JVC GRDVL120U MiniDV Digital CyberCam Video Camera with 2.5" LCD & B/W Viewfinder

JVC GRDVL120U MiniDV Digital CyberCam Video Camera with 2.5" LCD & B/W Viewfinder Review

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JVC GRDVL120U MiniDV Digital CyberCam Video Camera with 2.5" LCD & B/W Viewfinder Feature

• MiniDV camcorder
• 16x optical, 700x digital, zoom with image stabilization
• 2.5-inch color LCD; black and white EVF
• Snapshot mode records stills onto tape
• S-Video and IEEE1394 outputs

Although larger than most MiniDV cameras, the JVC GR-DVL120U still feels lightweight and fits snugly into the palm of one hand. It also doesn't offer some of the high-end features of other MiniDV cameras, but for the inexpensive price of 0, it's still a great value.

The GR-DVL120U includes a 16x optical zoom and 700x digital zoom, letting you get quite close to your subjects. The 2.5-inch flip-out LCD renders images in crisp colors, although the optical viewfinder displays in black and white.

Video quality proved to be bright and colorful, with some decent digital effects available, including wipes and fades. While the GR-DVL120U doesn't include a memory-card slot for storing still pictures like some other cameras in its class, it does take snapshots, housing them on the same DV tape as video.

JVC's NightAlive feature allows for filming in low-light situations, although we have seen better results with the low-light capabilities of other cameras and camcorders.

Recharging the camera requires plugging the AC cord directly into the camera itself--depending on your viewpoint, not having a separate battery charger might be either a positive or a negative. Regardless, the battery recharges quickly, and the charge lasts a little longer than an hour--sufficient for most users.

You'll want a FireWire-capable PC to transfer video to your computer, and you'll have to pick up a FireWire cable. You can also send video directly to your TV or VCR via RCA or S-video from the 120U.

While the GR-DVL120U may not have all the features of JVC's higher-end models, this MiniDV cam does deliver excellent video quality in a very affordable package. The GR-DVL120U would please almost any beginning digital video enthusiast. --J. Curtis

Pros:

• Great price
• Takes digital still photos
• 16x optical zoom/700x digital zoom

Cons:

• No storage card for stills
• Black-and-white viewfinder

The GR-DVL120 boasts a 680,000-pixel CCD super high-band processor for 520 lines of horizontal resolution. The maximum user friendliness is achieved with Night Alive (for low-light recording), high-resolution 2.5" Amorphous Silicon LCD color monitor, 700X super digital zoom with spline interpolation, picture stabilizer and long-time recording capability.

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Rerate Products

• 3 RCA to USB Cable
• USB 2.0 to IEEE 1394 Firewire 4 Pin 4 feet Extension Cable for Digital Camer or camcorder

Customer Review

Oct 08, 2011 09:32:34