JVC GRDVL720U MiniDV Digital Camcorder with 3.5" LCD and 8MB SD Memory Card

Lens
Breaking the mold that most other digital camcorders fall in, the GR-DVL720U has a very bright f1.8 lens, which should help with a dilemma common to many digital camcorders: poor low-light performance. While not useful at the highest levels, the optical zoom is augmented by a 700x digital zoom, which can supply that little bit extra you might need in some circumstances. Paired with the zoom is a digital image stabilizer, which will help eliminate much of the shakiness associated with high zoom levels.

Shooting Functions
The GR-DVL720U provides some camera functions, which can be quite useful if you spend the time to learn to use them. The camera gives you manual control over focus, exposure, and white balance, all of which affect the way your image is recorded. The manual focus and white-balance modes are perhaps the most exciting, as you can use them to create depth-of-field effects, and the white balance will allow you to light a room without investing in expensive lighting gear. In addition, JVC added in a number of digital wipes and fades, as well as a black fader.

Output Options
If you want to play your footage on television, the 720U provides two connection methods: S-video and standard RCA-style AV connectors. S-video provides the better video resolution, but you'll still need to use the AV cable for audio, as S-video doesn't carry an audio signal. If your object is to edit your movies on a computer, the camera also comes equipped with an IEEE 1394 compliant port for shuttling video back and forth. It's a four-pin connector, and most computers with IEEE 1394 ports have six-pin connectors, so make sure you pick up the correct cable (JVC doesn't provide one).

Digital Still Mode
Like many digital camcorders, the GR-DVL720U provides a digital still mode, and stores the resulting images onto an included 8 MB MultiMediaCard. You can also use SD cards. The images aren't very high resolution and are generally good only for posting on the Web, or e-mailing to friends. To get the photos to your computer, the 720U utilizes a built-in USB port, and comes with the cable and software to accomplish the transfer.

Product Description
The GR-DVL720 combines outstanding performance with a sleek, compact design. The GR-DVL720 ensures maximum user-friendliness utilizing Night Alive (for full-color shooting in extreme low light conditions), built-in auto light, high-resolution 3.5" Amorphous Silicon LCD color monitor, 700X super digital zoom with spline interpolation, HG digital stills (1024 x 768), picture stabilizer and long-time recording capability. The versatile multimedia interfacing includes SD/ MultiMedia card-compatible, USB high-speed interface, DV input/output, S-video and A/V output terminals.

The one feature that I don't like about the camcorder is the Night Alive technology for shooting during nightime. You get a golden/yellow picture and things get really blurry as the target moves. It's really annoying and I NEVER use it. So if you're looking for a camcorder that will give you great night time recording, don't get this one. Get something with an infrared emitter, it will let you shoot good video even with NO light present.


Great Camcorder!   August 3, 2003
Barry A. Hyman (Orlando, FL)
2 out of 5 found this review helpful

JVC products have always been a favorite of mine and have always proven to have outstanding products. the JVC GRDVL720U is no exception. This Camera is inexpensive, and has all the bells and whistles you could ask for from a lower-end camcorder. You can transfer Digital Video to your PC by Firewire, and easily transfer Digital Stills through USB. Great quality and design. The unit fits in your hand with all buttons readily available.


What a deal!!   January 18, 2003
Martin Hengst (Newhall, CA United States)
6 out of 7 found this review helpful

I got this Camcorder on a Goldbox deal and after all was said and done it was hundreds less than any other store! The camcorder is great I had to purchase a firewire adapter for my computer but it was worth the additional investment. I upgraded to Windows XP Plus! digital edition and found video editing was simple and the camcorder was completely compatible. The battery that it comes with does not last very long (about an hour without the light on). I invested ...and purchased a longer life battery. The still photo function was easy to use but the quality was less that 1 megapixel. Overall a great camcorder!!!


Best yet!   December 26, 2002
PAUL DODGE (USA / Utah)
5 out of 6 found this review helpful

Having used other JVC cameras, this is the best yet. Color view finder is not necessary as using the 3.5 Led is great. Especially for those with challeged eyes/

More features than most amature users will ever need. Easily to use features makes even the teenagers happy.

What more can we say!