A great price for the JVC Camcorder.
Written: Nov 24 '03
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Pros: Really simple to use. Love the night light.
Cons: Haven't found any.
The Bottom Line: If you are thinking of buying a present this Christmas, why not buy something all the family can share.
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| Susie-34668's Full Review: JVC GR-SXM340 S-VHS-C Analog Camcorder |
I have been meaning to write about the JVC GR-SXM340 camcorder, we purchased at the beginning of this year, for the amazing price of $249. Len had previously bought several others, but of course they are out of date now. He wanted one that would take video as well as being able to freeze it, and capture photographs. This one seemed to fit the bill. Also he wanted one that I could take to England, and be able to charge it up, while I was there.
We chose this one because it wasn't too heavy, weighs 2 lbs. Also a nice size to use. 4.69 inches x 4.44 inches, x 7.88 inches. It has an image stabilizer, which really helps me to take better video. Len particularly liked the 600 zoom. I didn't use the full zoom, because I lost whatever I was trying to video. Photography and video are not my strong point. I am a aim, and fire person, if you get my drift.
So I took it to England with me. I was loaded up with presents for my family. I selected a few for my grand-daughter, as it was also her birthday that week, and I wanted to keep some back. Len had already charged the battery for me so I was ready to capture my memories. Really simple to use. I switched it on. Turned the menu wheel and opened up the LCD monitor. I wear glasses all the time so I find it impossible to use the regular eye piece on this camcorder, or any other one. I had a great time taking video of my daughter, son-in-law and grand-daughter opening their gifts. My son-in-law took video of me with the little one too.
When we had completed the giving of gifts, I rewound the tape and everyone watched what I had taken. Very pleased with the results. We had taken video of our house, Len's daughter, and a bunch of other stuff for me to show them, but by this time jet-lag was creeping in.
The following day my grand-daughter was playing with some of her new toys, and was also wearing a new outfit I had purchased for her. I grabbed the camera and started recording. Then the 'low battery' came up on the screen. It didn't worry me because I had bought the charger, and this was a dual voltage plug. I took out the international plug that changes a 2 prong into a 3 prong plug. Only it had a safety circle feature on it. This prevented me from pushing the American plug into it. Boy, was I upset. I spent the entire week trying to purchase another plug. Everyone had this safely feature on it. I even took the battery plug with me and went into every store within about a 20 mile radius. They never got to see our video.
So the birthday came and went, and all I had were photographs taken with my Canon Sureshot. When I came home, my husband Len got a special knife and sheared the safety ring off. I didn't feel comfortable doing this, because it must have been there for a reason.
Okay so you are asking for some technical stuff on the JVC GR-SXM340 camcorder.
It is sitting on my lap right now. It is light gray, dark gray, and silver, with black cap and some of the knobs. The handle, for putting your hand in to hold it, is on the right of the camera. Above it are volume, snapshot, menu/bright/tracking. The eye piece is on the right just behind it. At the back is the battery. On the left is the cassette and the LCD monitor. On the top are a bunch of buttons. Light to the front, cassette options, including retake. When the eye piece is lifted, you can use the main 'red' switch on button. Also play and record from this switch.
It comes with 2 leaflets. The first one tells you to read 'precautions' to ensure safe use of this product. Basically what happened, my husband handed me the camcorder and I switched it on. Turned the dial one way to play video we had already taken, and then turn the dial the opposite way to record. I went out into our yard and tried it out. It was a piece of cake. There is also a video light for night-time recording. I practiced with the zoom, but only used it part of the way.
Talking about the zoom, we were on top of the Empire State building earlier this year, and didn't have binoculars. Len put the zoom on full and we could see, what seemed like miles. We even watched the 'gay/lesbian parade' on fifth Avenue, from the 86th floor.
What does it come with:
AC adapter.
Cassette adapter.
CD-Rom.
Battery pack.
Lens cap.
AA battery for cassette adapter.
Shoulder strap.
PC connection cable.
Ours also came with a lovely camera bag to put the camcorder and extra tapes, batteries etc.
The instruction manual has paragraphs on:
Getting started.
Charging the battery pack.
Using AC Power.
Date/time settings.
Grip adjustment.
Viewfinder adjustment.
Shoulder strap attachment.
Menu settings.
Camera menu.
Exposure.
System menu.
Demo mode.
Night-alive.
Fade/Wipe effects.
Program AE special effects.
Digital effects.
Tripod mounting.
Loading/unloading a cassette.
Recording.
Playback.
Basic features.
Picture stabilizer.
Zooming.
Video light.
Quick review.
Tracking.
Time Base Corrector.
Counter memory.
Connecting to a TV/VCR/
Tape dubbing.
Using the cassette adapter.
Connection to a personal computer.
and a whole page on Troubleshooting.
Also written in Spanish.
The product was made in Malaysia. It was tested to comply with FCC Standards.
Len loves to take video and then run it through the computer. He then freezes it, at various intervals. Checks out the still photographs, and then prints any good ones. This is so neat, and yes, we got some great shots from the video to print out. In the end I wasn't too disappointed.
Next year Len is coming with me, so I know we will have great video of everything, including the new baby, due in February. Overall I am very pleased with this product.
Came with a 90 day warranty, which is now up.
If you need more information, please leave a comment, or e-mail me.
Part of the Write you Butt Off 'W/O'. Help give a toy to a needy child this year. Check out the other great writers at Maggsmomm's profile page.
Thanks,
Susie.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 249
Recommended for: Home and Families - Keep Memories of Family Vacations
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