JVC GZ-MG330 Camcorder Reviewby Kaitlyn ChantryPublished on Nov 17, 2008 5:15 PM
|
Advertisement
|
|||||||||||
Compression (4.0)
The JVC GZ-MG330 records standard definition video in the MPEG-2 format—the same format you'll find on a whole lot of DVD, hard disk drive, or flash memory camcorders today. The chart below (see Media) will show you recording times; it's clear that MPEG-2 isn't a very efficient compression. A lot of storage space is taken up for only a little recording time.
The main competitor in the standard definition market is MiniDV (the format used for tape-based camcorders of the same name). In terms of image quality, MPEG-2 typically shows more compression artifacts than MiniDV. Compression artifacting most often comes in the form of blocky bits of color that appear in areas where you'd expect to see a uniform or smooth pallet. The JVC isn't the worst offender in compression artifacting, but it does show its fair share. (See Video Performance.)
There are four different bitrates on the JVC GZ-MG330, each one corresponding to a different quality setting. The highest setting, Ultra Fine, records at 8.5 Mbps. Below that is Fine (5.5 Mbps) and Normal (4.2 Mbps). All three of these settings output 720 x 480 images. The fourth setting, Economy, records 352 x 240 at 1.5 Mbps—a very poor quality setting, indeed. We recommend you record in the highest quality whenever possible, then reduce the size and quality with editing software. You never know when hindsight will yearn for the highest quality recording.
 |
| The JVC GZ-MG330 records to either the internal 30GB hard drive or removable microSD/SDHC memory cards (above). |
Media (6.0)
The JVC GZ-MG330 records video to the 30GB internal hard drive or removable microSD/SDHC memory cards. Most camcorders employ the standard SD/SDHC card size, but you'll find that microSD is also easy to find online or in your friendly neighborhood megamart. (You can also support local businesses by purchasing memory at the camera shop down the street.) 30GB is a good size hard drive, so we doubt you'll need to spill over onto the memory card due to space constraints. But you can copy files onto the memory card for backing up and/or transferring files and it can be a convenient way to hand off some pictures or videos to a friend. In the end, we recommend you do your backing up directly onto your computer. If you're going on a long vacation and don't want to lug around a computer, bring those microSD cards to save copies of your footage as you go.
Just remember that hard drives aren't as shock-resistant as solid state memory (like memory cards or internal flash memory), so get a nice cushy camera bag and don't let your kids drop it down the stairs like a slinky. What you gain in storage size you sacrifice in slightly increased fragility.
The chart below gives you approximate recording times based on capacity:
| Ultra Fine (8.5Mbps) | Fine (5.5Mbps) | Normal (4.2Mbps) | Economy (1.5Mbps) | |
| 30GB | 430 min | 640 min | 850 min | 2250 min |
| 1GB | 11 min | 26 min | 32 min | 78 min |
| 2GB | 26 min | 48 min | 63 min | 108 min |
| 4GB | 57 min | 85 min | 113 min | 298 min |
| 8GB | 107 min | 175 min | 228 min | 593 min |
Editing (5.0)
The JVC GZ-MG330 ships with several different software programs, all compatible only with the Windows operating system. Using this software makes it relatively easy to pull files off your camcorder and make simple edits on a PC. If you are a Mac owner, the process can be more complicated. iMovie will sometimes work without trouble, but we're usually reduced to using a plug-in with QuickTime in order to work with the files. (This plug-in was inexpensive, but not free!) The trouble with the MPEG-2 footage on the MG330 is the same trouble you'll have with many camcorders: footage is output as separate audio and video files. You won't be able to plug in your camcorder and treat it like a hard drive, pulling the data off willy-nilly.
Simple point-and-shoot, standard definition camcorders are aimed at a market that wants a hassle-free experience. Quite frankly, the experience is anything but hassle-free. If the editing process is the one thing keeping you from experimenting with video, you might be better off starting out with an ultra-compact camcorder like the Pure Digital Flip Mino. The video quality isn't as good, but the experience of making simple edits and uploading to YouTube couldn't be easier. In the meantime, we certainly aren't shedding tears over the slow death of standard definition MPEG-2 video. For all we complain about high definition AVCHD fields, the video quality is markedly better and compatibility with those files is getting better every day.
If you do manage to pull the files off your camcorder, the editing software included is fairly basic. If you've successfully transferred the files, you can certainly use Apple iMovie, Windows Movie Maker, or whatever came with your computer. If you decide to use the software shipped by JVC, you'll find a fairly thorough set of offerings—some of the best provided by any camcorder manufacturer. There's also Digital Photo Navigator Ver.1.5 for viewing your still photos, and PowerCinema NE, an interesting and fairly robust media player. CyberLink DVD Solution or PowerProducer will let you burn your footage to a DVD—PowerProducer has some decent templates for creating menus at the front our your DVD.
 |
| PowerCinema has a host of options for handling your footage. |
 |
| Your PC should detect the camcorder automatically. |
 |
|
The browser will let you view thumbnails of your clips and has a good variety of sorting and filtering options. |
The meat of the JVC software, however, is PowerDirector 5 NE Express, an easy-to-use and varied editing program.
 |
| PowerDirector—even the Express version—is surprisingly robust and will meet most of your editing needs. |
In the camcorder, there's the ability to file your clips into Event folders, make Playlists, and add decorative title screens to a clip, event, or playlist. These title screens are as ridiculous as they sound, but if you want to put hearts and flowers on your Valentine's Day video, this will serve in a pinch.
|
Advertisement
|