JVC GRDF430U MiniDV Camcorder w/15x Optical Zoom

by JVC

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 3 x 4 x 3 inches ; 14.4 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0007QS6KI
• Item model number: GRDF430U
• Average Customer Review: 1.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #19,081 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: March 25, 2005

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

The Ultra-Compact Series' Low Light Plus uses an f1.2 aspherical super bright lens, which offers 2.3 times the brightness of an f1.8 lens and 1.8 times the brightness of an f1.6 lens. That performance is enhanced by JVC's 3D noise reduction that delivers a 2dB improvement in the signal-to-noise ratio and reduces video noise by approximately 30 percent. Flicker is eliminated and color reproduction is improved.

At the top of the Ultra-Compact Series is the GR-DF550, which 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.

Both new JVC camcorder series feature a new design that makes them easy to take along and easy to use. The Ultra-Compact series 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.

All new JVC Mini DV camcorders feature the one-touch convenience of the new data battery function that displays battery power and calculates remaining recording time with the power on or off to prevent users from running out of power during mid-shooting. Also, to make shooting easier, JVC's 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.

For superior image quality, all JVC Mini DV camcorders feature a super high-band processor that restores the high-band components of the luminance signal to ensure a crisp, clear picture. Advanced models include a 1.33 megapixel CCD for 540 lines of horizontal resolution, while entry-level models feature a 680,000 pixel CCD that delivers 520 lines of resolution.

JVC's commitment to image quality is further evidenced in its Mini DV camcorders' ability to capture digital stills with no motion blur. This year all models, with the exception of the entry level GR-D250 and GR-DF430, offer a progressive shutter that allows stills to be captured by the entire frame, eliminating the blur that occurs when separate fields are combined to form a frame. In addition, the 1.33 megapixel models can capture 27 percent more visual information than 680,000 pixel cameras, providing images 1600 x 1200 pixels, 1024 x 768 pixels, and 640 x 480 pixels.

Throughout JVC's Mini DV line, the camcorders are designed with the PC in mind, offering multiple PC connection options, including USB and iLink (IEEE 1394) DV cable.

Ultra-Compact Series
JVC's Ultra-Compact series Mini DV camcorders are highlighted by a new EZ Grip design and features that include the new Live Slow function and Low Light Plus.

GR-DF430: 1/6-inch 680,000 pixel CCD, f1.2 super bright lens, EZ grip, 15x optical / 700x digital zoom, 2.5 inch LCD, 520 lines of resolution, Live Slow, 3-D noise reduction, NightAlive, auto illumination light, web-camera function, data battery, MPEG-4 email video clips, multi-language on-screen, analog input, interval snapshot, mic terminal, cold shoe, editing software provided, DV input/output, remote control.

GR-DF450: 1/6-inch 680,000 pixel CCD, HG digital stills: 1024 x 768, f1.2 super bright lens, EZ grip, 15x optical / 700x digital zoom, 2.5 inch LCD, 520 lines of resolution, Live Slow, 3-D noise reduction, NightAlive, auto illumination light, web-camera function, data battery, MPEG-4 email video clips, multi-language on-screen, analog input, interval snapshot, mic terminal, cold shoe, editing software provided, DV input/output, remote control, USB video class, memory card slot.

GR-DF550: 1/4.5-inch 1.33 megapixel CCD, HG digital stills with four image size settings up to 1600 x 1200, f1.2 super bright lens, EZ grip, 15x optical / 700x digital zoom, 2.5 inch LCD, 520 lines of resolution, Live Slow, 3-D noise reduction, NightAlive, auto illumination light, web-camera function, data battery, MPEG-4 email video clips, multi-language on-screen, analog input, interval snapshot, mic terminal, cold shoe, editing software provided, DV input/output, remote control, Megabrid engine.

Product Description

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. Multiple playback functions with 9 image display, Calendar, Rotate, Resize, Trimming 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 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

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

50 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Unreliable product, but great before it broke, August 28, 2005

By 

JB (Austin, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: JVC GRDF430U MiniDV Camcorder w/15x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

Below you'll find the glowing review I posted in August 2005 soon after receiving this camcorder. I loved it until February 2006 when I, too, got the infamous "lens cap" error every time I turned it on that prevented me from recording. To JVC's credit, when I called their support number, they provided free repair of the camcorder (there was even a menu option on the support number specifically for people who were receiving the "lens cap" error). Still, this is clearly a problem with this and other JVC camcorders, so I'd suggest holding off buying a JVC camcorder until you can be sure this batch of bad CCDs is no longer being sold. (I was unable to change the rating on this review or else I would have dropped it to one star due to this defect.)
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I got the GR-DF430 to replace a Canon ZR-45 and I'm very happy with the upgrade. Although the GF-DF430 is inexpensive, the picture is great. I'm especially pleased with the way it handles filming subjects against bright backlighting. Here in sunny Texas, bright light streaming through windows has been a problem for me in the past with interior shots. The JVC automatically compensates for this, and if the backlighting is particularly bright, you can press a Backlighting button that causes the camcorder to allow even more light in so your subject isn't too dark. The flipside of using the Backlighting button is that that the sunny background may be washed out, but that's a fine tradeoff to keep the people you are filming visible and not overly dark. I filmed footage in a variety of light conditions as a test and burned a DVD from it to see how the camera performed. All the tests turned out well and were noticeably better than my previous Canon digital camcorder.

The camera has a manual mode I haven't played around with yet, but I like the fact that I can control exposure and focus for particularly tricky situations.

I've only had this camera for a few days, so I can't comment on the reliability. It didn't include any video editing software, but I already had Videostudio, and Windows XP also comes with movie editing software. (I think the DF450 and DF470 include software.) The camera includes cables to hook it up to your TV (but not a firewire cable to connect to your computer). It also has a remote that lets you control both recording (including zooming in and out) and playback, but I haven't used it since I don't have a tripod.

I was a little concerned that the form factor might be a problem since this camera is wider than most, which lets it also be shorter (it's compact, just more squat than tall). Once I put it in my hand, I found that it feels quite comfortable though. Your fingers wrap around the top (it has indentations for them to rest in) and your index finger rests on the zoom in/out trigger while your thumb is convenient to the start/stop button.

All-in-all I'm very happy with this camera for the price. The other models in this line include the ability to take snapshots, but I prefer having separate cameras and camcorders optimized for that purpose so I opted for the GR-DF430.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Lens Cap Error of Doom, February 25, 2006

By 

E. Anderson "up-north" (FARGO, ND United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: JVC GRDF430U MiniDV Camcorder w/15x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

When I first opened the box, charged the battery, and turned this camera on everything seemed to work. So I put it away unused until a vacation 4 months later (just past the labor warranty period of course), and then I got the now famous "lens cap" error and it was useless. I tried all the 'reset' and leaving the battery off advice - and nothing.

I looked on the JVC support website (look under Customer Notification) and found a program where they are fixing this problem on TWENTY SEVEN different models for free. This model (GR-DF430) isn't listed as of this writing but it's clear from a quick Google search that it is a VERY common problem with this model and others as well.

I called JVC's tech support number and they said they wouldn't fix my model for free because it's not on the list. So now I have to either pay who knows how much to fix the defective piece of junk or just use it as the paper weight for which it seems better suited...

I'll never buy JVC again and would advise the same.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great buy + easty to use, November 27, 2005

By 

"KB" Kamla Srinivasan (SF Bay Area and India) - See all my reviews

This review is from: JVC GRDF430U MiniDV Camcorder w/15x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

I don't like to mess around with optical zoom size, pixel size, and all the other technical details that one needs to factor in to buy a camcorder. The sensory overload is too much just to buy a simple device with which you can record important family events or a travel trip. I believe those factors come into play when you become proficient and want to improve upon your skills, and take better video.

This is an easy to use camera, and you pretty much hit the road running from the word buy. I felt comfortable using the camera right away, and did not hit any roadblocks.

I think you cannot go wrong when buying this camera. Give it a shot!