JVC Everio GZ-HD40 120 GB AVCHD High Definition Camcorder w/10x Optical Zoom

Other products by JVC

Product Details

• Item Weight: 3.2 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B001CBPVJG
• Item model number: GZ-HD40
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,553 in Camera & Photo (See Bestsellers in Camera & Photo)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: July 8, 2008

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

The GZ-HD40 is the world's first AVCHD / MPEG-2 dual-format camcorder allowing access to the superior long time compression afforded by AVCHD, as well as MPEG-2's superior editing and post-production environment. The camcorder offers 1920 x 1080 Full HD recording in one formats to a 120GB internal hard disk drive.JVC provided the GZ-HD40 with a 120GB hard disk drive for up to 50 hours of AVCHD Full HD video recording, and a docking station with the requirements of the prosumer or high-end enthusiast in mind.

JVC Everio GZ-HD40 Highlights

Performance

1920x1080/60P Output
Using the same technology as GENESSA HD displays, this function outputs a 1080 scanning line image at progressive 60fps so you can enjoy uncompromising picture quality on a TV that accepts 1080P input. With progressive, the jaggy diagonals you'd get with interlace images are smoothed out, for a clearer image.

HD Recording

New CMOS Chips with Interpolation Technology
CMOS chips using newly developed interpolation algorithm. This algorithm generates virtual pixels to provide image information beyond the 1920x1080 Full HD imaging. 17Mbps High Bit Rate Recording
In the XP mode, video is recorded at a high bit rate of 17.0 Mbps average. Compared to other systems using a lower bit rate, the resulting image offers higher quality with clearer visible details.

HD Gigabrid Duo Engine
This new high powered HD Gigabrid image processing chip includes 7 noise reduction technologies in addition to the dual AVCHD and MPEG-2 Codecs, assuring optimum images for recordings made in either format.

Full HD 1920x1080 Recording
In the FHD mode, video is recorded at a high bit rate of 26.6 Mbps average. Compared to other systems using a lower bit rate, the resulting image offers higher quality with clearer visible details.

50 Hours of Full HD Recording and 5 Rec Modes
Regardless of the model, HD Everio is ready to go the distance. The combination of the high-capacity 120GB hard disk drive and the compression-efficient AVCHD format allows the GZ-HD40 to store up to 50 hours of Full HD 1920x1080 video recordings.

Digital Still Images
Every Everio can conveniently record digital still images. Just switch to the image mode and then press the snapshot button. To take your snapshot. Record your snapshot to either the HDD or a micro SD card. It's your choice. Record up to a 2432 x 1368 image.

Advanced Operations

Ultra-Compact and Lightweight HD Camcorder
Palm sized for superior mobility. JVC made the Full HD camcorder smaller and lighter. It is barely over a pound even with the battery attached.

Record to a microSD card

Hybrid Storage with microSD Card
In addition to a built-in hard disk drive, HD Everio also has a slot for microSD/SDHC Card so you can store video and stills on this commonly available memory card. (Card is not supplied.)

Note: To record video, a microSDHC card with Class 4 or higher performance is required. microSD memory cards (256MB to 2GB) and microSDHC memory cards (4GB and 8GB) have been tested for the following brands: Panasonic, Toshiba, SanDisk, ATP. Note that using other media may result in recording failure or data loss.

AVCHD & MPEG-2 Dual Format Capability
Now you get to choose the format that's best for any given situation. Superior compression and longer recording time with AVCHD. Continuity with today's editing environment with MPEG-2.

Variety of Shooting Assist Functions
HD Everio offers a wide array of assist functions to shoot HD video more precisely, conveniently, and creatively:

• Focus Assist Function -- Outlines in-focus image contours to show which parts are in or out of focus.
• Zebra Function -- Displays a striped pattern across overexposed areas of the image.
• Program AE -- A full array of effects is available so you can choose the right exposure or shutter speed automatically according to the scene you're shooting. Easily accessible via visual menu dial.

Wide range of manual controls

Wide Range of Manual Controls
In addition to point-and-shoot simplicity, HD Everio also offers a wide range of manual controls including Manual White Balance, Exposure Control, Sharpness Control, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority and Brightness Control, and more.

Stick Control for Easy Operation
Pressing the four "compass points" on the circular control operates everything from menu item selection to manual camera settings.

Power-Linked Operation
Automatically turns on the camera when you open the LCD so you can shoot right away, and turns off the camera when you close the LCD so you won't waste power. HD Best Shot Function
HD images look beautiful when printed on paper, too. That’s why JVC lets you take high-resolution "snapshots" directly from your recorded HD footage, and print them just like you would from a digital still camera.

Accessory shoe with mic input

Accessory Shoe and Mic Input
Mount an optional microphone on the accessory shoe for clear, high-quality audio recording. A convenient Mic Input Terminal with plug-in power supplies power to the mounted microphone.

Data Battery
Allows you to check the remaining battery power by % and remaining recording time in minutes at the touch of a button, even while the camcorder's power is off.

Everio includes patented and other proprietary technology and is made to be used with the JVC Data Battery and not with other batteries. JVC cannot guarantee safety or performance of the camcorder when it is operated by other batteries. For additional information about JVC Data Battery, please contact an authorized JVC dealer in your country.

Multiple digital interfaces

Full Complement of Interfaces This model is equipped with USB 2.0 and HDMI digital interfaces on the camera. USB is primarily for file saving and HDMI is for digital viewing on large screen displays. Also equipped with all models are component and AV terminals to output down-converted signals for analog devices.

Quick Response - 0.08sec. to Start Recording
Never miss a moment. The time lag of various functions has been reduced to nearly instantaneous levels.

Headphone Output
Just connect stereo headphones for real-time audio monitoring while you shoot, or to listen to the soundtrack in privacy while viewing footage you’ve just recorded.

Built-in Auto Light

Built-in Auto Light
Turns on automatically so you can shoot brilliant images even in low light situations.

Built-in Lens Cover
Slide it shut to protect the lens when the camera's not in use. It's integrated, so there's no risk of losing it like a lens cap.

Archiving and Viewing

HDMI (V.1.3 with x.v.Color)
The xvYCC color standard, known as x.v.Color, provides more accurate color reproduction with more detail and shades. Among the colors that the human eye can perceive, x.v.Color can display 100% compared to about 55% with sRGB.

Everio Dock for Instant Connection
Provided docking cradle with all-in-one interface for easy viewing, charging and sharing.

DVD Burner

PC-less Archiving using Exclusive DVD Burners
With JVC’s optional SHARE STATION DVD Burner, a totally PC-less solution for the archiving and playback of Full HD content becomes possible. With it, you can store HD Everio’s footage directly on a DVD without using a PC.

Intelligent Grouping Function
The more you record, the more critical "search" functions become. In addition to the usual file listings and date search, HD Everio also offers the world's first Intelligent Grouping function. This groups similar scenes together based on the time of recording, interval between recordings and duration of recording, providing faster and easier access to desired scenes.

Digest playback

Digest Playback (for AVCHD DVD)
Digest Playback is possible with AVCHD DVDs created using HD Everio and CU-VD50/VD3. This function automatically selects highlighted scenes from among the recorded content using our proprietary algorithm and plays back what looks like a "coming attractions" trailer for a movie. 60 minutes of footage is condensed into 5 minutes of highlight scenes. Now you can quickly get an idea what's on the disc.

Playlist
With the Playlist function, you can select the scenes you want in the order you want internally at the camera level. Program your favorite scenes, in the order you like for playback or for archiving to DVD.

Editing with a PC or Mac

Creative Solution with a PC
For those who wish to edit and archive using their PCs, HD Everio comes supplied with full-fledged software. Blu-ray disc compatible applications let you store AVCHD and MPEG-2 Full HD content with full impact.

QuickTime Component for Everio For Mac
For Macintosh users, the GZ-HD40/HD30 also come with a plug-in that allows HD Everio's MPEG-2 files to be used with Apple iMovie HD 6 and Final Cut Pro 5 or 6. For all models including GZ-HD10, AVCHD files can be used with Apple's AVCHD applicable software without a plug-in for the Macintosh.

Direct Data Backup to PC
Data archiving has never been easier. Just press the DIRECT BACK UP button, and data that has not yet been backed up can be transferred to a PC automatically.

Product Description

The GZ-HD40 is the world's first AVCHD / MPEG-2 dual-format camcorder allowing access to the superior long time compression afforded by AVCHD, as well as MPEG-2's superior editing and post-production environment. The camcorder offers 1920 x 1080 Full HD recording in one formats to a 120GB internal hard disk drive.JVC provided the GZ-HD40 with a 120GB hard disk drive for up to 50 hours of AVCHD Full HD video recording, and a docking station with the requirements of the prosumer or high-end enthusiast in mind.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars it's amazin, December 12, 2008

By	Italo C. Iozzelli Ramirez (utah usa) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This camcorder is wonderful, you can burn your video to a DVD but in high definition as if it were blue-ray DVD format but in AVCHD is the best thing seen so far and I recommend buying 100%
My brother has a sony with the same features and this JVC is much better to have better capture color and lighting is even clearer than with their own eyes.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very Nice HD Camcorder, February 20, 2009

By	Chad Kanchuk "Momo's Buddy" (Concord, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Very Nice 1080p output at 60 frames per second. Wife said the picture looks great on our 1080p plasma. Regular HDMI output. Also comes with Comp video cables. We love this thing, great picutre, good sound, and easy to use. Fits in the Palm of my hand, weighs nothing...1 pound or something. Slightly larger than a soda can. 120 GB drive eqauls some 15 + hours of HD recording, more than enough. battery lasts about a 1 1/2 hours on HD record with the light on sometimes and moving around.

Low light recording is weak, picture turns grainy when in low light. Outdoors and in good light watch out the colors pop.

Image stabilization is poor, but I don't know any different as this is my first camcorder. But walking with a camcorder is not advised when you want a stable picture...you're moving.

Happy I bought, got it for under six hundered.

5.0 out of 5 stars Performs as expected., October 12, 2009

By	D. Dilts (Florida) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

My camcorder arrived on time and in good condition. I am pleased with the product. This is the second JVC camcorder I have owned. I'm sure the individual that ran off with my old one is happy with it also.