JVC GRDV500 MiniDV 1.33 MP Camcorder with 2.5" LCD, 10x Optical Zoom, and 8MB MMC Card

by JVC

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 4 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0000899YH
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #20,551 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: February 25, 2003

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The compact JVC GR-DV500 is a stylish digital video camcorder that offers advanced features, such as digital still-photo capability and the ability to create high-quality MPEG-4 video clips. The GR-DV500 features a 1.33-megapixel CCD, 10x optical zoom, and 2.5-inch color LCD. It comes with Presto! ImageFolio and Presto! Mr. Photo 3 digital video editing software and an 8 MB MMC memory card.

Optics & Audio
The GR-DV500 offers a 1.33-megapixel CCD with 540 lines of horizontal resolution. Combined with JVC's super-hi-band processor, you'll be assured of capturing crisp, clear video. Equipped with a 10x optical zoom, the GR-DV500 also features a 300x digital zoom that allows you to zoom in for incredible close-ups.

The GR-DV500 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 a 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 1,600 x 1,200 pixels. The images are stored onto the included 8 MB MMC memory card; the GR-DV500 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
The GR-DV500 offers the capability to create high-quality MPEG-4 video clips from recorded video footage, or in real-time using the camcorder as a Webcam. This allows for computer-based editing, e-mailing video clips, or uploading to Web sites. The camcorder will also double as a Webcam when connected via USB to your PC.

Other features include:

• 2.5-inch tiltable LCD screen
• JVC's Night Alive feature boosts light sensitivity for a bright picture, even in situations with minimal illumination
• 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
• 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 540 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-DV500 camcorder, 8 MB MMC memory card, AC adapter, battery pack, shoulder strap, AV cable (mini-3 RCA), USB cable, wireless remote control, lens cap, and CD-ROM with Presto! ImageFolio and Presto! Mr. Photo 3 software.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great camcorder for moviemaking, November 16, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: JVC GRDV500 MiniDV 1.33 MP Camcorder with 2.5" LCD, 10x Optical Zoom, and 8MB MMC Card (Electronics)

I purchased this camcorder to make a low budget movie. I was impressed with how many features (like 540 lines of horiz. resolution) were available on this camcorder that were hard to find on anything but the best quality professional mini-dv camcorders.

The image quality was great when adequate lighting was used, and there was no picture distortion, even on a larger (close to 50") television. I recently had trouble with the tape loading mechanism, but that could just be my fault.

Pros:
-1.33 Megapixel CCD hard to find on less expensive camcorders
-Sharp LCD screen
-Viewfinder has diopter (so you can take off your glasses)
-Accepts many lens attachments (I use a wide angle and telephoto lens from Sony)
-Body feels strong, not cheap and light like many Sonys or Panasonics
-Some of the picture effects are useful (like shutter speeds)
-Digital Wide Angle setting (allows you to reach <1x zoom with built in lens)
-Great battery life for included battery
-High quality mic preamp built in
-Amazing picture quality for price when used in good lighting

Cons:
-Bottom loading tape (can't open with tripod attached, but few cameras don't have this now)
-No focus ring (you have to use the tiny scroll wheel, but focus rings are only available on camcorders that cost $1000+. Just use a telephoto lens if you need to pull focus)
-Remote sensor can only be used in front of camcorder
-Poor low light shots (just use good lighting)

All in all, this is a great camcorder for making low budget movies, as long as you have decent lighting. Many options are available in manual mode, allowing you to have more control over picture. Automatic mode works great too.

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I love this thing, June 28, 2003

By 

Suzanne Hemphill (kent, WA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: JVC GRDV500 MiniDV 1.33 MP Camcorder with 2.5" LCD, 10x Optical Zoom, and 8MB MMC Card (Electronics)

easy to use. Easy to understand manual. great clear digital stills as well as video. If you have windows xp, not even a need to load the software or drivers. XP friendly. very easy to take pictures and video from camera to your computer.
Dont hesitate to buy this one. Would recomend the very good investment of the video or picture light you can order for that model at JVC.com if indoor shots are going to be taken with low light.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars GR-DV500, August 26, 2003

By 

Benjamin Igwe (Doha, Qatar) - See all my reviews

This review is from: JVC GRDV500 MiniDV 1.33 MP Camcorder with 2.5" LCD, 10x Optical Zoom, and 8MB MMC Card (Electronics)

Its simply amazing what you can do with this piece of equipment!
Very user friendy and if you are operating on Windows XP,then you are in another entertainment world.
With its compact nature and numerous facilities,it is a must buy.
I love it.