The JVC GR-DVL510U is a true workhorse of a camcorder. A number of great features usually found in higher-end electronics are packed into this small, easy-to-carry device. The 680,000-pixel CCD of the GR-DVL510U also captures digital stills in many modes--such as full screen, frame, pin-up, negative, or multipicture--onto tape, or the included 8 MB MMC card. The DVL510U is compatible with both MultiMedia or SD memory cards.
The GR-DVL510U also comes with a variety of multimedia interfacing capabilities, making transferring DV recordings or digital photos to a computer fast and simple. In addition to the standard IEEE 1394 DV interface, there is also a USB port for quick transfers to PC. With the included software and cable you can easily bring your photos into your computer for editing or e-mailing.
Being in a low-light environment is no problem for the GR-DVL510U. In addition to the integrated auto light there is also a special night shooting function that enhances low-light sensitivity so you can still capture clear images at night in full color.
Also included are an AC power adapter/charger, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, remote control, CD-ROM software for photo editing, shoulder strap, and RS232C PC/AT compatible cables.
1 Great video camera only
This is a great "video camera" and a not so good digital still camera. If you are purchasing this "video camera" to use to shoot video then I will recommend this camera, but if you want a great digital still camera then purchas a separate digital still camera. The vast majority of "video cameras" are best used for video and not digital still photography. So once again buy this "video camera" for video and buy a digital still camera for digital photography.
2 Great Camera
I did a lot of research before buying. It is the best value in this class. Don't expect great snap shot quality from this camera and others in the same class. You need progressive scan and at least 1 mega pixel CCD for a good quality picture. That would put you into a totally different price range. Manufacturers advertise mega pixel camcorders pretty loudly and they are currently above $1200. The video quality is great (almost DVD) and low light sensitivity is good. I don't use special effect while filming so I can't comment. It does not record analog video. Manual says it records the DV but I have not tried it. Overall it is great for indoor/outdoor everyday filming even with my picky taste.
3 Great Video/Poor Still Photos
My husband gave me this camera for Christmas because he knew I really wanted a digital camera and I had expressed some interest in a camcorder as well...He figured this would do double-duty very well. I played with it all day Christmas day taking video and stills and was loving it. The video was awesome...very easy to use and of decent quality. Battery drained very quickly, but most do, so that wasn't a big deal. Close-up shots looked really good. The HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT came when I downloaded the still shots to my computer. They were of poor quality at best...colors not true and blurry even though all were taken at the highest resolution possible. I am returning the camera and exchanging it. I'm NOW told that most just don't have enough pixels to produce a good photo...Live and Learn! Good Luck...
4 Very good for the price
Its been 4 days since I bought this camera and I was able to get going in about 15 minutes (after charge ofcourse). I would have given this 5 stars if not for the quality of still pictures. But the still pictures are blurr even in the best of conditions. But I have a very good still camera, so I am not complaining...too much...
Every thing else is pretty good for the price...Since I am a first time owner, I am very happy with my decision.
5 Very easy to use
This camcorder far exceeded my expectations and is very easy and simple to use. The Mini-DV media is by far the highest quality and JVC offers Sony-like quality at an affordable price. The remote control feature makes playback very convenient. The media card allows for a quick transfer of digital still shots to your PC and ultimately to the WEB. The video allows for 1/60 second editing (firewire is recommended for this) as well as a variety of frame transitioning options. Very lightweight and easy to use. After many different purchases over the last 10 years, JVC has not let me down.
6 Poor image quality
I was very disappointed about the quality of images that this machine recorded. The pictures looked blur and not clear even they were taken in fine mode under sun lights. I don't even know the resolution and JVC didn't put on its specification either.
7 Great Digital Camcorder!
This camcorder is very practical to use: it's small, lightweight, fits nicely in the hand and is easy to operate. It works well for both indoor and outdoor scenes. The picture quality is very good for both digital camera and camcorder modes. The digital photos (up to 200) are stored on a memory card and it only takes a few minutes to download them onto the P.C. via a USB connection. The software that comes with the camcorder works well with Windows Me. I like the fact that digital stills of the video scenes can be taken, these are also transferred to the memory card. This is especially good for unpredictable subjects such as kids and animals. You can just keep filming, then replay the video and take "photos" of the scenes you want. I like the "night alive" feature, so low light scenes can be filmed without using the light on the camcorder. However, for "night alive" to be effective the camcorder must be held very steady, otherwise the picture is blurry.
It would be nice to have stereo microphone input etc. but these options are provided with a more expensive version of this camcorder which was out of my price range. The camcorder comes with a 1 hour battery, but it's a good idea to buy a second battery, the 2 hour battery works well (BN-V416U). Overall, great camcorder/digital camera, and at a good price.
8 Updated rating
After using this camcorder for a few days I want to update my first rating. I would have given this camcorder a perfect 5 if it had these following options; stereo mic inputs, headphone output or stereo line inputs. The video and sound are digital. The video is DVD qulity and the sound is better than CD audio, but you can't make use of it to its fullest. You can dub which adds stereo audio tracks and it would be great if you could dub into the camcorder in full stereo from your CD player. The buttons for taking a photo and the bright buttons are to close together, but everything else works perfect. The effects and wipes make for great effects when recording video. The light also works great some other camcorders don't offer a light. The software is also great and very easy to use and works perfect with win98se. I would still give this camcorder four stars.
9 Great little camcorder
This is truly a great camcorder. The size is very small and light, but don't let that fool you this is a full functioning camcorder and digital camera. It fits in your hand and the controls fall in place to make for a comfortable fit. I have a Sony digital camera mavica and the JVC camcorder is lighter than the digital camera. It uses a eight meg memory card for storing images and the images can also be copied to the tape. The eight meg memory card stores 2oo images in standard mode and 100 in fine mode, and images stored on tape can be copied back to the memory card all with no loss. The camcorder also connects to your computer thru the use of a USB connector and you can access the stored images from my computer, the programs install with no problems and creates a removable disk where the images are stored and you can also copy, delete or move the images. This camcorder also is firewire ready, but I have not purchased a PC card yet. You won't be disappointed by this camcorder and you can't go wrong you have your digital camera and your digital camcorder all in one package what a deal.
