JVC GRD90 MiniDV Camcorder with 3.5" LCD, 16x Optical Zoom, 8MB, and MMC

by JVC

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 4 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0000899R7
• Item model number: GR-D90U
• Average Customer Review: 2.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #19,519 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: July 24, 2003

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The compact JVC GR-D90 is a stylish, go-anywhere digital video camcorder that incorporates all JVC's key camcorder technologies. This entry-level MiniDV camcorder is 50 percent smaller than previous models and features a 16x optical zoom, picture stabilization, digital still mode, JVC's Night Alive feature, and a large 3.5-inch LCD.

Optics & Audio
The GR-D90 offers a 680,000 CCD with 520 lines of horizontal resolution. Combined with JVC's super-hi-band processor, you'll be assured of capturing crisp, clear video. Equipped with a 16x optical zoom, the GR-D90 also features a 700x digital zoom that allows you to zoom in for incredible close-ups. You can also zoom in on any part of an image during playback with the 44x pinpoint zoom.

The GR-D90 also features PCM digital stereo sound in either 12-bit or 16-bit options. The 16-bit mode offers one set of stereo tracks and achieves the same quality as CD, while the 12-bit mode creates two sets of stereo tracks. Audio dub is possible when recorded in 12-bit mode.

Digital Stills
The still mode is capable of capturing crystal-clear still images of up to 1,024 x 768 pixels. The images are stored onto the included 8 MB MMC memory card; the GR-D90 is also compatible with Secure Digital memory cards. You can also record still images onto the video cassette with a "shutter" sound effect in full frame or pin-up mode.

More Features

• JVC's Night Alive feature boosts light sensitivity for a bright picture, even in situations with minimal illumination.
• A 3.5-inch tilting LCD screen for high-angle overhead shooting, low-angle shots, or even self portraits.
• The Picture Stabilizer system corrects camera shake instantly, giving you smooth and stable pictures.
• The Power Linked Operation feature prepares the camera to record simply by opening the LCD or pulling out the viewfinder.
• The IEEE 1394 (FireWire) connections provides fast loss-less digital transfer to a computer, or dubbing from or to another DV unit.
• A built-in analog-to-digital converter that converts analog audio-video signal to a digital signal, and can be recorded to a DV tape.
• Remote control features include playback with special effects, zoom, slow motion, and audio dubbing-insert editing.

MiniDV Format
MiniDV is the preferred format for personal and broadcast-quality video, highly regarded for its high audio and image quality. With up to 520 lines of horizontal resolution and minimum color noise, MiniDV delivers a 20 percent clearer picture than analog camcorder formats. This is all delivered on a cassette that's 1/12th the size of a standard VHS tape. A MiniDV tape offers digital recording time of 2 full hours--20 times the capacity of a CD.

Contents
This package includes the GR-D90 camcorder, 8 MB MMC memory card, AC adapter (AP-V13U), battery pack (BN-V408U), shoulder strap, AV cable (mini-3 RCA), USB cable, wireless remote control (RM-V718U), lens cap, and CD-ROM with Presto! ImageFolio and Presto! Mr. Photo 3 software.

Product Description

Looking for a versatile camcorder that makes shooting great home movies super-simple? JVC's GR-D90 combines Mini DV's gorgeous video quality, the photo-snapping ability of a digital camera, and lots of features that make it really easy to use. The LCD viewscreen is one element that helps make newer camcorders so user-friendly — you get a nice view of your subject for recording, and what you've taped is readily visible on playback. Most Mini DV cams come equipped with a 2-1/2" viewscreen (measured diagonally), but the GR-D90's viewscreen measures 3-1/2". That may not sound like a big difference, but it actually amounts to almost twice the screen size! Other conveniences that allow for easy filming include Digital Image Stabilization to prevent shakiness, 16X optical zoom for great close-ups, and Night-Alive mode, for taping full-color video in low light. And of course, since the 'D90 captures your videos digitally, you can easily transfer movies to your compatible PC or Mac® using the cam's i.LINK™ jack. After that, use separate software to trim or rearrange scenes, and add effects! Interested in snapping still images? The included 8MB MultiMediaCard® will store between 24 and 190 photos, depending on resolution. Use the included USB interface to transfer those pictures to your computer for editing, e-mailing, or posting online! Learn more at Crutchfield.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Almost Perfect...For The Price, February 1, 2004

By 

"jake713" (Columbus, OH USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: JVC GRD90 MiniDV Camcorder with 3.5" LCD, 16x Optical Zoom, 8MB, and MMC (Electronics)

The JVC GRD90 is, overall, a pretty good MiniDV camcorder. If you already know a lot about camcorders, skip to paragraph 2. If you are new to this area, continue reading below.

1--If you're looking for a video camera that you can use to edit video on your PC or MAC, then you need a digital camcorder that is IEEE-1394 compliant. You don't have to worry about remembering that, though...an easy name to remember is FireWire. This peticular camcorder meets those standards. Another thing you want to look for is Pixels...in this case, the higher the number, the higher the quality of the camera. This camera has decent video quality. However, especially when indoors, this camera's video image can get a bit grainy. If you are looking for a camera that has really good quality, I'd recommend something like the JVC GR-DV500. If you are simply looking for a digital video camera that will record Sally's band concert, then this is the camera for you. (Proceed to Paragraph 3)

2--this camera is IEEE-1394 compliant, making it suitable for video editing. However, it only has 680,000 pixels (0.68 megapixels), so if you are looking for a high-quality camcorder, I'd recommend shopping around for a camera with a least 1.0 megapixels. The DV port accepts both input and output, which will probably come in handy at some point in time. This is not a professional camcorder, so I do not recommend buying this is you are a professional videographer. If your budget is limited, however, this will do for your basic fliming and editing needs. (Proceed to Paragraph 3)

3--Another great feature that pros and amatures alike will enjoy is the big 3.5 inch screen. You might be thinking, '3.5 inches? That's tiny!'...however, you'll come to find that 3.5 inches is quite large for a camcorder LCD screen. Overall, this is a pretty good digital video camera, it's only major flaw being that some indoor shots may look incredibly bad. This camcorder is almost perfect...for the price.

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Only Bad For Pros, July 13, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: JVC GRD90 MiniDV Camcorder with 3.5" LCD, 16x Optical Zoom, 8MB, and MMC (Electronics)

Hi...I had been wanting this camera for such a long time, but didn't know if it was the right way to go. I looked at other reviews, and there were many complaints about terrible picture quality. That discouraged me, but when I went to Circuit City and tried it out, it was awesome! It is very stylish, and an excellent camera. Outdoors, the picture quality is excellent. Indoors it's excellent too, except when in low lighting conditions, the picture is slightly (and I mean very slightly) off-color. This (or so I believe) should only have impact on your choice if you're a professional (or really obsessed with perfect graphics...). The bad thing about this camera is the digital stills. I mean, they're not terrible, but you're much better off just buying a regular digital camera for those purposes (like myself). But that doesn't have any impact on my feeling toward the camera, because I don't plan on using it for still photos.

In conclusion, the JVC GR-D90US is an excellent, easy to use video camera that anyone can enjoy! This is a great buy!!!!

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Picture, Easy to Use, Works Flawless w/ my Apple!!, July 29, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: JVC GRD90 MiniDV Camcorder with 3.5" LCD, 16x Optical Zoom, 8MB, and MMC (Electronics)

I just purchased this camcorder and love the 3.5" screen. I can video my kids at their eye-level instead of hovering over them. Compared to a 2.5" screen this is much easier to use.

The color quality is excellent, and the picture looks great on my 36" TV. I also have a new Macintosh computer and it plugged right in with the firewire and I can edit videos.

The stabilizer stays on in the automatic mode, which my old JVC didn't do.