JVC GRDVM80U MiniDV Digital Camcorder with Built-in Digital Still Mode

Rating:
Summary: Very sensitive to tape brand - it turns your camara useless
Review: Do not buy a JVC camcorder!!! - Just a couple of months after buying a JVC GRDVM80U an "E04" error start popping in th screen. Apparently the machinery is very sensitive to tapes lubricants and other compounds. Cleaning the head is not enough - the camara just becomes useless (Well, you can probably fix it for $350, but then it will break down again soon) Search the web for "E04 JVC" and you'll know how frequent and fustrating this error is - and I was surprised to learn it is not restricted to this model. JVC just ignores the problem and blames the tape manufacturers. It might function as an average camera if you are willing to give up using a tape ... and recording.

Rating:
Summary: Very sensitive to tape brand - it turns your camara useless
Review: Do not buy a JVC camcorder!!! - Just a couple of months after buying a JVC GRDVM80U an "E04" error start popping in th screen. Apparently the machinery is very sensitive to tapes lubricants and other compounds. Cleaning the head is not enough - the camara just becomes useless (Well, you can probably fix it for $350, but then it will break down again soon) Search the web for "E04 JVC" and you'll know how frequent and fustrating this error is - and I was surprised to learn it is not restricted to this model. JVC just ignores the problem and blames the tape manufacturers. It might function as an average camera if you are willing to give up using a tape ... and recording.

Rating:
Summary: Not worth the savings
Review: I bought this one, and then returned it a month later. The main reason is that the GR-DVM90U is about the same price, and there are two features that are well worth the upgrade to the 90U. The first is the memory card for digital stills. The 80U doesn't have it -- digital stills are stored on the Mini-DV cassette. This is incredibly inconvenient. The second feature is a flash for digital stills. It makes a huge difference, and I have taken some pretty good quality stills with my new 90U. If you already have a digital camera, and don't want to use this camcorder for stills, the 80U is OK. However, if you want to use it for stills, it's well worth it to upgrade to the 90U.

Rating:
Summary: Not worth the savings
Review: I bought this one, and then returned it a month later. The main reason is that the GR-DVM90U is about the same price, and there are two features that are well worth the upgrade to the 90U. The first is the memory card for digital stills. The 80U doesn't have it -- digital stills are stored on the Mini-DV cassette. This is incredibly inconvenient. The second feature is a flash for digital stills. It makes a huge difference, and I have taken some pretty good quality stills with my new 90U. If you already have a digital camera, and don't want to use this camcorder for stills, the 80U is OK. However, if you want to use it for stills, it's well worth it to upgrade to the 90U.

Rating:
Summary: Tape incompatibility!
Review: I got the camcorder about a month ago but only spend about 2 weeks with it because it was in the repair shop most of the time. It seems that this camcorder is incompatible with TDK tapes. There were no mention of it anywhere in the manual or in the packaging. They should at least include a recent updated notice on the problem. After using the TDK tape for 15 minutes, the picture became distorted and the message "Head cleaning required" appeared. I took it to the shop and the technician said the video heads were damage and need to be replaced. After calling JVC on the phone, they told me alot of people had call in about the same problem. I'm surprised no one mention it in their reviews or I would have stay away from the TDK tapes.

Rating:
Summary: Great deal on very good dual purpose camera.
Review: I've had the 50U for 3 years and it has never disappointed me. It is compact, rugged and handsome. The quality of the movies is excellent (mini DVs), and the quality of the still pictures is good (though not as good as any of the >2 megapixel cameras available). The drawbacks, as I see them, are the expense of the media (the mini DVs for film and the MultiMediaCards for stills are about the most expensive choices around), the limited still photo resolution (yields slightly grainy 5 x 7s), a fairly noisy motor, and an eyepiece cover that tends to allow blowing dirt or sand to enter the optics more frequently than I'd like. Nonetheless, the 80U, adding image stabilization, makes this camera an all-around winner, and at this price too good a deal to pass up.

Rating:
Summary: Very Good Camera for the price
Review: lots of features and a simple remote which can operate most of the features.
Not a bad little camera, the size is the biggest plus. I got this camera to take videos and snapshots of my new baby for the relatives. The camera is very good for well lit videos, but as with most of the DVM series, the low light filming is not very good. Transfer to PC is pretty quick using the firewire port. I use Ulead Video software that came with my firewire card, and not the JVC software.

Rating:
Summary: Good Camera Not So Great Still Picture Quality
Review: My friend owns a JVC GR DVM80U and says it takes terrible still pictures but excellent motion video the still picture's the camera takes are extremely low resolution (blurry, hardly any detail pixels noticeble). After he bought this camera he had to go out and buy a digital camera. Which was about 100% better still image qaulity overall this camera is good but if you are looking for a motion video/still camera you will have to wait longer.

Rating:
Summary: Great buy for the money !!! Be in the movies!!!
Review: This is a great buy, especially at 42% off list price. It is compact and user friendly. The number of features, add-ons such as editing software, cables, etc. is more than you get with any other camera. I looked at the JVC vs. the Sony line and chose JVC for value --- after having a Sony Hi-8mm camcorder before. It's a great digital camcorder to get started with, and probably for most the only camcorder they need.

Rating:
Summary: Good for Money
Review: Well to start off....this is an amazing Camcorder. It blows everything away by its size and weight. It also is great because it has a built in Still camera in it. Since u can transpher them to ur computer with included software,u will never need to develop another picture again. No more trips to ekerds or local drug store. Since it has a 10X optical hyper zoom,and 200X Zoom with spline interpolation...u wil never get fuzzy photos.But my favorite thing about this camera is slow motion.....and that u can take sequence photos to. If u have the money this is a great camera for any who needs a camera/Camcorder.