Product Description

The GZ-MG77 Series includes a 2.7-inch widescreen LCD. It features a 16:9 video mode and 16:9 widescreen mode, PictBridge compatibility for direct printing, SD card slot, USB mass storage compatibility, Data Battery that displays recording time remaining, remote control and Power-Linked Operation, which powers up the camcorder and engages the standby mode simply by opening the LCD. Operation has also been enhanced with a new four-way controller mounted on the outside edge of the LCD. Pressing the four "compass" points on the circular control operates menu settings, manual controls and playback control.The GZ-MG77 Series offers built-in DVD burner control allowing it to be directly connected to an optional JVC DVD burner, the CU-VD10 SHARE STATION. The camcorder connects to the burner via a USB cable and the burner is easily controlled by the camcorder. Everio .mod files are converted to the DVD Video format and the SHARE STATION creates discs that can be played on most DVD players.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #4684 in Camera & Photo
• Brand: JVC
• Model: GZ-MG77US
• Dimensions: 2.72" h x 2.68" w x 4.29" l, .82 pounds
• Display size: 2.7

Features

• 30 GB hard drive camcorder, high-quality MPEG-2 recording
• 3-dimensional noise reduction for clear picture
• "F1.2 lens, 2.2-megapixel CCD, 10x optical zoom, 800x digital zoom
• 2.7-inch widescreen LCD monitor, power-linked operation
• USB 2.0 high-speed interface; 12x transfer rate

From the Manufacturer
Just keep on shooting! Nothing to load, nothing to eject, nothing to finalize. Everio is designed to eliminate your worries. Just keep on shooting, because the built-in large capacity hard drive easily stores hours and hours of your video inside a lightweight compact camcorder. Plus shoot thousands of digital still images. So whether you're at home or on the go, you'll always be ready to record or playback your memories.

Smart Advantages of a Hard Disk Camcorder

No risk of erasing previous recordings by mistake. You won't ever record over those once-in-a-lifetime events. Recording starts automatically from the blank space on the disk.

No cost for or need to buy additional recording media. No tape or disc is required The Everio G Series provides an all-in-one solution, ensuring no interruption during long time recordings, so you won't miss a moment. No media to lose!

Easy deletion of unwanted scenes. So you don't have to worry about getting it right the first time, safely select and erase entire scenes in an instant to free up disk space. Use your camcorder with a freedom never before possible!

Direct access to scenes you want. No need to Fast Forward or Rewind. Just click on the thumbnail image and watch your memories come to life. Makes sifting through hours and hours of accumulated footage a breeze.

Simple editing is made possible inside the camera. Fast, quick downloading to your computer via USB 2.0. Drag and drop editing software provided for Windows and Macintosh computers.

Long-time recording to shoot hours of video on the large capacity built-in hard drive. Now you can record entire events such as vacations, sporting events and more, without worry.

More Everio GZMG77 Advantages

Extra recording capabilities

• 2.2-megapixel full 16:9 CCD: The GZ-MG77 is equipped with a high resolution 2.2 million pixel 1/3.9" CCD with a total of 1.2 million effective pixels for 4:3 and 16:9 moving pictures. This allows full resolution 16:9 widescreen, 1440x810-pixel imaging with picture stabilization. 2 million pixels are allocated for still pictures.
• Megabrid Engine: Separately processes video and still signals, providing optimum processing for each and assuring high sensitivity and a high signal-to-noise ratio for moving pictures, as well as clear, high resolution still images.
• F1.2 Bright Lens: Allows the camera to obtain twice the light of an F1.8 lens, assuring a bright picture with less noise, even in low light.

Compact and lightweight design
With a high-capacity 1.8-inch hard disk drive built into a compact body that weighs-in at less than 1 pound, Everio G camcorders are the perfect companion to record your moving and still memories. No tape, no disc. Experience the camcorder that's small, compact, with less to carry, and so easy to use.

MPEG-2 DVD-movie quality video
Get up to 37 hours of recording with 30GB internal hard disk drive. Using Everio's high-quality MPEG-2 data compression format, you can record DVD-movie quality video at a variable bit rate. The average bit rate is 8.88 Mbps with Dolby Digital audio for a superior video and sound quality.

The Everio's drop protection system keeps your camcorder safe

Hard disk drive protection and stability
To protect the hard disk drive from shocks and vibrations, Everio G camcorders incorporate the latest hard disk protection technologies, allowing carefree, active camcorder use.

Polymer shock absorbers

Floating suspension (shock absorbers)
Cushions the hard disk from vibrations using polymer shock absorbers.

16:9 widescreen shooting and playback
The 2.7-inch widescreen LCD offers a 16:9 aspect ratio for wide cinematic video shooting. Naturally the playback picture can be enjoyed in full widescreen dimensions on the LCD or on a connected widescreen TV. This clear LCD cuts surface reflections and glare to maintain a clear, visible, bright view.

Designed for Easy Shooting and Viewing

10x optical zoom with 300x digital zoom

Incredible 10x magnification with full optical quality. Digital zoom takes you up to 300x.

Stick control
Easily navigate through multiple functions with one-finger control. Everything from menu item selection to changing camera settings for recording and playback.

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.

Index/Data button
Gives you one-touch confirmation of disk capacity and battery life. Press the button to check the remaining recording capacities in all four recording modes. Press it again to check remaining battery and recording time.

Auto light, auto flash and sensitivity
Shoot brilliantly, even when it’s dark. The GZ-MG77 brighten-up digital stills with the built-in auto flash, while other models illuminate your videos with the auto illumination. Everio G camcorders can automatically turn on and off the light or give you the control. What’s more, new video processing assures high sensitivity and a high signal-to-noise ratio.

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

Easy to share

Easy video access

Easily locate your desired video clip by either thumbnail, date or event selection icon. The event selection icon allows easier management for your video and still files. Conveniently select the desired icon before or after you record. There are 30 preloaded icons that can be selected such as "Birthday". These category icons can easily open all files associated with the corresponding topic. The icons can also help in creating playlists for on-camera playback, downloading to a PC or burning to DVD.

Easy video viewing

• DVD-quality picture on the big screen: Just hook up to a TV and enjoy Everio’s high-quality MPEG-2 video on a large screen TV. Play just the clips you want in the order you like, pre-arranged right in the camera into a movie Playlist. This can also be done with the provided remote control.
• Simple AV and S connection for dubbing or making a DVD: With the AV cable (S-Video interface also available) connected directly to a VCR or DVD recorder, you can copy Everio movie clips and playlists as many times as you like to a VHS tape or DVD disc for easy sharing with a wide audience. Every copy’s high quality is the same.
• Easy printing with PictBridge/DPOF support: With PictBridge, digital stills can be output to a compatible printer with just one cable connection. Also, DPOF (Digital Print Order Format) information lets you easily order digital printing of your shots from a photo studio.

What's in the box
GZ-MG77 Everio camcorder, AC power adapter, BN-VF707 rechargeable battery pack, AV cable, USB cable, remote control, shoulder strap, lens cap, and user's manual.

Customer Reviews

Big things in a little package
Well friends, if you have been searching for a bevy of great features, simplicity of use, great video and audio quality all in a micro-sized package, this unit may be the end of your search.

I had spent a great deal of time and effort comparing the various camcorders on the market before I made the move to the JVC Everio GZMG77 2.0MP CCD 30GB HDD Camcorder with 10x Optical Zoom several weeks ago. I was looking for a full featured product that would travel well, provide long operational time, give me plenty of built in functionality yet one that didn't bust my budget.

This unit has proven itself worthy across the board. The "77" is so small that I find myself forgetting that I am carrying it around in the palm of my hand. When things happen that I want to capture I just flip open the view screen and within a few seconds the "auto on" feature has my camera in hot stand-by ready for action as it unfolds. The (30GB) hard drive has proven sufficient to record a wedding, HS graduation, two trips to the beach, a weekend to Disneyland and stuff around the house with over three hours to spare (all in the ultrafine mode)!

Downloading and producing DVD's is a snap and the quality is superb even on my DLPLCD 16:9 format Display at home.

If your considering this unit I have a couple of (must have) recommendations for maximum usability with minimum of fuss:

First off get additional batteries. The one hour is small and light weight and last me around 45-50 minutes. I purchased two additional batteries. One is rated at 3 hours and the other at 5 hours (a little large on size but great run time)! This gives me more then enough "pocket power".

The second recommendation would be to purchase one of the many stand alone battery charges on the market. I ordered a battery and charger package on Amazon (ESPOW - Equivalent JVC BN-VF714, BN-VF714U Battery and AC/DC Charger Set. [ 1400mAh ] ) This charger allows you to charge a battery without having to use the Camcorder itself. This particular model even provides AC or DC charging options.

Bottom line... I am very pleased with the JVC "77" and believe you will be too.

My first camcorder experience is a good one
Bought this for a trip to southern Africa. It is my first camcorder - I was always turned off by the idea of lugging around tapes or blank DVDs. I have used ultrazoom digital cameras for all my other trips, so I am familiar with making manual adjustments for different situations.

I was amazed at 1) how easy the Everio was to learn and use, 2)how small and light it is, and 3) the large storage capacity of the HDD.

I had to set manual adjustments for lighting and exposure a lot of the time. The AUTO setting is best when it's bright sunlight and fairly even brightness of objects - other times of the day, or when there are dark AND light objects in the field of view, you're better off using MANUAL. Video I shot at sunset and sunrise came out good with very little grain, but it is best if you use MANUAL setting and keep the camera stable.

The zoom control is pretty sensitive - takes some getting used to being careful about how fast you zoom the lens.

Would have liked this model to have a light for night video rather than just a flash for still photos.

The battery recharged quickly and I bought a second one from a third party. The battery life is as advertised, which isn't bad considering the power it must take to run the big LCD display and the hard drive.

I think the video quality is excellent. Incorporated the video along with digital stills into a travel DVD we produced. The quality when displayed on my large LCD flat panel TV is great. (Remember though that this is NOT an HD camcorder.)

On my trip, I ran into a fellow who had the new Everio model with the 3CCD sensors. Our videos of the same scenes looked very similar in quality.

It's simple to edit the video files with the supplied Cyberlink software. Upgrade to the full version is reasonably priced compared to buying Adobe Premiere Elements.

Overall, I thought this was a good first camcorder purchase. I'll carry it along on other trips.

HOW TO USE THE JVC 77US CAMCORDER WITH A MAC
I recently purchased this camcorder at Circuit City for around $750. It works very well and the video quality is very good.

VIDEO & SOUND: When viewing on the television, it is surprising how clear and crisp the video is and how realistic the sound is--there is no irritating tape or dvd recording humm, and people's voices sound natural--not like they are in a wind tunnel as with other camcorders. Also, the night video is quite good for a camera this size. I shot some video using only candlelight to illuminate people's faces, and the details were the same when I played it back as if I had been sitting right there. The pictures are also good quality, though not huge, and it is nice to be able to store them on the camera instead of my computer.

BATTERY LIFE: if you are going to be using this camcorder for periods longer than 45 minutes, buy an extra battery as it takes at least an hour to recharge.

SOFTWARE/COMPATIBLITY: I have a mac mini G4, and my biggest concern with buying this camera was whether or not it would be compatible. It processes video in MPEG-4 mode, which is not compatible with mac. However, after reading the manual, I found a solution to this problem.

To convert video for use with iMovie:
1. Install the Everio "Capty MPEG Edit EX" program provided with the camera.
2. When installed, open the program and select the "view" tab, the click "combine files."
3. Connect the camera to the computer using the USB cord provided and set camera on the play setting
4. Open the Everio harddrive that appears on the desktop.
5. Drag files with the extension .mod from the video folder to the "Capty MPEG" program--you will see thumbnails appear as the video takes.
6. After adding all of the files you want, click the "create" button on the "Capty" program
7. A format box will appear. Select Quick Time Movie
8. Another option will appear that allows you to convert to MPEG, DV, and QuickTime: Select "Quick Time" again.
9. Name your video in the next blank that appears
10. Click the button to start the creating process
11. It will take some time to create the video. After the video is created, look for the title in spotlight in the searchbar.
12. When you have located the file, open iMovie.
13. Drag the file into the "clips" section of iMovie.
14. You can now edit your WIDESCREEN movie in the iMovie program.

It sounds long and complicated, but the only "challenging" part is just waiting for it to format for quick time. I recommend not putting too many clips in at once so that it goes faster. It takes a little more time, but it's worth it to use iMovie, and it's faster and more efficient than many of the other methods I have seen.