AE (auto exposure) or employ the built-in video light. The camcorder uses MiniDV tapes and has a digital image stabilizer, which is quite effective.
Zoom
The DVL320 uses a 680,000-pixel CCD, which allows you to use digital zoom with not much loss in visual picture quality, in reasonable limits. However, the 700x digital zoom (with spline interpolation) it has in addition to the x10 optical zoom, is just a marketing trick – since you would never use it to its full capability.
There is only 10x optical zoom, which is on the week side. However, I rarely use more than 10x zoom, so it might be enough.
Integrated Auto Light
The 320 features a built-in automatic light, and you might need it. If the programmed AE (auto exposure) is set incorrectly, the dark scenes create video noise that has to be cured either by this built-in light or manually adjusting the exposure. Fortunately, in addition to the programmed AE, the exposure can be manually adjusted, as well as focus and white balance.
Manual Adjustments
The focus, exposure and white balance can be manually adjusted if you need to. Otherwise, they are automatic. The manual white balance option is a feature not usually found in cheap camcorders and might come in handy in the scenes with artificial light.
Inputs
The camcorder has A/V, S-Video out, i.Link (FireWire, IEEE 1394) and RS232 outs. There is no USB – the RS232C is used.
Still No USB
Since the camcorder acts as both a camcorder and a digital still camera, the USB would be preferred to transfer still pictures to your computer. The still images are stored on the videotape (MiniDV) and can be downloaded to your computer using the serial port (RS232C), since there is no USB.
The RS-232 serial cable and software are provided. Make sure you have unoccupied serial port and get ready for slow transfers.
The provided software allows you edit your still pictures and save them in variety of formats, including the compressed ones, that you can upload to your Internet home page, online photo album, or simply send by email.
Features
The camcorder is very compact and weighs just 1.3 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 mode, etc.
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.
The color 2.5” LCD screen allows you to operate the camcorder from any angle. The LCD is 2.5 inches in size (110,000 pixels). In addition, the camcorder has a B&W viewfinder, which allows you to conserve battery power.
Unlike Panasonic models, where you have to buy the remote separately, a full-function remote control is supplied. Also supplied is Li-Ion battery, A/V cable, RS232 serial cable and the software to manipulate still images.
Bottom Line
The JVC GR-DVL320 is compact, has good feature set and is a good value.
Recommended:
Yes
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dkozin
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 in Electronics |
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Location: California
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About Me:
I love to push buttons on electronic (audio and video) equipment. It makes me happy.
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