Product Description

JVC Everio GZ-MG155 is a versatile 1.07 Megapixel HDD/SD Hybrid Camera with 30GB hard disk drive and convenient Everio Dock for easy connection.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #6486 in Camera & Photo
• Brand: JVC
• Model: GZ-MG155
• Released on: 2007-02-15
• Dimensions: 10.10" h x 10.10" w x 10.10" l, 2.70 pounds
• Display size: 2.7

Features

• Built-in 30 GB hard drive
• 1/6-inch 1MP CCD; 540 lines of resolution
• 2.7-inch Clear Widescreen LCD
• 32x optical zoom; 800x digital zoom
• Docking station included

Manufacturer Description
Manufacturer Description 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 JVC Hard Disk Camcorders

Long-time recording Hard disk drive offers high capacity so you can record entire events like vacations without worry or fuss, over 37 hours.

No 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.

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.

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.

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!

Simple editing is possible on the camera itself In-camera file editing and Playlist functions let you choose the scenes you want in the order you want, without the need for external editing.

Easy archiving with PC-less DVD creation Just connect to the optional Everio Share Station via a single USB connector, and push the Direct DVD button. It's that simple! Automatically burns a DVD containing all recordings, selected recordings, or just new recordings.

Hybrid advantage with HDD/SD card dual storage In addition to the internal Hard Disk Drive, these hybrid camcorders also have a slot for an SD memory card so you can store videos and stills on this commonly available memory card.

Everio GZMG255 Highlights

Over 37 hours of video and nearly 10,000 photos The internal large capacity hard disk drive stores over 7 hours (30GB model) of DVD-movie quality video or over 37 hours in Economy mode. And no matter which image size you choose, you can shoot nearly 10,000 stills with plenty of space left for your videos.

Compact and lightweight design With a 1.8-inch hard disk drive built-in, its lightweight compactness is not constrained by the size of videocassette or disc media, nor does it require a space-consuming loading mechanism. That's why most Everio models are able to weigh in at less than 1 pound including battery.

Gigabrid engine for high-quality video and stills The redesigned image processor for Everio G series incorporates 6 digital noise reduction systems to improve the S/N ratio by about 30 percent (3dB) over previous models. The integrated MPEG-2 encoder features circuitry that reduces the block noise and mosquito noise that can occur with digital video recording formats. It's assurance that all of those Gigabytes of video and photos you shoot will offer the best picture quality available for each recording mode.

MPEG-2 DVD-quality video Using high quality MPEG-2 data compression, you can record DVD-Movie quality video. A new buffer accommodates suddenly moving objects. As well, the "turbo" variable bit rate system maintains a high average close to 8.5 Mbps, but increases sharply for dynamically moving scenes.

Hard disk drive protection and stability To safeguard the Hard Disk Drive from shocks and vibrations, Everio G camcorders incorporate the latest Hard Disk protection technologies.

Floating Suspension (Shock Absorbers) Effectively dampens vibrations through polymer shock absorbers, allowing active camcorder use.

Gravity Sensor System (Drop Detection) Automatically senses sudden acceleration such as in a free fall situation. The camera power is turned off and the writing head is disengaged to avoid disk damages*.
_{*This function does not guarantee protection of hard disk against all instances of droppage and physical impact.}

SD memory card slot All Everio models also have a slot for SD Memory Card so you can store videos and stills on this commonly available memory card. SDHC Memory Card is also supported for higher capacity and higher speed.

Quick restart Open the LCD and you're ready to shoot in about 1 second! So before you can say "lights, camera, action!" you're already rolling. Never miss a crucial moment.

Stick control for easy operation A multitude of functions with the 4-way one-finger control on the outside edge of the LCD. Pressing the four "compass points" on the circular control operates everything from menu item selection, and manual camera settings while shooting, to playback control.

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.

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

Built-in sliding 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.

Additional Features

• Multi-language on-screen menu
• Hard Disk Protection with Drop Detection and Floating Suspension
• Auto and manual focus
• Digital Image Stabilizer
• Backlight/Spotlight compensation
• White balance (Auto, MWB, Fine, Cloud, Halogen)
• Self-timer
• Playlist Video Clip Playback and Slide Show Still Playback
• In-camera file editing
• Playback scene transitions

Customer Reviews

Works great, with a few issues
I bought this camera to videotape legal depositions. Not very exciting stuff, but they typically run for hours. Mini-DV cameras only run for about an hour. I didn't want to have to stop and switch tapes every hour. This HD camera can record 14 hours with quality sufficient for what I'm doing. I tested it over a few days and just burned a DVD a few minutes ago on my computer. The camera is small, lightweight, easy to use, and can go for hours. I can easily burn DVD's through my computer or home VHS/DVD recorder. I'm thrilled.

However, it's important to mention:

(1) The quality of this camera is not as good as a dedicated "tape" camera. I have always loved JVC since I bought my first camcorder (remember the purple video camera used by Marty McFly in the "Back To The Future" movies?). Analog VHS/VHC or 8mm still look the most natural. I have a Mini-DV JVC that I thought I would sell after buying this HD camera, but I've changed my mind. My other JVC has a better anti-shake feature and the image quality appears better. The colors are not as accurate with the HD camera and the action doesn't flow as smoothly. I will still probably use the Mini-DV camera where a more natural appearance is important.

(2) Even though the HD camera can record for hours, the battery only lasts an hour. Buy an extra JVC "hulk" battery (5 hours of juice?) when you buy the HD camera.

(3) If this camera were to malfunction or be stolen, you'd lose a whole lot of video footage. Back it up regularly or stick with a tape camera.

Very happy, highly recommend
I purchased this camcorder about 3 weeks ago. I previously had a Panasonic DVD model which I returned after 2 weeks. My biggest issues with the Panasonic were the lack of software and the difficulties I had with the DVD formats. At the price to add software I was better off with the JVC and removed the DVD issues. In short, unless you are going to buy write once DVDs and want to just pop them into the DVD player to watch I don't recommend that format.

Back to the JVC. Size, very small, I can only imagine it being too small, easy to use, software took a little getting use to, but I don't need anything else to turn a clip into an MPEG to watch (I haven't gotten to the point of making a DVD yet). I like the "shutter" lens cap, you can record video to the SD card, screen is good size, I think I prefer the joystick control over a touch screen, although I liked how the Panasonic used the joystick on the outside with the right hand, so you could do most stuff one handed. The dock is very nice, it it supports Firewire/i1394/iLink, but it doesn't come with that cable. I haven't noticed a difference, but the Optical Image Stabilization of the Panasonic would be nice (better than Electronic as JVC is). Other than that I can't think of anything the JVC isn't better at. (Oh yea, no viewfinder, who uses it? Seems like only "pros" who aren't buying this anyway.) I do agree about expensive batteries, but what electronics company doesn't stiff us with high prices on extra batteries? I don't give anything a 5 unless it exceeds my expectations, so unless I find it juliennes my potatoes... If JVC wants a 5 they will have to add the Firewire cable, OIS, and make extra batteries cheaper.

Bag - I own the Lowepro 110 bag, it was purchased for another camera, and it makes a great carry all bag for this camera, especially if you are going to have an extras, like a spare battery. I also own a Lowepro Z-10 bag which I can actually stuff the camera into, but the front pocket buckles out a lot, so it isn't practical, but possible if you want a camera only bag.

Finally, I purchased mine elsewhere, but if you are buying here why not get the GZ-MG255 instead? It isn't much more.

Small, Light, Compact; Great Recording
We purchased this model due to its hard drive recording space, 7 - 37 hours recording time which is just awesome. No need to worry about a new cartridge, or dvd disk to record to. Its small, and compact; so if your hand is large you may find it harder to work since its compact. I love the size as its soooo portable and light. You don't have to worry about taking extra dvd's etc with you to record do. There is plenty of space to do that built in. And all you do is place it in the docking station it comes with and it saves it to the computer where you can then even DVD what you recorded. It has a built in light and so far we love all the features. I love the quick 1 second record feature. Its great for those moments you just want to try and get; pop open the LCD screan and wham, your recording. It takes a second as it says. My favorite thing about this camera is really its size and portability and lightness. Thus 5 stars!