JVC Everio GZ-HD6 Camcorder Reviewby David KenderPublished on Mar 20, 2008 9:28 PM 
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Compression (6.0)
The JVC GZ-HD6 (Review, Specs, Recent News, $0.00) compresses video in the MPEG-2 Transport Stream (MPEG-2 TS) format. JVC did not invent this format, though it is the only consumer camcorder manufacturer to implement it. There are two competing HD formats, HDV and AVCHD. HDV is an older tape-based format, not long for this world. Though image quality is very high, consumer demand for non-tape media is higher. Sorry, HDV.
AVCHD is the chosen HD format for Sony, Panasonic, and Canon. Its compatibility with editing software has increased dramatically in the last year, securing itself as the format of choice for the near future.
Why MPEG-2 TS, then? JVC has stated a commitment to MPEG-2. That’s all we could figure. It was the company to release the first consumer HD camcorder (the GR-HD1) in 2004, then abandoned the field for years. They returned in 2007 with the GZ-HD7 (Review, Specs, Recent News, $0.00) (Review, Specs, Recent News, $1529) Everio using the MPEG-2 TS format and have stuck with it so far.
In its highest quality, FHD, the GZ-HD5 and GZ-HD6 record in 1920 x 1080 at an average 26.6 Mbps. The next highest quality, SP, records 1920 x 1080 at an average 19 Mbps. Then LP quality records 1920 x 1080 at an average 11.1 Mbps. The camcorders have an alternate constant bit rate mode called 1440 CBR that records at 1440 x 1080 at a fixed 27 Mbps. This last setting is HDV compatible, and can be mixed and matched in an editing timeline with HDV footage from other camcorders.
There is no standard definition recording option.
Media (8.25)
The GZ-HD6 is equipped with an internal, non-removable 120GB hard disk drive (HDD). This is tied with the Sony HDR-SR12 (Review, Specs, $1529) for the largest hard drive of the year. Both manufacturers made step-down models that are identical in most respects except capacity. Sony offers the HDR-SR11 (Specs, $1529) and JVC has the GZ-HD5, both with 60GB HDDs.
A 120GB capacity is no joke. Here’s what that means in minutes:
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Quality
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JVC GZ-HD5 |
JVC GZ-HD6 |
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FHD
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300
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600
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SP
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420
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840
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LP
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720
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1440
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1440 CBR
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300
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600
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There is an inherent danger of complacency that comes from a generous 120GB, however. If you don’t back up regularly and the camcorder takes a bad fall or goes for a swim, there goes all your memories. At least tapes and DVD require you to change them regularly.
For some reason, JVC decided to switch the card slot from SD/SDHC to microSD, a format most closely associated with cell phones. Granted, you probably won’t have much need for a card with a 120GB capacity, but cards are useful for recording still photos. Many TVs have plug-and-play card slots for this very purpose, but they’re almost always for SD/SDHC and never microSD. When you buy a microSD card, they often come with an adapter to fit into SD slots. The largest microSD card we could find was 4GB, versus 32GB SDHC cards.
The microSD card slot on the botton of the JVC GZ-HD6
JVC will be happy to sell you one of its Everio Share Station standalone DVD burners. These connect directly to the camcorder and don’t require an intermediary computer. Otherwise, you could just connect the camcorder to a computer and use the included software to back up to another hard drive or DVDs.
Editing (4.0)
Working with the MPEG-2 TS files produced by the JVC GZ-HD6 is less than ideal. Consider the fact we’ve found several lengthy documents online with tutorials on this specific subject. JVC has confirmed there is no software at this time that works with the raw files from the camcorder, though there should be something this spring from Pinnacle. When directly transported to the computer via the USB cable, only the included software works correctly with the video clips. You can then use the software to convert them to more common file types that will work with the NLE of your choice.
There is a simple work-around, though, that works in many cases. After you’ve imported the files to your computer, simply make a manual change of the file extension from .TOD to .M2T. This is not surefire for compatibility with all NLEs, so you may want to make a copy of the file, then change the extension.
Included with the camcorder is a fairly robust bundle of programs: CyberLink PowerCinema NE for Everio Ver1.1, PowerProducer 4 NE, and PowerDirector 6 NE (all PC software). For Macs, JVC includes a QuickTime component for Everio. With this software, a PC user will be able to string together a simple movie and output it to DVD for the whole family to enjoy.