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JVC Expands HD Everio Line with Three New Camcorders: GZ-HD40, GZ-HD30, and GZ-HD10 by David Kender Published on Jun 16, 2008 12:00 AM

	JVC GZ-HD40 live from Japanese press conference (note that this is a Victor product in Japan. US version will be released under the JVC name)

June 16, 2008 – JVC greatly expanded its high definition camcorder line-up today with the announcement of three new hard disk drive HD Everios. For the first time, the company joins the majority of camcorder manufacturers by allowing all new models to record in the AVCHD format. Two of the camcorders, the GZ-HD30 ($999 MSRP) and GZ-HD40 ($1299 MSRP), also record in the MPEG-2 TS format. The third, the GZ-HD10 ($799 MSRP), only records in AVCHD. All three feature a newly designed CMOS sensor, also a first from a manufacturer that traditionally uses a three-chip CCD array.

The JVC GZ-HD30, with an 80GB capacity (10 hours recording in highest quality), and GZ-HD40, with a 120GB capacity (6 hours recording in highest quality), are aimed at the higher-end user. They can capture in full 1920 x 1080 in either AVCHD at a maximum average of 17Mbps or MPEG-2 TS at a maximum 27Mbps. Video can also be recorded in any format to a microSDHC card (not included). Both camcorders utilize a new 2.68-megapixel 1/3-inch CMOS chip.

The technology for a single camcorder outputting in both MPEG-2 TS and AVCHD is new. The camcorders use a single processing chip that performs part of the processing (motion estimation and motion compensation, specifically) before performing the remaining functions of the selected compression.

The third camcorder, the GZ-HD10, is meant to compete with entry-level HD camcorders. It features a smaller, 1.84-megapixel 1/4-inch CMOS, can only record in 1440 x 1080 AVCHD to a 40GB hard disk drive. While performance has yet to be tested, the numbers suggest that it may have a hard time against closely priced models from Sony and Panasonic, which offer full 1920 x 1080.

Like all camcorders, there are multiple quality settings that dictate the average bitrate. However, in the new JVC camcorders, settings with a low average bitrate can still peak at the highest possible bitrate. For instance, the lowest quality setting, EP, records at an average 5Mbps but is capable of a maximum bitrate of 18Mbps. The bitrate will increase from the average when the sensor detects a scene with high detail. Sample footage at the press conference in side-by-side displays of AVCHD at 17Mbps (average) and 5Mbps (average) showed only a small increase in artifacting.

Using technology JVC debuted on the GZ-HD3, all the new HD Everios will offer 1080/60P output through HDMI. The progressive output is not native. Rather, it uses an upconverting process borrowed from Genessa engine in its HDTV line. Testing at CamcorderInfo.com showed that the upconversion did not actually increase resolution, but it could create smoother diagonal lines during playback.

Another new feature of the camcorders is a smart sorting system for clip organization called "Intelligent Grouping." When you hit the Sort button, clips are organized based on the timestamp and duration. Clip sorting has become an increasingly popular feature on hard disk drive camcorders, as it can be difficult to find specific clips on huge hard drive. Recently, Sony has debuted another sorting feature based on its face recognition technology.

The GZ-HD40 and GZ-HD30 feature a 2.8-inch LCD (207,000 pixels) and a 10x F/1.8 – 2.2 Konica Minolta HD lens. The GZ-HD10 has a 2.7-inch LCD (123,000 pixels) with a 10x F/1.8 – 2.5 Konica Minolta HD lens. All three camcorders offer an accessory shoe, microphone input, HDMI, USB, AV-out, component-out, and microSD card slot. The GZ-HD10 loses a headphone-out found on the other two models.

All models are capable of recording still images to either hard disk drive or microSD. The GZ-HD40 and GZ-HD30 have a maximum resolution of 2432 x 1368. The GZ-HD10 has a maximum resolution of 1920 x 1080.

The GZ-HD40 also ships with a docking station that includes USB, AV-out, component-put, and Firewire (IEEE1394).

The GZ-HD40 retails for $1299 MSRP, the GZ-HD30 for $999 MSRP, and the GZ-HD10 for $799 MSRP. All are expected to ship in August 2008.

	JVC GZ-HD40 ($1299.95 MSRP)	JVC GZ-HD30 ($999.95 MSRP)	JVC GZ-HD10 ($799.95 MSRP)
Image Sensor	1/3-inch CMOS, 2.68 MP		1/4.5-inch CMOS, 1.84 MP
Format	AVCHD H.264/Dolby Digital (AC3) 2 Ch MPEG-2 TS/MPEG-1 Audio Layer II		AVCHD H.264/Dolby Digital (AC3) 2 Ch
Record Modes	AVCHD: 1920 x 1080, XP (17 Mbps), SP (12 Mbps), EP (5 Mbps) MPEG-2 TS: FHD (1920 x 1080 VBR, 26.6 Mbps) 1440CBR (27 Mbps)		AVCHD: 1440 x 1080, XP (17 Mbps), SP (12 Mbps), EP (5 Mbps)
Aperture Range	f/1.8-2.2		f/1.8-2.5
Focal Length	4.5-45mm (35mm Equivalent: 50-500mm)		3.2-32mm (35mm Equivalent: 4.2-422mm)
Filter Diameter	43mm
Zoom	10x Optical, 200x Digital
HDD Capacity	120GB	80GB	40GB
Max Record Times	15 hr. (XP), 21 hr. (SP), 50 hr. (EP), 10 hr. (FHD), 10 hr. (1440CBR)	10 hr. (XP), 14 hr. (SP), 33 hr. (EP), 6 hr. (FHD), 6 hr. (1440CBR)	5 hr. (XP), 7 hr. (SP), 16 hr. (EP),
LCD Screen	2.8-inch color, 207,000 pixels		2.7-inch color, 123,000 pixels
Connectivity	HDMI output, USB mini-connector, AV output terminal, Component output, MicroSD card slot, Microphone input, DC-in, Headphone output, Accessory Shoe (iLINK on GZ-HD40 Docking Station)		HDMI output, USB mini-connector, AV output terminal, Component output, MicroSD card slot, Microphone input, DC-in, Accessory Shoe
Dimensions	73 x 68 x 123mm (2-7/8 x 2-11/16 x 4-7/8 in.)	71 x 68 x 123mm (2-13/16 x 2-11/16 x 4-7/8 in.)
Weight	540g (1.2 lb.)	525g (1.16 lb.)	475g (1.05 lb.)