JVC GR-DVL500U

Review Date
February 24, 2003

Overall Rating
 2 of 5

Value Rating
 3 of 5

Used product for
2-5 years

Visitors rate this review
3.25 of 5, 4 votes

Reviewed by
jay smith , Casual , from new york

Price Paid
$1000.00 at JVC

Summary
wondering, i am unsatified with this product exspecially since when i hook it up to my tv it doesn't play the screen on the tv is blank as well as i can't hook it up to the computer. I stick the only cord that fits into the JLIP and where do i put the other end,? and then get it on the comp

Review Date
November 17, 2002

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
0-1 years

Reviewed by
srik , Casual

Price Paid
$0.00

Summary
Got it for less than 500$. being a Mini-Dv, gives a very good clarity picture when played on a TV. includes all essential features for a casual user. very easy to use. comfortable to handle.

Strengths
amazing clarity when played on a TV.

Weaknesses
unable to play video on a PC. photos take lot of tape space.

Review Date
April 18, 2001

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
1 Month

Visitors rate this review
4.50 of 5, 6 votes

Reviewed by
askman , Intermediate , from Portland , OR

Summary
While I have done quite a bit of camcording(mostly using borrowed equipment), this was my first camcorder purchase for myself. After quite a bit of research, I came to several conclusion. 1) Digital Stills image is best left to Digital camera. 2) color viewfinders and larger LCD display are nice to have. 3)not all mini-DV are the same in resolution. This is related to pixel count of the CCD, except you don't gain anything above 680,000 pixel in most cases. Canon ZR-10 have 375 lines of resolution with 460k CCD, and Panasonic 400 have 360k lines using same size CCD. Taking this into account and my budget, I went looking for best bang for the bucks. (cannot get progressive ccd in my budget, and this only provide marginal improvement) This led to me purchase JVC DVL-500U for several reasons. I got this camera for undre $500 delivered, and got a 3hr batteries, 5 tapes, bag, etc for another 130. Look around, you will find the best deals. This camera has met my 3 requirement, and have several bonus. I have JVC VCR, and JVC has provided JLIP which allowed me to connect my cam and vcr to the computer for easy editing, without using the firewire. You list the cuts that you want to put together with the transition, and it will put it together for you. Also, I found that still image captured from this camcording is adequte, even when coming from a moving image. the program is very easy to use, provided that you have win 95 or 98. Nothing for nt, 2000 or me. There are some minor compression artifact, which required minimum work in the photo editing program to get rid of The stills are adequte for internet use. You can't expect more from a 680,000k ccd. Also, this has a remote, in case you want to film yourself, as well as built in light. It fits the hand well, and have good controls. Its low light ability is limited unless you use light. Not a big loss unless you are into wildlife/outdoor filming. great camera for filling basic need and more. (remember if you want more features, you will be paying a lot more)

Strengths
good image quality, great price, ease of use

Weaknesses
lack of win nt/200/me software, unless you get firewire and editing software.

Similar Products Used
canon zr-10, panasonic 400