Customer Reviews

JVC Everio GZ-HD5 3CCD 60GB Hard Disk Drive High Definition Camcorder with 10x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I like the size, and fits perfectly on your hand.

The stabilized zoom doesnt work as well as other cameras.

When downloading to your computer, MAC or PC, you will need to buy the plugins to be able to import them into your video editing programs. (premiere, iMovie, Final Cut...). It has it's own proprietary file type. (MOD & TOD) which is supposed to be MPEG 2.

My parents have a JVC mini-DV camcorder, purchased several years ago, which works very well for them. Sadly, that camera works better for me than this one. That one does video through i.LINK, this one doesn't seem to, but judging by a comment below I need to spend more time and TLC with the instruction book. That one uses conventional mini-DV tapes. On this one, the tapeless workflow takes some getting used to. The TOD format will be recognized by QuickTime if you install the provided codec, and then the patch to make it work with QT after v. 7.3 (if you update regularly, you're on 7.5 and it won't work.) TOD isn't recognized by Adobe Premiere Pro directly, but there are expensive codecs out there that will convert it. You could also rename the files from TOD to M2TS (MPEG-2 TimeStamp) and Creative Suite will slurp it right up. I admit, I jumped on what looked like a bargain and thought I got stung. As time goes on, though, it's slowly growing on me.

I am returning this product because of false advertising by JVC. The specifications show that the camera support i.LINK, but this is not the case. You can plug the camera in to your PC using a 4 pin cable, but it doesn't support the capabilities of i.LINK which include ability to control the camera and get live video feeds using a PC. I wanted to use this camera as a PC camera, but it is not possible. Even if you hook it up to your computer using the other video output connectors, you cannot disable the auto-standby mode.

I've had it for 2 years now

The only reason I didn't give it 5 Stars for everything is the TOD file format. Who the hell uses that? What were they thinking. It's super easy to use and the video quality it fan freaking tastic. You will not find a better camera for the same retail price, no way.

The software is Cyberlink and as companies go well, at least they aren't out of business.

I love it, but will go the extra dollars next time and see if it's worth it, then I will know.

Robert
Orlando

PS
What a stupid name "Everio" or whatever

I have been using this camera for over 6 months and the video and still image quality are outstanding!! I have never had an issue with it even in very low light conditions.