JVC GRDF550U 1.33 MP 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: B0007QS6M6
• Item model number: GRDF550U
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #23,287 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: March 25, 2005

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Get crisper picture results with JVC's GRDF550U 1.33-megapixel MiniDV digital video camcorder, which provides 540 lines of video resolution. It also 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. It also offers up a 15x zoom lens, 700x digital zoom, 2.5-inch LCD, digital image stabilization, Night Alive low-light video capture, and still photo capability (saved to a Secure Digital memory card).

For superior image quality, the GRDF550U features a Super High-Band Processor that restores the high-band components of the luminance signal to ensure a crisp, clear picture. It also 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.

To make shooting easier, JVC's 2.5-inch 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. It can rotate 180 degrees, enabling your subjects to see themselves. The one-touch Data Battery function displays battery power and calculates remaining recording time with the power on or off to prevent you from running out of power during mid-shooting. The GRDF550U includes the BN-VF707U rechargeable battery, which provides up to 60 minutes of usage.

The Night Alive low-light video system slows down the shutter speed in order to collect more light and brighten a scene. The 1.33-megapixel CCD can capture still photos at 1152 by 864 pixels with an interpolated 2-megapixel (1600 x1200) mode. Pictures are saved to optional Secure Digital memory cards; SD card not included with GRDF550U

Other features include

• Fast f1.2, 15x optical zoom lens with focal range of 3-45mm, threaded for 30.5mm attachments
• Firewire and USB 2.0 ports
• Manual controls, including those for shutter speed, focus, and white balance
• Web-camera functionality
• Analog-to-digital conversion
• Dimensions: 3.0 x 2.9 x 4.4 inches (W x H x D)
• Weight: 14.5 ounces (410 grams) when empty

What's in the Box
GRDF550U digital video camera, BN-VF707U lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, USB and AV cables, remote control, lens cap, shoulder strap, printed manual, and CD-ROMs with Digital Photo Navigator and drivers

Product Description

The GRDF550 Ultra-Compact Camcorder delivers the right mix of what digital video enthusiasts expect: Comfort, usability, convenience and style. Use the powerful new features to create inspiring images. The new Live Slow function and Low Light Plus tools let you manipulate your shots more easily, playing them back at any speed even when taken in total darkness. The new EZ Grip is built for hours of comfortable use. 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. 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 HG digital stills with four image size settings (1600 x 1200, 1280 x 960, 1024 x 768, 640 x 480 pixels) JVC's Megabrid engine that separately processes video and stills 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 Includes editing software

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good middle of road camcorder., September 16, 2005

By 

Daniel Claflin (Sanatoga, PA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: JVC GRDF550U 1.33 MP MiniDv Camcorder w/ 15x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

I have owned this camcorder for about 2 months and recorded about 4 hours worth of video on it. The picture and audio quality is pretty good along with the color quality, especially indoors. I've had no problems with firewire connectivity on my PC when making DVDs with the camcorder. DV navigation is the best special feature on the camcorder. It uses the memory card to store thumbnail images of recorded video scenes to assist in video playback. It works like a chapter listing on a DVD movie. You pick the scene displayed and the camcorder will fast forward or rewind to that scene and begin playback. The downside to the camcorder is the MP4 video recording. It is pretty choppy. The other downside is battery life. During normal recording, I normally got about 45 minutes of battery life.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best bang for the buck!, August 23, 2005

By 

J.A. (Singapore) - See all my reviews

This review is from: JVC GRDF550U 1.33 MP MiniDv Camcorder w/ 15x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

This camcorder is excellent for a beginner! It has a lot of functions such as thumbnail through the SD card, low-light function (Megabrid) that works reasonably well (better with a tripod), color viewfinder. You can program it to take pictures at different intervals, it will only depend on the capacity of your SD card. It is not mentioned that you can record video in the 16:9 Wide mode. That is great if you want to commit to Widescreen! Tip: Use the "Squeeze" Wide mode, then edit it with Ulead, and you have a 16:9 DVD. It has also firewire, 1 CCD for video, and 1.33 Megapixel for pictures. I would say all that is fine for a $400 camcorder. Enjoy it!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Design Flaw, May 19, 2006

By 

J. Enyart (Mpls, MN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: JVC GRDF550U 1.33 MP MiniDv Camcorder w/ 15x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

This camera has a design flaw. The integrated microphone does NOT shut off when you use an auxilary microphone. It says in the manual that it is supposed to. I sent it back to JVC many times, and the service personal compensated me by disconnecting the internal microphone permanently.
If you want flexability in your audio, and you're an intermediate user, keep on looking. It's a shame cause in every other category, this is a great camera for the price.