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Great Camera
By: Dave J.
October 22, 2008 @ 10:32 AM
Run an advertising agency and after consulting with our staff, decided to purchase HD7s for the company. Couldn’t be happier! This, however, is not a camera for a novice. Auto mode is alright if your subject is not moving but if filming “on the run” do not even consider auto mode. This will probably be too much camera for the average user. As for our agency, our clients couldn’t be happier with the footage in their commercials!
Rating: 10 :: 0 out of 0 people found this user review helpful. Was this user review helpful? Yes | No
Finally a Cam with bells and whistles.
By: Abe
May 2, 2008 @ 2:40 PM
I understand why so many folks are dissing this camera. I’ve been working as a television news cameraman for over 20 years and actually hooked up the HD7 to the live truck for a live shot. The results, simply amazing. I got calls from the station where the EP wanted to know why my shots were so much better than the other live shots that morning. I told them that my station assigned DVC Pro went down and I had no choice but to use my JVC camcorder. needless to say, the station was so impressed with the footage that within a month, they purchased 11 HD-7s. I love this camera. People who are dissing this camera knows nothing about professional gear and their only experience has been with consumer products. If you give a novice a professional camera, the images will not come out as well, but give him a consumer, all automatic camcorder and next thing you know, he thinks he is Steven Spellberg.
Rating: 10 :: 0 out of 0 people found this user review helpful. Was this user review helpful? Yes | No
Ignore the Bad reviews
By: Timgray
April 30, 2008 @ 9:55 AM
Almost EVERY single review about this camera is by someone that really should not be near a video camera that has manual features. I got a kick out of the claims “it blows out highlights in bright outdoors scenes.” Well yeah, so does the Canon H1 when you don’t have a ND filter on it? When you shoot outdoors you use a ND filter this is basics they teach you in camcorders 101. Too many camcorder reviewers are not Video professionals and don’t use the cameras right.
The ONLY real complaint I have about the GZ-HD7 is that there is more purple fringing on high contrast scenes. This is because of the lens system. It is reduced if you crank the sharpness down like they do by default in the HV20 from Canon does.
If you want a camera you pick up and use without setting anything do NOT get the gz-hd7 it’s too much camera for you. If you want to get a HD camcorder under $1000.00 that shoots incredible video and at a higher resolution than even the $6000.00 HDV camcorders? Get this one. It shoots as good as the big cameras.
Otherwise, you get this camera; get a ND1 and a ND2 filter, a UV filter and a better lens hood as well as the JVC stereo mic for on top. With that combo you are shooting like a real pro and getting footage the other guy’s only dream about.
Rating: 10 :: 0 out of 0 people found this user review helpful. Was this user review helpful? Yes | No
JVC GZHD7 works flawless with iMovie
By: John Painter
April 22, 2008 @ 11:16 AM
Not true, the GZHD7 works flawless with a Mac running OS X 10.4 or higher and iMovie or FCE (and I suspect FCP, but I don’t have it) though I admit the printed owners manual which comes with it is worthless, go to the JVC web site or directly to their sync video http://media2.jvc.com/camcorder/macHD.mov
Rating: 10 :: 0 out of 0 people found this user review helpful. Was this user review helpful? Yes | No
Pro results if you setup right ...
By: Chris Bishop
April 11, 2008 @ 3:18 PM
This camera is superb, and those that knock it just haven’t bothered to setup – this is not a point & shot cam and results will be only so-so if all you’re bothered to do is use auto mode.
And as for the TOD file system used … I can’t believe those spending good money on this cam can’t work it out – I can use my editing software fine and play all my files directly from a windows media player … how? because I found all the codex updates from microsoft windows update! TOD is just a sub code of mpeg2 so no big deal.
I’ve used cams for years, and the GZ-HD7 is amazing and its HD quality is 95% as good as my Sony FX1.
Use MWB (Manual white balance) before any shots – its easy to setup, just hold the cam in front of a large sheet of paper whilst holding down the toggle on MWB for about 5 secs – you’ll see perfect colour balance once set.
Zebra mode at 70% seems to work well too, so whites don’t get washed out. and of course a tripod makes a major difference to any camera, use one and your footage will look High Def and Pro like.
If anyone wants the codex, just ask!
Rating: 10 :: 0 out of 0 people found this user review helpful. Was this user review helpful? Yes | No
A few problems but good camcorder
By: Chris
April 2, 2008 @ 2:56 PM
It’s not compatible on iMovie because of the unknown .TOD files. You need to download mpeg stream clip and MPEG2 component for QuickTime and convert every sequence before putting it on iMovie. It’s a good camcorder, but with lots of problems.
Rating: 6 :: 0 out of 0 people found this user review helpful. Was this user review helpful? Yes | No
Finally I got it. Full High Difinition 3CCD in my palm.
By: Celestine Kimbi
March 3, 2008 @ 9:41 AM
I just got mine. It is an amazing product. All worries of loading, unloading, rewinding and long downloading of tapes are over. Good for low light shooting in auto mode. You just need to spend a bit more time with this friend and you will get to understand that all what you need is in your palm.
Rating: 9 :: 0 out of 0 people found this user review helpful. Was this user review helpful? Yes | No
GZ-HD7 - it does exactly what it says on the box!!
By: Pat Moore
March 3, 2008 @ 9:40 AM
I bought my GZ-HD7 early last year and have used it extensively in the “field”. Picture quality is breathtaking – to such an extent that it highlights the relatively poor quality of my Sony DSR 150 in back-to=back cuts! It’s easy to use; it accepts mics (and indeed headphones through the AV output) and is light and compact. I’ve had a minor recurring problem with the lens hood mysteriously appearing on the right side of the screen – and the lens hood hasn’t moved!! However this is not a major problem and a quick re-boot fixes it. The Cyberlink software supplied is worth up-grading to the highest level (about 35 pounds GB): I couldn’t wish for a more versatile package. I find myself wanting a second GZ to keep my cuts quality consistent!
Rating: 8 :: 0 out of 0 people found this user review helpful. Was this user review helpful? Yes | No
JVC GZ-HD7
By: Bill
February 4, 2008 @ 11:51 AM
I’ve just bought JVC GZ-HD7 HDD Video camcorder & it is amazing!, I have updated from a Mini DV, I’ve read a lot of stupid reviews about this camcorder with people saying: Video jitter & how long it’s taken to transfer files from camera to PC etc, I have had no issues with it, Put it this way it would take longer to transfer a Mini DV tape or other type of tape than to just plug and push a button!.. These type of camcorders & DVD camcorders are the future!, The Optical image stabilizer is not that great but if your spending all your money on one of these you are not just an amateur & would have a tri-pod, I’ve bought a NTSC Jap import for cheaper than a PAL model off eBay & it is exactly the same! & The menu’s are English, Except the “JVC” logo is “Victor” which is the Japanese version of JVC, Just like “Voxhaull” is “Opel” in other countries (Cars obviously), If you’re interested in this camcorder you will not be disappointed!, Even the still pictures are great quality for a camcorder, its great not having to worry about running out of video tapes or having to keep changing them or Discs, If you have a good PC transferring files won’t be an issue, The battery supplied isn’t great (Maybe an hour) but you can buy cheap imitations from EBay & They are very good (I got 2 for ã15 & the last 2 hours each!), I also think the camcorder look awesome & when your seen shooting with this people will know you’re serious about filming!, Hope this has helped
Rating: 8 :: 0 out of 0 people found this user review helpful. Was this user review helpful? Yes | No
I rate it!
By: Tony Kingaby
January 14, 2008 @ 4:33 PM
Spent a lot of time checking out the options for an HD camcorder to replace my three Sony Handy cams.
What’s good: Picture quality; build quality; ease of use; lens
What’s not so good: Image stabilization (see below); low light filming (see below); battery life (see below); sound level/quality
Image stabilization was, in the reviews I read, poor – I don’t understand the problem because if you’re serious about the filming you use a tripod or monopod so where does camera shake come from???
Low light issues – why would you want to film in low light conditions without using additional light sources??
Battery life: a bit over 1/2 hour with the supplied battery but, because of my subjects, I carry two high power spare batteries and an in-car charger (just in case)
Sound quality: the build in mics (mounted on the top of the body – don’t understand why they aren’t on the front) is not good but simply overcome by mounting a Rode Video mic onto the accessory shoe (I also use a small sound recorder and tie pin mic for the most important clips)
My biggest problem now is that I need another GZ-HD7 for the second angle … “she who must be obeyed” says “NO!”.
Rating: 9 :: 0 out of 0 people found this user review helpful. Was this user review helpful? Yes | No
Disappointing
By: Doug Davies
December 21, 2007 @ 5:17 PM
It records in T.O.D format that cannot be converted to another editing programme other than JVC’s own editing suit which is useless. I will resell mine.
Rating: 3 :: 0 out of 0 people found this user review helpful. Was this user review helpful? Yes | No
Everio GZ-HD7
By: Giles Sankey
December 14, 2007 @ 10:46 AM
This is an excellent camera. It has a higher learning curve; however, I was able to export 1440CBR video into premiere and edit it, and I was then able to produce DVD’s albeit down converted, but they were much higher quality than video shot with a Canon GL that I had been using. Low light seems to work very well for me in automatic. The camera focuses well in low light with little problems. Overall this is a great product if you are willing to learn how to use it. Image stabilization could have been better, but I was shooting with a glide cam 2000, and it did remarkably well.
Rating: 9 :: 0 out of 0 people found this user review helpful. Was this user review helpful? Yes | No
Comparison to Sony hdr- sr7e
By: Bac
August 15, 2007 @ 10:56 AM
I had the opportunity co play with both cameras JVC GZ-HD7 and SONY HDR-SR7E for a day.
Despite some disadvantages (it’s a little heavier, gets almost hot, and takes a lot of energy) JVS behaves regarding the images like a pro camera … clarity, sharpness, focus (manual and auto) are excellent. Sony indeed is $250 less, stays cool and has a long life battery but the image quality and optical functionality are much under JVC’s. My opinion its that if you want High Def you want also a good quality for the movie you capture so choose JVC …..but if you want to be comfortable and have occasionally memories from a vacancy or whatever you chose a Sony camera not necessary HD
Rating: 10 :: 0 out of 0 people found this user review helpful. Was this user review helpful? Yes | No
Everio GZ-HD7
By: Nelson Tan
August 11, 2007 @ 10:18 AM
I have this camera as a third HD for the job and I used it to shoot a concert, and it did a pretty good job for picture wise but the sound was split second off from the video. I used 6 hours total recording. I don’t know if that matters.
Rating: 7 :: 0 out of 0 people found this user review helpful. Was this user review helpful? Yes | No
Is it worth it?
By: Tom Bungbrakearti
July 30, 2007 @ 12:49 PM
I bought this camera in May 2007 – it died in July 2007…althought it is a high quality camera, it’s no good dead on the job…
NOT HAPPY!
Rating: 6 :: 0 out of 0 people found this user review helpful. Was this user review helpful? Yes | No
OIS not working
By: Ruud Haefkens
July 16, 2007 @ 8:51 AM
The OIS system of this great camera doesn’t work at all. Because of the small size of this camera you really need this OIS system.
It is a common problem of this camera and there is no solution for it (so the product manager in the USA admid). So think twice before buying this camera.
Rating: 5 :: 0 out of 0 people found this user review helpful. Was this user review helpful? Yes | No
Not worth owning, does not deliver
By: Ron J
June 13, 2007 @ 9:01 PM
I, like most could not wait to buy this camera for all the reasons already stated. The Optical Image Stabalizer does not work and when converting the .TOD files to MPEG with the poor software supplied most don’t convert properly. The worst camera I have ever owned.
Rating: 5 :: 0 out of 0 people found this user review helpful. Was this user review helpful? Yes | No
Right on
By: Jeff
June 11, 2007 @ 9:12 PM
I’ve tried this camera and really liked it, but I still ended up going with a Canon XL2 though.
Rating: 7 :: 0 out of 0 people found this user review helpful. Was this user review helpful? Yes | No
7/10
By: Ben B.
June 10, 2007 @ 3:57 PM
Perfect review. I ran out and bought this camcorder once it was available. I am happy with it, but there are little things that annoy me. At $1500 there should be more tweakable settings and option when in auto mode. The HD7 is pretty useless as a camera too, and the lack of a built-in flash is dumb for a camcorder in this price range.
For recording video, I feel the quality is pretty good. I have not compared it to the HV20, but it looks pretty realistic to me. Plus the included software package is really nice. I am happy with this unit, but JVC could have polished it up a little more.
Rating: 7 :: 0 out of 0 people found this user review helpful. Was this user review helpful? Yes | No