JVC GRDF450U MiniDV Camcorder w/ 15x Optical Zoom
by JVC
List Price:
Our Price: $289.95
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Category: Digital Camera
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Digital Photo Product Details
Manufacturer: JVCPlatform: Windows
Model: GRDF450U
Product features:
- Super High-Band Processor records at 520 lines horizontal resolution
- 30-percent less noise with 3D noise reduction technology
- 2.5-inch LCD monitor for clear, bright views during outdoor shooting
- New F1.2 super bright lens with 15x powerful optical zoom
- Live Slow feature records in slow-motion mode and plays back with real-time sound
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- AmazonBasics Universal Camera Case for Digital Cameras HF (Black)
- Adobe Premiere Elements 9 [Old Version]
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of JVC GRDF450U MiniDV Camcorder w/ 15x Optical Zoom
Customer Review: Spooky
Summary: 2 Stars
I really wanted to like this camcorder. I bought it even after reading about problems JVC was having with its camcorder products (lens cap issues etc). Unfortunately the camcorder had problems getting the colors right so I sent it back. Many scenes either washed out in green for the duration of the scene, or green flashed in and out of the shot. I could do several pan shots of the same area and one shot would render normally and another would be all green.
I did adjust the Gain and White balance, and all the other things, but no adjustments corrected the green wash-outs and wash-ins. I also had problems with lines and other aberrations that would zip in and out.
In many respects this camcorder was an admirable device. It has many useful ports and features not widely found in this price range. A Firewire, accessory shoe, S-VHS, microphone jack and analog-to-digital port all on the same camera for less than 400 USD is a very rare bird.
It made good videos when it wasn't green or distorted. The only thing I wouldn't have liked about this camera under normal circumstances was the zoom. It was very stiff and twitchy. Getting a smooth zoom-in or zoom-out was hard. If a person is doing sports shots and wants quick in's and out's without modulation then this cameras zoom might be good for them.
The new Canon ZR's have zoom speed control and I can see that being a good feature. Unfortunately people seem to be having problems with the Canon ZR motors making a lot of noise that can be heard during playback. Guess we cant be too picky for two or three hundred dollars.
The JVC camera is very small - smaller than it looks in pics. If you know what a mini DV tape looks like then look at the tape chamber in pic and realize the chamber isn't too much bigger than a tape. This camera is small. It was nice to be able to put it in a jacket pocket. The problem was I have size large hands, and some of the controls are miniscule. To switch the camera on a person must shift a lever while pressing down a tiny red lock button about the size of a ball point pen tip. If you have big hands this isn't a camera you can grab quick to catch that fleeting shot. A person is better off leaving camera set in the "On" position when at some event.
I had no problem getting the video to my PC - but only because I already had a All-In-Wonder video card and knew how to import video already. I also had a Nero suite that came with my Sony DVD RW. Both of these made getting the video on the PC easy. Good thing too because JVC didn't want to say much about getting video to a PC in its directions. I did have to install a firewire adapter to my computer( I found a Sabrent PCI card that cost me 10 USD at New Egg. It had 3 ports and it came with a firewire cord!) but I could also get video via my SVS jack on the video card.
Since most of the cameras in this price range seem to have issues with features or quality I can't say this camera isn't worth a shot at buying. Just make sure there is a good return time (I like the TV sellers because they allow 30 days). This is a four star camera if it works right. I can only give it two here since my unit was a bust. If my only problem was a lens cap I would have sent it in to get fixed and then kept it. The greenish wash was a bit too much though.
I think a lot of electronic products these days are being hampered by poor quality components that cause problems for vendors. A lot of motherboards have been failing because of poor quality capacitors. It looks like JVC has been having issues with some of its components despite some quality engineering (a lot of model numbers having lens cap issues were listed on its site so its not just the cheap models).
Description of JVC GRDF450U MiniDV Camcorder w/ 15x Optical Zoom
Capturing the great moments in your life deserves the best performance. The GR-DF450 delivers. The ergonomic EZ grip design puts total control in the palm of your hand. But itās not just the comfortable feel that makes the GR-DF450 a powerful performer. JVC's exclusive Low Light Plus incorporates two key technologies: The F1.2 Super Bright Lens obtains twice the light of an F1.8 lens assuring a bright picture with less noise even in less than desirable lighting conditions. And Three Dimensional Noise Reduction (3D NR) eliminates picture noise up to 30% in low light situations. Keep your subject in view outdoors with a 2.5 inch Clear LCD that reduces glare and reflections, and a built-in auto " Illumi-Light" for 1/10th the power consumption. Thereās also a color viewfinder, Power-Linked Operation, Night Alive, and 700X Super Digital Zoom with Spline Interpolation. Record HG digital stills at up to 1024 x 768 to the SD/MMC card slot. There's also an accessory shoe and mic input with plug-in power. The GR-DF450 delivers high performance video.Camcorders
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