JVC GRDVM96U MiniDV Compact Digital Camcorder w/2.5 " LCD, MPEG4 Movie Mode & 8MB SD Card

by JVC

Product Details

• Item Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 4 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B0000669B6
• Average Customer Review: 2.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #35,920 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 4, 1973

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Featuring a compact, vertically aligned body to go along with its potent 10x optical zoom, the GR-DVM96U is a great buy for those in need of portability, but who don't want to sacrifice quality.

Lens and CCD
The two central components of any video camera (or digital still camera) are the lens and CCD (the image sensor). This JVC model builds around a 10x optical zoom, which is paired with image stabilization to cut down on the shakes and jitters common to most amateur video footage. The CCD sports a pixel count of 1.02 megapixels--great for video--that translates the image into the digital video standard of 520 lines of resolution.

Digital Still Mode
Most digital camcorders these days come with some sort of digital still mode. The resolution is usually fine for posting on the Web, e-mailing to friends and family, and making small, snapshot-sized prints. The DVM96U is no exception. It snaps stills at the 1,280 x 960 level, and records them onto an included 8 MB MultiMediaCard (also compatible with SD memory cards). For those interested in sharing small movie clips via e-mail or the Web, the camcorder also comes with an MPEG-4 movie mode, which also records onto the memory card.

Cables and Connectors
The DVM96U comes with what JVC calls a Jack Box, which exists simply to provide the ports most people want to use when connecting their camcorder to various video display devices. This is a nice approach, as it cuts down on the amount of space needed for this type of thing on the camcorder itself. The Jack Box features a USB port, which is used to transfer digital stills; AV ports (these are the traditional RCA-style connectors used by many VCRs and televisions); and an S-video port, which is a video-only port, but transfers video at a higher level of quality than traditional RCA-style connectors. On the camcorder itself is an IEEE 1394 port, which is also known as FireWire or iLink. FireWire enables lossless transfer of footage to a computer for editing purposes.

Included with the DVM96U is an AC power adapter, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, remote control, 8 MB MultiMediaCard, Software(CD ROM), Jack Box, USB cable, and an AV cable.

Product Description

N/A

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This is great !, October 10, 2002

By 

MaryB (WA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: JVC GRDVM96U MiniDV Compact Digital Camcorder w/2.5 " LCD, MPEG4 Movie Mode & 8MB SD Card (Electronics)

I bought mine from a different website, but since I have been a long time customer and user of of Amazon.com website, I thought of giving this review to aid other customers old and new. I have this mini cam for about a month now and I used it when I vacationed in California just last month. I never regret buying it. My family and friends have a great time watching our pictures on TV everytime we return from one of our siteseeing trips. I just give it a four star for now because I still have not use all it's features yet. There's just too many to read and install in order for me to fully utilize it. Overall, I think I got my money's worth. It's convenient and easy to use (the still and video cam only). It can get great pictures, and you can use the auto flash if the lighting is not good. The LCD monitor is not so clear on a bright day, but who's complaining, just delete your not so good shots and just keep the best. I haven't used the viewfinder that much since even in 35mm camera I find the viewfinder too small, I used the LCD most of the time. You just need to buy additional battery, which I did. I bought the BNV840 before but it weighs just the same as the camera itself, so I end up exchanging it with BNV312. Plus the former one needs a different charger which I have to buy separately. I will definitely recomend this with anyone. Also I bought a 128mb SD memory card in addition to the 8md that is included in the video package, though I haven't used up my 8mb yet.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Modest camera with flaws.., June 26, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: JVC GRDVM96U MiniDV Compact Digital Camcorder w/2.5 " LCD, MPEG4 Movie Mode & 8MB SD Card (Electronics)

Pros: Small Format - That's it
Cons: Battery life, Low light video Quality, Ergonomics, Software
Recommended: No
It took me about 1 hour (!!!) to figure out how to hold this thing. The ergonomics are unacceptable. Either one finger is on the microphone or on the autofocus. 2.The battery life is about 1/2hour, I bought an additional battery (1 1/2hours) for [$$$] which boosts the price. But this new battery sticks out of the camera... 3. The Still camera (1 Megapixel) doesn't meet current Quality standards => you will need a additional digital Camera. 4. MPEG4 format, is so low in quality, that you can barely recognize anything. 5. You can't plug in a microphone, which limits the use of this camera. 6. Software that came with it is worthless=>get XP Moviemaker (free download at Microsoft) or Video Explosion (CNET Editors Choice). 7. If you shoot at night, the picture is grainy and low quality. Indoors you need a bright room to get good quality. 9. Camera has a lot of features that you don't really need (i.e. Transition features like fading). It's better to use Video Editing software 10. Viewfinder is black and white and too small to see anything. However you will probably never use it since the Color LCD does a great job. 11. Camcorder only comes with a 8MB Smartmedia card, upgrade to at least 32MB necessary => boots price 12.Summary: Buy this camera if you are a beginner or don't use the camcorder too often. Don't buy it if you have high quality standards. And don't think about using this camera for still printouts.

2.0 out of 5 stars Be wary, this model not supported by JVC anymore, and Mini DV tapes becoming obsolete, May 18, 2011

By 

UrbaneCowboy007 (Tucson, AZ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: JVC GRDVM96U MiniDV Compact Digital Camcorder w/2.5 " LCD, MPEG4 Movie Mode & 8MB SD Card (Electronics)

I bought the GR-DVM90 model in the summer of 2001. I had to send it back THREE TIMES for repair within 2 years. Finally JVC (to their credit) sent me at no charge the GR-DVM96 model. I had to send this back THREE TIMES also for repair within 1 year. The repairs were usually related to the tape mechanism, with the tapes getting stuck, and/or "Condensation" or "Tape Head cleaning required. Insert Cleaning cassette" errors in the view port. But there were other electronic problems as well.

All was well from 2005 to Spring 2011, but the mechanism got stuck again. I sent back to JVC, it took them 4 weeks to send back to me stating "Parts unavailable", and did not repair or exchange. When I called (first, took forever to get a human being on the line...) I was told the model was no longer supported and JVC does not currently offer any products using mini DV tapes. They were also useless in offering any advice as to how to get the old mini DV tapes into a DVD format.

So I would not buy this product since it will not be supported, AND it is VERY flaky. Also, mini DV tapes are going the way of the 8-track, you cannot get an adapter for a VHS (totally different formats) or an affordable player (less than $700). And it cost at a minimum $7 per tape to transfer to a DVD from third parties. I HAVE OVER 50 TAPES!! For $350 I could simply buy this model for the $299 and use it only for play back (but it would probably stop working within a year).

One can get software for your PC to transfer mini DV tapes to DVDs, BUT YOU NEED A WORKING CAMERA OR PLAYER!

Only reason I didn't give this 1 star is it did record some great trips and memories. Now I just have to figure out how to view them!?!?