Customer Reviews

JVC GRDF430U MiniDV Camcorder w/15x Optical Zoom

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(29)

 

 

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.

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.

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!

Here is another victim of the notorious LENS CAP ERROR. I bought this crappy product in December 2005 as a gift to my father. It's now trashed. My father said he took good care of the cam and never pointed it to strong light.

Looking at the previous reviews, I'm amazed there have been sooooo many other victims. How could such a trash product ever made to the market? Also it's shameless how JVC is treating its customers.

we bought three of these based on positive reviews before this lense cap error popped-up on customer feedabck. 1 of the 3 worked properly. the other two are back at the mfg being repaired. great camera IF it works.

Like so many other reviewers, my Camcorder failed with the "lens cap" error after just a few uses.

JVC customer service refused to issue an RMA, and instead has referred me to a service center where parts, but not labor, are covered.

This will be the last JVC product I ever buy!

Mine's dead too! I purchased it in November '05 and used it twice in December. I tried to use it the other day, no joy! Out of curiousity I looked at the latest reviews for this model and saw all of the other "Lens Cap" victims. Maybe we have the makings of a class-action suit? I scrolled back through the reviews and found the majority to be negative until around the time I purchased mine (Nov 27, 05) when the reviews were all 4-stars. Hmmm! Those reviews must have all been submitted by JVC employees. I emailed JVC for support but after looking at all these reviews, I'm not hopeful. I'm also disappointed to see that Amazon doesn't monitor these reviews and remove bad products from their site. One of the reasons I buy from Amazon was that I thought they had a reputation for selling good products. Now I'm worried about the other high-dollar electronic products I have purchased through Amazon ($300 LCD Monitor).

This was the worse piece of junk I have ever purchased. I purchased this on 1-27 and I now have received the infamous "Lens Cap Error". It is amazing so many customers have the exact same problem, but JVC expects us to pay for this? Ridiculous. I am even more disappointed in Amazon for continuing to sell this product after so many apparent negative experiences. I guess Amazon is just after a dollar like every other company.

Actually, it should be 0 stars...

My cell phone records better than this piece of garbage... You know why? BECAUSE AT LEAST WHEN I PRESS "RECORD", THE THING RECORDS!

For all the reasons already mentioned here - press record, black screen, nothing happens - do not buy this product. In fact Amazon should quit trying to sell this poece of garbage if it really cares about its committment to customer quality. As for me, two cameras, same problem, and I will probably be left holding the bag for not being able to return it within the allotted return time (note to Amazon: However, I will praise your customer service to high heaven on these pages if my dilemma is resolved!)

But most likely, I will be out $300 for a camera that was never designed to work from the moment you take it out of the box.

This camcorder worked great... until it didn't work at all (lens cap error). I purchased this just four months ago... one month too long ago for the warantee to still be in effect. I have spent the past two days on the phone with JVC and keep getting the run around...they admit they have had problems... but they say not with this model so they will not fix it without me paying for it. According to the other reviews there are MANY problems with this model. My advice... don't buy this or any other JVC product! Terrible service.