N et date de parution : Type et priodicit : Diffusion : Marque(s) : Page 1/1
04 Janvier 2006 Presse Internet NC PIXmania
JVC GZ-MG50EK - Digital Camcorder
Date 04 Jan 2006 Price 485.00 (Inc. 17.5% VAT) Manufacturer JVC

http://www.jvc.co.uk

Supplier Pixmania Author
http://www.pixmania.co.uk

James Morris

Features Image Quality Value Overall print:: page | article
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The DV tape has been the recording format of choice in camcorders for the best part of a decade. But just as tape is fast disappearing from the living room, if not gone already, DV is now facing a number of usurpers. DVD-based camcorders from the likes of Sony and now Canon aim to provide a recording format you can just stick straight into your DVD player. But JVC has taken a different tack, and is backing hard disk technology instead with its Everio range. The first few Everios were premium devices aimed at early adopters, with the GZ-MC500EK being a particularly accomplished example. But at over 700, the latter is never going to be a device to take on the mass market. So JVC launched the MG series, which doesnt include any models as small and sexy as the MC500EK, but has other advantages. Apart from a more affordable price, the larger form factor has meant that the MGs can use a 1.8in hard disk instead of the Hitachi Microdrive of previous Everios. So larger capacities are available, with the GZ-MG50EK we looked at offering a commendable 30GB of storage. Although MPEG-4 seems to be the MPEG flavour of the moment, and particularly the H.264 variant, the Everios opt for the more mature MPEG-2 instead. MPEG-4 might be capable of higher compression, but MPEG-2 is more readily compatible with DVD burning. With such a sizeable capacity, even at the top Ultra quality setting, the 30GB drive is large enough for over seven hours of video. This equates to a data rate of 8.9Mbits/sec, around that of a standard DVD. If youre willing to sacrifice quality you can squeeze nearly 38 hours of footage inside at the lowest Economy setting, although this uses MPEG-1 and is only equivalent to VideoCD. Whichever setting you choose, though, youre going to get a lot more shooting done than the 20-minutes or so DVD camcorders can record on a single disc. For those who might be a little worried about carrying an active hard disk around, the MG Everios include an anti-shock system reminiscent of the one IBM ThinkPads are now famous for. As soon as high Gs are detected, the Everio instructs the hard disk to lift its heads and park them, ready for the expected impact. This vastly increases damage resistance should you accidentally drop the camcorder. But there are obviously times when high Gs dont mean impending doom for example on a roller coaster. So you can manually disable this feature, although youll have to remember to turn it back on again afterwards as this doesnt happen automatically. Other than the recording system, though, the MG50EK is a pretty standard camcorder. The video image is captured by a 1/4.5in CCD with 1.33 megapixels, and the lens is a high quality F1.2 model. In this respect, the MG50EK hits a sweet spot that the cheaper MG20 and MG30 dont with their 1/6in CCDs. In our tests, picture quality with the latter two models was noticeably inferior, so its worth paying the extra for the MG50. But more on that later in this review.

For the Japanese Market Only: July 14, 2005
JVC Introduces Hard Disk Camcorders Everio GZ-MG70, GZ-MG50, and GZ-MG40
Worlds First Collection of Camcorders with Built-In Hard Disk Drive
With over seven hours*1 of DVD-quality video recording capability
Victor Company of Japan, Limited (JVC) today announced the release of three new models in the Everio Series of hard disk camcorders, the worlds first*2 collection of camcorders to use built-in hard disk drives as a storage media. The new Everio GZ-MG70, GZ-MG50, and GZ-MG40 all feature an internal hard disk drive with either a 30GB or 20GB capacity, enabling unprecedented recording times in a consumer camcorder at over seven hours of DVD-quality video or a maximum of thirty-seven hours*3 of footage in extended recording mode. The Everio Series is unparalleled in the camcorder industry, having eliminated the need for using and replacing media, while offering quick random access for ease of operation and the compact and lightweight*4 design.
Product description Hard Disk Camcorder Marketing name Everio Model GZ-MG70 GZ-MG50 GZ-MG40-A/-P/-S HDD capacity 30GB 20GB CCD (total MSRP Monthly number of (Yen: Tax Release Date Production pixels) Included) Beginning of 2.12 Sept. mega-pixels*5 12,000 units Open in total 1.33 Beginning of 6 mega-pixels* Aug. (A: misty blue, P: powder pink, S: premium silver)
*1 Only for models equipped with 30GB hard disk drive. *2 As of July 14, 2005, based on a JVC survey, no other consumer camcorder offers a built-in hard disk drive and MPEG-2 recording. *3 Only for models equipped with 30GB hard disk drive. *4 GZ-MG50 and GZ-MG40 weigh approximately 320g and GZ-MG70 weighs approximately 390g. *5 Effective pixel area (video): 1.23 mega-pixels, (stills): 2.0 mega-pixels *6 Effective pixel area (video): 0.69 mega-pixels, (stills): 1.0 mega-pixels

GZ-MG70

GZ-MG50

GZ-MG40-A

GZ-MG40-P

GZ-MG40-S

Main Features 1. Built-in hard disk drive and over seven hours*1 of DVD-quality video recording capability
The new JVC Everio Series camcorders are equipped with an 1.8-inch internal hard disk drive for extended recording of DVD-quality video. Models with a 30GB internal hard drive can record up to 7 hours and 10 minutes*7 of DVD-quality video or up to 37.5 hours of footage in extended recording mode. Models with a 20GB hard drive can record up to 4 hours and 50 minutes of DVD-quality video or up to 25 hours of extended recording in Economy mode. The use of an internal hard drive eliminates the need to replace media, making it ideal for situations that required extended recording, such as when traveling or shooting recitals or plays. Hard disk recording also enables quick random access operation for ease of operation.
*7 Equivalent to the recording time of approx. 22 DVD discs (8-cm discs with 1.4 GB capacity on a single side)
Recording mode Ultra fine (Approx. 9Mbps) Fine (Approx. 6Mbps) Normal (Approx. 4.5 Mbps) Economy (Approx. 1.7 Mbps)
GZ-MG70/GZ-MG50 Approx. 7 hours and 10 min. Approx. 10 hours and 40 min. Approx. 14 hours and 10 min. Approx. 37 hours and 30 min.
GZ-MG40 Approx. 4 hours and 50 min. Approx. 7 hours and 10 min. Approx. 9 hours and 30 min. Approx. 25 hours
2. High-quality video and digital still image capability in a compact and lightweight*4 design
The compact and lightweight design weighs no more than 320 grams (GZ-MG40 and GZ-MG50) during shooting, yet incorporates advanced specifications including a 2.5-inch clear LCD monitor and mega-pixel-class digital still image capability using JVCs proprietary Megabrid Imaging Engine.
3. Fast Transfer of saved footage to a PC
The USB 2.0 interface enables the 10-minute transfer of a 60-minute saved footage to a PC.
(It is based on a JVC survey. Transferring time may differ, depending on functions and connection environment of PCs).
4. Two key technologies*8 for hard disk protection

A floating damper mechanism effectively dampens shock and vibration by wrapping the disk with cushioning gels made of impact absorbing material. A 3D acceleration sensor automatically perceives when the unit has been dropped and shuts off the power to protect the hard disk.
*8 They dont guarantee that the hard disk is free from all kinds of shocks and falls.
5. Three colors available with Everio GZ-MG40misty blue, powder pink, and premium silver

Provided Accessories

AP-V14 AC power adapter , BN-VF707 battery pack*9,S/ AV code, software CD-ROM, exclusive USB cable (A type mini) CD-ROM Contents (See the required OS on page 5) Photo Navigator for Windows CyberLink DVD Solution PowerDirector Express NE for Windows PowerProducer 2 Gold NE for Windows PowerDVD 5 NE for Windows Capty MPEG Edit EX (for Macintosh) lens cap, shoulder strap,
Optional Accessories (Japan)
Product Description Lithium-ion Battery Lithium-ion Battery Long Hour Lithium-ion Battery Long Hour Belt Holder Battery Kit Battery Charger DC Cord 0.7x Wide Conversion Lens 1.4x Tele Conversion Lens Toto Bag & Pouch Carrying Case and discharge. *10 DC code VC-VBN800 (sold separately) is needed to supply power from a battery of VU-V840KIT or VU-V856KIT to a camcorder. *11 DC code is not included. *12 When using the flash, a rim (or corners) of an image may not be included. Model Name BN-VF707* BN-VF714* BN-VF733*
MSRP (tax included) 7,350 yen 13,650 yen 21,840 yen 20,790 yen 31,290 yen 13,650 yen
VU-V840KIT* * VU-V856KIT* * AA-VF7 VC-VBN800* GL-V0730* GL-V1430* CB-V90 CB-V77
998 yen 13,650 yen 13,650 yen 5,250 yen 3,150 yen
*9 Lithium-ion Battery BN-VF707, BN-VF714, BN-VF733, and VU-V856KIT include a circuit to prevent over charge

Major Specifications:

Model name Format Audio/video recording and playback format Image Sensor GZ-MG70 GZ-MG50/ GZ-MG40
NTSC Japan and the US standard SD-VIDEO format: MPEG-2 PS/ Dolby Digital 1/4.5-inch, 1.33 mega-pixel CCD 1/3.6-inch, 2.12 mega-pixel CCD (Effective area: Video: 0.69 mega-pixels Still (Effective area: Video: 1.23 mega-pixels Still images :1.0 mega-pixels) images :2.0 mega-pixels) Video: F W(1.2)-T(2.8): f=3mm-45mm (35mm Video: F W(1.8)-T(2.2): f=4.5mm-45mm lens equiv. : 43.3mm-649.5mm, optical 15x (35mm lens equiv. : 48.7mm-487mm, optical zoom (digital 200x zoom) 10x zoom (digital 200x zoom) Sill: F W(1.2)-T(2.8): f=3mm-45mm (35mm Sill: F W(1.8)-T(2.2): f=4.5mm-45mm (35mm lens equiv.: 36.1mm-541.5mm, optical 15x lens equiv.: 38.9mm-389mm, optical 10x zoom) zoom) 30.5mm (0.5mm pitch) 22 Lx 112,000-pixel 2.5-inch color LCD

JPEG (supports DCF, DPOF and PRINT Image Matching II)
Lens (35mm lens equiv.) Filter diameter Minimum brightness Monitor Format (still) Interfaces Power Source Approx. power Consumption Dimensions (W x H x D) including maximum extrusion Weight
USB mini-connector, S output terminal, AV output (3.5mm mini plug) terminal, DC connector (AC adapter) DC 11.0V, (Battery) DC 7.2V 5.2 W 4.5 W

71 mm x 70 mm x 109 mm

67 mm x 70 mm x 109 mm
390g ( 450g wile shooting*) *Including a battery, a lens cap, and a grip belt BN-VFmin. (25 min.) BN-VFhour and 50 min. (55 min.) 2 hours and 10 min. (1 hour and 5 min.) 2 hours (1 hour)
320g ( 380g wile shooting*)
Approx. shooting time (actual time)*13
Battery type GZ-MG70 While using a monitor BN-VFhours and 20 min. (2 hours and 10 min.) 5 hours (2.5 hours) 4 hours and 45 min. (2 hours and 20 min.) VU-V840KIT 5 hours and 5 min. (2.5 hours) 5 hours and 55 min. (2 hours and 55 min.) 5 hours and 35 min. (2 hours and 45 min.) VU-V856KIT 7 hours and 20 min. (3 hours and 40 min.) 8.5 hours (4 hours and 15 min.) 8 hours (4 hours)
While using a monitor GZ-MG50/ GZ-MG40 While using a monitor and an LED light

1 hour (30 min.)

55 min. (25 min.)
Approx. video shooting time*13
Image size Image mode 20GB (GZ-MG40) 30GB (GZ-MG70/ GZ-MG50) Ultra fine 4 hours and 50 min. 7 hours and 10 min. 720 x 480 dots Fine 7 hours and 10 min. 10 hours and 40 min. Normal 9.5 hours 14 hours and 10 min. 352 x 240 dots Economy 25 hours 37.5 hours
*13 Continuous recording time and actual recording time are approximate.
PC Connection Kit Require the Following OS <Windows> Microsoft: Windows 2000 Professional SP4 (Pre-install model) Microsoft : Windows XP Home Edition / Professional (Pre-install model)
* The USB 2.0 interface must be provided.
Photo Navigator CPU: Intel Pentium III 700 MHz or up RAM: 128 MB or up CD-ROM drive Blank space of hard disc drive approx. 10 MB or more needed (500 MB or more recommended) CyberLink DVD Solution CPU: IntelPentium III 700 MHz or up (Pentium4 2GHz or more recommended) RAM: 128 MB or more (256 MB or more recommended) Blank space of hard disc drive: Approx. 350 MB or more needed to install the program (When DVD Video is created, 10 GB or more needed, while Video CD is created, 1 GB or more needed). <Macintosh> Hardware: iMac G4/ G5, iBook G4, Power Mac G5, PowerBook G4, eMac, Mac Mini with a standard USB 2.0 interface OS: Mac OS X (10.2.8,10.3.1-10.3.9) RAM: 128 MB or up 258 MB or up when using Capty MPEG Edit EX (for Macintosh)

To create DVD-Video, Capty DVD/VCD Ver. 2 of Pixela Corporation is needed. Above conditions do not guarantee all PCs with provided USB 2.0 interfaces. Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and other countries. Apple, Apple logo, Macintosh, and Mac OS are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. in the United States.
# For further information, please contact: Toshiya Ogata, Senior Staff Manager, or Fusako Adachi, Assistant Manager Public Relations Office, Corporate Communications Department Victor Company of Japan, Limited (JVC) Tel: +81-(0)3-3289-1458 Fax: +81-(0)3-3289-0376 E-mail: ogata-toshiya@jvc-victor.jp, adachi-fusako@jvc-victor.jp URL: www.jvc.co.jp/english