Check Out JVC Everio GZMG555 5MP 30GB Hard Disk Drive Camcorder with 10x Optical Zoom (Includes Docking Station) for $381.09

JVC Everio GZMG555 5MP 30GB Hard Disk Drive Camcorder with 10x Optical Zoom (Includes Docking Station) Review

I have found this camcorder takes fantastic video as long as you set the indoor / outdoor button properly.
Negatives I have read about and agree with:
1) It is a little slow to focus at times
2) Still pictures don’t look good
3) Records in .MOD format so editing and playback of files stored on a computer can be extremely problematic. I agree the included software for this is not very sophisticated and not user friendly. I found it an unacceptable long term solution.

HOWEVER THERE ARE SOME SOLUTIONS THAT SOLVE THE VIDEO EDITING PROBLEM = Adobe Premiere (0-0 I believe)and Pinnacle Studio (multiple versions) support the .MOD format (format support listed on both websites). I use Pinnacle studio “plus” version 11 which I found on sale for . It flawlessly recognizes, plays, and edits video from this camcorder and is a much more powerful program the Microsoft Movie Maker which I was previously using. With this software I love the camcorder. Without this software, moving, playing and editing files on anything other than the camcorder was a nightmare.
So, I would rate this 5 stars except for the negatives above. Without the Pinnacle software I agree w/ the 1-2 start rating a few have given.

Product Feature

Record video straight to a built-in 30 GB hard drive
1/2.5-inch 5 MP CCD; Megabrid engine
2.7-inch Clear Widescreen LCD
Digital still capture
Docking station included

JVC Everio GZMG555 5MP 30GB Hard Disk Drive Camcorder with 10x Optical Zoom (Includes Docking Station) Overview

With a 1.8″ hard disk drive built-in, its lightweight compactness is not constrained by the size of videocassette or disc media, nor does it require a space-consuming loading mechanism. The redesigned image processor for Everio G series incorporates 6 digital noise reduction systems to improve the S/N ratio by about 30% (3dB) over previous models. The integrated MPEG-2 encoder features circuitry that reduces the block noise and mosquito noise that can occur with digital video recording formats. It’s assurance that all of those Gigabytes of video and photos you shoot will offer the best picture quality available for each recording mode.The built-in flash or video light functions automatically so you can shoot brilliant images even in low light situations. The flagship model GZ-MG555 is equipped with both.GZ-MG555 is designed for serious shooting, but it’s so easy you’ll think it’s fun!

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Customer Reviews

Display issue – Eva Zeisel – Dallas, TX
This camera is great, only problem is, that almost immediately, two vertical lines appeared on the display. Another line appeared a few days after that. It makes no difference to the recording, but I am afraid that after a while I will not see what’s on the display. I bought this for my dad and were able to give it to him after a few month so now I am wondering if I get any warranty help from JVC.

Video format difficult to edit – G. McDermid – San Diego, CA
I bought this camcorder about a year ago and haven’t used it much… just been taking video here and there. Now I’m ready to do some editing and the file format it records to, .MOD is not recognized by any program except the lame video editing program it comes with. I have Adobe Premiere CS3 with the latest update and it still doesn’t work. There are programs out there for converting the files, I’ve tried one, it’s a pain, and I still can’t get the audio to work with the video.

Don’t just take my word for it, google .MOD and JVC and see what everyone else is saying.

Save Yourself the TROUBLE! – unknownpersn – California, LA USA
I recently just got this camera and boy is it frusterating! Now don’t get me wrong the video quality is just pure excellence compared to the last camera I used. Another pro is the night alive feature which allows you to turn on a light built in the camera if necessary. Now with the cons. The camera files are saved as MOV files which are basically basically mpeg files, but none of my computer editing software can recognize it, including Windows Movie Maker and Sony Vegas Pro. I have wasted nothing, but precious time to solve this, but none of the solutions I’ve found appeal to me. I don’t want to lose any quality and only want to edit the files directly through the programs I have (without converting)and not use the poor editing software it came with. Shame! with it’s price tag it should be able to do the basic function what my previous camera was capable of doing.
*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Jun 04, 2010 08:17:12