JVC GRDVM90U MiniDV Digital Camcorder with Built-in Digital Still Mode

For all those with the dreaded cleaning error, I can sympathize - my experience has been somewhat better - I used a Panasonic cleaning tape and that pretty much solved the error problems - we bought the camcorder back in july of 2002 I think for roughly $400.00 off of ebay - Looking back I probably would have gone with a Sony MiniVHS recorder - whatever it's called (the type that takes the small VHS tapes) - Anyway I use only sony DV tapes and that seems to have saved me... I really feel bad for alot of people who had problems with this thing - Customer service person said eventually it will need a new Drum Head - for 250.00 but that won't happen! Again I can't emphasize using a/the Panasonic cleaning tape - Take care folks - JVC is wrong for putting out this product with out testing it thoroughly -

The Good points - nice photo's - people say otherwise but it works pretty well -

The only thing that bothers me the most is the anti-shaking/ vibrating software whatever it's called - here this thing is pretty lame and focus - is good if you don't ever move the camera --

Software package pretty good - but will work with most movie editing software -
take care all -

For all of you who want to benifit from the people who have suffered buying JVC NEVER EVER BUY JVC. The company officials are not cooperative. Please dont wat your money

This product came as nicely packaged and had all the bells and whistles and was way ahead of time in terms of progressive scan, miniaturization, etc. The progressive scan feature certainly tempted me to buy this product.

I bought this product 2 years ago and have probably used it about 10 total times when it really worked. Most of the time, the product just quits on you and the operative buttons are plain too too delicate. Here is the chronological list of events that I encountered and I certainly regret buying this camera. Worse, I don't think I'll have the heart to buy another JVC product again. Like they say, perception is reality. I learnt the hard way:

1. Bought the camera for ~$1400 2 years ago.
2. The camera failed to record in low light. I accepted it since it was digital and ahead of it's time.
3. The camera began a never ending sequence of attempting to FIND the focus. I have used this in wonderful full array of stage lighting but with highly pathetic results. The camcorder just would not stop finding the focus and you would see the entire recording blurred with the focus drifting in a never ending way from one section to another--very daunting when you cannot identify a leg from the hand and vice versa.
4. The camcorder's on/off/auto/manual switch became flaky to the point that I had to insert bits of paper to keep it on. The service people could not do anything about it.
5. The camera kept providing the cleaning message
6. The internal battery died and the camera would never respond to any button pushes.
7. The camera recorded beautifully (it appeared) but never wrote ANYTHING on the MiniDV tape--the tape was completely blank.
8. The camera is in such a pathetic state right now that I finally gave up.

Not to mention that the Snapshot mode is so granular and pixelated, I wondered who was in the picture a few times at least. If you are buying it for the snapshot mode, forget it. If you are relying on the software that comes with it, I have so much pity for you. The software is eions old (and a dinosaur) and seldom links with the camera or identifies it the first time through. With GRDVM90U, you have to TRY, TRY, and TRY again and then it does work (after so much agony).

I am buying Sony and staying away from JVC as far as I can be. As part of my new purchase, I reviewed the GRD-93US product of JVC. I hopped down to Circuit city to test drive it before venturing to buy it over the Internet. Guess what? I could not believe it that at 10x, the camera again went on the focus finding mission. I could easily decipher the camera limitation since I went through the ordeal with the GRDVM90U for so long. I tried the Sony DCR-HC65 and it worked just perfect. I was dumb-founded but I was able to make my decision of spending a few extra dollars now and buy a Sony than to buy the JVC and regret it for the rest of my life.

Hey, my life is simple...I just have to make sure that I don't buy any JVC products.

And I thought all these problems were related to my mother dropping the camera down the stairs.

Those that have this camera- be patient with "cleaning tape" errors. Cycle the power a few times. Take the battery on and off. It will usually work eventually.

Having half the screen blue has only happened when I used the aftermarket Hi-output battery. It works fine for pictures, but will usually screw up video.

For indoor video, I usually use the SLOW 2 video speed. Brighter video, but slower fps.

Slow picture downloads are due to the Serial port, Video download with firewire is no problem.

If you read through the prior reviews, there are common problems. The most deadly is - ERROR "E04". Also, a head cleaning message is common. I sent it to JVC for repair = $627. The main board went bad. When I asked if this is a common problem - the customer service rep was very angered.

I will try to find out how to request a product recall.