JVC GZ-MG505 Camcorder Review

Widescreen/16:9 Mode (6.75)
JVC says the GZ-MG505 enables you to record in “Full Wide 16:9 Video” but our tests show that this does not mean true widescreen. Instead, the GZ-MG505 uses a technique that delivers partial 16:9. In 16:9 widescreen mode, information captured horizontally indeed show an increase of more than ten degrees, indicating a gain in horizontal picture information. However, the top and bottom of the frame are also significantly cropped, which shows that the GZ-MG505 uses a crop and zoom method for 16:9. Video shot in widescreen mode will fill up your widescreen TV, but your video will lose some of its detail and resolution.

Scan Rates/24p (0.0)
The JVC GZ-MG505 does not offer frame rate options beyond 29.97 frames per second, the standard rate of capture for most consumer camcorders on the market.

Other Features (7.5)
Digital Image Stabilization - The JVC GZ-MG505 includes an EIS (electronic image stabilization) system on par with what is offered by most consumer camcorders. EIS, called Digital Image Stabilization by JVC, minimizes the effects of vibrations and hand shake on the video image, but does so at a modest cost to image quality. OIS (optical image stabilization) is a superior, but more costly, stabilization system that does not degrade overall image quality. OIS is only available on a few high-end consumer camcorders like Panasonic’s SD memory-based SDR-SR150.

Battery Info - Battery Info is a JVC-only feature accessed by pressing and holding a small button underneath the joystick, to the left of the LCD display. Battery Info provides detailed information about HDD capacity, informing you of remaining recording time in different quality settings on the first screen. The second Battery Info screen provides information on the camcorder’s battery level as a percentage, and as remaining recording time.

Direct-to-DVD Burning - The JVC GZ-MG505 is compatible with the Everio Share Station CU-VD10 DVD recorder, an optional accessory. The Share Station allows DVD burning from the camcorder via a USB 2.0 connection. This device offers an easy means of archiving the camcorder’s native .MOD files to DVD, and is compatible with DVD-R and DVD-RW discs. The recorder is not fast, and JVC advertises that an hour of footage will take 45 minutes to burn. The Share Station has a built-in 2” LCD screen for monitoring footage, and can be connected to a PC. The CU-VD10 retails for around $200.

Digital Effects - The GZ-MG505 offers a suite of special effects for use during playback. Digital playback effects are similar to those offered on most consumer camcorders, and include fades, wipes, sepia, black and white, classic film and strobe.

Drop Detection - Drop detection is a feature that is intended to protect the HDD by immediately shutting down the camcorder when it perceives a falling motion. This feature may help to preserve the integrity of data on the hard drive, but won’t protect the camcorder’s other delicate mechanisms.

NightAlive - NightAlive is JVC's night shooting mode, and is equivalent to slow shutter modes on other camcorders. Night Alive is feature that automatically adjusts the shutter speed in a range from 1/2 to 1/30 seconds, enhancing the light gathering ability of the GZ-MG505. Like any slow shutter mode, Night Alive will result in blurring of moving subjects, but will provide better color saturation in low light environments.