Optical Image Stabilization Defect

The Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) feature on the GZ-HD7 is not working on my camera and from what I've read on the internet its not working for alot of other GZ-HD7 owners either.

I've been in contact with JVC for a week now about the OIS issue. The first time I called JVC the support technician obviously knew nothing about this problem. It wasn't until I requested a higher level support technician that I started getting some answers.

The 2nd level support technician told me that JVC is aware of consumer complaints about the OIS not working and they are analyzing the problem and will reach a solution by the end of the month. According to him, JVC is collecting information to see if specific serial numbers have the OIS problem or if its all of the cameras. They are also talking to the engineers from what I remember talking to him. I believe its only specific cameras because camercorderinfo actually gave it a descent rating for image stabilization and some owners claim that their camera's OIS is working.

I called back a few days later to speak to them again just to see if I could get some more information and convince them that this is indeed a problem that needs to be fixed ASAP. I explained to them they better have a solution fast or I'm returning the unit real soon.

Here's where it gets interesting. The support technician asked me to hold so he could get their GZ-HD7 camcorder that they had there in the call center. When he came back he told me he would try turning the OIS off then on too see if there was any visible difference. I was put on hold again for 2 mintues while he operated the camera testing the OIS feature. He came back on the line and actually agreed with me that there is no visible difference with OIS on or off. Their camera they had in there own tech support call center didn't even have a working OIS feature!!! THEY KNOW THIS IS A PROBLEM.

I'm begging that everyone that owns this camera and has this problem to please contact JVC customer support at 1-800-252-5722 and let them know. If the first guy on the phone try's telling you its not a problem then ask to speak to the next level support technician. Tell them you want it fixed or your returning it. JVC will only fix this if they hear about it from enough consumers. :(

Well, I recieved my official answer back from JVC today. As far as JVC is concerned there is nothing wrong with the Optical Image Stabilization of the GZ-HD7 and they have no plans to recall this product to improve or fix its current level of function. They are basically denying that there is anything wrong with it.

This is a brief snynopsis of my conversation with the JVC support technician. I answered my phone and first he said, "...I understand you have some concerns with your GZ-HD7 camcorder." I said yes and explained to him that the OIS feature on their camcorder is inferior to every other model on the market including their own lower end camcorders. I then, asked him if he had tested this feature to see for himself what I was talking about and he said he had and agreed the OIS is not very noticeable. I then asked him if JVC is planning to do anything about this and he said, "....no, JVC has no plans to improve or fix the OIS on the GZ-HD7." He then apologized for my dissatisfaction with the camera and said that he could pass my concerns onto the Engineering Department. He then offered a free T-Shirt for my troubles. WTF!!!???? A FREE T-SHIRT?? That was the straw that broke that camels back for me. Like offering me a free damn T-Shirt is somehow going to make the OIS issue go away. I told him that was the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. I really question whether this is begin taken seriously by JVC. I think JVC just assumes we are just a bunch of idiots.

I hope this stands as a fair warning to anyone considering buying this camcorder or any JVC product. As for me, I plan to never buy another JVC product ever. I expect a company to stand by it's product and if not then I'm taking my business elsewhere.

In conclusion, I'll be returning my GZ-HD7 and buying the Canon HV-20. The Canon may not be as sexy as the GZ-HD7 but at least it can get the job done.

Returned my camcorder becouse of none working ois. The shop I returned it to called and talked with some product manager here in sweden.
And the reason that person gave for none working ois was that apparantly the mecanics of the ois makes noise that is recorded when shooting.
Cause of that they have more or less disabled the ois.

Don't know if it's true or not but sounds like an possible explanation.

Returned my camcorder becouse of none working ois. The shop I returned it to called and talked with some product manager here in sweden.
And the reason that person gave for none working ois was that apparantly the mecanics of the ois makes noise that is recorded when shooting.
Cause of that they have more or less disabled the ois.

Don't know if it's true or not but sounds like an possible explanation.

If they /have/ disabled (totally) OIS and still sell it as having OIS, you have a law-suit...

If, OTOH, they have merely programmed the OIS to not move completely to the hardware stops to reduce thunking sounds, then you don't have a case.

OIS is basically designed to handle little things like finger twitches caused by one's pulse throbbing through one's fingers. It is not designed to smooth out motion from a routine walk. For the latter, Steadicam/Glidecam equipment exists -- these use counterweights and/or spring loaded support arms to add inertial mass to the camera, minimizing the tendency of sudden jumping moves and tilts.

Unfortunately, IS is needed because these cameras ARE so small and lightweight. A larger, shoulder rest style (my former RCA full-size VHS camera -- actually seemed to weigh less than my Optura 40 -- had enough support surface (shoulder under the battery/tape compartment, right hand under the lens, and cheek against the side) that it was pretty much locked into place.

It definitely is not totally disabled. It makes a difference, just nowhere near what is expected! It seems to struggle more with the finger pulse tiny movements than some larger ones, which seems the wrong way around.

My conversation with JVC was different. They said it was due to the weight of the lens being a 1.8-1.9 and trying to keep the camera size down. I don't know which is true. I find it hard to believe it is because of recording noise, because then they could make it adjustable and leave it for us to choose. I would have expected a firmware update by now too if that were possible.

Interestingly the sony SR1 did not have optical stabilisation but relied on electronic. Perhaps JVC should have done the same. Some video editing software, such as PInnacle's Studio 11 does the equivalent of electronic stabilisation although I don't know how well they work as a post production tool.

Jonathan

It definitely is not totally disabled. It makes a difference, just nowhere near what is expected! It seems to struggle more with the finger pulse tiny movements than some larger ones, which seems the wrong way around.

My conversation with JVC was different. They said it was due to the weight of the lens being a 1.8-1.9 and trying to keep the camera size down. I don't know which is true. I find it hard to believe it is because of recording noise, because then they could make it adjustable and leave it for us to choose. I would have expected a firmware update by now too if that were possible.


Hmmm... Small stabilization motors with relatively massive moving optics could make it a bit sluggish to respond on smaller, high frequency, motions. Not quite what I'd have expected the design to be, either...

Doesn't sound like software could compensate...

The bottom line here is don't purchase this gz-hd7 camera. I waited for a long time for this camera and purchased it only to find JVC has screwed me. I can't take this thing anywhere as the OIS is not there.

Yes, I tested it at work, alongside with the MG255, the GS80, and the SR7, on 10x.

The best I say is the GS80, then the SR7, then the MG255, and lastly the HD7. The first three have a noticeable difference with the E/OIS on/off; the HD7 on the other hand looks like shooting with OIS off, when it is on. Well it works, but only when I am panning at seasickness speed.

:) :) I was worried reading some of the bad reviews about OIS and the tod files and I upgraded to the latest version of Power Director. I have to say that I have been pleasantly suprised. The image stabilizer is improved which does an incredible job of stabilizing the picture without loss of quality. If you do this dont get frustrated. It took about 5 minutes after I pulled the clip down to the timeline before it started playing back properly. I think it takes the program a minute to prepare the file for editing or something? Otherwise you hear the audio and see random clips of your film. Those of you who have tried this know what I mean. I also looked up the editing software review and Power Director 6 was actually #1 over Premiere Elements and Pinnacle. I was really upset for a while trying to figure this out but things seemed to turn out for the best and I don't regret this purchase anymore as I was getting really pi$$ed!! If you are thinking about buying this camera, I would. I experienced the same frustrations as everyone else on here you have read about and after the upgrade, those problems simply went away. It was about $89 and it was well worth it. Hope this helps some of you that are upset now and those of you who are thinking of buying this camera. The picture you get is worth the money!! The camera's OIS sucks but it is fixed very easy in the upgrade to Power Director.

I also looked up the editing software review and Power Director 6 was actually #1 over Premiere Elements and Pinnacle. What review would that be?



Rich

What review would that be?



Rich

The site was http://video-editing-software-review.toptenreviews.com/

I googled (video editing software reviews) and this came up for 2007. I'm not a video guru, but this seemed like a pretty unbiased site that gave positive comments about all of the top software. It wasn't a huge decision maker, but it made me feel a bit better.

:) :) I was worried reading some of the bad reviews about OIS and the tod files and I upgraded to the latest version of Power Director. I have to say that I have been pleasantly suprised. The image stabilizer is improved which does an incredible job of stabilizing the picture without loss of quality. If you do this dont get frustrated. It took about 5 minutes after I pulled the clip down to the timeline before it started playing back properly. I think it takes the program a minute to prepare the file for editing or something? Otherwise you hear the audio and see random clips of your film. Those of you who have tried this know what I mean. I also looked up the editing software review and Power Director 6 was actually #1 over Premiere Elements and Pinnacle. I was really upset for a while trying to figure this out but things seemed to turn out for the best and I don't regret this purchase anymore as I was getting really pi$$ed!! If you are thinking about buying this camera, I would. I experienced the same frustrations as everyone else on here you have read about and after the upgrade, those problems simply went away. It was about $89 and it was well worth it. Hope this helps some of you that are upset now and those of you who are thinking of buying this camera. The picture you get is worth the money!! The camera's OIS sucks but it is fixed very easy in the upgrade to Power Director.

Doc7,

I agreed with you the "PowerDirector6" is really very good software and it is very easy, I tried Sony's Vegas but I was not happy with it, Vegas maybe very good but it is not easy as PowerDirector 6.

And yes, you are right you can make your videos stable with "PowerDirector7", it has very unique feature to make your video more stable, and surprise it works great! Full marks to Cyberlink for this software and beside this feature there are so many good features it does have.

And OIS system works in JVC GZHD7, but it is less effective compare to others.

I would recomand every GZHD users to use "PowerDirector 6" for editing their videos, if they don't want to spend extra $80, then they can still use supplied "PowerDirector Express" which has image stabilizer feature, but "PowerDirectoer 6" has some more features and it is worthy to buy, it is not expensive at all.

Rush

The site was http://video-editing-software-review.toptenreviews.com/
Regarding toptenreviews I would read starting in Post Number 6 in this thread: http://www.camcorderinfo.com/bbs/t121938.html

My comments are in Post Number 7 and 9 of that thread.

PowerDirector can be good software. I just do not trust toptenreviews.com



Rich

Regarding toptenreviews I would read starting in Post Number 6 in this thread: http://www.camcorderinfo.com/bbs/t121938.html

My comments are in Post Number 7 and 9 of that thread.

PowerDirector can be good software. I just do not trust toptenreviews.com



Rich

Rich,

Thanks for the link, I would still say "PowerDirector 6" is really very good software, it is very easy to use, off course we can't compare this software with Sony’s Vegas and other premium software since it is very less price compare to Sony's Vegas. With the price of just $80 is very good buy.

And PowerDirector could be slow and I guess reason is that maybe the computer’s processor, if it is old then it is sure the software will take much time, but with me I don’t have this problem since I have very powerful Dell Laptop.

GZHD7’ OIS problem we can sort out with PowerDirector, I always use that feature so my videos look more stable!

Rush

Regarding toptenreviews I would read starting in Post Number 6 in this thread: http://www.camcorderinfo.com/bbs/t121938.html

My comments are in Post Number 7 and 9 of that thread.

PowerDirector can be good software. I just do not trust toptenreviews.com



Rich

Rich,

I was figuring you wee going to say that about the review. I took the review with a grain of salt anyway. It just made me feel better to see that power director was even "on the map" for editing software. And with the TOD file incompatibilty, HD7 users are slim on options. You can convert the files in Power Director to MPEG-2 but from what I hear in user reviews is that you lose quality when yo do this. Like I said, I'm no master at this, but PD6 solved major problems with very little expense. Hopefully in the future some of the more elite editing software will work with TOD files- that would be nice. Thanks to you and Rush for the update. If any neat stuff comes out that is compatible with the TOD files please keep me posted. Thanks again!!

Chad

Doc7,

I agreed with you the "PowerDirector6" is really very good software and it is very easy, I tried Sony's Vegas but I was not happy with it, Vegas maybe very good but it is not easy as PowerDirector 6.

And yes, you are right you can make your videos stable with "PowerDirector7", it has very unique feature to make your video more stable, and surprise it works great! Full marks to Cyberlink for this software and beside this feature there are so many good features it does have.

And OIS system works in JVC GZHD7, but it is less effective compare to others.

I would recomand every GZHD users to use "PowerDirector 6" for editing their videos, if they don't want to spend extra $80, then they can still use supplied "PowerDirector Express" which has image stabilizer feature, but "PowerDirectoer 6" has some more features and it is worthy to buy, it is not expensive at all.

Rush

Thanks Rush!

Do you use power director 6 all of the time, or do you convert? I dont have a Blu Ray burner yet so I am burning DVDs. When I upgrade, will Power director recognize the new drive or will I have to reconfigure it. Thanks Man.

Chad

Thanks Rush!

Do you use power director 6 all of the time, or do you convert? I dont have a Blu Ray burner yet so I am burning DVDs. When I upgrade, will Power director recognize the new drive or will I have to reconfigure it. Thanks Man.

Chad

Chad,

Yes, I have to use "PowerDirector 6" since I have that only with me, and I bought "PowerDVD Ultra" also which is able to play "Blue Ray" and "HD DVD".

See if you want to make BD then you don't need to buy "PowerDirector 6", you can use supplied Cyber link BD Solution. Supplied "PowerDirector Express" has BD creator and also has Image Stabilize function as well, but it has limited features, and if you want all features then you have to buy "PowerDirector 6" otherwise you are fine, you can use supplied "PowerDirector Express".

In "PowerDirector 6" you can't make BD, if you want to make BD then you have to use supplied "PowerDirector Express".

First edit your vides with “PowerDirector 6” and save it and then use supplied BD solution to create BD.

Rush

PowerDirector is not doing anything for stabalization! Why would it?

Looking at the LCD/VF with OIS on or off isn't the same as seeing your footage after editing on your HDTV. Checking at the store is not a good way of checking OIS.

At 3X -- which is an astounding 160mm zoom -- the OIS is acceptable. Anyone zooming more than that should be using a tripod!

This issue is way over-blown -- by those who are point and shoot newbies. Folks have gotten into using OIS to shoot from the sidelines. Get in close as a pro would do.

Tele should almost never be used. Wide is where HD really looks good.

PowerDirector is not doing anything for stabalization! Why would it?

Steve Mullen,

I am sure you are right but I am using "PowerDirector 6" and I always use Video Stabilizer for shaky video and it works very good believe me but it is true!

If you have not tried it then you must see how it works! For me it is good my videos look far better, and you must have gone through my posted videos, you must have noticed my videos look very stable!

Rush

I always use Video Stabilizer for shaky video and it works very good believe me but it is true!

What is Video Stabilizer?

The JVC's bundled PowerDirector or PowerProducer crashed immediately so I removed it.

What is Video Stabilizer?

The JVC's bundled PowerDirector or PowerProducer crashed immediately so I removed it.

“Video Stabilizer” is one feature which is available with supplied Cyber link software; you can make your video stable with this feature! And it did works well for me.

You wrote “The JVC's bundled PowerDirector or PowerProducer crashed immediately so I removed it”. I do not understand what you want to say?

This means you uninstall the software? It is working really very nice with me. I have no problem.

Rush

What is Video Stabilizer?

The JVC's bundled PowerDirector or PowerProducer crashed immediately so I removed it.

I almost removed it too. Power Director Express (came with the camera) was not very impressive to me at all. I upgraded to PD 6 (about $89) and it looks the same, and has more options, but works beautifully. When you drag your clip down, you click on it then click the icon (magic somthing.. i forget) and in a couple of seconds it takes away all of the "user shake" even if zoomed 10x where the shake is obviosly much worse. I don't have any idea how it works, but it works. I have been very impressed with this version of Power Director. It does almost everything you could want to do (without getting real fancy.) Obviosly there is other software that takes it to a whole other level but for the money, I have been extremely satisfied.

Chad

icon (magic somthing.. i forget) and in a couple of seconds it takes away all of the "user shake" even if zoomed 10x where the shake is obviosly much worse. I don't have any idea how it works, but it works.

Most likely by doing the equivalent of electronic image stabilization: steal some pixels from the border area to allow for shifting each frame relative to the one before, computing the minimum of frame-frame differences

And while we are on the subject of doctoring video one should try one of these new generation 120 hertz HD televisions that use motion vector interpolation technology to generate 120 unique video frames per second. This technology should do wonders to smooth out motion.

I appreciate what people are saying here in regards to software image stabilisation in post, I think we are getting away from Jakes initial point.

Whilst there is some great image stabilisation programs available, they still do not fix the fact that the OIS in the camera should work. We bought a camera that advertised that it had OIS, and the OIS just does not work. On my own HD7, the footage actually looks worse with the OIS switched on than it does when the OIS is switched off.

Cheers

Alister

I had the HD7 for several days shooting sporting events and do not like lugging around a tripod. THe shake was unacceptable so I sent it back and bought the Canon HV20. I liked the format and the setup of the JVC much better but the image and OIS on the Canon is much better right out of the box. I thought they would fix the HD7 by now but I guess hey are not going to attempt a fix since I bought mine several months ago.