Finally forget about tapes or blank mini DVD's

As Christmas came closer, I was looking for a good present for my wife. She has always wanted a camcorder to finally start recording family memories to keep. Since I was a total beginner when it comes to camcorders, I spent a lot of time researching the internet for a good camera. My only requirements were that the camcorder needed to be under $600 and have a hard disk instead of tapes or DVD's.

At one point I started focusing on the JVC Everio GZMG555 HDD Camcorder. I read all kinds of reviews, including the ones on Epinion. Even though the Epinions reviews were mostly negative (especially because of the software that came with the camera) I found no other negative opinion anywhere. Since I was not planning on using the bundled software anyway, I decided to get the camera. And in contrast to the other two people, I didn't regret it.

The technical stuff

The Everio GZMG555 has a built-in 30GB hard drive to record videos to. It also accepts SD-Cards for even more storage space. The camera does not have an optical viewfinder so recording anything will only be possible with it's 2.7" LCD screen.

Other technical specs are:

Video Capture Resolution: 720 x 480
Interface Types: A/V Input, A/V Output, USB

Image Stabilization: Digital / Electronic
Optical Zoom: 10
Weight: 17.6
Image Processor

Image Sensor Size: 0.4 in
Image Sensor Quantity: 1
Image Sensor: CCD

Filter Diameter: 46 mm
Focus Features: Auto Focus, Manual Focus
Digital Zoom: 300 X
Optical Zoom: 10 X

Image Stabilization: Digital / Electronic
Video Broadcast Standards: NTSC (analog)
Maximum Video Capture Resolution: 720 x 480
Video Capture Format: MPEG-2

Flash Characteristics: Accessory Shoe, Built-in Auto Flash
Max Vertical Image Resolution: 2592 pixels
Max Horizontal Image Resolution: 1944 pixels
Image Format: JPEG
Exposure Controls

White Balance: Auto, Preset Modes
Exposure Settings: Aperture Priority, Auto Exposure, Exposure Bracketing, Multiple Program Modes, Shutter Priority
General Features

Additional Features: Backlight Compensation, Built-in Light, Built-in Speaker, Fader Function, PictBridge Support
Power

Weight: 1.1 lbs
Depth: 4.69 in
Width: 2.94 in
Height: 2.88 in

The camcorder comes with a docking station, cables to connect it to the TV, a charger, a small battery (records about 60 mins), a USB cable and a software package that contains a light version of Cyberlinks Power Director and Power Producer to edit movies and burn DVD's. Also, the GZMG555 comes with a small remote to control the basic recording functions from afar.


using the camcorder

The cool feature about HDD camcorders is of course the built-in hard drive. No more tapes, no more DVD's. Just turn the camera and record away. On the highest resolution possible (which equals DVD quality) the 30GB hard drive can store over 7 hours of film. On its lowest setting (good enough for YouTube) over 30 hours. Try beating that without carrying a bunch of tapes or DVD's around. The camcorder takes about 5-6 seconds to be ready for shooting if you do a cold start. In standby-mode (i.e. just the LCD Display is closed) the camera takes less than 2 seconds to be ready. Enough for the average family memory.

Trying the camera out on Christmas for the first time meant trying it in mid-light conditions indoor. While the camera does have a small LED light, it does not really add that much. Still, it produces a very good image quality. Of course, low-light condition (indoor in the evening with just a few lights on) pose a bigger problem, but the picture is still good. Yes, I know that a couple of camcorder geeks will probably have some camera somewhere that might be better under these or those circumstances. But the fact that the CCD sensor in the GZMG555 is bigger than in most other camcorders the same size and price really shows. I would probably be a little more critical if I would have paid the advertised price from JVC (which is $899), but since the camera can be bought for under $600 if you get a decent deal (at the time of writing, Amazon has it for $560), you cannot really complain. For that money, the picture quality is very good.

After a couple of days, I have tried out the camcorder in almost any lighting situation. Of course, outside at daylight produces the best picture that comes very close to a camera with three CCD's (like HD-cameras). Indoor and low lighting of course drives the quality more towards VHS, but still above it. Since the GZMG555 has a accessory shoe (not found on most "household" camcorders), it's possible to attach more hardware to the camera, like a better stereo microphone for example, or an additional light to resolve issues with low lighting.

I have found that the auto-focus has some issues on low light conditions with fast camera movements, but other than that I have zero complains about the video and recording quality.


The ergonomics

The camera is very small. It does fit perfectly in my hand, but people with bigger hands should hold it first to see if they can use it right. Of course, most camcorders are very small nowadays so you won't have much choice anyway. Your thumb controls the record button and your index finger can access the zoom. If the camcorder is in snapshot mode, the thumb can reach the release button pretty easy too. All the other functions are built in either on the side of the display or on the side where you would fold the display in.

I have taken videos for an entire hour straight (pretty much an entire battery charge) and have found no problems holding the camera the entire time.


The supplied software

Everio has put Cyberlinks Power Director in a light version with the GZMG555. And while the full version of the software is pretty powerful and has earned some awards, I couldn't really get along with the one that comes with the camera. For example, I hate it when I have deactivated buttons in software that tell me "get this with the full version!". The provided version does not seem much better than Movie Maker from Windows XP. That paired with deactivated buttons doesn't really convince me to buy the full version.

That said, I have read a lot of posts and reviews that complain about the software and in addition the fact that the Everio GZMG555 uses its "own" version of MPEG2 that not every cutting software can read. Well, I found it not hard to actually find converters online to make all kinds of software work with the movie format the camcorder provides. Also, the list of software that can read JVC's .mod format is a little bigger now that the JVC HDD cameras and the .mod are a little older. For example, Adobe Premiere 3.0 and 4.0 does read JVC's mod format. If nothing else helps, I use the version of Power Director that comes with the camera to convert the movie clips to regular MPEG2.


My epinion

I really like my GZMG555. The picture quality is decent (in low light) to very good (in daylight). The camera is small enough so you can carry it around without getting annoyed, yet it has the right size to operate comfortably. Having a HDD camcorder and not having to worry about tapes or DVD's anymore is a big plus! Maybe the video quality could be a little better compared to a tape, but let's be honest: Most people are home video makers who have problems holding the camera still most of the time. Does it really make that much of a difference to see shaky videos that tiny bit sharper and crisper. And if you want to make HD quality movies on a stand, you just can't look in the price range that this camera is. Again, keep in mind that this is only $550 to $600.

Furthermore, the overall quality is good. No wobbly buttons, nothing that creaks or feels flimsy. And the accessory shoe is a big plus. I am planning on getting a better light source next to eliminate the low-light problems that might come up. Most cameras of that price range don't have that option. Big plus!

The bad things? Cyberlinks editing software is more or less useless. If they would have packed the full version, it would have been okay, but basically packing a slightly enhanced Movie Maker just doesn't cut it.

Also, the fact that the GZMG555 records in JVC's own .mod format is a little annoying but not really a reason not to get the camera. Again, there is enough software out that can read .mod and tons of free converter software is available too.

Other than that,I think the camera is fine. I would recommend the camera for keeping family memories and things like that and for people who are looking for a camera with a better picture quality but don't want to shell out $1000 or more for a HD cam that they never really take advantage of.

So I can easily give the camera 4 stars. It's not perfect for the reasons mentioned above but it's far from the horror camera some people say it is.