Product Description

The GRDF550 Ultra-Compact Camcorder delivers the right mix of what digital video enthusiasts expect: Comfort, usability, convenience and style. Use the powerful new features to create inspiring images. The new Live Slow function and Low Light Plus tools let you manipulate your shots more easily, playing them back at any speed even when taken in total darkness. The new EZ Grip is built for hours of comfortable use. With the JVC GR DF430 you'll have the features you need to impress the world with your photographs and digital video. Capture every detail with the 25x optical zoom and deeper digital zoom. Its combination of 3D noise reduction and wider F1.2 lens offers better detail and sharper colors. Live Slow is ideal for playing back and enjoying hard-to-see moments. The new Data Battery function lets you see your recording time with the push of a button. The compact design is easier to use and small enough to take anywhere. A new EZ Grip design offers hours of comfortable use. Movie Resolution - (HQ), 640 x 480 (Normal), 320 x 240 (LP) pixels Focus Modes - Auto focus, Macro mode, Infinity mode, Manual focus Live Slow records slow motion images with real-time images Super Bright lens & Low Light Plus for superior low-light performance 1/6-inch 680,000 pixel CCD HG digital stills with four image size settings (1600 x 1200, 1280 x 960, 1024 x 768, 640 x 480 pixels) JVC's Megabrid engine that separately processes video and stills F1.2 Super Bright lens Still image playback with 8x zoom Auto-illumination light Email video clips in MPEG-4 format Web-camera function Multi-language on-screen display Analog input Cold shoe Comes with remote control One-touch view in LCD or viewfinder of remaining battery time Includes editing software

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #58891 in Camera & Photo
• Color: Silver
• Brand: JVC
• Model: GRDF550U
• Platform: Windows
• Dimensions: 3.00" h x 4.00" w x 3.00" l, .90 pounds
• Display size: 2.5

Features

• 1.33-megapixel ultra-compact MiniDV digital camcorder with 15x optical zoom/700x digital zoom
• Captures digital stills to tape at native 1152 x 864 (interpolated up to 1600 x 1200)
• NightAlive function for shooting in low-light conditions
• Data Battery function that displays battery power and calculates remaining recording time
• Included rechargeable battery provides up to 60 minutes of shooting time

Amazon.com Product Description
Get crisper picture results with JVC's GRDF550U 1.33-megapixel MiniDV digital video camcorder, which provides 540 lines of video resolution. It also features a unique new design that combines a compact camera body with a handgrip that is ideally sized to be comfortable and secure to hold. It also offers up a 15x zoom lens, 700x digital zoom, 2.5-inch LCD, digital image stabilization, Night Alive low-light video capture, and still photo capability (saved to a Secure Digital memory card).

For superior image quality, the GRDF550U features a Super High-Band Processor that restores the high-band components of the luminance signal to ensure a crisp, clear picture. It also uses JVC's Megabrid engine that separately processes video and still signals, providing optimal processing for each. Megabrid technology assures high sensitivity and a high signal-to-noise ratio for video and clear, high resolution progressive still images.

To make shooting easier, JVC's 2.5-inch Clear-View LCD monitor suppresses diffusion of internal light to deliver a brighter, clearer image, and also reduces reflection and glare from external light so that images are always clearly visible even when shooting outdoors in bright sunlight. It can rotate 180 degrees, enabling your subjects to see themselves. The one-touch Data Battery function displays battery power and calculates remaining recording time with the power on or off to prevent you from running out of power during mid-shooting. The GRDF550U includes the BN-VF707U rechargeable battery, which provides up to 60 minutes of usage.

The Night Alive low-light video system slows down the shutter speed in order to collect more light and brighten a scene. The 1.33-megapixel CCD can capture still photos at 1152 by 864 pixels with an interpolated 2-megapixel (1600 x1200) mode. Pictures are saved to optional Secure Digital memory cards; SD card not included with GRDF550U

Other features include

• Fast f1.2, 15x optical zoom lens with focal range of 3-45mm, threaded for 30.5mm attachments
• Firewire and USB 2.0 ports
• Manual controls, including those for shutter speed, focus, and white balance
• Web-camera functionality
• Analog-to-digital conversion
• Dimensions: 3.0 x 2.9 x 4.4 inches (W x H x D)
• Weight: 14.5 ounces (410 grams) when empty

What's in the Box
GRDF550U digital video camera, BN-VF707U lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, USB and AV cables, remote control, lens cap, shoulder strap, printed manual, and CD-ROMs with Digital Photo Navigator and drivers

From the Manufacturer
JVC GR-DF550 The Ultra-Compact Series' Low Light Plus uses an f1.2 aspherical super bright lens, which offers 2.3 times the brightness of an f1.8 lens and 1.8 times the brightness of an f1.6 lens. That performance is enhanced by JVC's 3D noise reduction that delivers a 2dB improvement in the signal-to-noise ratio and reduces video noise by approximately 30 percent. Flicker is eliminated and color reproduction is improved.

At the top of the Ultra-Compact Series is the GR-DF550, which uses JVC's Megabrid engine that separately processes video and still signals, providing optimal processing for each. Megabrid technology assures high sensitivity and a high signal-to-noise ratio for video and clear, high resolution progressive still images.

Both new JVC camcorder series feature a new design that makes them easy to take along and easy to use. The Ultra-Compact series features a unique new design that combines a compact camera body with a handgrip that is ideally sized to be comfortable and secure to hold.

All new JVC Mini DV camcorders feature the one-touch convenience of the new data battery function that displays battery power and calculates remaining recording time with the power on or off to prevent users from running out of power during mid-shooting. Also, to make shooting easier, JVC's Clear-View LCD monitor suppresses diffusion of internal light to deliver a brighter, clearer image, and also reduces reflection and glare from external light so that images are always clearly visible even when shooting outdoors in bright sunlight.

For superior image quality, all JVC Mini DV camcorders feature a super high-band processor that restores the high-band components of the luminance signal to ensure a crisp, clear picture. Advanced models include a 1.33 megapixel CCD for 540 lines of horizontal resolution, while entry-level models feature a 680,000 pixel CCD that delivers 520 lines of resolution.

JVC's commitment to image quality is further evidenced in its Mini DV camcorders' ability to capture digital stills with no motion blur. This year all models, with the exception of the entry level GR-D250 and GR-DF430, offer a progressive shutter that allows stills to be captured by the entire frame, eliminating the blur that occurs when separate fields are combined to form a frame. In addition, the 1.33 megapixel models can capture 27 percent more visual information than 680,000 pixel cameras, providing images 1600 x 1200 pixels, 1024 x 768 pixels, and 640 x 480 pixels.

Throughout JVC's Mini DV line, the camcorders are designed with the PC in mind, offering multiple PC connection options, including USB and iLink (IEEE 1394) DV cable.

Ultra-Compact Series
JVC's Ultra-Compact series Mini DV camcorders are highlighted by a new EZ Grip design and features that include the new Live Slow function and Low Light Plus.

GR-DF430: 1/6-inch 680,000 pixel CCD, f1.2 super bright lens, EZ grip, 15x optical / 700x digital zoom, 2.5 inch LCD, 520 lines of resolution, Live Slow, 3-D noise reduction, NightAlive, auto illumination light, web-camera function, data battery, MPEG-4 email video clips, multi-language on-screen, analog input, interval snapshot, mic terminal, cold shoe, editing software provided, DV input/output, remote control.

GR-DF450:1/6 inch 680,000 pixel CCD, HG digital stills: 1024 x 768, f1.2 super bright lens, EZ grip, 15x optical / 700x digital zoom, 2.5 inch LCD, 520 lines of resolution, Live Slow, 3-D noise reduction, NightAlive, auto illumination light, web-camera function, data battery, MPEG-4 email video clips, multi-language on-screen, analog input, interval snapshot, mic terminal, cold shoe, editing software provided, DV input/output, remote control, USB video class, memory card slot.

GR-DF550: 1/4 .5 inch 1.33 megapixel CCD, HG digital stills with four image size settings up to 1600 x 1200, f1.2 super bright lens, EZ grip, 15x optical / 700x digital zoom, 2.5 inch LCD, 520 lines of resolution, Live Slow, 3-D noise reduction, NightAlive, auto illumination light, web-camera function, data battery, MPEG-4 email video clips, multi-language on-screen, analog input, interval snapshot, mic terminal, cold shoe, editing software provided, DV input/output, remote control, Megabrid engine.

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Customer Reviews

Good middle of road camcorder.
I have owned this camcorder for about 2 months and recorded about 4 hours worth of video on it. The picture and audio quality is pretty good along with the color quality, especially indoors. I've had no problems with firewire connectivity on my PC when making DVDs with the camcorder. DV navigation is the best special feature on the camcorder. It uses the memory card to store thumbnail images of recorded video scenes to assist in video playback. It works like a chapter listing on a DVD movie. You pick the scene displayed and the camcorder will fast forward or rewind to that scene and begin playback. The downside to the camcorder is the MP4 video recording. It is pretty choppy. The other downside is battery life. During normal recording, I normally got about 45 minutes of battery life.

The best bang for the buck!
This camcorder is excellent for a beginner! It has a lot of functions such as thumbnail through the SD card, low-light function (Megabrid) that works reasonably well (better with a tripod), color viewfinder. You can program it to take pictures at different intervals, it will only depend on the capacity of your SD card. It is not mentioned that you can record video in the 16:9 Wide mode. That is great if you want to commit to Widescreen! Tip: Use the "Squeeze" Wide mode, then edit it with Ulead, and you have a 16:9 DVD. It has also firewire, 1 CCD for video, and 1.33 Megapixel for pictures. I would say all that is fine for a $400 camcorder. Enjoy it!

Design Flaw
This camera has a design flaw. The integrated microphone does NOT shut off when you use an auxilary microphone. It says in the manual that it is supposed to. I sent it back to JVC many times, and the service personal compensated me by disconnecting the internal microphone permanently.
If you want flexability in your audio, and you're an intermediate user, keep on looking. It's a shame cause in every other category, this is a great camera for the price.