-
-
10
stars
Great entry level/family camcorder...
by bignerd972
on
May 13, 2007
Pros: Harddrive = NO TAPES, 32X zoom, compact size, cost(on ebay)... Did I mention NO TAPES
Cons: records on .mod format
Summary: First, let me say that this product actually deserves a 8.5 to 9 rating. I normally do give any product a 10 b/c nothing is perfect but some ...
Read more
Summary: First, let me say that this product actually deserves a 8.5 to 9 rating. I normally do give any product a 10 b/c nothing is perfect but some numnutz gave it a 6 b/c of stabilization issues so I wanted to even it out a bit.
Anyhow, I really love this camcorder. This is definitely no professional Hi-Def cam but it does what it is supposed to do and it does it quite well. If you are in the market for an average to above average point and shoot cam for family events and around the house recording for those special moments, this is your camcorder. A previous commenter explained that he had stabilization issues. My advice to him is to get a tripod(I purchased one on ebay for 15 bucks). I would consider my hand just as stable as the next man and I have had no stability problems w/ the MG155. The image quality is pretty good actually; Better then I thought, yes, even in low light conditions! Again, if you are looking for a Hi-Def cam, go buy one. If you are looking for an affordable harddrive based, family cam with a good picture, this is for you...
There my be other cons but the only one that really sticks out to me is the fact that the cam records in the .mod format... It really isn't that big of a problem b/c all you have to do is rename the file to .mpg using this small program... You can read more about the process at camcorderinfo.com: The name of the program is "SD Copy"
Show less
11 out
of 11 users found this user opinion helpful.
-
7
stars
If you have a MAC and need to convert MOD files do this....
by SnitGTS
on
June 22, 2007
Pros: Small, Easy to Use, No Tapes
Cons: Saves movies in .MOD Files
Summary: I haven't really had that much time to play with the camera yet, so I don't feel right reviewing it yet. However, I have had extensive experience trying ...
Read more
Summary: I haven't really had that much time to play with the camera yet, so I don't feel right reviewing it yet. However, I have had extensive experience trying to get the movie files to play in QuickTime on my Mac.
First off, this camera is compatible with Mac os x!!!! However, JVC saves the files as MOD. For the easiest way to convert it and be able to view AND hear it in Quick Time, do this.
Go to http://www.squared5.com/svideo/mpeg-streamclip-mac.html and download MPEG StreamClip (either 1.8 or the beta will do). Then open the .MOD file in the program, click File, and select "Export as Quicktime" and it'll do the rest!
I'm writing this because I just spent 2 hours trying to find a way to convert the files WITH sound. This WILL WORK!!!
Show less
7 out
of 7 users found this user opinion helpful.
-
8
stars
Finally, a camcorder I will use.
by Groover_1971
on
June 16, 2007
Pros: Analog video input, Easy operation, nice docking station
Cons: low-res stills, no IR light for night shots
Summary: I searched online and in stores for three days before I decided on this camera. The 30G harddrive was my main focus. I also looked at Sony but I didn'...
Read more
Summary: I searched online and in stores for three days before I decided on this camera. The 30G harddrive was my main focus. I also looked at Sony but I didn't like its tiny touch screen much. I liked the placement of the controls on the JVC better too.
It was easy to operate. I read the instructions while the battery was charging.
One of the surprise features that I found was the ability to "dub" from an analog signal such as a VCR or DVD player. Since my old camera is a VHS-C, I can use this to convert my old tapes to DVDs using the "S-Video" cable port in the docking station. In other words, if it can be connected to a TV, it can be recorded (hint, hint).
I had read that the low light filming wasn't very good. They must have been talking about "no light" filming because it makes good movies indoors. Strangely enough, it does detect and record infrared light but doesn't seem to have one onboard. I found this out when shooting with the included remote control.
I really wanted to get the GZ-MG255 which costs about $50-$100 more but I couldn't find anyone that sells them except online and needed one sooner.
I made the first DVD which got my wife's approval so I'm happy. We will be using this on our vacations mostly but also just around the house. Without the tapes or mini-dvds to cope with, this should be a great grab-n-go video solution.
Show less
7 out
of 7 users found this user opinion helpful.
-
6
stars
Not a good camera if you're moving and shaking too much.
by Zin2007
on
March 23, 2007
Pros: Decent HD size (30 gb - no need for tapes), lots of features, external night light, widescreen recording, good video quality and compact.
Cons: Video is too shaky.
Summary: I did some research and bought the GZ-MG155 because it had almost everything I wanted for the price, however when I did a playback on a few of the shots ...
Read more
Summary: I did some research and bought the GZ-MG155 because it had almost everything I wanted for the price, however when I did a playback on a few of the shots I took, all of them were way too shaky. Even the ones I was did my best not to be shaky.
It's just way too sensitive. After watching a few minutes I got motion sickness. Having the "anti shaky" thingie turned on didn't help much. I don't know if it's the brand or what. I'll just put it on a stand whenever I need to use it. 
Show less
4 out
of 5 users found this user opinion helpful.
-
8
stars
Good camera for the money - throw away the software
by photo-nerd
on
June 18, 2007
Pros: Good, cheap camera, decent quality
Cons: software stinks need high level of pc knowledge to get it to produce good results.
Summary: This is my first hard drive camcorder. It's easy to use and cheap. After hours of using this with my computer, I've discovered the following (btw: I'm ...
Read more
Summary: This is my first hard drive camcorder. It's easy to use and cheap. After hours of using this with my computer, I've discovered the following (btw: I'm using Vista Ultimate).
Don't use the Everio software, it's buggy, bloated, and featureLESS! Instead, connect via USB and copy the movies to your harddrive.
NOTE: the 16:9 doesn't display correctly. There is a problem with the way the videos are recorded...use a freeware ap called sdcopy on camcorderinfo.com
If you want to play the movies before editing, use windows media player classic (it's a freeware ap). Normal windows media player doesn't work (some of Vista sucks)
Both Vista's movie maker and Premiere Elements 3 can view/edit the fixed files from sdcopy. For best results when saving the wmv use a freeware plugin for premiere elements called a frameserver (available from debugmode)...you can do a search for it. Then frameserve the video to windows media encoder (a freeware ap) and their you go.
Also, this camera has a video/audio input not advertised...I recorded some TV with it last night from my VCR Composite out...and it worked great!
Show less
2 out
of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
-
9
stars
Great camera for the prices
by dreels
on
December 31, 2007
Pros: Easy to use, no tapes or disks, small
Cons: battery life, low light could be better
Summary: Overall this is a very good camera. I just wanted something to capture the family moments. I was using the video function on my Pentax Optio S6 (which is not ...
Read more
Summary: Overall this is a very good camera. I just wanted something to capture the family moments. I was using the video function on my Pentax Optio S6 (which is not bad for a camera) and I wanted to be able to take more than 10 min of video.
The picture is good but if you are taking some video at night and don't have a well lit room it can look a bit dark....but what can you expect from a $400 camera. You can manually adjust for the low lite and it does make it a bit better. In the daytime with sufficient light it works perfectly. I got this in a bundle (case and tripod) from SAMS Club for $399.
My brother has a Sony HD and it cant compare to that but if you are not interested in spending $1000 for the HD, this is a great option and you will be very happy with it. You can get 7+ recording hours on the highest quality setting. Full batter charge gets you about 120 min of recording time.
You can add a SD card but there is really no need with the 30 Gig HD.
Show less
1 out
of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
-
10
stars
Who says a camcorder can't be sexy?
by pinkfloyd1973
on
December 22, 2007
Pros: ?Easy to use, ?Sleek and compact.?Sturdy contruction. Smart menu and interface.
Cons: ?Not High Def. ?Won't cook me breakfast.
Summary: This is our third camcorder, started with a vhs (vhc-c) model 5 years ago. It was not so great, but we did get to capture some movie memories. 3 years ...
Read more
Summary: This is our third camcorder, started with a vhs (vhc-c) model 5 years ago. It was not so great, but we did get to capture some movie memories. 3 years ago we bought a Sony DCR-HC30 digital MiniDV recorder, have used it alot, good quality picture. Problem is the head gets dirty sometimes, you have to stop, run the cleaner cassette, then put the tape back in, and you still end up with a section on tape where it "became" dirty and these are peppered through our captured movie memories. Not knocking the Sony HC30, just the technology. I really wanted a dvd camcorder years ago but two problems with that idea, too expensive and only 30 minutes per disc, plus you have to finalize each disc, each time to save your 30 minutes of shoot. The MiniDV is 60 minutes per tape, quicker change-out time.
So finally the price was right for HDD camera, enter the JVC Everio GZMG155 that appeared on QVC's website 3 days ago. Extra battery incl. made it the best price (value) going. Just arrived yesterday. So I'm set for our next trip to Disneyland. 7 hours recording time at fine quality, 2 batteries at 1.5 hours each (approx.) (my Sony was 1.5 hour with lcd screen closed, using viewfinder, less than 1 hour with screen open) the JVC Everio GZMG155 the same quality video as my old Sony. Low light it not so great, a little grainy, but every digital camera does this. No points off for it performing at par with any other 1/6" CCD. You get what you pay for. I have been taking it through the paces the last 24 hours.
I give it a ten, it will do everything I want it to do. Oh and by the way, either watch your recordings on a standard 520 horizontal line monitor or set your HD set to 480i any input signal of 520 lines will not look so good on a (Hi Def) 1080i/1080p set. I learned this with the Sony. I'll buy a HD camera when they are under $400. Give it a few years.
Summary. This does all my HC30 did and more, it's smaller, easier to grip, no more buying tapes, no more digital debri from a dirty tape head, large HDD 30G, 7 hours of recording time, three times the optical zoom. A fine camera, excellent upgrade for the same price I paid for MiniDV 3 years ago. The reviews here are quite accurate, the one about a "shaky" camera, maybe when you have it zoomed all the way out, that's always going to happen with any cameras.
Show less
1 out
of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
-
9
stars
Top Notch Camcorder
by easyshare
on
December 15, 2007
Pros: Excellent video's even in poor light. Audio decent
Cons: No onboard light
Summary: All the specs I could find says it has a light. If it does it must be well hidden because I cant find it. Not that they do much, so ...
Read more
Summary: All the specs I could find says it has a light. If it does it must be well hidden because I cant find it. Not that they do much, so its a small loss. Made a 3 minute test video and copied to a DVD-R in my pc in 5 minutes. Played on my ws plasma great. I had no problem with the supplied cd. Maybe its only a mac problem.
Updated
In my previous review I stated that the camcorder did not have a light. Well it does have a light and its instructions for use is buried within the manual. Not a spectacular light, but does add some illumination to low light scenes.
Show less
1 out
of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
-
8
stars
good hard disk recorder.
by clm1309
on
December 1, 2007
Pros: works on imac with this player download...
Cons: took me some searching to figure this out
Summary: so far so good! no need to buy more software, you can connect to imac (intel) using firewire connection and then copy files to your computer. You will need this ...
Read more
Summary: so far so good! no need to buy more software, you can connect to imac (intel) using firewire connection and then copy files to your computer. You will need this player... http://www.afterdawn.com/software/alternative_platforms/mac_software/vlc_for_mac.cfm .... and then change file extensions from .moc to .mpg before playing the files. It records in mpeg2 file format so you need to use the proper player. I had trouble with the quicktime even after upgrading it for $20 to handle mpeg2 files. Enjoy this jvc product and store all your files easily on your intel imac.
Show less
1 out
of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
-
9
stars
easy to use and very good features
by pablopetro
on
September 14, 2007
Pros: good definition, easy handle, screen
Cons: battery does not last too much
Summary: I buy these camera and really enjoy my time with it.
It is soo easy to use that I read just a few pages of the user manual and begun ...
Read more
Summary: I buy these camera and really enjoy my time with it.
It is soo easy to use that I read just a few pages of the user manual and begun to capture family images.
If you are planning to have a family camera, do not hesitate on buying one of these.
Show less
1 out
of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
