Top JVC Everio GZ-HD40 Camcorder Reviews

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Camcorder Summary:
The JVC Everio GZ-HD40 is a full HD camcorder that can record in both AVCHD and MPEG-2 formats to an 120GB internal hard disk drive. The camcorder can record up to 50 hours of full HD video in the AVCHD format. The GZ-HD40 features JVC’s HD Gigabrid video engine, focus assist, manual settings, 10x optical zoom, and a 2.68 megapixel 1/3" image sensor. It will be available in August for $1,299.

JVC Everio GZ-HD40 News Release Summary:
New JVC HD Everio line includes world’s first 50-hour AVCHD camcorder and dual-format models.

Two new HD models offer both AVCHD and MPEG-2 recording

WAYNE, NJ, June 16, 2008 – JVC has added three new high definition camcorders to its HD Everio line, including a pair of dual-format models, one of which records up to 50 hours of AVCHD Full HD video.

Two new models, the GZ-HD40 and GZ-HD30, are the world’s first AVCHD / MPEG-2 dual-format camcorders, allowing access to the superior long time compression afforded by AVCHD, as well as MPEG-2’s superior editing and post-production environment. Both offer 1920 x 1080 Full HD recording in both formats to a 120GB (GZ-HD40) or 80GB (GZ-HD30) internal hard disk drive. The third new model, the GZ-HD10, offers 1440 x 1080 recording in the AVCHD format to a 40GB hard drive.

Technologies behind the scenes include new CMOS imaging chips with interpolation technology, the HD Gigabrid Duo chip that includes codecs for AVCHD in all camcorders and MPEG-2 in the GZ-HD40 and GZ-HD30 as well as noise reduction technology, and 1920 x 1080/60P output for all camcorders via HDMI (V.1.3 with x.v.Color). Ease of use innovations include Intelligent Grouping, which sorts and groups together similar themed scenes for easier access, and Digest Playback, which creates a video montage of scenes, much like a “coming attractions” clip, when they’re burned to a DVD.

JVC provided the GZ-HD40 with a 120GB hard disk drive for up to 50 hours of AVCHD Full HD video recording, and a docking station to meet the requirements of the prosumer or high-end enthusiast.

All three of the new HD Everio camcorders can connect to the optionally available CU-VD50 Everio SHARE STATION with stand alone playback. The new HD Everios can also connect to the JVC CU-VD3 SHARE STATION to offer an even more cost-efficient archiving and playback solution. The combinations offer the world’s first PC-less solution for AVCHD and MPEG-2 burning and playback, with AVCHD DVD discs that can be shared with commonly available AVCHD compatible Blu-Ray players.

1920 x 1080 Full HD Recording
The GZ-HD40 and GZ-HD30 both have three AVCHD recording modes that all record Full HD 1920 x 1080 video. The only difference among modes is the bit rate, and while using the highest bit rate yields the highest quality results, the image quality is remarkable even using the lowest bit rate EP mode. And since 1920 x 1080 is truly native HDTV resolution, it requires no conversion on the part of the display device to show high definition images.

New CMOS Chips with Interpolation Technology
The image sensors used in the new HD Everio line are newly developed small size but high resolution 1/3” and 1/4.5” CMOS chips. This CMOS uses proprietary interpolation technology based on what JVC developed for its 3CCD cameras. This algorithm makes it possible to generate virtual pixel data from the red, green and blue physical pixels, thereby providing image information that actually surpasses what’s required for 1920 x 1080 Full HD imaging, or for 1440 x 1080 imaging in the GZ-HD10.

HD Gigabrid Duo Engine
JVC’s HD Gigabrid video engine, which processes in full 1920 x 1080 progressive video, was the result of years of experience in signal-processing technology, and uses five digital noise-reduction algorithms as well as signal processing to improve horizontal scan resolution by approximately 20 percent over JVC’s previous interlace technology, for an extremely clear and sharp image.

New this year with the HD Gigabrid Duo engine is its further advanced integration, adding the AVCHD codec (GZ-HD40/30/10), and incorporating all functions of the previous HD Gigabrid engine (including MPEG-2 codec for GZ-HD40/30), as well as the USB Host controller function for use with an Everio SHARE STATION.

1080p 60 Frame per second Progressive Output Function
Enabling output of a 1080p 60 fps progressive signal on all three models allows recordings to be enjoyed on high-end displays. Using the same high power Genessa technology as in JVC advanced displays, conversion to 1920 x 1080p at 60 fps provides seamless natural video, free of motion judder during fast action activities, jaggy lines on angles, and moiré patterns on fine detail when zooming. 1920 x 1080 HD discs played back from CU-VD50 SHARE STATION or via the camera from CU-VD3 SHARE STATION are also converted to 60 fps progressive.

HDMI (V.1.3. with x.v.Color)
The new JVC HD Everio camcorders record using x.v.Color technology. The universal standard xvYCC, known as x.v.Color, provides more accurate color reproduction with more detail and shades that look more natural to the human eye. It can display 100 percent of the colors that the human eye is capable of perceiving, whereas the traditional sRGB system can only display approximately 55 percent. The difference in color reproduction performance is especially noticeable in greens and yellows. These new HD Everio camcorders output to televisions directly using HDMI (V.1.3. with x.v.Color).

Extremely Quick Response, Designed for High Quality Shooting
JVC’s new HD Everio models minimize the risk of missing an important shot with faster response time for many operations. For instance, the time lag from pressing the trigger to the start of recording is only 0.08 seconds (trigger sound set to off). That is nearly instantaneous, and a great improvement over the more common 0.6 second delay. Likewise, the time it takes to power-on the unit has been reduced to 0.6 seconds, whereas competitive models may take over 1.5 seconds. And to play footage, it takes only 3.5 seconds to display the playback picture, which is about half the time required for other manufacturers’ products. These improvements can mean the difference between capturing a crucial shot or missing it.

In addition, JVC HD Everio camcorders include other functions that enhance convenience and quality: Hybrid HDD and MicroSD Recording;

1. Auto Light;
2. Focus Assist and Manual settings;
3. Simultaneous to Video Progressive Still Shooting;
4. Quick power off;
5. 2.8”/ (2.7” for GZ-HD10) Clear wide LCD with Auto Backlight Brightness;
6. Mic input and Accessory Shoe;
7. Direct Backup button;
8. In Camera File Editing (AVCHD).
9. Innovations in Ease of Use

JVC has equipped its new HD Everio models with new functions to enhance usability. First is the “Intelligent Grouping” function that at the touch of a button rapidly sorts through and categorizes the recordings stored on the camcorder’s hard disk into different groups. Up to 1,000 scenes can be grouped in three seconds or less. With scenes categorized, users will have faster and easier access to desired scenes, a real convenience as the hard drive fills up.

As an extension of this technology, “Digest Playback” automatically generates a video montage of just the highlight scenes when HD Everio recordings are copied to a DVD. This digest version of the disc contents, looking much like a coming-attractions clip, will help the viewer get a general idea of what the disc is about, saving precious time.

PC-less Archiving Using Exclusive DVD Burners
By connecting the GZ-HD40/HD30/HD10 directly to an optional CU-VD50 or CU-VD3 HD Everio SHARE STATION via USB, the user can burn 12cm AVCHD discs from all cameras, or MPEG-2 data discs from the GZ-HD40 and 30 to make backups and permanent archives of selected scenes in any desired order with just a few simple steps.

There are several options for selecting clips to be burned to disc — all clips, manually specified clips, clip files not yet copied, by date, video playlists created in-camera and comprised of multiple user-selected clips, or by event type for those clips that have been tagged with an icon representing an event category (e.g. birthday, baby, graduation, vacation, etc.).

Created AVCHD discs can be played on AVCHD compatible Blu-ray players. The CU-VD50 can also be used as an external DVD drive/burner when connected to a PC. The CU-VD50 plays back on a TV via HDMI in 1920 x 1080 60p and with x.v.Color, analog component and as well in standard definition video. The slim CU-VD3 offers the same burning features, but with playback via the camcorder.

Full Complement of Interfaces
All three models are equipped with USB2.0 and HDMI digital interfaces on the camcorder. The Docking Station supplied with the GZ-HD40 is equipped with USB2.0 and i.LINK (IEEE 1394).

USB is primarily for file saving, HDMI for digital viewing on large screen displays, and i.LINK streams high definition video in full resolution or the 1440CBR mode. High definition video streamed by i.LINK in the 1440CBR mode is HDV-compatible and allows footage to be edited using HDV-compatible software (functionality might be limited with some applications). HD recorded material is down-converted for output in DV over i.LINK, or in standard definition via the analog component/ composite output.

High Value Software Supplied
For editing and archiving via PC, the new HD Everio models come with the CyberLink BD Solution software suite for Windows. This includes “PowerDirector 6 NE” for HD video editing, “PowerProducer 4 NE” for authoring high definition Blu-ray discs, AVCHD discs and DVD-Video discs, “PowerCinema NE for Everio” for HD file management and playback, and “PowerDVD 7 NE” for playback of AVCHD discs.

The GZ-HD40/HD30 also come with a plug-in that allows HD Everio’s MPEG-2 files to be used with Apple iMovie HD 6 and Final Cut Pro 5 or 6 video software for the Macintosh. For all camcorders, AVCHD files can be used with Apple's AVCHD applicable software without a plug-in for the Macintosh.

Model Information
GZ-HD40 $1,299.95 August