Editorial Product Review:Item Description:No Tapes and No Discs. This JVC GZ-MG30 has a built-in 30GB hard-drive that is capable of recording up to 37 hours of video in a palm-sized, lightweight (14 ounce) digital-camcorder. You don't need to use replaceable tapes or discs. Instead, you can transfer images to other A/V devices at home through composite and S-Video ports or to your computer through the rapid USB 2.0 high-speed interface. There's a large 2.5' LCD screen for convenient viewing of images as being recorded or played. An astounding 25x optical and up to 800x digital-zoom brings distant objects super close for extremely flexible and creative photography. So on your next trip away from home, don't pack any tapes into your suitcase, just get yourself this Everio G from JVC.
The benefits of recording video to a hard disk are the same benefits that have made hard disk-based audio players so popular Â? random access to quickly locate desired material, the ability to effortlessly delete unwanted material, and easily rearrange the playback sequence. What's more, there's no danger of mistakenly recording over something that's to be saved. Scene selection is made easy thanks to on-screen index images, so the large amount recorded won't become a hindrance to quick accessibility. And with remote control operation, it is possible to connect the Everio G camcorder to a TV and operate it from a distance. Auto LED Light, Power Linked Operation USB 2.0 high speed interface 3-D Noise Reduction for clear picture MPEG-2 Video Recording for DVD-Movie Quality Footage Image Stabilization - Floating Suspension System; Gravity-like Force Sensor System 640 x 480 VGA digital stills SD Memory Card slot DPOF (Digital Print Order Format) - DCF, PIM 3 and Exif 2.2 for optimized print quality Make Full-length DVDs Easily Convenient TV playback Easy dubbing to a VCR or DVD recorder Simple transfer to a PC or Apple Macintosh fo
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Buyer Reviews
Average Buyer Rating:
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camera
it does a lot of amazing things, you wont need any special cables just the only cable to transfer everything to your computer, it is a camera and a cam-corder, it has great pictures and i've made a lot of good quality short films with it. Good editing system.
Customer Rating: 
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Nice camera, but TERRIBLE video format - not recommended
The camera itself is simple to use right out of the box and takes very nice still pictures. The video, however, leaves a lot to be desired. For whatever reason, JVC has decided to use a proprietary "MOD" format and no programs (3rd party or stock) on my media rich macintosh can play these files. Go figure, but my little Palm Treo can create video files that are easily uploaded and viewable, so why can't JVC? Very poor showing from JVC in my opinion.
To rectify the situation (every time I upload videos - arrggggg), I have to upload the video directory off the hard drive of the camera, remove some .MOI files, run this 3rd party program so I can export the videos into the Mac's standard video editing tool, then export of this tool to viewable video for Macs & PCs. This is ridiculous - it takes over an hour start to finish and makes this video camera - or ANY of JVCs' similar units a DO NOT BUY.
JVC - go back to drawing board please and write standard file formats, ok? You guys are not in the software business so please do what you do best and simply build good video cameras, leave the software formats to the professionals.
Customer Rating: 
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Not the best.not the worst
I brought this cam at an extremely low price ($80.shhhhhhh). I had already seen the camera at stores and was already interested in the no need to buy recording media feature. I must admit that and the fact tht it transfer to the pc was a strong selling point. However once I got the camera and began using it I saw the problems I was having with it. I was having problems with finding software to burn it to disc. The Power Producer did NOT do the trick. It froze several times and so did Power Dirctor. I was having nooooo luck with Adobe Premiere 2.0. I even tried doing a capture first then seeing if i could saveit as a MPEG and use a different program. No such luck. It would not read the camera. However becasue I'm a stubborn S.O.B. I kept messing arond with it and found out that Nero Premium 7 (which I already had on my pc)did the trick. the only error I found with the program was my fault and I learned from it. That mistake was to NOT compress the files. Try to burn the files at their actual file size (even if you have to make it a 2disc burn). The difference is extremely noticeable. Also record at the Ultra settings.
As for the poor indoor light quality issue, That IS a problem. Even after playing arund with the different light settings on the camera I found it "ok" at best. One setting made it too cool (a blueish "washed" tone) another setting made it too warm (orange tone). One trick that might help is to try and make sure you and the subject are between to unshaded lights. That has worked the best but still set your light settings first. Also you can purchase an external light and attach it to the camera (not sure how to do it.but it will compromise the lightweight feature.)
As for the digital camera settings...just stick to a true digital camera WITH A FLASH.The camera pics are about as good as a cellphone.
Overall this is a good camera for the price (mine and retail). I know some people are thinking to wait til the bugs are worked out to buy it.... but I got a feeling the light issue will be resolved with an external light that can be purchased (more money for JVC) as opposed to a standard upgrade to newer models.
The main thing I would wait to see is if the .mod files become more common and therefore readable in more programs.Hopefully this will happen
Customer Rating: 
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A l'il sumpthin' to generally consider...
Frankly, I like my MG30. The only thing that gives me pause is its propensity to physically generate heat to the point of becoming uncomfortable to hold. This is a well known problem within the JVC line itself. (Much like Honda cars and bikes having BAD RINGS. They've known forever - but they just never correct it...)
For all the reviews that we read and write, nothing is ever gonna replace actually holding the equipment and shooting with it. You can have the best camera on the planet and if it's uncomfortable to you, then you're simply not going to get the most out of it.
Me? I'm a workin' newsmedia junkie and actually have nearly 20 separate video cameras - and nearly as many digital still cameras. Why? Cause no company is ever gonna MAKE the "perfect" camera. In fact, they go to great lengths not to. So it's up to me to know which voodoo combination of cameras I'll need to coax the best work out under whatever the conditions. In fact, the old "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder" thing is fully in play here. Some folks actually LIKE the block/blended foilage look - or a special off green SAW II tint...
To that end, the Everio is a FUN TOY/EASY CARRY, but in low light, it can look like connect the dots - even with much personal tweakin' of the settings.
