JVC GR-DX77 Camcorder Review

by Nathaniel Hansen
Published on Jun 3, 2004 6:00 PM



Video Performance (7.0)
The GR-DX77 includes a 1/6-inch 680K CCD and a 12x optical zoom lens. The JVC GR-DX77 performed well at light levels measuring 3000 lux. The color chart is in decent focus, and the colors and whites are generally vibrant and defined, albeit a little washed out. Users should be warned that the image recorded to the tape is not nearly as saturated as the image displayed on the LCD. The yellow tile is not as vibrant as one would hope, but is separate in hue from the green. The red center tile is not as richly saturated, but the blue and magenta tiles are decent. The blue is slightly purple in its hue, and the magenta is somewhat pink. The grayscales and white and black tiles are brilliant; the blacks are dense, the white tiles are very bright, and the gray tiles are separate and defined. To maintain a level of consistency among our tests, all the camcorders are tested in automatic mode.

The Front (7.0)
The front of the JVC GR-DX77 is simple and straightforward: lens on top, stereo microphone directly beneath. Three LEDs are situated horizontally below the mic, with the infrared remote sensor below them at the bottom. A port cover on the left of the front side hides the mic, USB, AV, and DC ports.

The Right Side (9.5)
The battery port and strap are the only features to be found on the right side of the JVC GR-DX77. The battery port can be opened using the small black switch at the bottom, beneath the strap. The battery is comparable in size to five stacked credit cards. The strap runs diagonally from the middle back to the bottom front of the right side, and is a good size. A small speaker is located on the right side, towards the front.

The Back (8.0)
The back of the JVC GR-DX77 is the control center for the camcorder. The color viewfinder, which can be extended out roughly one inch, is at the very top. Below the viewfinder are the photo button and record button, with the volume/zoom toggle and menu buttons parallel directly beneath, and the compass-like VCR playback/navigation keypad at the very bottom. Each of these buttons is labeled in gray either above or to the side of the actual button. The memory/video switch is on the lower left side of the back and could be considered a secondary mode switch. The Memory Card slot and its cover are at the very bottom of the back.

The Left Side (7.5)
The left side of the JVC GR-DX77 is home to the 2.5-inch LCD. This LCD, like that on the GR-DX97, is slightly unusual in comparison to other matchbook-style celebrity camcorder LCDs because it opens from the bottom up. When open, it is positioned higher on the left side of the JVC GR-DX77 than a traditional LCD would be. In the recessed area underneath the LCD, four small rectangular buttons (Email/Info, Select, Index/Navi, and Navi/Store) are accessible during memory card mode.

The mode/power slider switch is located at the front/top of the left side. The switch can be moved between 4 positions with Off somewhere in the middle. Above Off is the Play (VCR Playback) button, with Automatic mode directly beneath, and Manual Mode at the bottom. A small Power/Charge LED is positioned above the switch/slider. Towards the bottom of the left side, users can access the Firewire/DV port; however, the LCD must be open to flip out the port cover.

The Top(7.0)
The top of the JVC GR-DX77 features only a zoom toggle at the back. The rest of the surface is a shiny black plastic which is a little on the slick side. There is a slight ridge for gripping, but it is so slight that it's easily missed by both hand and eye.

Picture & Manual Control
Automatic Control (6.0)
As with the GR-DX97, automatic mode on the JVC GR-DX77 is very limiting, restricting all access to manual controls. Oddly, the menu button is totally obsolete in automatic mode. The two zoom toggles (on top and on the back), the Fast Forward/Light button (which activates the three-bulb LED on the front of the JVC GR-DX77) and the Photo and Record buttons are the only buttons that work in automatic mode. White balance, shutter speed, gain, focus, and exposure are all automatically adjusted in automatic mode. White balance was adjusted discreetly but slowly in automatic. Shutter speed, gain, and exposure were adjusted very quickly, however, and in the case of exposure, probably too quickly. In the end, automatic image adjustments are accurate and reliable on the JVC GR-DX77.

Overall Manual Control (6.0)
The JVC GR-DX97 offers a good deal of manual control over the image, provided the camcorder is in Manual mode. Shutter speed (program AE), white balance, exposure, and focus can all be adjusted manually. Access to the manual controls on the JVC GR-DX77 requires the camcorder be in manual mode, chosen using the mode switch slider at the front of the left side. Once in manual mode, users can press the menu button to access the manual settings which can then be selected from various options within menu.

Zoom (6.0)
The JVC GR-DX77 has a 12x optical zoom and 40x and 700x digital zoom settings. This is identical to the GR-DX97. The primary zoom toggle, on top of the camcorder, is easy to use and is shaped for adequate gripping. Three variable zoom speeds are easily achieved with the primary zoom toggle. The secondary zoom control is on the back, and is comprised by two buttons labeled T (telephoto) and W (wide angle). Only one zoom speed, a medium pace, is obtainable with this secondary zoom control. The buttons are easily accessible by the right thumb or the index finger of the opposite hand.

Focus (5.5)
Automatic and manual focus settings are available on the JVC GR-DX77. Manual focus can be accessed by pressing the Play/Pause button (labeled in gray as ''Focus'') and holding until the desired focal setting is achieved. This option makes focal adjustments rather quickly, but automatic focus might be less tedious if recording on the go. When the focus feature is in use, the user can press the fast-forward or rewind buttons on the Playback navigation panel to make any necessary focal adjustments, either towards the icon of the person or the icon of the mountains. Additionally, various focal lengths can be fixed or ''set'' by pressing the central button on the navigation key pad labeled ''set.'' To change the focal setting, users simply press the ''set'' button again and make the desired changes. To get out of manual focus mode, users press the Play/Pause/Focus button on the navigation keypad.

Exposure (Aperture) (4.5)
Manual exposure is accessible on the JVC GR-DX77 by pressing the Menu button on the back of the camcorder. Exposure settings of -6 to +6 are available and can be adjusted by pressing the fast-forward and rewind buttons on the navigation keypad. Users must go back into the menu to unset or reset the previously configured exposure. Unfortunately, there is no button outside of the menu that will allow access to the exposure feature.

Shutter Speed (3.0)
Manual shutter speeds of 1/60-1/4000 are available on the JVC GR-DX77. Additionally, Program AE options of Sports, Snow, Spotlight, Twilight, Sepia, Monotone, Classic Film, and Strobe are also available.

White Balance (7.0)
Auto, Manual, Fine, Cloud, and Halogen white balance options are available in manual mode on the JVC GR-DX77. Provided the mode switch/slider is in the manual position, the white balance feature can be selected from the menu displayed on the LCD.

Gain (0.0)
JVC GR-DX77 offers no specific manual gain control, although there are two automated settings: AGC (auto gain control) and Auto A. By pressing the menu button, users can navigate to the desired control using the Playback keypad, and then make selections by pressing the set button in the center. Both automated gain features electronically boost illumination, making the image appear brighter than it actually is. This feature is very obvious in the low light color chart image, boosting the overall brightness to a level nearly equal to the 60 lux chart and the 3000 lux chart.

Still Performance (6.5)
''Fine'' and ''standard'' image quality settings are available on the JVC GR-DX77. Image sizes of 640 x 480 and 1024 x 768 are also available. Still images can be recorded to tape or to card. Timed record settings (for time-lapse photography) of 15 seconds, 30 seconds, 1 minute, 2 minutes, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 30 minutes, and 60 minutes are available. The GR-DX77 includes a USB jack and cord for transfering digital stills from the camcorder to the computer. In a big drawback for stills, the camcorder does not ship with an SD card, though you should be able to pick up an 8 mb or 16 mb card for $30-$40.

VCR Mode (6.5)
When the mode switch slider is set to ''play,'' users can use the JVC GR-DX77 as a playback device, utilizing the standard VCR playback buttons located on the navigation keypad. The JVC GR-DX77 can be used with the LCD facing out and recessed; however, finding and pressing the Playback keypad might be a bit of a challenge.

Low Light Performance (4.5)
Similar to the image at 3000 lux, at 60 lux overall image brightness and color representation is maintained. There is some grain and noise evident at 60 lux, due in part to the automatic gain control. The image is a little out of focus, more so than at 3000 lux, and there is a good deal of blurring and discoloration on the resolution bars. Overall, the colors are very much the same as at 3000 lux. Remarkably bright at 15 lux, the image is nearly equal to that at 60 lux. Although less grain and noise are evident, the colors are awash with a brown hue. The resolution bars are discolored and blurred blue and yellow. Green and yellow tiles suffer the most discoloration at this level of low light. The image is not focused, and the whites and grayscales lack their previous definition. The lack of grain and noise at this level is commendable, but the colors are not represented as accurately as at the higher light settings.

LCD/ Viewfinder (8.5)
The JVC GR-DX77 has a 2.5-inch diagonal LCD and a .3-inch diagonal color viewfinder. Once the camcorder has been set to a mode (automatic, manual, or play), engaging either of these two features will turn the camcorder on. The viewfinder must be pulled out from the camcorder body approximately half an inch to engage, and the LCD must be closed. Conversely, if the LCD is opened, the JVC GR-DX77 will power up, regardless of the state of the viewfinder. If the viewfinder is not pulled out and the user closes the LCD, the JVC GR-DX77 shuts down. The LCD and the viewfinder cannot be used concurrently.

Solarizing does take place at various angles on the LCD. The image on the LCD is very crisp but oversaturated. The LCD flips up, towards the top and away from the camcorder body, and can be rotated like standard LCD monitors. The LCD is positioned higher on the camcorder body than on other more traditional LCDs. It took a few minutes for me to acclimate to using the LCD in that higher position. The viewfinder is static and not much use… unless, of course, users want their nose making adjustments for them. This is particularly true for those of Roman persuasion, as a larger organ would certainly get in the way while using the viewfinder.

Audio (7.0)
The JVC GR-DX97 can record in 12-bit and 16-bit audio. It has a stereo microphone on the front, as well as a mic-in port. There is no accessory shoe, so any external mic would have to be handheld or affixed in some other creative way.

Handling (4.0)
The JVC GR-DX77 is very small and lightweight, and for the most part comfortable to hold. My fingers often got in the way of the lens and the mic. This is no fault of the strap or the camcorder, only a reflection of its small size. If you have large hands, you'll want to try this one on for size before buying. If the top of the JVC GR-DX77 was contoured better, or made of a graspable rubber, handling would be much improved. With the glossy plastic on top, the camcorder could be difficult to keep tight hold of in very humid places - a tropical vacation spot, for instance.

The LCD is easily moved and quite an improvement over other traditional LCDs with its higher position on the camcorder body. However, with all the solarizing taking place, adjustment of the LCD may be a small, but frequent, irritation.

Generally, I don't endorse bottom tape-loading camcorders, as it can be a pain to change tapes quickly when using a tripod. However, I don't think there is any other place to put the tape mechanism on this camcorder, so it loses no points. If your tripod has a medium-to-large adapter plate, it may be impossible to load a tape with the JVC GR-DX77 attached. However, these celebrity-style camcorders are meant for handheld shooting, so it might be a moot point.

Ports (8.0)
The JVC GR-DX77 has mic, USB, AV, and DC ports on the front right side of the camcorder body, as well as a Firewire/DV port on the left side under the LCD. The ports are placed well, as most would never be used during recording. The exception is the DC port, which would be better suited at the back. The matter of limited camcorder body real estate, however, suggests that on such small machines an alternate position might not be an option. The front port cover can be pried open from the bottom.

Other Features (5.5)
NightAlive For recording images in super low/no light scenarios.

WebCam It is possible to use the JVC GR-DX77 as a webcam by hooking it up via USB to a personal computer.

Transition Effects The JVC GR-DX77 is equipped with over a dozen in-camera editing transitions, such as wipes, fades, etc.

16:9 widescreen mode The JVC GR-DX97 has a digitally manipulated widescreen stretch mode as well as a 16:9 letterbox option.

MPEG MPEG4 movies can be recorded to memory cards at a size of 160x120. This feature is designed specifically for email.

Analog to Digital Pass Through The JVC GR-DX97 supports analog-to-digital pass through with the supplied AV cables.

Comparisons
The GR-DX77 is priced at $600, and has a 1/6th-inch 680k CCD and ships with a three-bulb LED and a 2.5-inch LCD. Pricewise, the GR-DX97 is comparable to several camcorders; namely, the Panasonic PV-GS120, the Canon ZR85, and the Sony HC30.

Panasonic PV-GS120 The PV-GS120 has three 1/6-inch CCDs with 290K (x3) effective pixels for video and 280K (x3) effective pixels for stills. The PV-GS120 has a 10x optical zoom, and 25x and 700x digital zoom. Naturally, it's a lot larger than the GR-DX77, as they are different styles of camcorder. The PV-GS120 has more manual control options than the GR-DX77, and has a menu-accessible automatic control. The video and low light performance of the PV-GS120 are also generally better.

Canon ZR85 The ZR85 has the same CCD size but a lot more optical zoom power at 22x. The ZR85 is much bigger than the GR-DX97, and may feel more secure in larger hands. The sub-par low light performance on the ZR line may dissuade some users, but the camcorder is comfortable to hold, has the same manual control options, and ships with Canon's superior optics on board.

Sony DCR-HC30 The HC30 is designed for the point-and-shoot consumer. It has a one-sixth-inch 680K CCD and a 10x optical zoom lens. The HC30's Easy mode is similar to the GR-DX77's automatic mode, but the menu is still accessible on the HC30. The HC30 has spot focus and spot metering features, similar to a feature on board the GR-DX77. Spot metering on the JVC GR-DX77 is much less intuitive, though, and requires fumbling through the menu to select a predetermined box or frame within the LCD. The HC30 is operated via a touch screen, allowing users to simply touch the area of the screen they would like adjusted. (It should be mentioned that getting to the ''spot'' features on the HC30 requires some irritating menu fumbling.) Fewer options for stills are available on the HC30.

Matchbox Arena The Canon Elura 50 and the Sony PC109 are the prime competitors of the JVC GR-DX77 in the vertical/matchbook market. The Elura 50 has a 1/6th-inch 630K CCD with a 10x optical zoom, a 2-inch LCD, and no LEDs. The Elura 50 has more ports on board, including a standard S-Video. (The GR-DX77 has a proprietary cable with S-Video as one of the leads). The same still options as the JVC GR-DX77 are available on the Elura 50, along with comparable manual control options. The Sony PC-109 has a 1/5th-inch 680K CCD, a 10x optical zoom, a 2.5-inch LCD, and no LEDs. The PC-109 comes with a docking station designed to make hooking the camcorder up to peripheral media more intuitive.

Who It's For
Point-and-Shooters (6.0)
A great point-and-shoot camcorder, especially if you like all ''options'' moved beyond your clumsy reach.
Budget Consumers(4.0)
A decent choice for the buyer on a budget, this camcorder is a better all-around value than the more expensive GR-DX97.
Still Photo / Video Camera Hybrid(5.0)
The GR-DX77 is decent for the hybrid enthusiast, but a separate still camera is still the way to go.
Gadget Freaks(5.0)
It's small, it's lightweight, and it's got a cool LCD. A good choice for the gadget freaks.
Manual Control Freaks(5.0)
More manual control than expected for a matchbook-style camcorder, but making adjustments might be more trouble than it's worth.
Pros/ Serious Hobbyists(3.0)
A good backup camcorder or a small and lightweight travel companion.

Conclusion
The JVC GR-DX77 is nearly identical to the slightly more expensive JVC GR-DX97 with the exception of the smaller LCD and the fact that the DX77 doesn't ship with the 8MB SD card. The GR-DX77 is a contender with its 1/6-inch CCD, 12x optical zoom, and 2.5 inch LCD. The manual controls are on board, although a little cumbersome to navigate, and the automatic controls are accurate and reliable. The restricted access to the menu while in automatic could be good or bad, depending on what type of user you are. The flip-up LCD requires some getting used to, but is a great innovation on an existing ''wheel'' and could potentially mean a better, more comfortable recording session.

Poor (more specifically, ''inaccurate'') low-light performance in automatic mode could be a deterrent for some sensitive consumers. The automatic gain control keeps the image bright, but colors seem inaccurate and distorted. The resolution bars are blurred and discoloration of the resolution bars is unsettling. Additionally, the overall brown tint is not desirable. Size may be a factor for some users with larger hands, but the GR-DX97 is a matchbook/vertical style camcorder, so it comes with the territory. Potential buyers should go to the store and make sure it handles well.

The GR-DX77 implements an innovative LCD design, has decent manual control options, adequate audio options, a reliable but restricting automatic mode, has almost no differences from the GR-DX97 (other than the smaller LCD and lack of SD card), and is at least $100 less. The GR-DX77 is a small but versatile camcorder that is a better value with the same options as several other comparable camcorders.

AreaWeightRawAdj.Poss.
Video Performance
2.00
7.0
14.00
20.0
The Front
0.20
7.0
1.40
2.0
The Right Side
0.30
9.5
2.85
3.0
The Back
0.25
8.0
2.00
2.5
The Left Side
0.20
7.5
1.50
2.0
The Top
0.15
7.0
1.05
1.5
Automatic Control
0.50
6.0
3.00
5.0
Overall Manual Control
0.60
6.0
3.60
6.0
Zoom
0.75
6.0
4.50
7.5
Focus
0.70
5.5
3.85
7.0
Exposure
0.65
4.5
2.93
6.5
Shutter Speed
0.60
3.0
1.80
6.0
White Balance
0.55
7.0
3.85
5.5
Gain
0.50
0.0
0.00
5.0
Still Performance
1.20
6.5
7.80
12.0
VCR Mode
0.30
6.5
1.95
3.0
Low Light Performance
2.00
5.2
9.00
20.0
LCD / Viewfinder
.60
8.5
5.10
6.0
Audio
1.00
7.0
7.00
10.0
Handling
1.25
4.0
5.00
12.5
Jacks / Ports / Plugs
.80
8.0
6.40
8.0
Other Features
0.70
5.5
3.85
7.0
Value
1.25
4.0
5.00
12.5
Total (weighted)
98.23
170.5