JVC GZ-MG37 Camcorder Review

Widescreen/16:9 Mode (6.75)
With a 2.7-inch LCD intended for 16:9 display, the JVC GZ-MG37 (Review, Specs, $384.95) provides users with a true widescreen functionality. Switching between 4:3 and 16:9 modes is simple with a tap to the right on the joystick.

The camcorder produces some odd discrepancies between the two aspect ratios, however. When switching form 4:3 to 16:9, information is definitely added to the left and right, normally a sign that the camcorder possesses true widescreen. However, information is also lost at the top and bottom. Not quite as much as is gained on the side, but still a fair amount.

Don’t worry, the 16:9 ratio shots will still fill up your widescreen TV, but you’ll get more vertical information in a 4:3 shot. Just something to consider.

Scan Rates/24P (0.0)
The JVC GZ-MG37 has a fixed frame rate of 29.97 frames per second, which is the standard rate of capture for most consumer camcorders currently on the market.

Other Features (7.5)
Digital Image Stabilization - With an optical zoom range of 32x, the JVC GZ-MG37 definitely needs an image stabilizer. And while the digital image stabilization will function with a fair amount of success, it will never be able to produce the same quality or consistency that would come with a camcorder that has an optical image stabilization system. If hand-shake is a particular concern this camcorder should be overlooked in favor of an option by a manufacturer like Panasonic, which provides optical stabilization on their camcorders in 2006.

Battery Info - The battery info feature can be accessed by pressing the small silver button located directly beneath the joystick on the outer edge of the LCD screen. When activated, the opaque split-screen battery info will be displayed to inform users of maximum recording time left on the hard disk drive in all four quality settings in the first screen, while the second screen displays the battery level in terms of both percentage and maximum remaining time.

Direct to DVD burning - JVC announced that the GZ-MG37 will be compatible with their new Everio Share Station CU-VD10 that allows direct to DVD burning via a USB 2.0 cable. This burner will convert .MOD files into DVD video format on either DVD-R or DVD-RW discs. An hour of video footage will be recorded in an advertised forty-five minutes, although the speed of burning will most likely vary. Recording to DVDs will be accomplished at a read speed of 8x for DVD-R and 4x for DVD-RW. CDs will be burned at a read speed of 10x for CD-R, CD-RW, and CD-ROM. The Share Station comes with its own 2-inch LCD screen for monitoring footage and can be connected to a PC.

Drop Detection - The drop detection system helps protect the hard drive of the JVC GZ-MG37 from damage that can occur if the device is dropped. When this feature is turned on, the camcorder automatically shuts off when it senses that it is in the midst of being dropped. The response for this feature was quick and should help to protect the hard drive, although damage to the body will not be minimized when the drop detection is turned on.

NightAlive - NightAlive is JVC’s name for their night shooting mode, which drops the shutter speed rate considerably, to a range of 1/2 to 1/30 seconds. While this may prove useful for shooting immobile object in the dark, any moving object or a moving camcorder, will cause severe blurring.