Product Description

The GR-DVL920 combines outstanding performance adding a 1/3.8" 1.02-megapixel CCD and a super high-band processor for 530 horizontal lines of resolution in a sleek, compact design. The GR-DVL920 also ensures maximum user friendliness utilizing Web camera function, MPEG 4 e-mail video clips, Night Alive (for full-color shooting in extreme low light conditions), analog inputs, built-in auto light, high-resolution 3.5" Amorphous Silicon LCD color monitor, 700X super digital zoom with spline interpolation, HG digital stills (1280x960/1024 x 768/640x480), picture stabilizer and long-time recording capability. The versatile multimedia interfacing includes SD/ MultiMedia card-compatible, USB high-speed interface, DV input/output, S-video and A/V output terminals.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #113940 in Camera & Photo
• Brand: JVC
• Model: DVL920U
• Released on: 2002-01-29
• Platforms: Windows NT, Windows XP, Windows Me, PowerMac, Windows NT 5, Windows NT 4, Windows NT 3.5, Windows 2000, Windows, Mac OS 9 and below, Mac OS X, Windows 2000 Server, Macintosh, Windows 98
• Display size: 3.5

Features

• MiniDV camcorder
• 10x optical, 700x digital, zoom with image stabilization
• 3.5-inch color LCD; color EVF
• Digital still mode records megapixel images onto included 16 MB MultiMediaCard
• Analog inputs for digital archiving

Customer Reviews

No Need to Fear JVC is HERE!!!
Wow! That's really all that can be said, but I'll try my best to say more. I was really hesitant about getting the 920, as I planned on getting a sony in similar price range(trv25,27), but after extensively testing both, and excluding panasonic altogether because of a horrible past experience, the JVC was my only option, and boy is it one amazing option. The first thing that will shock you is the size and design. No matter how small and sleek you think this camcorder is, when you finally get your hands on it, it will be smaller and sleeker then you ever imagined. The design is just beautiful, putting anything sony and panasonic have to shame. Now let's get to the "real" issues. This camcorder has manual everything, from focus to white balance, the latter being one of the greatest features you'll ever use. The video quality is superb; the colors are very true to their subjects. The digital stills it takes are really great, of course nowhere near a dedicated digital camera, but definitely good enough to print a 4x6 or 5x7. You even get a 16mb media card, rather then the standard 8mb card.
Now the bad, I have to be honest there are a few things that did annoy me. First the battery is short, but that is the case with every battery included with every camcorder, it's just short. The second problem I have is that a few of the controls, and ports for firewire and usb are located under the lcd, which means you have to open the lcd to access them, thus draining your already low battery more. The last problem I have is the manner in which you charge the battery. There is no external charger included, and to make matters worse you can't use the camcorder as it's charging the battery.
My suggestions are: Buy a bigger battery and an external charger and you are set. The good far outweighs the bad in this situation ten times over. Believe me for the price, design, size, and manual features, you can't go wrong, you can't!!!! Wow I should work for JVC:)

Excellent camcorder
This is an excellent camcorder.

The 920U (this camcorder) is much better than the 720U/820U. The earlier versions had a constant buzz on the recorded audio that appeared to come from the DV tape motor. The 920U is very quiet and the audio is crystal clear.

Video quality was much better, too, with sharper colors probably due to the improved lens. (The colors on the 720U/820U were washed out and dull.) On the 920U, I couldn't tell much difference between real life and recorded video in well-lighted conditions. Also, the viewfinder is color whereas the 720U/820U have B&W viewfinders.

Zoom is smooth and well-positioned. The menu is easy to use. Overall the ergonomics of the camcorder are excellent.

The 3.5" LCD is VERY nice. I'm definitely hooked on that feature.

920U
I really like this camcorder. Too many functions, it takes a while to get to know all. I like the built-in light that many newer models lack. The 700X zoom is overkill, after about 200X you can't see much. I agree with the fisrt reviewer, you need to buy extra battery and a good universal charger. You can shop around for best deal, prices range from 650 to 1099. Remember the lower the price, the worse the service. Stick with the online companies that you trust.