JVC GRDF550U 1.33 MP MiniDv Camcorder w/ 15x Optical Zoom
Details
- Availability:
- No longer available through SilverGelatin.net
- List Price:
- $599.95
- Average Customer Rating:
- 3.0 out of 5
- Manufacturer:
- JVC
Features
- 1.33-megapixel ultra-compact MiniDV digital camcorder with 15x optical zoom/700x digital zoom
- Captures digital stills to tape at native 1152 x 864 (interpolated up to 1600 x 1200)
- NightAlive function for shooting in low-light conditions
- Data Battery function that displays battery power and calculates remaining recording time
- Included rechargeable battery provides up to 60 minutes of shooting time
Description
The GRDF550 Ultra-Compact Camcorder delivers the right mix of what digital video enthusiasts expect: Comfort, usability, convenience and style. Use the powerful new features to create inspiring images. The new Live Slow function and Low Light Plus tools let you manipulate your shots more easily, playing them back at any speed even when taken in total darkness. The new EZ Grip is built for hours of comfortable use. With the JVC GR DF430 you'll have the features you need to impress the world with your photographs and digital video. Capture every detail with the 25x optical zoom and deeper digital zoom. Its combination of 3D noise reduction and wider F1.2 lens offers better detail and sharper colors. Live Slow is ideal for playing back and enjoying hard-to-see moments. The new Data Battery function lets you see your recording time with the push of a button. The compact design is easier to use and small enough to take anywhere. A new EZ Grip design offers hours of comfortable use. Movie Resolution - (HQ), 640 x 480 (Normal), 320 x 240 (LP) pixels Focus Modes - Auto focus, Macro mode, Infinity mode, Manual focus Live Slow records slow motion images with real-time images Super Bright lens & Low Light Plus for superior low-light performance 1/6-inch 680,000 pixel CCD HG digital stills with four image size settings (1600 x 1200, 1280 x 960, 1024 x 768, 640 x 480 pixels) JVC's Megabrid engine that separately processes video and stills F1.2 Super Bright lens Still image playback with 8x zoom Auto-illumination light Email video clips in MPEG-4 format Web-camera function Multi-language on-screen display Analog input Cold shoe Comes with remote control One-touch view in LCD or viewfinder of remaining battery time Includes editing software
Get crisper picture results with JVC's GRDF550U 1.33-megapixel MiniDV digital video camcorder, which provides 540 lines of video resolution. It also features a unique new design that combines a compact camera body with a handgrip that is ideally sized to be comfortable and secure to hold. It also offers up a 15x zoom lens, 700x digital zoom, 2.5-inch LCD, digital image stabilization, Night Alive low-light video capture, and still photo capability (saved to a Secure Digital memory card).
For superior image quality, the GRDF550U features a Super High-Band Processor that restores the high-band components of the luminance signal to ensure a crisp, clear picture. It also uses JVC's Megabrid engine that separately processes video and still signals, providing optimal processing for each. Megabrid technology assures high sensitivity and a high signal-to-noise ratio for video and clear, high resolution progressive still images.
To make shooting easier, JVC's 2.5-inch Clear-View LCD monitor suppresses diffusion of internal light to deliver a brighter, clearer image, and also reduces reflection and glare from external light so that images are always clearly visible even when shooting outdoors in bright sunlight. It can rotate 180 degrees, enabling your subjects to see themselves. The one-touch Data Battery function displays battery power and calculates remaining recording time with the power on or off to prevent you from running out of power during mid-shooting. The GRDF550U includes the BN-VF707U rechargeable battery, which provides up to 60 minutes of usage.
The Night Alive low-light video system slows down the shutter speed in order to collect more light and brighten a scene. The 1.33-megapixel CCD can capture still photos at 1152 by 864 pixels with an interpolated 2-megapixel (1600 x1200) mode. Pictures are saved to optional Secure Digital memory cards; SD card not included with GRDF550U
Other features include
- Fast f1.2, 15x optical zoom lens with focal range of 3-45mm, threaded for 30.5mm attachments
- Firewire and USB 2.0 ports
- Manual controls, including those for shutter speed, focus, and white balance
- Web-camera functionality
- Analog-to-digital conversion
- Dimensions: 3.0 x 2.9 x 4.4 inches (W x H x D)
- Weight: 14.5 ounces (410 grams) when empty
GRDF550U digital video camera, BN-VF707U lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, USB and AV cables, remote control, lens cap, shoulder strap, printed manual, and CD-ROMs with Digital Photo Navigator and drivers
Spotlight customer reviews
PRETTY GOOD
[ Posted: 2007-11-11 ]
I bought this camera for inflight videos. It is one of the few cameras that has a mic input, a remote control, accepts the tape from the top, and has an appreciable optical zoom all in one package.
It works for recording videos from the cockpit as well as recording radio communications between the pilot and air traffic control. Makes a perfect accessory to pilots who want to learn from their experiences.
The downside is poor battery life, and LOUD hissing when using the onboard mic. If you want to use this for home video, use a separate mic.
excellent camcorder for the money
[ Posted: 2007-01-21 ]
I have had this machine for 2 years and it has always been very dependable and produces excellent results for a 1 CCD recorder. The machine provides lots of flexibility and I regularly receive positive comments about the quality of the image. The camcorder is generally used for some light travel and recording lots of sporting events. The machine also allows conversion of analog to digital tapes. This means you can record from a VCR to this machine (digital). It is also easy to transfer files to a DVD recorder. I am sure there are better machines out there by now but this has been well worth it. The camera stills are a bit small to be useful at this time (1.2 mp-seems small now but was pretty good when this was first released)
Too bad it doesn't work & JVC service doesn't
[ Posted: 2006-07-28 ]
I researched and compared over a dozen minidv camcorders, and based on function and picture and price, this item was the far winner. And if JVC ever fixes it, I'll give another review; I've had it for four months, and I haven't been able to use it yet. It was broken from day 1, and I had to send it to their service center. They changed some parts and sent it back but must not have tested it because it had the same problem. I sent it to the service center again with an even more detailed note about the problem, and I got it back again today and it still has the original problem. I'm convinced that JVC doesn't QA the repairs that they perform.
Design Flaw
[ Posted: 2006-05-20 ]
This camera has a design flaw. The integrated microphone does NOT shut off when you use an auxilary microphone. It says in the manual that it is supposed to. I sent it back to JVC many times, and the service personal compensated me by disconnecting the internal microphone permanently.
If you want flexability in your audio, and you're an intermediate user, keep on looking. It's a shame cause in every other category, this is a great camera for the price.
Good middle of road camcorder.
[ Posted: 2005-09-17 ]
I have owned this camcorder for about 2 months and recorded about 4 hours worth of video on it. The picture and audio quality is pretty good along with the color quality, especially indoors. I've had no problems with firewire connectivity on my PC when making DVDs with the camcorder. DV navigation is the best special feature on the camcorder. It uses the memory card to store thumbnail images of recorded video scenes to assist in video playback. It works like a chapter listing on a DVD movie. You pick the scene displayed and the camcorder will fast forward or rewind to that scene and begin playback. The downside to the camcorder is the MP4 video recording. It is pretty choppy. The other downside is battery life. During normal recording, I normally got about 45 minutes of battery life.