New JVC HD Everio Line Includes World’s First 50-Hour AVCHD Camcorder And Dual-Format Models

Two new HD models offer both AVCHD and MPEG-2 recording

WAYNE, NJ, June 17, 2008 – JVC has added three new high definition camcorders to its HD Everio line,
including a pair of dual-format models, one of which records up to 50 hours of AVCHD Full HD video.

Two new models, the GZ-HD40 and GZ-HD30, are the world’s first
AVCHD / MPEG-2 dual-format camcorders, allowing access to the
superior long time compression afforded by AVCHD, as well as
MPEG-2’s superior editing and post-production environment. Both
offer 1920 x 1080 Full HD recording in both formats to a 120GB (GZ-
HD40) or 80GB (GZ-HD30) internal hard disk drive. The third new
model, the GZ-HD10, offers 1440 x 1080 recording in the AVCHD
format to a 40GB hard drive.

Technologies behind the scenes include new CMOS imaging chips
with interpolation technology, the HD Gigabrid Duo chip that includes codecs for AVCHD in all
camcorders and MPEG-2 in the GZ-HD40 and GZ-HD30 as well as noise reduction technology, and 1920
x 1080/60P output for all camcorders via HDMI™ (V.1.3 with x.v.Color). Ease of use innovations include
Intelligent Grouping, which sorts and groups together similar themed scenes for easier access, and
Digest Playback, which creates a video montage of scenes, much like a “coming attractions” clip, when
they’re burned to a DVD.

JVC designed the GZ-HD30 to meet the needs of a broad segment of people who shoot video, including
family users. More compact than the GZ-HD40, it offers all of the performance and nearly all of the
features of that model, except it has a slim 80GB internal hard disk for a maximum 33 hours of Full HD
recording, and does not come with a docking station. As of June 2008, it is the world’s smallest Full HD
camcorder with 1.8” HDD.

JVC provided the GZ-HD40 with a 120GB hard disk drive for up to 50 hours of AVCHD Full HD video
recording, and a docking station to meet the requirements of the prosumer or high-end enthusiast.

JVC designed the small sized HD Everio GZ-HD10 thinking of the needs of budget-conscious users, yet it
offers a high quality KONICA MINOLTA HD LENS and a 40GB hard disk that provides up to 16 hours of
high-definition recording. The GZ-HD10’s 1440x1080 AVCHD recordings are also up converted for
playback at 1920 x 1080/60P via HDMI.

All three of the new HD Everio camcorders can connect to the optionally available CU-VD50 Everio
SHARE STATION with stand alone playback. The new HD Everios can also connect to the JVC CU-VD3
SHARE STATION to offer an even more cost-efficient archiving and playback solution. The combinations
offer the world’s first PC-less solution for AVCHD and MPEG-2 burning and playback, with AVCHD DVD
discs that can be shared with commonly available AVCHD compatible Blu-Ray players.

1920 x 1080 Full HD Recording
The GZ-HD40 and GZ-HD30 both have three AVCHD recording modes that all record Full HD 1920 x
1080 video. The only difference among modes is the bit rate, and while using the highest bit rate yields
the highest quality results, the image quality is remarkable even using the lowest bit rate EP mode. And
since 1920 x 1080 is truly native HDTV resolution, it requires no conversion on the part of the display
device to show high definition images.

The GZ-HD40 and GZ-HD30 also have the FHD mode for recording Full HD 1920 x 1080 MPEG-2
Transport Stream video with MPEG-1 Layer 2 audio. The GZ-HD10 records solely in 1440 x 1080
AVCHD format.

AVCHD MPEG-2 TS
1920x1080 1920x1080 1440x1080
Model / Record Mode XP SP EP FHD 1440CBR*
GZ-HD40 (120 GB) 15hr. 21 hr. 50 hr. 10 hr. 10 hr.
GZ-HD30 (80 GB) 10 hr. 14 hr. 33 hr. 6 hr. 6 hr.
1440x1080
GZ-HD10 (40 GB) 5 hr. 7 hr. 16 hr. - -

For all camcorders
Micro SDHC Card (8GB) 1hr 1hr 28 min. 3hr 20min - -
System Bit Rate (VBR) Ave. (CBR) Ave.
17 Mbps 12 Mbps. 5 Mbps 26.6 Mbps 27 Mbps

*For HDV compatible stream via i.LINK
Continuous shooting time and typical shooting time are approximate. To record video, a microSDHC card with Class 4 or higher performance is required. microSD memory cards (256MB to 2GB) and microSDHC memory cards (4GB and 8GB) have been tested for the following brands: Panasonic, Toshiba, SanDisk, ATP. Note that using other media may result in recording failure or data loss.

New CMOS Chips with Interpolation Technology
The image sensors used in the new HD Everio line are newly developed small size but high resolution
1/3” and 1/4.5” CMOS chips. This CMOS uses proprietary interpolation technology based on what JVC
developed for its 3CCD cameras. This algorithm makes it possible to generate virtual pixel data (orange
diamond area shown in illustration below) from the red, green and blue physical pixels, thereby providing
image information that actually surpasses what’s required for 1920 x 1080 Full HD imaging, or for 1440 x 1080 imaging in the GZ-HD10.

*GZ-HD10 pixels are not diagonal

HD Gigabrid Duo Engine
JVC’s HD Gigabrid video engine, which processes in full 1920 x 1080 progressive video, was the result of
years of experience in signal-processing technology, and uses five digital noise-reduction algorithms as
well as signal processing to improve horizontal scan resolution by approximately 20 percent over JVC’s
previous interlace technology, for an extremely clear and sharp image.

New this year with the HD Gigabrid Duo engine is its further advanced integration, adding the AVCHD
codec (GZ-HD40/30/10), and incorporating all functions of the previous HD Gigabrid engine (including
MPEG-2 codec for GZ-HD40/30), as well as the USB Host controller function for use with an Everio
SHARE STATION.

1080p 60 Frame per second Progressive Output Function
Enabling output of a 1080p 60 fps progressive signal on all three models allows recordings to be enjoyed
on high-end displays. Using the same high power Genessa technology as in JVC advanced displays,
conversion to 1920 x 1080p at 60 fps provides seamless natural video, free of motion judder during fast
action activities, jaggy lines on angles, and moiré patterns on fine detail when zooming. 1920 x 1080 HD
discs played back from CU-VD50 SHARE STATION or via the camera from CU-VD3 SHARE STATION
are also converted to 60 fps progressive.

HDMI™ (V.1.3. with x.v.Color™)
The new JVC HD Everio camcorders record using x.v.Color™ technology. The universal standard xvYCC,
known as x.v.Color, provides more accurate color reproduction with more detail and shades that look
more natural to the human eye. It can display 100 percent of the colors that the human eye is capable of
perceiving, whereas the traditional sRGB system can only display approximately 55 percent. The
difference in color reproduction performance is especially noticeable in greens and yellows. These new
HD Everio camcorders output to televisions directly using HDMI™ (V.1.3. with x.v.Color).

Extremely Quick Response, Designed for High Quality Shooting
JVC’s new HD Everio models minimize the risk of missing an important shot with faster response time for
many operations. For instance, the time lag from pressing the trigger to the start of recording is only 0.08
seconds (trigger sound set to off). That is nearly instantaneous, and a great improvement over the more
common 0.6 second delay. Likewise, the time it takes to power-on the unit has been reduced to 0.6
seconds, whereas competitive models may take over 1.5 seconds. And to play footage, it takes only 3.5
seconds to display the playback picture, which is about half the time required for other manufacturers’
products. These improvements can mean the difference between capturing a crucial shot or missing it.

In addition, JVC HD Everio camcorders include other functions that enhance convenience and quality:
* Hybrid HDD and MicroSD Recording;
* Auto Light;
* Focus Assist and Manual settings;
* Simultaneous to Video Progressive Still Shooting;
* Quick power off;
* 2.8”/ (2.7” for GZ-HD10) Clear wide LCD with Auto Backlight Brightness;
* Mic input and Accessory Shoe;
* Direct Backup button;
* In Camera File Editing (AVCHD).

Innovations in Ease of Use
JVC has equipped its new HD Everio models with new functions to enhance usability. First is the
“Intelligent Grouping” function that at the touch of a button rapidly sorts through and categorizes the
recordings stored on the camcorder’s hard disk into different groups. Up to 1,000 scenes can be grouped
in three seconds or less. With scenes categorized, users will have faster and easier access to desired
scenes, a real convenience as the hard drive fills up.

As an extension of this technology, “Digest Playback” automatically generates a video montage of just the
highlight scenes when HD Everio recordings are copied to a DVD. This digest version of the disc contents,
looking much like a coming-attractions clip, will help the viewer get a general idea of what the disc is
about, saving precious time.

PC-less Archiving Using Exclusive DVD Burners
By connecting the GZ-HD40/HD30/HD10 directly to an optional CU-VD50 or CU-VD3 HD Everio SHARE
STATION via USB, the user can burn 12cm AVCHD discs from all cameras, or MPEG-2 data discs from
the GZ-HD40 and 30 to make backups and permanent
archives of selected scenes in any desired order with
just a few simple steps.

There are several options for selecting clips to be burned
to disc — all clips, manually specified clips, clip files not
yet copied, by date, video playlists created in-camera
and comprised of multiple user-selected clips, or by
event type for those clips that have been tagged with an
icon representing an event category (e.g. birthday, baby,
graduation, vacation, etc.).

Created AVCHD discs can be played on AVCHD
compatible Blu-ray players. The CU-VD50 can also be used as an external DVD drive/burner when
connected to a PC. The CU-VD50 plays back on a TV via HDMI in 1920 x 1080 60p and with x.v.Color,
analog component and as well in standard definition video. The slim CU-VD3 offers the same burning
features, but with playback via the camcorder.

Full Complement of Interfaces
All three models are equipped with USB2.0 and HDMI digital interfaces on the camcorder. The Docking
Station supplied with the GZ-HD40 is equipped with USB2.0 and i.LINK (IEEE 1394).

USB is primarily for file saving, HDMI for digital viewing on large screen displays, and i.LINK streams high
definition video in full resolution or the 1440CBR mode. High definition video streamed by i.LINK in the
1440CBR mode is HDV-compatible and allows footage to be edited using HDV-compatible software
(functionality might be limited with some applications). HD recorded material is down-converted for output
in DV over i.LINK, or in standard definition via the analog component/ composite output.

High Value Software Supplied
For editing and archiving via PC, the new HD Everio models come with the CyberLink BD Solution
software suite for Windows. This includes “PowerDirector™ 6 NE” for HD video editing,
“PowerProducer™ 4 NE” for authoring high definition Blu-ray discs, AVCHD discs and DVD-Video discs,
“PowerCinema™ NE for Everio” for HD file management and playback, and “PowerDVD™ 7 NE” for
playback of AVCHD discs.

The GZ-HD40/HD30 also come with a plug-in that allows HD Everio’s MPEG-2 files to be used with Apple
iMovie HD 6 and Final Cut Pro 5 or 6 video software for the Macintosh. For all camcorders, AVCHD files
can be used with Apple's AVCHD applicable software without a plug-in for the Macintosh.

Model National Ad Value Available
GZ-HD40 $1,299.95 August
GZ-HD30 $999.95 August
GZ-HD10 $799.95 August

[JVC and ]

Essentially a high-end SD card video recorder, the $350 GZ-MS100 records MPEG-2 and features a 35x optical zoom, 2.7-inch LCD screen, about 2 hours of stock battery life, various shooting modes, and an optional (YouTube-friendly) 10-minute recording limit. It'll run $350 this June.

New JVC Camcorder Offers One-Touch Uploading To YouTube™

WAYNE, NJ, May 19, 2008 - Sharing videos over the Internet is now easier than ever with the launch of a new JVC camcorder that provides one-button uploading to YouTube™, the leading online video community that allows people to discover, watch and share originally created videos.
The new JVC Everio S Series memory camcorder, the GZ-MS100, was designed to make sharing simple for the millions of people who enjoy sharing their videos with the world over the Internet. And unlike many of the other camcorders that target Internet users, JVC's GZ-MS100 provides an impressive array of full-fledged camcorder features that give it the versatility to do more than shoot short Internet videos.
It looks strikingly similar to the popular Everio G Series camcorders, but is smaller and weighs only 0.60 lbs. including battery, because it records to an SD Card (user provided) instead of a built-in hard disk drive. The ever-increasing capacity and affordability of new SD Cards appearing on the market means that over time Everio S will be able to offer expanded recording time at a lower per minute cost.

Once the provided CyberLink software is installed on a Windows® PC, uploading video clips to YouTube™ is quick and easy. The camcorder has an UPLOAD button that works in two ways. In the camera mode, press UPLOAD and then the trigger, and this limits recordings to 10 minutes in length, which matches the YouTube™ file size limit. This eliminates the need to manually time recordings or go back to edit and shorten footage. After recording is done, connect the GZ-MS100 to a PC via a USB cable and press the UPLOAD button. This automatically launches the supplied application for uploading to YouTube™. After just a few mouse clicks the video will be up on the Internet for everybody to see. The original video quality is maintained in the camera, so it can be used for any other purpose.

For storage and cataloging, recorded videos can easily be transferred to a PC via USB2.0 or directly using the SD Card. The provided CyberLink application also allows easy burning to DVD using the computer's optical disc drive. Or, to create DVDs without using a computer JVC offers the CU-VD3 Everio SHARE STATION as an option. Since it was designed as an Everio companion, this DVD burner accommodates Everio's USB Host function that allows scene playback order to be rearranged within the camera before transfer.

The GZ-MS100 features Laser Touch Operation, first offered in the Everio G Series camcorders released earlier this year. The feature's scroll bar and buttons are touch-sensitive so the user just glides a finger up or down the bar to choose menu items while its blue light follows the movements. The LCD screen itself is never touched, so it won't get dirty, smudged or covered in fingerprints. The 2.7-inch LCD screen, the same one used on Everio G series models, has Auto Backlight Control to automatically adjust brightness for comfortable viewing indoors or outdoors. And with Auto Power ON/OFF, the user simply opens up the LCD to power-on and start shooting (takes only about one second if Quick Restart mode is engaged), and closes the LCD to shut the power off and avoid draining the battery.
The shape of the camcorder itself facilitates ease of use, with a contoured grip that snugly and securely fits the palm of the hand.

In addition to the supplied BN-VF808 rechargeable battery that provides 2 hr. 5 minutes of operation per charge, higher capacity batteries are available: BN-VF815 for 4 hr. 15 minutes and BN-VF823 for 6 hr. 25 minutes of continuous operation per charge.

Up front, the GZ-MS100 is equipped with a KONICA MINOLTA LENS that provides a 35x optical zoom with excellent picture quality. JVC's proprietary Gigabrid Engine also contributes to quality by incorporating six digital noise reduction systems to improve the S/N ratio by about 30 percent (3dB) over previous models, and integrating the MPEG-2 encoder to help reduce block noise and mosquito noise. Other full-fledged camera functions include Program AE with shooting modes to accommodate a variety of situations (Night, Twilight, Portrait, Sports, Snow, Spotlight), Digital Image Stabilizer to minimize camera-shake, and much more.

The JVC GZ-MS100 will be available in June for $349.99.

Despite recording in MPEG 2 1080i, the camera uses a conversion engine to fire out a 1080/60p signal through HDMI to your HDTV. This is, according to JVC, a world first. To find out whether this improves your video viewing quality, you'll have to wait until mid-February to buy it in Japan and spend ¥170,000 ($1,600) on the HD6 or ¥150,000 ($1,400) on its 60GB sibling, the HD5. [Impress AV Watch]

You're not going to get any grime on that screen with this slim guideway for your finger, situated just to the left of the 2.7-inch widescreen. All the adjustments are available with a quick slide up or down, and your screen stays clean. This highest-end GZ-MG730 camcorder comes with a docking station, from which it's easily removed.

We like its sharp f/1.8 Konica Minolta lens, which snapped into focus quickly, and takes some great-looking stills, too, with its separate engines for stills and video. Definitely a coolCam, the $800 pocket shooter rolls out for sale in February.

JVC EVERIO HARD DISK CAMCORDERS OFFER ENHANCED USABILITY IN A COLORFUL LINEUP FOR 2008

New line features new touch-sensitive scroll bar, super-slim design
and a selection of elegant body colors.

LAS VEGAS, January 6, 2008 - A new line of JVC Everio Hard Disk Camcorders features a new, super-slim design that makes them the world's smallest hard drive camcorders* on the market. The new Everio line, unveiled today, also offers new functions that make operation simpler and more intuitive, and models available in four different colors.

For 2008, there will be Everio camcorders available in sapphire blue, ruby red, diamond silver and onyx black, allowing consumers to choose a model based on features, budget and style. Also new is Laser Touch, a touch-sensitive scroll bar that simplifies operation, both 30GB and 60GB models, and a new design that's some 20 percent smaller than last year's entry-level model. In addition, a higher-end model offers higher-resolution digital stills by virtue of a 7 Megapixel CCD, making it unnecessary for people to carry both a camcorder and a digital still camera. This model is the first in the world to have an embedded 1.3" hard disk drive (30GB), which allowed JVC to integrate a large 1/2.5" CCD and its accompanying large optical lens section, without getting bulky — thereby providing the quality benefits of a large lens while maintaining a small body and offering large capacity.

A new innovation found on all 2008 Everio G Series models is the Laser Touch Operation user interface - a touch-sensitive illuminated scroll bar just to the left of the LCD monitor screen. Simply moving a finger up or down along the scroll bar allows the user to browse through and select video clips to view or edit, and operate menus for camera set-up. The 2.7-inch widescreen LCD's high-resolution GUI is linked to
Laser Touch movements, but the feature eliminates the risk of smudging or damaging the screen that users face with a touch-screen interface. And to provide better LCD visibility when shooting outdoors, the display features a new Auto LCD Backlight Control.

The Everio G Series offers a triple advantage of easy shooting, easy editing and easy archiving. Archiving is made especially convenient with the optional SHARE STATION DVD burner (CU-VD3), which for 2008 sports a new dramatically slimmed-down design that makes it much easier to carry along when traveling. One touch of the camcorder's Direct DVD button transfers footage from the camcorder to a SHARE STATION DVD burner or PC to automatically burn a DVD containing all the footage, selected footage or new footage only. The Direct Back-up button backs-up recordings to a PC through a USB 2.0 high-speed interface to free-up camcorder hard disk space. A DV (IEEE 1394: i.LINK, firewire) output is on the Everio dock (included with some models) to allow easy dubbing to DVD or hard drive recorders, and enables footage to be imported using many third-party NLE (non-linear editing) applications. But some basic editing can be done without a PC. Scene playback order can be rearranged within the camera, and 20 preset title screens can be inserted into the footage while viewing it or burning it to a DVD. These colorfully designed title screens are linked to the menu language setting, so they can be displayed in English, Spanish or French.

Picture quality is maximized by the use of an F1.8 KONICA MINOLTA LENS on most 2008 Everio G Series camcorders. This high-performance lens, developed by the renowned camera specialist, captures precise, bright images, yet is small enough to have allowed JVC to develop a compact camcorder. Also adding to the picture quality is JVC's proprietary Gigabrid Engine that integrates various noise reduction technologies to improve the signal-to-noise ratio by about 30 percent (3dB) over previous models without that technology.

Comprising the five-model Everio G lineup for 2008 are four 680K-pixel models and one 7 Megapixel model. The four 680K-pixel camcorders include two 30GB models and two 60GB models. The 30GB GZ-MG330 offers a 35x optical zoom, integrated Auto Illumi. Light and is available in three "gem" colors: sapphire blue, ruby red or diamond silver. The GZ-MG335 (available in diamond silver) offers the same functions as the MG330 and comes with an Everio Dock for easy connection and charging. The GZ-MG360 (onyx black) doubles storage capacity with its 60GB internal hard disk drive. The GZ-MG365 (onyx black) offers the same functions as the MG360 and comes with the Everio Dock. The 30GB models and the 60GB model each weigh just 0.7 lbs (315g) or 0.8 lbs. (360g) including the battery.

Capping the 2008 Everio G lineup is the 30GB GZ-MG730, which features a higher-performance camera section with a 1/2.5-inch 7.38 Megapixel CCD with Primary Color Filter. It features a more rounded design that shows off the F3.5 KONICA MINOLTA LENS. With the ability to shoot high resolution digital stills up to 3072 x 1728 (16:9 mode) or 3072 x 2304 (4:3 mode) in size, the GZ-MG730 is an ideal dual-use camera. Serious enthusiasts will enjoy the additional pro-style shooting features, including Auto Flash, Program AE dial with Shutter Priority and Aperture Priority, Auto Exposure Bracketing, Backlight and Spotlight compensation, Natural and Vivid color settings, and Histogram Display.

All models also feature PictBridge compatibility for direct printing, microSD card slot and USB mass storage compatibility, and come with a convenient remote control. The JVC Data Battery allows remaining recording time to be displayed on the LCD even when the camera is off. Power-Linked Operation powers up the camcorder and engages the standby mode simply by opening the LCD, while Quick Restart starts recording just about one second after the LCD is re-opened.

For use with PCs, Everio G Series camcorders come with CyberLink's PowerProducer™ 3 NE for authoring DVDs, PowerDirector™ 5 NE Express for editing, and PowerCinema™ NE for Everio to browse camera contents and enable the Direct DVD/Direct Backup functions. Macintosh users will have an easy time importing Everio's video files using iMovie '08.

An enhanced lineup of optional accessories also serves to increase the appeal of the Everio G Series. Among the most noteworthy is the CU-VD3, the super-slim Everio SHARE STATION DVD burner, which can be placed upright or horizontally. For the aquatically adventurous, there is the WR-MG100 Marine Case that allows waterproof operation of Everio camcorders down to 131ft/40m under water. Colorful camcorders deserve colorful carrying bags, and the compact CB-VM60 which carries the Everio camcorder with attached battery is available in black, blue and red. The larger CB-VM70 offered in black is also available to carry a full system. And a nice way to kick-start a wonderful relationship with Everio is the VU-VM90K Starter Kit, which includes the CB-VM70 carrying bag and one BN-VF808 data battery.

Feature Comparison
GZ-MG330 GZ-MG335 GZ-MG360 GZ-MG365 GZ-MG730
Hard Disk Drive 30GB / 1.8" 30GB / 1.8" 60GB / 1.8" 60GB / 1.8" 30GB / 1.3"
CCD 1/6" 680K 1/6" 680K 1/6" 680K 1/6" 680K 1/2.5" 7.38M
Optical Zoom 35x 35x 35x 35x 10x
Max. Digital Still 640x480 640x480 640x480 640 x 480 3072x2304
Auto Flash No No No No Yes
Auto Illumi. Light Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Everio Dock No Yes No Yes Yes
Body Colors Silver / Blue / Red Silver Black Black Black
Shooting Time
Mode 30GB Model 60GB Model Average Bit Rate (Mbps*)
Ultra (DVD Movie) 7 hr 10 min 14 hr 20 min 9
Fine (DVD Cam) 10 hr 40 min 21 hr 20 min 6
Norm (TV) 14 hr 10 min 28 hr 20 min 4.5
Eco (Internet) 37 hr 30 min 75 hr 1.7

* Combined A/V rates; video bit rate is variable for all modes.

Pricing and availability:
Model National Ad Value Available
GZ-MG330 $449.99 January
GZ-MG335 $499.99 January
GZ-MG360 $549.99 February
GZ-MG365 $599.99 January
GZ-MG730 $799.99 February

Thanks, Virtual Press Office!

[le journal de geek and avwatch]

Holding the camcorder is a delight. It feels like the designers of this device have carefully considered the user, because this little camcorder fits perfectly in the hand. Nice usability touches such as powering the camcorder on when you open its 16x9 widescreen display, a little focus assist button up front right where you need it, and our favorite, an easy-to-use focus ring, add a lot to this overall user-friendly package.

Navigating the menus is easy, too, where you can either control them with little buttons beside the viewscreen, or use buttons located on the camera body. A slight distraction is the red pilot light on the camcorder itself, making you think at first that you're recording. But there's a red REC indicator on the viewscreen that shows you when you're actually recording onto the unit's 60GB hard drive.

And yeah, there's the big plus with this camcorder: There's no tape involved. All your footage is recorded on that 60GB hard disk. The hard drive can store nearly five hours of footage at its highest- quality setting, gathering video with three CCDs and laying it down at a full 1920x1080i. It uses electronic pixel shifting to spread out the pixels, but the result is ultra-high quality. No, it's not up to the standard of professional-level 3-CCD camcorders such as the Panasonic HVX200, which uses similar raster-stretching techniques, but then you can buy three of these JVC HD Everios for the price of one of those.

Looking at its picture in a 720p monitor, we realized that yes, this is the real thing: tack-sharp HDTV with a camera small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. Never have we seen such great video coming out of a camera so small and so cheap. It doesn't feel cheap, though, and we were also highly impressed with its f/1.8 - 1.9 Fujinon zoom lens, 10x optical glass that's plenty fast and crispy-critter sharp.

There is image stabilization on board, too, but we didn't get as much benefit from that as we have in Sony and Canon camcorders in the past. Since we like to use a tripod as often as possible anyway, that's not a huge factor for us, especially when the lens zoomed all the way out. But still, trying to zoom all the way into its full 10x length made for some really shaky looking shots. We agree with David Pogue that this Everio's image stabilization leaves much to be desired.

Upon close examination, the camcorder's image quality does contain compression artifacts, but they weren't glaringly obvious to the uninitiated. The picture doesn't look as buttery smooth as uncompressed HD, nor is it quite as good as HDV video. Even so, we found the colors to be vibrant and true without being overbearing, and the overall impression is that this is definitely HD we're dealing with, and its sharpness is impressive. It's not quite up to professional standards, but for amateur work, it's good enough to be considered overkill. The most significant flaw we could see was its low-light performance, which looked a bit too grainy for our taste. We had hoped for better in that department, especially with three CCDs.

What about editing this footage? It outputs regular MPEG-2 in a wrapper called .tod that can be edited far and wide using the included Cyberlink software, iMovie and most HDV editing apps. but you'll need to use conversion software to make that happen. In addition to that mpeg format, its star format is the new AVCHD, a flavor of MPEG-4 that uses the vaunted H.264 codec. As a stopgap, JVC offers its VD40 burner it calls a "Sharestation" that can let you offload HD footage onto a garden-variety DVD, and then play back those videos directly to a TV without using a computer at all, an innovative approach. But the problem there is, those discs won't play back in a DVD player—you must use the Sharestation. We'd rather just see a capture/edit/output workflow like we've become accustomed to with DV.

For the DV-like workflow, the camcorder lets you record in a format called "1440 Constant Bit Rate" mode, and then output that video using the FireWire interface. The resulting video is an HDV compatible format, and can be easily edited by many editing software applications. That adds a lot of versatility.

Summing up, this is a great camera for your $1700 (and it can already be found for less than $1500 and falling), far surpassing any cameras that were available in the past for this price. However, we haven't tested its competitors, but one thing's for sure, the quality of these HD camcorders, recording on hard disks without tape, is astounding. The JVC Everio GZ-HD7 gets a qualified cheer from us here, and we can't wait to see what its competitors can do. – Charlie White

Update: The JVC Everio GZ-HD7 camcorder doesn't use the AVCHD format as originally written. The article has been corrected to reflect that fact. We regret the error. - CW

Most importantly, its 60GB hard drive on board does away with that pesky videotape, a remnant of the dark ages that we won't miss one bit. It has a pretty good lens on it, too, f/1.8 - 1.9 Fujinon glass that JVC uses in its broadcast line of HD cameras. With its HDMI, DV and USB outputs, it's looking like a near-perfect consumer HD camcorder (on paper) for around $1799. Available next month, we'll get our hands on one, showing and telling you all about it. – Charlie White

JVC HD Everio GZ-HD7 Full High-Definition 3-CCD Camcorder [New Launches]

By the way, tech specs, etc can be found in a previous post.

First First Impression: They handed me the camera, and I could swear, even in the windowless confines of a Vegas ballroom, clouds parted and shined rays of sunlight on my head. I turned it on. It didn't turn on. No battery?? WTF???

Can I please get a battery, some power source? No? Ok.

First Impression: It's small. Very small. Put it somewhere between your palmcorder and a run of the mill prosumer camera.

Second Impression: It's sexy. They really put some love into this finish. My photography does the grain detailing little justice.

Third Impression: I know I rant about build, but I think it's very important with a camcorder. The weight is surprisingly light, but a battery on the back should give it a nice weight/balance.

They had a tech demo set up, shooting a real time still image of flowers. There was vibrant color saturation, though some minor artifacting around petal edges. Then they had a screen with outdoor Vegas footage (claimed to have been shot earlier this week) that looked spectacular. Movement was very sharp - I could almost see this on an HD channel. Granted, the screen size wasn't a 50-inch where flaws might really show.

Without side-by-sides or shooting time on my own, I can't make strong camera comparisons, but I can say that I doubt you will find better video for under $2000. And if you are an event videographer or documentary maker looking to move to HD, two cameras for the price of one may be a viable option.

Grade: A – Mark Wilson

The notable statistic is that the HD Everio records in a full 1920 x 1080i resolution, earning it the billing as the "World's first full HD consumer camcorder". Sure, we've all heard of HD camcorders before, even at the "consumer" level, but most record at a scaling 1,440 x 1,080 resolution. JVC's new HD Everio equates to a 1:1 pixel ratio to most HD TVs, meaning that even HD can be sharper than it was previously.

Other specs include three 1/5-inch CCDs (meaning that each basic color gets its own chip) and HDMI, USB 2.0 and iLink (IEEE 1394) connections. The 60GB hard drive will provide quite a bit of storage for the suggested $1799.95 price tag in April.

I know, the first question on most of your minds is "no 1080p?". Just hold on. The JVC HD Everio is a huge step in the right direction of Gizmodo's definition of full consumer HD. I'm just excited at the prospect of Hollywood wetting their pants when 15-year-old boys everywhere are shooting in HD. Also, JVC has released a line of hard drive-based camcorders with the GZ series.

The GZ-MG555 part of the 5-model Everio hard drive camcorder line. All of these SD models feature 10X zoom and 30GB hard drives that can store what we are sure is a ton of MPEG2 video. Using the bundled dock, from which you can burn DVDs directly from the Everio hard drive, or use to back up source footage to PC. Keep in mind that MPEG2 doesn't do well when edited natively, so you may need to do some conversion if you are going for the family video Oscar this year. Oh, and this bad boy takes 5 megapixel stills. $900 in March. Finally, JVC is also releasing/updating their mini-DV line. Look for pretty standard stuff here, other than the notable F1.2 34X optical lenses, new 2.7-inch LCDs and a tiny 1/6-inch 680K CCDs (one per camcorder). JVC claims to have improved battery consumption by 50% with this mini-DV line, which is also promising.

Once again - we'll let you know what we think when we get our hands on these new models. But so far, JVC is looking good. – Mark Wilson

JVC Everio HD [Akihabara News]

JVC GZ-MG47 Camcorder [Mobilewhack]

JVC touts higher image quality with this model, where it can shoot in a native 16x9 resolution of 1173 x 660. That's a cut above standard definition, but not quite HD. There's a 10x optical zoom, and you get 5-megapixel still shooting, and oh yeah, you can store 10,000 stills on that on that 60-gig disk. Only thing we don't much like about this camera is its price, $1300. For that much money, you can get a high-definition camcorder from Sony. The GZ-M505 will be available this July.

JVC GZ-MG505 Camcorder [Mobilewhack]

NOTE - The Everio is MPEG-2 native when you record, but you can export to any number of formats and sizes, which is why I was a big jackass and kept saying MPEG-4. If they can get the resolution/quality up to HD standards, this thing is an absolute winner.

Product Page [JVC]
Product Page [Global AT]

iPhoto and iPhoto Books - Apple.com - I'm kind of pissed because I ordered three books and before ordering I fixed some typos and the typos showed up in the final versions, but the book and the photos are excellent. Great for grandparents. However, our boy now spent a "fist New Year's Eve at home," which sounds kind of fun, in a Rage Against the Machine kind of way.

Nokia 770 - Nokia.com - This is perfect for mommy. She can breast-feed and email her buddies at the same time. It's a tiny Internet tablet for email and web. Runs the Maemo operating system and plays Doom.

JVC Everio GZ-MG70U - JVC.com - I'm about to write a hands-on about this thing. It's great. This hard drive-based camcorder is truly the cat's ass. It has 30GB of space for about six hours of video storage. The Mac interface is a bit kludgy because it records into some strange format that must be converted into MPEG4, but the video and photos come out just great. If you're looking for a camera this year, go HD-based and go Everio.

GoodFather - DrMOZ.com - As a new father, I was not aware that babies shit so much. However, had I browsed the GoodFather Interactive New Daddy educational disk, I would have discovered how to swaddle, change, and feed the monster without incident.

TiVo - TiVo.com - I know, I know... we're waiting for the HD/dual-tuner version to come out as well. But TiVo lets us record all of our porn and watch it LATER, when the boy is in bed. How wonderful.

We've talked about tapeless camcorders before JVC Everio GZ-MC500 but this is the first close look we've had at the new JVC Everio MG50. Weighing only 380 grams (including the battery pack), the MG50 has 30GBs of storage space and can record 7 hours of video on its highest resolution setting. And again, that's with no replaceable media. It has an easy to use, point-and-shoot mentality, with the only available buttons on the body being record, zoom and power. Opening the LCD panel gives you access to the more intricate functions like the still/video mode switch, buttons for deletion, menu, light and info. Manual controls are also available to adjust for things like picture exposure, white balance, backlight compensation and shutter speed. And unlike the older MC series of camcorders, the MG50 uses an external battery so you don't have to go through the internal drive to replace it.
In terms of quality, the MG50 excels in low light situations, and has good color separation and accurate tonal qualities.

But best of all, you can compress raw video into a more manageable size and transfer it easily directly to a DVD. One warning: Battery life from a single charge lasts under 70 minutes, so best to get yourself some aftermarket batteries of a larger size for your more important shots.

JVC Everio MG50 Camcorder [Hardwarezone]