JVC Announces New Hybrid SD Card/HDD Standard Definition Everios for 2007by John NeelyPublished on Jan 7, 2007 7:00 AM 
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January 7, 2007 – JVC launched a brand new lineup of Everio HDD-based camcorders at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, this morning. The four new models join the Everio G Series and include improvements to picture quality with resolutions up to 5.37 MP, better ease-of-use, and hybrid SDHC memory card video recording in addition to the 30GB HDD. The flagship model is the GZ-MG555 priced at a MSRP of $899.95. It replaces the GZ-MG505 from 2006, a camcorder that scored highly in Camcorderinfo.com's testing. The Everio line for 2007 also includes the entry-level GZ-MG130 (Review, Specs, $467.95) at $499.95, the $599.95 GZ-MG155, and the $699.95 GZ-MG255. All are launching in February.
The addition of SDHC Memory Card video recording to the 2007 Everio line adds increased versatility to JVC's line by offering both the capacity advantages of HDD recording and compatibility with SDHC removable memory cards. In addition to SDHC video recording, JVC has upgraded the image processor. All new Everios feature the Gigabrid engine which the company says improves the signal-to-noise ratio over previous Everios by about 30 percent.
The new Everios provide new in-camera editing allowing users to cut portions of a given video clip. This Partial Delete function is analogous to non-linear editing and takes advantage of the random access nature of HDD and SDHC media. Organization and playlist functions such as Event Selection - a categorization feature - have been carried over from last year's models.
New features on this year's Everios include Everio Docking stations that are similar to Sony's Handycam stations. JVC's iteration of the dock enables users to place a camcorder into the docking station. The Everio Docking station can then be connected to a PC or Everio Share Station. The Everio dock also charges the camcorder’s battery. A one-touch Direct DVD button enables easy archiving of video to DVD and Direct Back-Up which automates the process of backing up newly shot video footage to a PC or storage device. All Everios will ship with a docking station except the GZ-MG130. Each Everio Docking station includes a Firewire, USB, S-Video Out, and A/V out ports.
The main differences between these new Everios are in still performance, CCD size, optical zoom, inclusion of Docking stations, and manual exposure options. Please stay tuned for our First Impression reviews that will include an explication of these differences.
JVC has also included i.LINK (IEEE 1394) output via the Everio dock; this is a move that sets these HDD hybrid camcorders apart from previous Everios. It will make importing to NLE (non-linear editing) programs easier. The GZ-MG555 is slated to hit store shelves in the U.S. in March, while the GZ-MG130 is scheduled for a January release. Both mid-range models, the GZ-MG155 and the GZ-MG255 will be available in the U.S. in February.