JVC GZ-HD7EK HD Everio Camcorder

January 16, 2008 | By Doug In Digital Camcorder |

JVC GZ-HD7EK HD Everio Camcorder
JVC expands its award-winning Everio hard drive camcorder family with the addition of the JVC HD Everio GZ-HD7, a new high definition camcorder that provides full HD 1920×1080i video quality combined with the convenience of hard drive recording. This camcorder is the first Everio to shoot in full 1080i and the first JVC consumer camcorder to adopt a Fujinon lens. Designed to enable consumers to conveniently capture and share their memories in full high definition without the need for removable tapes or discs, the HD Everio offers consumers the simplicity of a point-and-shoot camcorder combined with the features, technology and manual controls that appeal to the serious videographer.

Customer Review: My first camcorder
I did a lot of research and soul searching before parting with my pound notes for this camera. I am new to the Camcorder arena so I guess my comments are true lay-terms as opposed to other experienced users on this page. Delivery was right on the button, thanks Amazon. The Camcorder is stunning stuff, great build quality compared to other makes in the price range and it works ‘just like it says on the tin’ The picture quality is great, the instruction manual gets nine out of ten for accuracy and the software that’s supplied works fine even on my old cranky laptop.(a bit slow though.) I took time to read some of the help files in the software suite and the .tod issue is not a problem if you use the JVC software, so I haven’t found the need to buy other editing software to produce DVDs etc. Everything I need was in the box except an iLink/firewire cable to download the pics to my recorder. I went to the camera shop and they wanted fifteen quid for one (Dick Turpin rules)so I got one on Amazon for under five quid. Happy filming.

Customer Review: A good first attempt - next year’s will be better
I took advantage of the exchange rate (thanks, again, DM) to pick up one of these for ?750 and ordered it in April just before the ‘it’s not quite as qood as we thought it was going to be’ consumer feedback started to come from the US.

Having had it for six weeks, I can say I love the build quality, the balance and the size. It’s a well-made product. And the image quality is just great. Not the best, (apparently that’s the tape-based Canon HV20) - but a million miles better than DV and more than good enough for my needs.

I had wanted an high-def Hard Disk camcorder for visualising scenes/general filming and this seemed a reasonable bet. I had looked at the Sony hi-def hard drive model in January (SR1?) - but decided to wait because none of the editing packages at the time supported the new AVCHD format the Sony used.

To deal with the OIS (Optical Image Stabilisation) issue which is taking a lot of time on the US Amazon review boards… Yes, the camera is skittish at high-zoom and there is shake. But, remember, this is a prosumer model camera with lots of manual features; so, if buying it, you should be also considering investing in a tripod. Additionally, using the viewfinder rather than the LCD screen, helps steady the camera.

The .TOD issue is fairly easily dealt with by manually renaming the files .mpg. I edit in Sony Vegas, which pulls the files in very happily. Vegas is multi-core capable (uses all four processors on my machine) so editing seems pretty smooth. Even the cheaper versions of Vegas are pretty capable beasts.

So, all in all, I’m very happy with this as a buying choice. Canon HV20 sounds very nice - but there’s that tape issue. With this, I can shoot, select, watch, delete - fast. I’ll be happy with the Everio for the next couple of years.

NB: A key thing to consider, when buying an high-def camera, is the need to have a computer powerful enough for editing. The no-brainer is a Mac. By comparison, I picked up a 2x dual-core Xeon 2Ghz on ebay (Precision 690) for just over a grand. And a Dell 24″ A03 screen for ?400. Which makes the Mac an expensive no-brainer.

Case Logic Dcb1 Compact Digital Camcorder Bag - Nylon - Black
Customer Review: Great little bag
This was the cheapest camcorder bag I could find, not that it shows. The build quality is top notch. The bag feels robust and hard-wearing and has enough padding to protect the contents from minor knocks. I was pleasantly surprised to find that it is just the right size to accommodate not only my MV930 camcorder, but my Ixus 550 too, meaning I only need to take one bag with me on a day out. There’s still room for a couple of mini DV tapes inside the bag and everything fits snugly with no rattling around. The pouch on the front offers ample room for other essential items - a couple of spare batteries, compact flash cards, mini-tripod, lens brush and a video cable. Suits my needs perfectly. Highly recommended.

Lowepro Apex 120AW Shoulder Bag For Digital Cameras/Camcorders - Black?
List Price: ?30.00
Amazon Price: ?23.05
Used Price: ?26.99
Customer Review: Perfect for my Fujifilm S9600
I purchased this bag online so was unable to test the fit with my Fujifilm S9600. Luckily it fits like a glove. I was looking at the Apex 110AW also but the 120 is a little longer which means it’ll take the camera with the lens hood in place. I can fit in a all the associated cables, spare batteries and the battery charger without it all rattling around like they would in a much bigger bag. The build quality is superb, padding seems good and there is a microfibre cloth built in to protect delicate lcd displays on the back of your camera. The easily deployed (and easy to stash) rain cover will protect your camera and case from the elements. All in all I am very impressed. Size was important to me as I wanted all my stuff in one place but I wanted a bag small enough I wouldn’t be put off taking it to places. Although the S9600 isn’t a digital SLR it is very similar in size so I can see this bag being perfect for your EOS 400D, or similar, with a reasonably sized zoom lense attached.