Rating: 
Summary: Not a long laster
Review: After using this camera very happily for about a year and a half, suddenly videos became very blocky when onscreen objects moved. Now, instantly, everyone reading this is going to say, "How obvious, the heads are dirty." But I don't think this is the case. I have cleaned the camera with a cleaning tape about once every two or three weeks, or when it looked like the heads needed cleaning. But about two months ago, that stopped helping. The picture has become progressively blockier. A couple of days ago, I gently cleaned the heads with q-tips and a non-harming cleaning solution, but this did nothing to improve the camera's condition.I recently went to Best Buy and talked to a salseman there, who said more complaints are made about JVCs regarding this matter than Canon or Sony. Believe me, I didn't want to switch brands - as I had been using and liking my JVC camera, as I said, for about 1 1/2 years. But soon I'll be getting a Canon and throwing the old JVC away. It's unlikely I'll buy from them again.
Rating:
Summary: Not a long laster
Review: After using this camera very happily for about a year and a half, suddenly videos became very blocky when onscreen objects moved. Now, instantly, everyone reading this is going to say, "How obvious, the heads are dirty." But I don't think this is the case. I have cleaned the camera with a cleaning tape about once every two or three weeks, or when it looked like the heads needed cleaning. But about two months ago, that stopped helping. The picture has become progressively blockier. A couple of days ago, I gently cleaned the heads with q-tips and a non-harming cleaning solution, but this did nothing to improve the camera's condition. I recently went to Best Buy and talked to a salseman there, who said more complaints are made about JVCs regarding this matter than Canon or Sony. Believe me, I didn't want to switch brands - as I had been using and liking my JVC camera, as I said, for about 1 1/2 years. But soon I'll be getting a Canon and throwing the old JVC away. It's unlikely I'll buy from them again.
Rating:
Summary: Not a long laster
Review: After using this camera very happily for about a year and a half, suddenly videos became very blocky when onscreen objects moved. Now, instantly, everyone reading this is going to say, "How obvious, the heads are dirty." But I don't think this is the case. I have cleaned the camera with a cleaning tape about once every two or three weeks, or when it looked like the heads needed cleaning. But about two months ago, that stopped helping. The picture has become progressively blockier. A couple of days ago, I gently cleaned the heads with q-tips and a non-harming cleaning solution, but this did nothing to improve the camera's condition. I recently went to Best Buy and talked to a salseman there, who said more complaints are made about JVCs regarding this matter than Canon or Sony. Believe me, I didn't want to switch brands - as I had been using and liking my JVC camera, as I said, for about 1 1/2 years. But soon I'll be getting a Canon and throwing the old JVC away. It's unlikely I'll buy from them again.
Rating: 
Summary: Heaven
Review: Amazing camera, does everything it's advertised to do. Blows away SONY models that cost up to $1,800. Compare features side by side, you will be surprised. Have had no problems with camera or tapes. My wife loves it because it is so light, I love it because of it's rich feature set and cool design.
Rating:
Summary: Worthwhile pick
Review: Does everything it says does. Good size, Good video, not bad pictures. It won't replace your camera but it's decent enough to snap a quick shot should the opportunity present itself. It's easier than digging for your camera while trying to shoot video. Light serves it's purpose. Haven't had too much of chance to use the night alive yet. You have to get an extended battery, the one it comes with maybe lasts an hour using the big LCD. That seems to be the case with all camcorders.
Rating: 
Summary: one size does not fit all
Review: I bought this camera/camcorder thinking that I would solve both my need for a digital camera and a camcorder. The camcorder worked beautifully. I was thouroughly impressed with the DV side of it. The still camera comletely sucked. The quality being offered is to put it lightly: OFFENSIVE. My advice would be to go out and get a 2 megapixel digital camera, a decent DV camcorder and save about $150 dollars. Trust me, you'll be happier with the results you get, That's what I did.
Rating: 
Summary: THINK BEFORE YOU BUY !!!
Review: I confess... I made the unforgivable mistake !!!!! Before buying my camcorder, I browsed the web for endless hours, for 2-3 months, looking for the best product within a reasonable price range. I kept IGNORING the SONY till the end, because it was a $100-150 more than the best I eventually found ....the JVC GRDVL820U. I should never have written that check without holding a SONY in my palm and seeing what it has to offer. I got my JVC and proudly used it the first 2 weeks ....but much was missing ....it didn't live up to my expectations. The pictures were good but not sharp, as would be expected of a MegaPixel camcorder. Indoor shooting and shooting in low light was a pain ....color reproduction was horrible in subdued light. I was lucky I could return my camera and get my money back .....because soon I built up enough courage to walk upto a SONY dealer and try the DCR TRV38 ......AND IT LEFT ME SPEECHLESS!!! The color reproduction, even in low-low light is incredible. It enhances the picture tone and brightness beyond imagination. The picture sharpness is unbelievable ....truely MegaPixel. It has terrific functions, way-way advanced features, exceptional craftsmanship and looks. The SONY stands out at the top and has no challenger. I don't mind the extra $100 or 150. I really can't believe I ignored SONY initially!!! So.... DON'T BUY A CAMCORDER UNLESS YOU TRY A SONY !!!!
Rating:
Summary: Superb Ergonomics, Terrible Audio
Review: I got mine using hotel points so I didn't have many choices but I do ilke what I got. The camcorder is packed with a ton of features and capabilities. What I have used a lot and can tell you about is the digital imaging capabilities. I have taked a ton of stills with this (with 128 MB SD card there's plenty of space). While the size (almost 2 Megapixels) is rather big the quality leaves a little to be desired. I'm anxious to get the firewire cable to test out the digital video (one of the main reasons I bought this).
Rating: 
Summary: Nice Camcorder
Review: I got mine using hotel points so I didn't have many choices but I do ilke what I got. The camcorder is packed with a ton of features and capabilities. What I have used a lot and can tell you about is the digital imaging capabilities. I have taked a ton of stills with this (with 128 MB SD card there's plenty of space). While the size (almost 2 Megapixels) is rather big the quality leaves a little to be desired. I'm anxious to get the firewire cable to test out the digital video (one of the main reasons I bought this).
Rating:
Summary: Get a Sony
Review: I got this camera as a loaner the other day when I took my Sony in for repair. Any thoughts of getting a JVC in the future have died. First, the good stuff. The controls and the setup are MUCH better than Sony. The tape access, on the side, is preferable to Sony's bottom loading (on at least some, and my, unit) tape. Further, the on switch only requires a quick glance to turn on, rather than a serious look until you are familiar with it -- like the Sony. Finally, the built in light really comes in handy for quick shots. That's it. There is a constant buzz on the camera that comes through on the tape. From looking at other JVC reviews, this seems to be a systematic problem not limited to my unit. And the picture is no where near as sharp. Now, my camera does have a slightly bigger CCD, but still the sharpness of Sony overwhelms JVC -- at least for one CCD camcorders. As far as taking still pictures, I didn't take any so I can't comment, but don't buy a camcorder to take pictures. That feature is there for a quick spontaneous snapshot when your camera isn't available or handy, not for continuous use. I'm glad I get to give this back. I can live with akward controls, but I've got to have good picture quality and this camera doesn't deliver.
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