Rating: 
Summary: Digital board failure
Review: Do not buy this camera if you are looking for a quality long lasting product. These models have frequent digital board failures. I had mine for just 2 years, the estimate is $ 400 to fix it. For that price I bought a Panasonic pvgs120. Much better quality, especially in low light settings.
In addition, these models (and other JVC models) have frequent E04 errors, keep an eye on consumer reports.
Rating: 
Summary: Good entry/mid level camcorder...
Review: Hi,
We have been using this for 18 months now, and it's travelled continents and has give us no problems at all!At least 3 MiniDV tapes, an extra battery, and a carrying bag are essentials. This camcorder is excellent value. The only con is low light recording is not good, but that's the case with most camcorders.
Rating: 
Summary: Great Low Cost Entry to Mini DV recording
Review: I am a TV producer, but I can't always run aound with a XLS-1 with me. This is far the least expensive DV cam I've found, nice basic features, leans a little on the blued and the autofocus is quite slow in lower loght situations. Still, if you want a nice 520 line rez DV cam with nice zoom features and firewire and USB connect capabilites, this can't be beat. However, the prices I've seen here are a bit high, I grabbed mine at BJ's discount for $298 - and I've seen it listed here for up to 40% more. So shop around, it's a basic DV cam that's been discontinued. I love it for the money, but I wouldn't spend $400 or $500 on it. There are plenty of better cams in those price ranges. But if you can get this for anywhere near $300 - grab it. Wou won't be disappointed. I used to pay thousands of dollars more for SP Betacams with less lines of resolution, analog technology and the need to convert analog to digital for editing. Try this baby first.
Rating: 
Summary: JVC DVL520
Review: I bought the JVC DVL520 and I took it back next day. My main complaint was in low light conditions, there were vertical lines appearing on the screen. It wasn't overly obvious but very distracting nontheless. I tried to correct it by manually adjusting each individual settings but nothing worked. The picture quality was not too bad in bright conditions, but in darker conditions i was not prepared to just accept it. After all I spent AUD$1450 on a camera and I'd better get what I pay for. It was a shame because the size and shape of the 520 was really good plus some nice features too. Anyway I took it back to the shop and bought the Sony TRV18 instead. Sure it was a more expensive camera but truly worth it. Pictue quality was almost DVD-like but no vertical lines at all -even in dark conditions (perhaps a little grainy). I wouldn't recommend the 520 unless you will be taking videos outdoors exclusively.
Rating:
Summary: JVC DVL520
Review: I bought the JVC DVL520 and I took it back next day. My main complaint was in low light conditions, there were vertical lines appearing on the screen. It wasn't overly obvious but very distracting nontheless. I tried to correct it by manually adjusting each individual settings but nothing worked. The picture quality was not too bad in bright conditions, but in darker conditions i was not prepared to just accept it. After all I spent AUD$1450 on a camera and I'd better get what I pay for. It was a shame because the size and shape of the 520 was really good plus some nice features too. Anyway I took it back to the shop and bought the Sony TRV18 instead. Sure it was a more expensive camera but truly worth it. Pictue quality was almost DVD-like but no vertical lines at all -even in dark conditions (perhaps a little grainy). I wouldn't recommend the 520 unless you will be taking videos outdoors exclusively.
Rating: 
Summary: a great first time digital camcorder
Review: I bought this camcorder AFTER I had my Canon ZR45MC. If you read some other reviews complaining the low light recording functions of this camcorder, let me tell you it is not that bad. I tried both video and still photo in my dining room with only 4x15 watts lights. The result was very pleasant. Comparing to the Canon ZR45MC I had, it was much better. The Canon produces very grainly images with many color dots all over the pictures (video noise), while this JVC did very well. I am replacing the Canon with this JVC for exactly this reason - low light performance. I cannot give it a 5-star because its black and white view finder, 10x optical zooming and no AD converter. On the other hand, Canon ZR45MC has 18x optical zooming, color view finder and AD converter, but for more money.
Rating:
Summary: Low Light recording OK, Beats Canon ZR45MC
Review: I bought this camcorder AFTER I had my Canon ZR45MC. If you read some other reviews complaining the low light recording functions of this camcorder, let me tell you it is not that bad. I tried both video and still photo in my dining room with only 4x15 watts lights. The result was very pleasant. Comparing to the Canon ZR45MC I had, it was much better. The Canon produces very grainly images with many color dots all over the pictures (video noise), while this JVC did very well. I am replacing the Canon with this JVC for exactly this reason - low light performance. I cannot give it a 5-star because its black and white view finder, 10x optical zooming and no AD converter. On the other hand, Canon ZR45MC has 18x optical zooming, color view finder and AD converter, but for more money.
Rating:
Summary: a great first time digital camcorder
Review: I have been shopping around for a digital camcorder for some time now and recently bought this model. I have never owned a camcorder before and didn't have a lot to spend. I am completely pleased with this camera. I'm not an expert and I am using this for home use, mainly for family occasions. For what I need it for, it couldn't be better for the price. Sound quality is excellent, clear and no motor noise. In average to low light settings the picture quality is also great. No lines or color spots. The controls are easy to use and I was filming after only briefly reading the instruction booklet. I have not yet tried the NightAlive feature. But the regular setting films great in the house at night under low lights and that's really what I expect to use it most for. Outdoors in the day of course the color is great. I hooked it right up to my TV with no fuss for playback. Only thing I might ask for is a more powerful optical zoom for use outdoors. 10x is just enough. More might come in handy. I expect that once I get the hang of the manual controls and the neat editing features I'll probably like it even more. A professional camera this is not, but for a regular person on a budget like me, it's just what you need.
Rating:
Summary: Good Camera While it Worked
Review: I have had great luck with JVC products, but this camera was a bust. I had the camera approx. 3 weeks and had to return it to Amazon.com. The camera all of a sudden would not record on to the tape. I tried everything but to no avail it still would not record. I did like all of the features on the camera but now I am gunshy of buying another JVC.
Rating:
Summary: Good for entry level
Review: Look for my first ever video camera, I stumbled upon this 520A JVC, looks sleek, light weight, fair functionability, 800 000 pixels for digital stills (which is not bad for it's price). Compared to the sony at a similar price range, it lacked a few added extras which some may find useful :
1. Mpeg (not particularly that useful I suppose if you have firewire)
2. Night scope (the JVC does NOT COmpare to sony's night vision! - it just decreases shutter speed)
3. Battery life - I think that the sony stamina battery lasts a lot longer than the jvc pack.
4. Quality of video - this is debatable - I couldn't tell the diffirence though I was told that sony has a better colour.
5. USB streaming
6. B&W viewer - it's quite annoying if you're used to a colour viewer. The LCD screen however is very clear. The sony has a TFT active matrix which may be slightly better. I was told that the LCD screen has a shorter life-span. Compared to the Canon MV550 - which also has an SD Card, the JVC is cheaper, looks sleeker (I think) but similar otherwise. The SD card is very useful - I wouldn't buy one without a card. The battery life could be better. I think it's closer to 1 hour recording time. Even the so called "stamina" battery (which was not original) only lasted <1hr recording time. Apart from the above, I feel satisfied with my purchase. I bought it in singapore and it was the cheapest of the digital cameras with similar functionality.
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