Product Description

Ultra-compact Full HD HDD/microSD hybrid camera featuring 24Mbps High bit rate Recording, KONICA MINOLTA HD LENS, 60GB HDD for up to 25 hours of Full HD AVCHD recording, 1920x1080/60P output, and face detection.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1500 in Camera & Photo
• Color: Black
• Brand: JVC
• Model: GZ-HD300BU
• Dimensions: 2.70" h x 4.47" w x 2.09" l, .72 pounds

Features

• 60 GB HDD for up to 25 hours of 1920x1080 Full HD recording
• 20x optical zoom with Konica Minolta HD lens; Face Detection
• 1920x1080/60P output
• Laser-touch operation with sub-trigger and zoom; one-touch upload to YouTube
• Small, slim design

From the Manufacturer

The JVC Everio GZ-HD300 captures video to a 60 GB hard disk drive -- it also features a 1/4.1-inch, 3.05-megapixel CMOS image sensor and full HD recording--full 1920 x 1080 resolution--to maintain native 1920 x 1080 resolution through playback, enabling output of a 1080p 60fps progressive signal to make the most of high-end HD displays. Using the same GENESSA processing technology used in JVC HD televisions, conversion to 1920 x 1080 at 60fps provides seamless natural video, free of motion judder during fast action activities, jaggy lines on angles and moiré patterns on fine details when zooming. 1920 x 1080 HD discs played back via the camera from the optional JVC CU-VD50 Share Station are also converted to 60fps progressive.

For sharing, the Everio HD300 makes it easy to watch videos on an iPod or iPhone by exporting videos to the user’s iTunes library with the new One Touch Export function provided by bundled software for Windows. This joins the One Touch Upload function for uploading to YouTube, for 2009 a feature available on all Everio camcorders, and One Touch DVD Creation function for easy archiving and sharing by disc, a long-time Everio feature.

The Everio GZ-HM200 is also equipped with HDMI V.1.3 with x.v.Color. Among the colors that the human eye can see, x.v.Color technology, based on the xvYCC color standard, can display 100 percent compared to about 55 percent with sRGB. So when connected to an x.v.Color compatible HDTV, the pristine world of high definition can be enjoyed to its fullest.

A new Konica Minolta HD lens, developed especially for Everio, provides a high-performance "eye" for the capture of Full HD resolution images, and also delivers a high optical zoom ratio of 20x which is among the highest for HD camcorders.

JVC’s new HD Gigabrid Premium video engine not only applies advanced image processing to optimize image quality, it also contributes to a 30 percent reduction in power consumption compared to previous Everio models, and also enables approximately 2.5-times faster creation of DVD discs for standard definition or AVCHD DVDs from HD Everio.

All HD Everios now feature the new AVCHD UXP mode with an unprecedented bit rate of up to 24Mbps to deliver more detailed, sharper images with less noise. UXP mode is ideal for storing to Blu-ray or an external hard disk drive. All the recording modes for HD Everio models--UXP, XP, SP, and EP--use Full HD 1920 x 1080 resolution.

Further contributing to high quality video on all HD Everio models is Face Detection technology, which automatically detects faces within the image being recorded to accurately adjust focus and exposure for sharp, beautiful images.

Everio Features

All 2009 Everios--HD, G series and S series--make sharing and watching videos easier than ever. New for this year is the One Touch Export function that allows Everio videos to be imported into iTunes and loaded into an iPod or iPhone. All 2009 Everios also offer One Touch DVD burning and the One Touch Upload function that JVC introduced to users in 2008 as a new and convenient way to upload videos to YouTube.

To use any of the three functions, simply connect Everio to a PC using the supplied USB cable. Then, the user chooses one of three buttons on the Everio: UPLOAD, EXPORT, or DIRECT DVD (DIRECT DISC for HD Everio models). Pressing the button will launch the appropriate Windows PC application that comes bundled with Everio, and the user simply follows the simple on-screen prompts. With just a few mouse clicks the process of uploading to YouTube, exporting to iTunes, burning to disc or transferring to an external hard disk drive will be completed. For uploading to YouTube, the user can perform an in-camera edit of any length video to fit the 10-minute YouTube limit.

For disc based archiving, there is an alternative to using a PC. JVC offers the CU-VD50 Direct DVD Burner/Player as an option, which allows burning of Everio videos to a DVD disc without having to use a PC. When used with HD Everio, this solution can create AVCHD DVDs that are playable on many Blu-ray players.

The new Everio MediaBrowser software supplied with all Everio models is a Windows application providing an easy-to-search calendar-type graphical interface for indexing and finding video files. Thumbnail images of recorded videos and stills are superimposed on the calendar so it’s easy to see when any scene was recorded. The Everio MediaBrowser also allows easy playback, simple cut editing, and "Decomotion" to spruce up recorded footage with animated graphics for upload to YouTube. It also supports Export to iTunes, Upload to YouTube, burning to disc or transferring to HDD. The Everio MediaBrowser software supplied with HD Everio models supports burning to Blu-ray disc in addition to DVD.

Another new feature found on all Everio camcorders is Digest Playback, which offers an easy and entertaining way to check the content residing on Everio’s HDD or SD/SDHC card. The function automatically selects highlight scenes from among the recorded content using JVC’s proprietary algorithm and plays back what looks like a "coming attractions" trailer for a movie. Sixty minutes of footage is condensed into five minutes of highlight scenes.

Other Everio features have been enhanced for 2009. Laser Touch Operation has been updated to allow control of zooming and recording using either the Laser Touch scroll bar or buttons next to the LCD screen, as well as by the standard zoom lever and REC button. And as before, Laser Touch makes it easy to browse through thumbnail images of recorded scenes and access menu selection. Power-linked operation, long offered by JVC, goes a step further this year. Simply opening the LCD monitor automatically opens the built-in lens cover and powers up the camcorder. Closing the LCD also closes the lens cover and shuts down the power. With Quick Restart, recording can start in about one second after the LCD is re-opened.

In addition to performance and convenience, the 2009 Everio line offers plenty of style and shooting comfort. A new design features elegant curves, a silver-framed LCD and a comfortable angled grip with a new dual use strap. The strap can be used in the usual camcorder fashion, supporting the user’s hand when shooting, or it can be extended and used as a wrist strap like the type on most digital still cameras.

Customer Reviews

hardware great, software awful (but there are alternatives)
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R3D5N4KQFIMLTJ In this review I show off the camcorder itself, show some video and pictures I took with the camcorder that show off the features, and discuss the software limitations.

[...]

Average Performance But Tiny Enough To Travel Anywhere
Body and Features
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First off, this camera is tiny, especially considering the fact that it has a 60GB hard drive. The size rivals most SD card-only cameras. I assume it uses the same type of tiny shock-resistant hard drive found in MP3 players. The camera is even pocket-size if wearing loose fitting pants or pants with roomy extra pockets, like cargo shorts. Setup was simple. I inserted the battery, plugged in the power cord, and waited until the charging light stopped flashing. You simply open the LCD to turn on camera. There is no optical viewfinder. The LCD is big and bright, although not quite as clear and sharp as some of the competition. There is a vertical touch-sensitive laser scroll strip on left of LCD and touch-sensitive soft buttons along the bottom. The laser scroll strip is very responsive and becomes quite intuitive after you get accustomed to it. Menu items are logically arranged and easily accessible. The most often used items, such as video and sound preferences, are at top of menu, making them quickly accessible. Scrolling through the menu is accomplished by simply sliding finger up or down laser strip. The laser strip can also be used to zoom the lens in addition to using the switch atop camera. The LCD cavity also houses the power-off button, a mini-HDMI port, component video out connector, a button that enables switching between micro-SD and internal HDD, and additional buttons for playing and exporting video. There is a still picture snapshot button atop camera next to zoom toggle. The tiny form factor fit comfortably in my grip. The adjustable hand strap has a locking clasp that easily snaps open for quick adjustments. It can also be extended and converted for use as a wrist strap for carrying the camera. It also includes a small remote with basic features.



Performance
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The camera powers on quickly and is ready to shoot in seconds. There is no noticeable lag waiting for the hard drive to spin up. The hard drive is silent and is never interfered with recordings. The auto-focus performs okay in most circumstances. AF performance varies with distance and lighting. Shooting objects at full zoom and close-up (3 feet or less) seems more challenging for this particular auto-focus compared to other cameras I own. The face detection feature works well at identifying and tracking faces, even in cluttered shots, although it does have a difficult time keeping up with rapidly moving targets. Shooting footage of my kids, moving rapidly about, caused the face detection to lose target several times, although reacquisition was fairly quick. Despite this fact, the hard drive-based camera is able to keep up and maintain a decent level of detail in high-definition with constant hand/camera movement. Video shot in well lit conditions was clear and sharp. The camera exhibited good color balance with crisp true colors, decent saturation, accurate color reproduction, and good white balance. The camera also shoots in 24Mbps UXP (ultra high definition) mode. If shot in bright ideal conditions, the video in this mode is quite stunning, especially for such a tiny camera. Indoor and dimly lit video was not as nice. The video was much softer and noticeably noisier. Colors were also more washed out and adversely affected by indoor lighting. White balance took a nosedive. My white walls took on the orange color cast by the overhead incandescent lighting. And the luminance of the lights caused ghastly glowing effects on the walls as well. To be honest, I was a bit surprised after viewing the very first footage I shot with the camera, which was indoors with medium lighting. Video shot in even lower light (a 32" television and one lamp) was really bad. The video was so grainy, I had to double-check to make sure I was shooting in high definition. For comparison, I checked older footage from a standard-definition mini-DV camera previously shot in the same location with even less light and footage from a Panasonic SDR-H40 shot in similar light. The mini-DV footage was actually better, however, the Panasonic experienced a lot of the same issues as the JVC. The JVC was actually clearer in some instances and showed fewer video artifacts. So although indoor/dim light is not the greatest, I'd be hard-pressed to call it the worst. The camera does offer manual controls that can be used to improve indoor performance. There is a button right on the LCD that allows switching between manual and fully automatic. I tried it and with a little fiddling, significantly improved my indoor performance. If you're the fully-auto type, this camera will definitely force you out of that comfort zone if you want decent indoor performance. If that seems too daunting, then you will definitely want to use the built-in light for all but the brightest indoor filming. One area where the camera excelled was sound. Sound was crisp and clear with no virtually no interference. The camera even did a very good job of recording ambient sounds during outside filming one early morning. I heard every little sound of nature. Birds chirping near and far, insects, etc. Normal sounds are nice and clear with no harshness. If you close the LCD, the camera will enter standby mode, conserving battery life. To turn camera off completely, you have to hold the power button for a few seconds. The 60 GB hard drive is fast enough to keep up with various recording conditions and offers more than sufficient space for an entire vacation worth of recorded memories. You won't have to worry about running low on space unless you allow footage to accumulate over time on camera. However, if you do manage to run low on space, or simply prefer, micro SD is another option. The minimum specs suggest class 4 card or higher for normal video, class 6 minimum for UXP mode. This will help you avoid potential problems like drop-outs. Frankly, I wouldn't go with anything below class 6 for either mode. Unfortunately, class 6 micro-SD cards are not the most common thing in the world to find. In fact, I'm pretty sure you can check most stores in your area and they won't carry a class 6 micro-SD. They'll likely have Class 6 SD or SDHC cards however. I don't know why JVC opted not to go with the more popular regular SD. Nonetheless, if you need additional storage, micro-SD is also an option, thus causing JVC to label it a "hybrid" camera. Still shots are adequate but unremarkable. I wouldn't use this as my primary still camera but it works in a pinch. Shot Video/still footage is organized as thumbnails on the LCD when the user enters playback mode on the camera. The laser strip allows you to quickly navigate through the various thumbnails to select, play, and delete clips.



Exporting and Saving Footage
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The camera can export footage to both Mac or PC, external recording devices such as DVD/Blu-Ray/VHS recorder, or another camcorder. You can also play footage directly from camera on your television using the mini HDMI or component connections. The component cables are included, however the mini-HDMI is not. JVC also offers a direct to disk device, but a Mac or PC should be sufficient. Exporting to a Mac is relatively easy enough with iMovie. In fact, there is no bundled software for Mac. The bundled Pixela Everio MediaBrowser HD software for Windows (only) is severely lacking. It is primarily used for extracting, backing up, and organizing files from the camera. I do like the fact that it neatly organizes your videos chronologically (reminds me a little of Picassa, only for videos) and makes it easy to find specific footage. It also remembers which footage was previously backed up from camera and only imports the new footage. Unfortunately, that's about all the good I can say about it. Footage is backed up as AVCHD (H.264) files with a .mts extension on your computer. This will likely be a little confusing to people who have used standard definition hard drive cameras or mini-DV in the past. You cannot browse the camera in Windows for footage like you can with a standard definition hard drive camera because Windows does not recognize the .mts format. When files are backed up to your computer via MediaBrowser, they appear as an unknown file type to Windows. Unfortunately, this also means neither Windows Media Player nor Windows Movie Maker recognize the .mts file format as well, rendering them useless for viewing or editing. You will need an AVCHD compatible video editing application to manipulate and edit the files. MediaBrowser has a built-in viewer, however, viewing H.264 files will likely be a stuttering pixelated mess unless you have a powerful video card and computer. That rules out most average desktops and laptops. I used the viewer on a pretty decent laptop with a dedicated video card (256 MB RAM), Intel Centrino 2 CPU, 4GB of RAM, and 64-bit OS. The majority of the videos were watchable, however, certain videos with fast movement or camera shake, were a bit choppy in spots. I also tried it on a mid-level laptop with integrated video using shared system memory. The videos were much worse, very choppy, and basically unwatchable (unless you were deliberately attempting to give yourself a headache). MediaBrowser can convert the .mts files to Windows viewable video files, however, your choices are extremely limited. You can either choose to convert to a tiny (320X240) .mpg file, or export to iTunes for conversion to Quicktime video. Neither of which produced desirable results. MediaBrowser also allows you to "edit" movies, however, this is limited to simply cutting out unwanted footage. Lastly, MediaBrowser allows users to burn the video files to a DVD disk, which can be performed with files saved on the PC or directly from the camera. For some people, this may be adequate. Not everyone wants to be Steven Spielberg. Most users just want to shoot decent quality video, have the ability to remove footage of that crazy uncle (every family has one) embarrassing himself at the 4th of July cookout, and burn a DVD for watching later. This program will do that. It just doesn't do much else. Mac users on the other hand, have it much better off with iMovie. iMovie can open, view, and edit the AVCHD files. Mac users don't need any bundled software because they already have software that's pretty much better than anything the camera makers are willing to bundle anyhow. If Windows users wish to go beyond the very limited capabilities of the bundled Pixela software, they will have to invest in some type of third-party AVCHD compatible video editing or conversion software like Corel VideoStudio, Sony Vegas Movie Studio (Platinum or Pro), Cyberlink PowerDirector, Adobe Premier Elements, etc.



Summary
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To sum things up, is this a perfect camera? No, especially if you compare it to some of the other models on the market. It doesn't have the "professional grade" quality lens or features of some of the competing models. In addition, indoor/low light full-auto performance is less than stellar, especially for an HD camera, and the included software for Windows users is pretty weak. That being said, this camera does have two factors going for it that merit consideration: size and capacity. It's a consumer-grade camera, so let's look at the real reason the average consumer buys a camcorder: to record and document memories. A lot of times, those memories are going to be on the go. A wise art teacher once told me the best camera in the world is the one you have with you when needed. This camera packs tons of storage into a tiny body rivaling SD-only and similar sized videocams with far less flash memory. You can take this on vacation and feel confident it is small enough to carry everywhere yet capable of capturing all your trip memories without the need to offload footage or add memory. Yes, there are larger much higher quality alternatives, but smaller and lighter is sometimes the better trade-off. Anyone who has ever spent a few days chasing kids all over Disney World or a water park can bear witness to that fact.

In a nutshell, this camera shoots decent to very good outside footage and average to poor (depending on circumstances and whether you're willing to compensate in manual mode or use the built-in light) indoor/low light footage. On the other hand, it's small enough that you're more likely to carry it with you to capture any footage at all. If you're looking for a tiny pocket-size videocam with acceptable performance and a nice little feature set, this is worth a peek.

Very good, especially for the price
This camcorder records stunning video especially in well lit settings. The quality of the video rivals the HD you see while watching your favorite Television shows. There are many settings to choose from. Menu navigation is effortless. The laser touch scrolling is also very nice to use. It gives this camcorder iphone like menu navigation functionality. The hard drive and SD Micro card can be mounted by a PS3 for quick and easy play back. Still pictures are not perfect, but very close. There is so much to love about this camcorder. I paid $699 at BestBuy last week. I have been testing it like crazy before the 14 day return policy expires. I will not be returning this product.