JVC GR-D270 MiniDV Camcorder w/25x Optical Zoom

I spent hours on-line trying to select a camcorder from an overwhelming multitude. The important considerations for me were:

PC connectivity

Price

At least decent video and audio quality

Battery life, size and everything else

This JVC is a success in all these parameters.

I had no trouble at all connecting to a wintel PC. I have a cheap no-name lash-up desktop box, a $15 firewire card, a generic $5 firewire cable, and XP. I am relieved to report it all worked first time, because connectivity problems are apparently common with all camera brands (including JVC).

This is one of the cheaper miniDV machines, so the price was right.

Video quality, for an uncritical amateur like me, is plenty good enough. And there is apparently wide-spread opinion that JVCs are better than average in low-light conditions.

Audio quality, again good enough. There is definitely some motor noise breakthrough with the built-in mike that interferes with quiet pastoral scenes.

Battery life with the supplied battery is approx 1 hour. Since JVC batteries are upwards of $80, I will be buying cheap generic knock-offs in the $30 range.

The supplied USB cable is for downloading pictures from the snapshot and webcam mode. It is worthless for transferring video. Snapshots are inferior to my aged Canon Elph.

If a buddy could have told me here was a camera that worked OK with my computer, and was otherwise decent and affordable, I could have saved hours of research.

EDIT 1: Still 4 stars, but I would have exchanged some of that 25x tele for some more wide-angle. Also, the zoom mechanism is a bit abrupt, it is difficult to get a smooth zooming action.

This camera has a lot going for it...especially for the price. The video quality is good, it interfaces well to a PC over firewire, small size, decent controls, etc., etc.

But, I am returning it.

The motor noise on the audio is a killer drawback.

I have been taking videos of my 4 month old son but during playback it sounds like there is a locust invasion preparing to bounce during any break in his cooing.

I was wondering if I was being too picky so I compared the audio with that of the Canon miniDV I bought in 1998 (yes, 1998) and the Canon was sooooooo much quieter.

Too bad....'cos this cam was otherwise very nice.

Buy JVC GR-D270 MiniDV Camcorder w/25x Optical Zoom Now

This is my first Mini DV camera I was very exited intially but I found some of descripancies but overall it is good camera to begin

Pro :

1. Smallest possible

2. Picture quality excellant

3. Easy to Handle.

Cons :

1. Does not support download from Mini DV to PC by USB Note :This is very important drawback so IEEE is only option if you want to download movie from mini DV to Laptop or PC

2. Sound quality is not 100% I would say 60% good

3. No remote control feature

Read Best Reviews of JVC GR-D270 MiniDV Camcorder w/25x Optical Zoom Here

We have been debating for a while whether or not to upgrade to a digital camera. Since we are expecting another child, we decided to go ahead and purchase this camera based on reviews and price. It all sounded so good. Luckily we tried it out in advance of our trip to the hospital. We were very disapointed. I was expecting a much higher quality picture, but instead it looked like your average webcam shots. Grainy/pixely (is that a word?) and the movement was mechanical. It seemed to be trying to focus constantly. We were inside with all the lights in the room and hall on and the camera light. Realistically, this is the environment the majority of our video will be shot. Pehaps it performs better outside in bright sunlight??? Regardless, it is making a trip back tomorrow. Now we are back to square one and have no idea what to buy! And this baby is NOT going to wait. PS the sound wasn't impressive either. And all the still shots were incredibly blurry. WHY???

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This camcorder was bought in September 2005 and is still working well. I was talking a film class and didn't want to have the hassle of borrowing my school's $1000+ camcorder. Knowing full well that Canon and Sony, especially Sony, would be the best camcorder for people wanting their shots to look professional, I looked on Amazon and Circuit City to see reviews. I went into Stereo Advantage and well, walked out with a JVC due to the fact that it was a little less expensive then some of the other camcorders. So, the advantages and disadvantages:

Advantages:

1) It is pretty decent in low light. It does have a light on it and this does help.

2) I never noticed the motor noise mostly because when I film stuff and edit it on my Powerbook with Final Cut, I usually add music. I read reviews with motor noises but I guess that if there is complete silence in a room, you'll hear it.

3) Firewire cable and AV cables are easy to find and connect.

4) Easy to hold.

Disadvantages:

1) Firewire does NOT come with camcorder. You'll have to buy this separate. Best place to find firewire cables is online (Amazon, Ebay). You'll play way too much in stores.

**By the way, if you don't know what firewire is here is what it is. Mac computers almost always come with firewire outlet, just like PCs come with USB outlets. For PCs, you can buy a firewire card and insert it in your PC. The purpose of firewire is to transfer video from your camcorder onto your computer. USB plugs(which comes with this camcorder) just transfer photos.

2) Taking pictures on this camcorder does not turn out good at all. I would stick with a digital camera instead.

3) Battery is horrible. It lasts like 50 minutes fully charged. I plan on buying another one.