JVC GZ-MG155EK Hard Disk Camcorder

March 16, 2008 | By Doug In Digital Camcorder |

JVC GZ-MG155EK Hard Disk Camcorder
The JVC GZ-MG155 features shooting sensitivity equal or better than previous models. For enhanced convenience the JVC MG155 offers a range of new features including: One-touch direct DVD burning a touch of the Direct DVD button is all thats need to burn footage from the camcorder to a DVD.

Customer Review: JVC Everio GZ-MG155
Ok this is my first ever review so bear with me.

First impressions of the camcorder, amazing very small maybe not pocket size but pretty small never the less definitely palm size. The buttons and switches are all ergonomically placed so that basic/auto functions can all be done easily with one hand. My only gripe is that it has a plastic feel. I’d prefer a heavier metallic finish but I know many of you prefer the lightness of plastic to heavy metal, and let’s face it who needs a titanium camcorder at a wedding or birthday party. It comes with a battery, a docking station, basic leads and all the paper work/CD.

Filming, I have only ever had mini DV camcorders before so this is a first time on a HDD camcorder and boy was I impressed! Against all my fathers lectures I never really read the manuals before use and just jump into the deep end. So I charged up the battery and gave it a go… Really easy I’m talking about as easy as turning it (which takes approx 6 seconds) after I recorded a few minutes (x32 zoom before the quality deteriorated) it was pretty easy to see what was recorded through the user-friendly menu system, see how much was left on the HDD and the % of battery used. Connected it straight to the TV with the docking station tuned to the AV channel and there was the recording! Later I played with the manual features (which I don’t know much about) so it was only a real basic trail e,g filming in b/w and sepia which worked well the thing I liked about the manual mode is that you can use it as SEMI-AUTO for instance have focus auto but have the manual shutter speed etc.. But I rather just use full-auto mode…

Getting the DVD, to be honest I’ve read some people say they had problem with the software etc… my answer was simple I didn’t install it I just used my regular film editing software (MAGIX on windows XP) which I highly recommend and it found the camera faultlessly (I used fire wire connection) and from then on it was the same capture procedure as if it was a mini DV.

Quality, ok so I got the DVD (filmed on the highest quality setting) put it in the player and watched… ok the quality isn’t Hollywood standard in fact not as good as DV standard but good enough! however you can tell it is filmed to a HDD and when you make a fast sweep with the camera the reproductions looks slightly pixelly with slight micro or even nano second slow downs… but having said that no one else that was watching noticed I think I was really looking for faults. The Colour capture was spot on and sound real good. Although I filmed my test movie on a bright sunny day I have also filmed in house “bulb” light conditions with good results.

Things you should know, Night/Very low light video recording is absolutely rubbish no night vision and just a silly little built in lamp that tries to reproduce the sun (that isn’t going to happen) so if you want night vision go for a Sony as this camera doesn’t do it! The battery that comes with the camera is small and has about 1 hour recording time however I found it adequate for what I use the camcorder for to be honest, although every one else hates it. The lack of a viewfinder does mean you have to have the little display open all the time which sucks energy out of the battery so you should really think about an extra battery… I did buy one a generic BN-VF815 which gives hours of recording; however you have to connect it to the camcorder with a little wire (going from the battery to the DC camcorder connection) which I don’t like at all!!! Not sure if the official battery just slots into the battery space. This cable also gets in the way when using the docking station therefore can’t be used at the same time as the docking station.

Another grip is that the recording seems to be a little shaky I know its not the cameras fault its mine.. But I don’t really have shaky hands so I’m guessing its over sensitive to movement this shakyness continues even with the anti-shake ON… but really its not to bad, I just have the bad habit of looking for faults and a more steady image would have be welcomed by me.

Although I haven’t even tested it yet and don’t think I ever will it does have a stills camera incorporated which records to a SD card, but from experience camcorder still cameras are real bad no matter the make or model, and prefer to use my digital camera for photos, Camcorders take bad photos as digital cameras take bad films.

Final thoughts, I liked the camera I really liked the camera and thus I will be using it from now on and leaving my faithful DV in the closet gathering dust… I recommend it, and if you are looking for a HDD camcorder (that doesn’t cost an enormous amount) you should think seriously about this one! I’m not sure how superior the Hi-Def version is or in fact how good the competitors are but for my uses this camcorder is great! I can see my self perhaps upgrading for a newer model in 3/4 years to give you some impression of longevity of the unit only as I like new technology, otherwise I can’t see why I’d change it. In short I’m happy I bought it!

Well thanks for reading I hope it wasn’t too long

Happy Recording

Customer Review: I CANT BELIEVE THIS….
Having looked for ages at HD camcorders i finally went for the JVC 155 (knowing that i could return it if it didnt do what it said on the box.)

All I can say is ….JVC IS NEVER GETTING THIS BACK.

Its fantastic. Even my 8yr old daughter operates it and she didnt even read the instructions (which i had to). Colour, sound, zoom, functions, software, ease of use, watching on TV, transfer to PC and DVD is all soooooo easy. Anyone who has a problem with this piece of kit is clearly a person to avoid in all ways. Right…enough said….its movie time…again and again and again……

With a Gigabrid processor and a 5-megapixel sensor, the Everio GZ-MG575 camcorder means you can make a record of your most precious memories! The very practical Everio GZ-MG575 camcorder records MPEG2 videos directly to its 40 GB hard drive, and offers a storage capacity of 50 hours, so you can access your recorded data directly by using the sequence research mode, save on time when organising your creations and spend more time filming! This camcorder also comes with a bright or natural colour selection mode to make your images as true to life as possible. The Everio GZ-MG575 camcorder also has an extensive connection system, including a DV output, USB 2.0 port and AV output, so you can hook up your television or computer. In addition, this camcorder comes with an accessories holder and a microphone input to increase the quality of your sound. Supplied with a docking station, the Everio GZ-MG575 camcorder will enable you to get the best images on your TV screen, as well as make copies of your home videos to DVD. In fact, the Everio GZ-MG575 features a button dedicated to the burning of DVDs, so you can file your creations without any problems. Furthermore, this appliance comes with a photo-to-memory-card mode with built-in flash and provides you with 2592 x 1944 resolution images. Its compatibility with PictBridge means you can print your high-definition shots directly too. Packed full of features but still compact, the Everio GZ-MG575 camcorder is the number one when it comes to digital photography and video recording!
Used Price: ?386.99
Customer Review: Great piece of kit but
I brought this for my holiday, as we were going to be away for month, we wanted something with great features and a hard drive and we found this. It’s fantastic, easy to use and the sound quality is excellant. However when you download the video clips on to your hard drive it saves it as .mod not .MPEG which most software system uses. Wish life was simple, it took me days to find converters, so if you now how to change the format then this is great, if not then you will be having a hardtime.
Customer Review: good improvement
ive owned 2 everios and bought this one as i like the improvements to handling over the previous models. 5mp photos sounds great but reality is in good light they are v good but become noisy in low light unless you are in flash range. The battery lasts 10mins longer than old model and the lens cover is handy too although manual. No complaints on video quality but dont expect a professional camera as this is an excellent everyday camera with good 6×4 photos. Manual control is excellent and also has a mic shoe and input with a small light too. see reviews on usa gz555 version on camcorderinfo.net. Im happy with this product.
Continue …