JVC Abandons Vertical Matchbox Style with New GR-DF430, GR-DF450 and GR-DF550

by Robin Liss
Published on Jan 3, 2005 3:30 PM



Of the 6 models which JVC has introduced at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, three of the models fit into their Ultra-Compact line. The GR-DF430 (Specs, ), GR-DF450 (Review, Specs, $329) and GR-DF550 (Review, Specs, $349) are all each utilize a brand new body style for JVC, and a dramatic move by the company to abandon the vertical matchbox style camcorder format which their pioneered. The MiniDV Ultra-Compact camcorders are aimed at a slightly more expensive market than the Compact camcorders which JVC also announced today.

JVC Camcorder Spec Sheets
GR-DF430
GR-DF450
GR-DF550

"We chose to go another way, for the conventional camcorder holder. This is so small now," stated Alan Holland, JVC's National Product Manager for Camcorders in an interview with CamcorderInfo.com. The new Ultra-Compact models feature a cube design that is very similar to the design introduced by Panasonic and Sony in 2004. This is a big departure for JVC, which has been firmly behind the vertical matchbox style camcorder for many years. The vertical matchbox style camcorder is different than the standard style because the camcorder is much taller than it is long or wide. The matchbox style camcorder is designed to be held with one hand typically held out away from the shooter's body. The proportions of the camcorder are similar to a book of matches stood on it's smallest side.. They have been popular because of their compact size when compared to standard horizontal style camcorders.

"This is for the customer who is looking for performance that wants the low light recording capability, that wants the mic input, that wants small compact. For the DF550 for the customer that wants that all in one concept," stated Holland.

All three camcorders feature 15 x optical zooms with 2.5 in. LCD screens. They also each have web camera functionality, a new EZ grip handle, and JVC's Night Alive ultra low light shooting mode. The NightAlive feature is JVC's ultra-low light shooting mode, which produces a video signal when a camcorder would normally see next to nothing. JVC is emphasizing the full color potential of their Night Alive "I don't want to be looking like the Persian Gulf War and all that, I want to see my full child in color," said Holland referring to the green color cast which characterizing the night mode of Sony, although Holland did not mention Sony by name.

Unlike the lower JVC models, the GR-DF430, GR-DF450 and GR-DF550 are keeping JVC's popular 3D Noise Reduction Technology. The 3D noise reduction technology is credited as greatly improving the low light performance of JVC's camcorders last year, and helped them win acclaim by this publication. All of the JVC 2005 models including the GR-DF430, GR-DF450 and GR-DF550 have a Firewire jack, and analog and S-Video inputs. However, the GR-DF430, GR-DF450 and GR-DF550 add S-Video and Analog out which also allows them to have analog to digital pass-through capability. Unlike the 2005 GR-D250 (Review, Specs, ) (Review, Specs, $299), GR-D270 (Review, Specs, $379.99) and GR-D295 (Specs, ) the Ultra-Compact camcorders have an accessory shoe - however their shoe is cold.

The GR-DF430 features a 1/6 in. 680K pixel gross CCD with 340K effective pixels for video. The GR-DF430 does not include a memory card slot and can only record digital stills to tape. The GR-DF450 adds an SD card slot for saving 1,024 x 768 pixel resolution digital stills to. The GR-DF550 upgrades the CCD to a 1/4 in. 1.33 Megapixel CCD with four image settings including a maximum resolution of 1,600 x 1,200 pixels.

The GR-DF550 also features JVC's Megabrid processor which the company states separates the video and still image processing for the camcorder. Most hybrid still / video camcorders have difficulties processing digital stills because a video CCD is not designed to perform like a still image CCD. According to the JVC press release "Megabrid technology assures high sensitivity and a high signal-to-noise ratio for video and clear, high resolution progressive still images."

All three camcorders feature JVC's new Live Slow feature which gives real-time slow motion for one second of video, aimed at users shooting sports events. The camcorders also feature JVC's new Data Battery functionality which allows the camcorder's battery to communicate it's remaining life to the camcorder which is then displayed on screen.

Noticeably absent from the JVC 2005 MiniDV model line is any camcorder priced over $700, with just one model, their GR-DZ7 priced around $700 and no MiniDV model priced higher. It is clear that JVC's consumer division is now only concentrating on the low end budget camcorder market. In 2004, their most expensive consumer model was priced at $800. It appears that JVC has been unable to compete with Canon, Sony and Panasonic in the above $600 - $1,000 camcorder price range. However, the company is not completely absent from the price range. They are attacking it with a new strategy with their Everio camcorders the GZ-MC200 (Specs, $719) and GZ-MC100 priced at $999 and $1,099 respectively, which were introduced in September. The Everio camcorder completely abandons tape based recording for an alternative media recording solution recording to SD cards and Compact Flash microdrives. While it is too early the judge the success of the Everio line, early reports are that the camcorder is selling very well.

The GR-DF430, GR-DF450 and GR-DF550 will be available in March 2005. The GR-DF430 will be available for $499.95, the GR-DF450 will be available for $549.95 and the GR-DF550 will be available for $599.95.