JVC Everio GZ-HD300 Camcorder Review

Playback & Connectivity Summary
• Video playback controls and setup are standard • Connectivity options are limited, but the camcorder has the important video outputs (HDMI, AV-out, Component-out, and USB). • The camcorder offers the option of recording to MicroSD/SDHC memory cards.
	Handling & Use	(Page 10 of 17)	Audio & Other Features

Playback (6.5)

To enter into playback mode, push the button inside the LCD cavity.

Playback on the JVC GZ-HD300 is fairly standard fare for a consumer camcorder. There is an instant playback feature, which will let you view the last video or still recorded just by pressing the corresponding Laser Touch button on the LCD panel. You can also go into the camcorder's dedicated playback mode by pressing a small button inside the LCD cavity.

Within playback mode, video clips are displayed as a series of thumbnails. You can use the zoom toggle to view either six or twelve thumbnails at a time. Thumbnails can be grouped by date or by event. A Digest mode will play a series of short clips from each video.

In playback mode, videos are displayed as a simple series of thumbnails.		Playback of still images is nearly identical to that of videos.

During playback, the Laser Touch controls allow you to fast-forward, rewind, play/pause. The zoom toggle raises and lowers the playback volume. If you're operating the HD300 with its remote control, you can zoom in on the image with the remote control.

The menu during video playback is fairly limited.		And it's not much different during still playback.

There is also a setting within the menus that will allow you to more or less prepare a video for upload. Take any of your regularly recorded videos and trim the length you'd like to put on YouTube (or another video sharing site). This is slightly more complicated than pressing the Upload button in the LCD, but it's less restrictive. You can record a long videos, then simply select the portion you want to upload later.

Connectivity (3.38)

The JVC GZ-HD300 doesn't have the plethora of connectivity options you'd find on most larger, high-end consumer camcorders. It has no headphone or mic jack, no accessory shoe, and it offers a MicroSD/SDHC card slot rather than the standard SD/SDHC. It does have your basic video outputs, however, like the HDMI and Component-out ports found inside the LCD cavity. These two ports are both uncovered, although the LCD panel provides them with protection when it is closed. On the right side of the camcorder, near the back, is a covered AV-out port. This is good to have if you plan on connecting the camcorder to a standard definition television.

The cavity is home to the exposed component AV and HDMI outputs, as well as a couple other buttons.		If you want to use just standard composite AV cables, there is a port for that too.

Moving over to the front of the camcorder, you'll find the HD300's USB port. It, like the AV-output, is covered by a rubberized piece of plastic that provides adequate protection. At the back of the camcorder, just above the battery compartment is the DC power input. All these ports are well-placed and easy to access.

The USB port is located on the right side, for when you want to connect the HD300 to your computer.		The DC power input is appropriately placed and lets simultaneously charge and record.

On the bottom of the camcorder is the HD300's MicroSD/SDHC card slot. Here, you can insert a MicroSD/SDHC card to give the camcorder the option of recording to memory card rather than its internal hard drive. While it is great to see a flash-memory option on the HD300, MicroSD cards are more expensive and harder to find than standard SD/SDHC cards.

The microSD/SDHC card slot comes in handy for transferring a couple quick photos or videos.

Below is a table listing the various connectivity features for the JVC GZ-HD300 and its three comparison models: