JVC GRDF450U 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: B0007QS6LC
• Item model number: GRDF450U
• Average Customer Review: 1.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #22,143 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: March 25, 2005

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

JVC GR-DF450US 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

JVC GR-DF450US, MINI DV CAMC WITH 2.5 LCD&REMOTE

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Beware the dreaded "Lens Cap" error..., December 17, 2005

By 

A. King "The Family Geek" (Memphis, TN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: JVC GRDF450U MiniDV Camcorder w/ 15x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

As C. Dvorak noted, I too have had this "Lens Cap" problem with this camera. I think I have shot a grand total of about 45 minutes of video. Also, 2 months ago, I spent ~$150 having some fuses replaced - the camera wouldn't power on. The camera was 9 days out of warranty.

It has good quality, and a great set of features... So if it wasn't for the problems that I have had... It would be a nice camera.

BUY A SERVICE PLAN! BUY A SERVICE PLAN! BUY A SERVICE PLAN!

Have I said it enough? Once more: BUY A SERVICE PLAN!

25 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Video death, November 27, 2005

By 

C. Dvorak (Nebraska) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: JVC GRDF450U MiniDV Camcorder w/ 15x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

I had this camcorder for 4 months, was reasonably happy with the quality of the video. I intended to tape my sons's one-act play, but luckily decided to check the camcorder ahead of time. It would not record video and showed a "lens-cap" error. Needless to say the lens cap was not on. I called JVC, they said to take the battery off for 2 hours and try it again. No luck. I called a service center since the camcorder was out of warranty and found it would cost $50 to look at the camera plus the cost of the repair. I called Sam's Club where I had purchased the camcorder and they agreed to take it back. After looking into buying another camcorder, I found that JVC and Sony are both famous for this problem, along with refusing to stand by their products. There may be a class action lawsuit filed against Sony because of this. Lesson learned - buy service agreements with camcorders.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Spooky, March 18, 2006

By 

abcdelight (New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: JVC GRDF450U MiniDV Camcorder w/ 15x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

I really wanted to like this camcorder. I bought it even after reading about problems JVC was having with its camcorder products (lens cap issues etc). Unfortunately the camcorder had problems getting the colors right so I sent it back. Many scenes either washed out in green for the duration of the scene, or green flashed in and out of the shot. I could do several pan shots of the same area and one shot would render normally and another would be all green.

I did adjust the Gain and White balance, and all the other things, but no adjustments corrected the green wash-outs and wash-ins. I also had problems with lines and other aberrations that would zip in and out.

In many respects this camcorder was an admirable device. It has many useful ports and features not widely found in this price range. A Firewire, accessory shoe, S-VHS, microphone jack and analog-to-digital port all on the same camera for less than 400 USD is a very rare bird.

It made good videos when it wasn't green or distorted. The only thing I wouldn't have liked about this camera under normal circumstances was the zoom. It was very stiff and twitchy. Getting a smooth zoom-in or zoom-out was hard. If a person is doing sports shots and wants quick in's and out's without modulation then this cameras zoom might be good for them.

The new Canon ZR's have zoom speed control and I can see that being a good feature. Unfortunately people seem to be having problems with the Canon ZR motors making a lot of noise that can be heard during playback. Guess we cant be too picky for two or three hundred dollars.


The JVC camera is very small - smaller than it looks in pics. If you know what a mini DV tape looks like then look at the tape chamber in pic and realize the chamber isn't too much bigger than a tape. This camera is small. It was nice to be able to put it in a jacket pocket. The problem was I have size large hands, and some of the controls are miniscule. To switch the camera on a person must shift a lever while pressing down a tiny red lock button about the size of a ball point pen tip. If you have big hands this isn't a camera you can grab quick to catch that fleeting shot. A person is better off leaving camera set in the "On" position when at some event.

I had no problem getting the video to my PC - but only because I already had a All-In-Wonder video card and knew how to import video already. I also had a Nero suite that came with my Sony DVD RW. Both of these made getting the video on the PC easy. Good thing too because JVC didn't want to say much about getting video to a PC in its directions. I did have to install a firewire adapter to my computer( I found a Sabrent PCI card that cost me 10 USD at New Egg. It had 3 ports and it came with a firewire cord!) but I could also get video via my SVS jack on the video card.

Since most of the cameras in this price range seem to have issues with features or quality I can't say this camera isn't worth a shot at buying. Just make sure there is a good return time (I like the TV sellers because they allow 30 days). This is a four star camera if it works right. I can only give it two here since my unit was a bust. If my only problem was a lens cap I would have sent it in to get fixed and then kept it. The greenish wash was a bit too much though.

I think a lot of electronic products these days are being hampered by poor quality components that cause problems for vendors. A lot of motherboards have been failing because of poor quality capacitors. It looks like JVC has been having issues with some of its components despite some quality engineering (a lot of model numbers having lens cap issues were listed on its site so its not just the cheap models).