Customer Reviews

JVC GR-D370 MiniDV Camcorder w/32x Optical Zoom

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

This is the first camcorder I've ever owned. I saw it demonstrated on the shopping channel, and eventually went shopping myself for an equal good price. It's a 2006 model, and has only been around for a few months. After having it just a few days so far...I'd say so far so good! I'd have to say it's fairly simple to operate, and offers a great many bells & whistles for the price. The 32x optical zoom is what sold me, and it works like a charm. The digital zoom extends that to 64x and 800x. I have yet to try out the "super-zoom". The camera features stabilization control, but I'll admit its still tough to keep it steady even at 32x! The other features include night vision, live slow, an automatic focusing control, with auto white balance etc... and can operate as a digital (still) camera as well. If I was to make design changes, it would be to have some of the operating controls, FF - STOP - etc, on the outside of the unit, instead of having to open the LCD viewfinder to operate many of the basics. The only operational button within easy reach, is to release the pause mode & record from standby. Actually, the button to take "a picture" is right there too.

Battery power is ok I guess. The rechargeable pack (included) allows up to 90 min on average. To upgrade to a 3 hr or 7 hr battery will cost you!! No SD memory card included either.

So in the end, if you compare the features and prices of JVC's competitors, I'd say they did pretty well with this one.

This camera was great at first and very easy to use, however, the condensation error many others seem to have came true for us as well. When we first got the error it had not been anywhere near any water or moisture, so we put it in our cedar chest (we keep our house very dry and don't live in a humid area - Nebraska). This worked for a few months, but the error is now on permanently and the camera is useless. I wish it was different, but bottom line, this is a disposable video camera - a nice one, but still disposable!

First one I bought was defective upon purchase. Returned for new one at JVC advise. Second one broke after 5 uses and 6 months. Was told by JVC it would cost me $145.00 to repair. Total piece of junk and JVC will not stand behind their own product. Bought a Sony for about the same price and it is working just fine.

I agree with the many other users who have experienced the "Condensation, Operation Paused" defect on their JVC GR-xxxx. Despite numerous others reporting this problem, JVC says its not a recognized problem. I would disagree - it is a recognized problem, but its your problem, not theirs.

Everything positive written about this camera is true while the camera is working. Specifically impressive is the image quality (I shop for cameras like I shop for TVs...what's the picture I want to see? This looked sharper and more film-like than others in the store at the time).

If you're curious, we only had the 90 day warrantee and after two years it quit in storage. The hardware evaluation to fix it is around $50 last I checked, and ordering the suspected damaged bit (the CCD) cost more than I bought the original camera for. Haven't yet found a place that'll recycle it since it's slightly older, and I feel bad paying too much for replacement parts and worse for buying the exact same thing over again.

I think I just joined that club of "Charge me more and build a durable working product rather than making it cheaper and having it promised not to die within a certain timespan."

Even though I have only had my JVC GR-D370 MiniDV Camcorder only a short time and I am 77 years old, I have found getting to know and use my new JVC camcorder has been quite easy as it seems to be very user friendly. Sincerely Joseph Ellsworth

I used this for several occassions now and I thought this was a good buy. I was able to transfer video to my computer pretty easily. There is an SD slot on this for still pictures but nothing for moving video.

I'm hesitant to buy newer cameras with Hard Drive capabilities or High Definition, because they cost way too much right now. It'll go down by next Christmas, but until then, I'll stick to this one.

This camera works great, but it takes some time to figure out the different menus.

The Firewire is picky. With JVC video cameras you need a Texas Instruments chipset on your Firewire capture card (or on your motherboard if Firewire is integrated into your motherboard). VIA firewire will not work. I bought a good card at newegg.com Don't know if they have it anymore, though.

The battery has special circuitry to tell the camera the charge condition. I bought a "equivelant" battery at Radio Shack; the camera could not identify the battery, and would shut off. Just like some printers and cartridges.
Just make sure you buy a "JVC" battery. I may try the Duracell branded battery and see if it works (they make most batteries for many manufacturers).

Aother review of mine for this camera: [...]

Bought this camera in Walmart. Used it MAYBE three times and the sound went out after 2 months. By that time, the store warranty had lapsed so they wouldn't exchange it and told me to call JVC. JVC wanted $65 just to look at it!!!!

Luckily, my mother in law worked at another location and had her friends at the store exchange it for another one.

A great value camcorder if you prefer digital tape over disc recording (and I do). The optical zoom on this camcorder is fantastic. I like the fact you can use it with a standard tripod. I like it better than the Sony I previously had, and the JVC costs much less.

Still pictures are not super-duper quality (same with most all camcorders), but are quite acceptable.

Video is very good. Built-in light and night shooting modes on this model are also a plus.