JVC's GR-DVP3U is a truly remarkable digital camcorder new on the market. One of the smallest MiniDV camcorder available, the GR-DVP3U records the incredible 520 lines of resolution ingrained in the DV standard, making every memory captured sharp and crisp. There is also a built-in digital still camera that captures images in many modes--such as full screen, frame, pin-up, negative, or multipicture--onto tape.
The GR-DVP3U 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 port for PC connections. With the included software and cable you can easily bring your photos into your computer for editing or e-mailing.
A low-light environment is not an issue for the GR-DVP3U. 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 Display screen has gone twice on this camcorder
I've had this camcorder for almost 4 years now and yes it is extremely portable and compact, but the screen on this camcorder has gone black on me twice. The first time it went it displayed a rainbow of colors when opening the display which made it useless and had to send it out to JVC for repair and had no camera for almost 3 weeks. Now it has just gone bad again and this time it's completely black making the eyepiece the only way to record which is nearly impossible on this small camcorder. Overall, the color quality and features are good from this camcorder but I've had too many problems with this item now to give it more than two stars. Any consumer shouldn't have to replace an LCD screen on their camcorder 2 times within a two year time frame. I wouldn't recommend buying this item. While the portability of it is nice, the lack of being able to actually record on it far outweighs any of it's strong points that it does have. With a newborn and 3 year old at home I need a camcorder that actually can record on the fly and shouldn't have to worry about whether or not the screen will turn on.
2 Should've bought a Sony DCRIP5 instead!!!
I just got this camcorder and I got very disappointed. It was impossible for me to use it on an outdoor party at night.
With the price, I thought this camcorder would be better than Sony DCRIP5 which my friend just bought. And the Sony camcorder works just perfect despite the fact that it's even smaller than this JVC camcorder.
3 Best features for the size
Best camera i've seen for the size and for the price. A must buy if your the type that like to capture moments but would not like to carry around a big bulky machine.
4 Size has the point!
I agree with other people talking about DVP3U's bad still image quality. However, camcorders are not supposed to take still images. If you buy any camcorders, you won't be satisfied with its still image. (Sony Mega pixel ones are just ok). The movie quality of this camcorder is great (audio is not as good but you can easily attach zoom mike on top).
To the main point. You can buy great super-quality camcorders like Sony VX-2000 or canon XL-1 (with 3CDD) and take hollyhood quality movies. However, if you don't carry it with you most of the time, you won't be able to make any movie at all. If you don't use it, there is no need for super-quality, mega pixel, etc. For this reason, DVP3U is one of best mini camcorders I've used. It fits in my jean pocket and I carry it with me anywhere I go. The battery life is short but you can buy two extra (2hour battery) .... That will be enough for continous use of this awesome camcorder.
5 Huge Performance, Tiny Size
I just get this camcorder, and i take it on vacation and the video and sound performance was great, almost perfect, the still photo has an a bad side, that if you take pictures in dark places this would grow or let see a bigger pixel than if you take the in good light. So the only low that i put in this fabulous camcorder is of taking still photos in the dark.
But is great all the extras it has in such small space like the MP3 capability or the direct conversion for MPG4 videos, if you want a camera so small you have to spect some lows about it but i only find one. Also is great al the comunication devices that come with it, to connect it to the TV or to your PC or MAC.
No other brand give you so much Software in this category.
I hope this review help some one else.
6 Horrible customer service
It's true: tiny size, you can really take it wherever you want, high quality video (low quality photo, though), etc., etc....
But... I have one since 7 months ago and I have had it with me only for three months (the other four, it has been at the store -or I don't know where, because it didn't work) -at JVC nobody wanted to give me a new one (even though the camcorder was under warranty) and they tried to repair it three times before it was finally OK (they "simply" sent me the camera saying that the problem was already fixed, but it wasn't...).
7 I cant believe how dire this is!!!!!!
Call it what you want, but the GR-DVP3U deserves it's place in the museum. Its heavy, nasty and cumbersome. The stills taken by it are a disgrace and shouldnt be allowed to classify itself as a stills camera. The software is sooooo hard to use and the side panel keeps falling off on mine. Whatever you do......dont buy this, Its not something to be stolen. Even if your room mate has stolen it! THE NOBODYS are doing the wrong thing when its team doesnt need its star players working elsewhere.
8 Well worthed the money
I received this camcorder for my birthday, and since then I love it more and more and more. It's so small that I carry it around in my Otter-Box, it fit perfectly, and it's waterproof. The tapes are vbery small and the quality very good, plus I can hook it up to my tv and watch my recording like a regular movie. The pictures are not that good, but that is not important if you think at the quality of the movie you can film. The battery is a little too short-life for me, unless I record the whole 60 minutes tape in a few long recordings. If I turn off and on the unit too much in a day, I have to recharge the battery before I finish the tape. I went to buy the battery, but it is too expensive, over $100.
In conclusion, I love this unit and I try to use it as much as possible.
Ciao Aldo
9 Handy and Good Gadget.
The size makes this tiny camcorder easy to carry anywhere I go even through no Camera zone! Though the still pictures aren't that great, for the size is really worth the buy. The Firewire port makes video editing very simple and easy with the DV port on my pc. The USB enables you to download MP3 audio clips from the internet where you can use it during recording. MPEG4 makes video-mail easier. You can record any part of your movie from the camcorder itself and sends the MPEG4 file to your PC through USB. I love the Slow X 10 features during night filming but you have to place it on a tripod or hold it steady. I was hoping that there's an Analog In so that I can record video from the TV or VCR. But with such a small device, I can't complain too much though. Hopefully JVC can come out with a solution in adding an Analog-in plugin :P
10 tiny wonder
I was looking for a light digital camcorder suitable for travel. The GR-DVP3U was a good solution. The camera is tiny and light - also made of metal so its durable. Pros: Great video, pretty good in low light, small. Cons: Stills are low res, battery life, no RCA in. Nice toy.
