JVC GZ-MG155 Camcorder Reviewby Michael PerlmanPublished on Oct 3, 2007 5:00 PM
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Compression (4.0)
The JVC GZ-MG155 (Review, Specs, $329.99) outputs video in the standard MPEG-2 compression, which is common, in most regards, to all standard definition DVD and HDD camcorders. For a long time, MPEG-2 video files were much more difficult to work with than MiniDV tape. This has changed in the last couple of years, with improved file importation in most editing software.
Editing files is not the only obstacle. MPEG-2 compression is quite high compared to the DV compression of MiniDV tape. Video quality is generally inferior. Especially in cheaper camcorders like this one, the compression artifacts – chunky blocks of pixels – become apparent.
The GZ-MG155 has four quality settings that correspond to the data bit rate. Super Fine (8.5 Mbps), Fine (5.5 Mbps), Normal 4.2 Mbps), and Economy (1.5 Mbps). All bit rates are variable, meaning that moments of little motion or detail will record at a slower bit rate. This is a more efficient use of compression, though it can affect picture quality.
Media (6.0)
The JVC GZ-MG155 is equipped with a 30 GB internal, non-removable hard disk drive. This is the same capacity as all standard definition JVC Everios this year. The comparable Sony model, the DCR-SR42, has the same capacity, but Sony also offers the SR42A with twice the capacity for $100 more.
The 30 GB can store up to 430 minutes of video in the highest quality (Super Fine). In Fine quality it can hold 640 minutes, in Normal quality it can hold 850 minutes, and in Economy quality it can hold 2,250 minutes.
Editing (5.0)
Editing files from the JVC GZ-MG155 is easy if you have an editing program capable of importing JVC’s flavor of MPEG-2 files. Fortunately, most up-to-date software should have no problem with this.
The camcorder ships with a great bundle of editing software, some of the best that any manufacturer has to offer. The bundle includes Digital Photo Navigator v1.5, PowerCinema NE for Everio, PowerProducer 3 NE, and PowerDirector 5 NE Express. With this package, you should be able to import, edit, and export very simple movies.