Product Description

The GZ-HD6 is an ultra compact full HD 1920x1080 HDD camcorder offering ultimate image quality with FUJINON HD lens and superior color reproduction with 3CCD.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #6183 in Camera & Photo
• Brand: JVC
• Model: GZ-HD6
• Dimensions: 7.00" h x 8.80" w x 5.20" l, 2.95 pounds
• Display size: 2.8

Features

• Can store up to ten hours of video in 1920 x 1080 full HD
• Includes Fujinon 10x optical zoom HD lens
• Features built-in 120 GB hard disk drive
• Offers 1080p 60 frame per second output via HDMI 1.3
• A 3CCD imaging system - incorporating 16:9 progressive scan CCDs

From the Manufacturer

JVC Everio GZ-HD6 3CCD 120GB Hard Disk Drive High Definition Camcorder with 10x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom offers industry-leading picture quality in a dramatically reduced size. The GZ-HD6 HD camcorder is 45 percent smaller than JVC’s previous top-end HD camcorder, the GZ-HD7, without any sacrifice in image quality.

To provide the best possible quality, the 120GB GZ-HD6 HD camcorder features a Fujinon HD lens, a progressive scan 3CCD imaging system and JVC’s HD Gigabrid engine that delivers 1920 x 1080 full HD recording. In addition, it offers 1080p 60 frame per second output via HDMI 1.3 with x.v.Color. Collectively these technologies capture and maintain optimum image quality for videos and stills through every stage, from the lens on through to recording.

JVC Everio GZ-HD6 Highlights

10 hours of recording time In 1920 x 1080 full HD. Records up to 24 hours in the 1440 LP mode. Recordings are stored on either the built-in hard disk drive or on an inserted microSD card (optional).

GZ-HD6 includes a microphone input and a wide range of manual controls The black GZ-HD6 also features a lens hood and headphone jack.

Full set of Windows applications for editing and authoring to DVD and Blu-ray disc Also use as plug-in software to facilitate data import into various Macintosh applications. And to make it easy to share and archive recordings, JVC will continue to offer the CU-VD40 Everio Share Station for HD which enables one-button burning of video data to DVD.

Fujinon HD Lens The HD Everio GZ-HD5 features an F1.8-F1.9 10x zoom lens that offers nearly the same brightness throughout its 39.5~395 35mm equivalent (f=3.3mm~33mm) zoom range by virtue of its three aspherical lens elements, one made of indexed glass. In addition, the lens surface is coated with a new Electronic Beam Coating (EBC) that greatly reduces degradation caused by light reflecting off the lens surfaces, leading to greater light transmission and reduced flaring and ghosting. This HD lens was specifically designed by Fujinon, a leader in the professional camera lens market for HD moving images, in conjunction with JVC engineers to offer optimal characteristics for the camcorder’s Progressive Scan 3CCD system. In addition, to ensure precise prism/CCD registration, JVC has incorporated Fujinon mounting technology used in professional camcorders.

Progressive Scan 3CCD System For bright, realistic colors the HD Everio camcorders use three 1/5-inch CCDs -- one each for the primary colors red, green and blue, incorporating 16:9 progressive scan CCDs. This voluminous raw information is then processed using pixel shift technology to essentially quadruple the pixel count to create an even more detailed image, providing 2.27 Megapixels total and 2.14 Megapixels effective resolution.

1920 x 1080 full HD Recording Using the highest quality FHD recording mode, the user can record approximately 10 hours of full HD 1920 x 1080 MPEG2 Transport Stream video with MPEG 1 Layer 2 audio. This is truly native HDTV resolution that requires no conversion on the part of the display device to show high definition images. Also, because it records in the MPEG2 Transport Stream video format, HD Everio recordings can be archived onto Blu-ray discs using provided software and a high definition Blu-ray recorder.

Gigabrid Engine

HD Gigabrid Engine JVC’s new HD Gigabrid video engine, which processes in full 1920 x 1080 progressive video, is the result of years of experience in signal-processing technology, and uses five digital noise-reduction algorithms as well as signal processing to improve vertical scan resolution by approximately 30 percent over JVC’s previous interlace technology for an extremely clear and sharp image.

1080p 60 Frame per second Progressive Output Function By enabling output of a 1080p 60 fps progressive signal, this function enables HD Everio’s recordings to be enjoyed on high-end displays. Using the same high-power Genessa technology as in JVC’s advanced displays, conversion to 1920 x 1080p at 60 fps provides seamless natural video, free of motion judder during fast action, jaggy lines on angles, and moiré patterns on fine detail when zooming. 1920 x 1080 HD discs played back via the camera from the CU-VD40 Share Station are also converted to 60 fps progressive.

HDMI (V.1.3. with x.v.Color) JVC HD Everio Camcorders record using x.v.Color technology. In this universal standard x.v.Ycc, known as x.v.Color, this camcorder provides more accurate color reproduction with more detail and shades that looks more natural to the human eye. It can display 100 percent of the colors that the human eye is capable of perceiving, whereas the traditional sRGB system can display only approximately 55 percent. The difference in color reproduction performance is especially noticeable in greens and yellows. This HD Everio camcorder outputs to televisions directly using HDMI (V.1.3. with x.v.Color). Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) To preserve the full HD quality, the HD Everio features optical image stabilization, avoiding the signal degradation caused by electronic image stabilization, which might be particularly noticeable in HD footage. In short, HD Everio matches its high-definition recording capability with a proven HD lens section that has proven its value in the broadcast industry.

High Capacity HDD (Hard Disk Drive) The GZ-HD6 features an embedded 120GB hard disk drive, allowing upwards of 10 hours recording at the highest quality FHD mode. In addition to this mode, three more are offered to let the user choose the appropriate mode for any situation. There is an SP mode with a resolution of 1440 x 1080 and maximum bit rate of 22 Mbps., an LP mode offering the same resolution but at a slower maximum bit rate of 15 Mbps., and an HDV-i.LINK streaming compatible constant bit rate 1440 CBR mode.

PC-less Archiving using Exclusive DVD Burner By connecting the GZ-HD6 directly to the optional CU-VD40 HD Everio Share Station via USB, the user can burn HD 12cm DVD discs to make backups and permanent archives of selected scenes in any desired order with just a few simple steps. There are several options for selecting clips to be burned to disc -- all clips, manual selection of specific clips, clip files not yet copied, by date, video playlists created in-camera and comprised of multiple user-selected clips, or by event type for those clips that have been tagged with an icon representing an event category (e.g. birthday, baby, graduation, vacation, etc.).

Various Shooting Assist Functions This camcorder offers fully automated operation for point-and-shoot simplicity, augmented by a wide range of manual controls. These include a manual focus ring, manual white balance, exposure control, shutter priority mode, aperture priority mode and sharpness control. In addition, a Focus Assist function displays the edge of the in-focus elements in color while the rest of the image is black-and-white, making it easy to check which image elements are in focus. And a Zebra function displays a striped pattern across highlight areas on the image in the LCD monitor, making it easier to manually set the exposure.

Full Complement of Interfaces The GZ-HD6 is equipped with three digital interfaces -- USB, HDMI and Firewire/i.LINK. USB is primarily for file saving, HDMI for digital viewing on large screen displays, and Firewire/i.LINK streams high definition video in full resolution or the 1440CBR mode. High definition video streamed by Firewire/i.LINK in the 1440CBR mode is HDV-compatible and allows footage to be edited using HDV-compatible software (functionality might be limited with some applications). HD recorded material is down-converted for output in DV over Firewire/i.LINK, or in standard definition via the analog component/ S-Video/ composite output.

High Value Software Supplied For editing and archiving via PC, the HD Everio comes with the CyberLink BD Solution software suite for Windows. This includes PowerDirector for HD video editing, PowerProducer for authoring high definition Blu-ray discs and DVD-Video discs, and PowerCinema for HD file management and playback. Also included is a plug-in that works up to 1920 x 1080i with Apple iMovie HD and Final Cut Pro video software for the Macintosh.

Customer Reviews

Great camera - wind is a problem
Excellent image quality, good color and contrast, amazing resolution. Very easy to use and setup. I have owned Sony cameras almost exclusively and wondered how the joystick control would work over the touch screen - it worked very well - if fact I liked it better. My largest concern and the reason I returned this unit was because of the wind noise. No matter what the setting, the slightest breeze would create an awful muffling sound - drowning out important sounds - even kids screaming and having fun at the pool. However, to be fair, the indoor audio quality is right up there with best in my opinion.

If you want to edit videos created by this camera consider this -- the iLink (IEEE 1394) firewire connection does work however you must record in the lower quality 1440 CBR (Constant Bitrate Mode) in order to get the video over the link and into popular capture software such as Adobe Premier, Sony Vegas and Apple's Final Cut Pro. I found this to be a little confusing and not well documented. Moreover, the camera will NOT stream video over this link - only playback previous recording footage.

Batter life is remarkable and the included software works great. You can create DVDs and Video CDs right over the USB cable using the supplied software.

Also, I read a ton of reviews about the awful image quality when taking video in low light conditions. I have to disagree with these prior reviews. I found it to perform about even with the Sony HDV-A1U - a professional HD camera.

The prosumer's bargain solution
Times have changed since I first hoisted fifty pounds of camera onto my shoulder and trudged around shooting. Technology has made it possible for anyone to compete with the professional in terms of quality.

As a professional who has worked in the industry for a while, I've invested a lot of money into equipment over the years. Recently, I took a look at my stock of standard definition prosumer cameras and compared them to the prosumer HD rigs out there. I found that I just couldn't stomach dropping another $3K to $10K on a rig that would likely be obsolete in a month. So when I needed an HD solution for a small project, I decided to buy a consumer-grade camera and "make do."

I had no idea at the time that I'd be able to find a camera that can not only shoot full frame HD but do so in a sleek, compact package that has almost all of the features I would look for in a professional rig.

Don't get me wrong ... there are features missing here, or buried in menus when they should be a button on the camera's body. But overall, I have to say that I am very impressed with this inexpensive HD solution. The 120GB hard drive means I can shoot 10 hours of full-frame HD, and the three CCDs mean I get the full range of detail, color, and data that I would expect. Two options for transfer--USB 2.0 and Firewire--are handy. And the simple fact that it has both a mic input and headphone outputs already puts it in a league above other consumer cameras.

This camera is an indie's dream. Cheap, outstanding quality, and plenty of room to shoot without worrying about tapes or other expendable media. And with 120GB onboard, you don't even have to worry about transferring! I could shoot an epic trilogy on this thing.

I highly recommend this camera to anyone who wants HD at an affordable price.

Miserable PC connectivity and irritating software
I own this camera for 12 months now. I agree to the positive reviews about the video quality and light handling. However when it comes to PC connectivity this camera simply - don't! The only way to get your videos on your PC is through the supported software. You can't stream live video and you can't use common software such as Movie Maker or Windows Media Encoder to capture live video or to immediately edit the recorded video (on the HD). The computer seems to recognize the camera as an AVC compliant device - but nothing more than that. And when it comes to using the supported software - is sucks! The software is very cumbersome to use, it uses a quite rare video format (some MAC type of TOD files) and the video editor software has very limited options for even the basic edits. If you need to edit your videos on your PC - be prepare to for a tedious job.