JVC GZ-MG77 Camcorder Reviewby David KenderPublished on Aug 7, 2006 10:00 AM 
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Ease of Use (7.0)
Along with portability, ease of use is the area in which this camcorder excels. The MSET menu is instantly accessible when shooting in manual mode, and very easy to navigate and adjust. While Panasonic camcorders provide better manual controls overall, this JVC serves up the most important controls for everyday shooting, and keeps them simple. The fact that this is an HDD camcorder contributes to its overall user-friendliness. The camcorder uses no media, so you won’t be able to misplace tapes or DVDs, and you won’t have to worry about your tape or DVD mechanism breaking down. The GZ-MG77 (Review, Specs, $467.95) is a simple, small, self-contained unit. The fact that there is no viewfinder makes using the camcorder simpler still – the LCD is your only image monitoring option.
Shooting with such a simple device is a pleasure. You switch it on, and if you’re in auto mode, you need only hit record, and as long as your HDD has space, you’ll never have to search for a blank section on your tape. When you are ready to download your footage, you simply connect the GZ-MG77 to a computer using the supplied USB cable, or to JVC’s Everio-compatible DVD burner.
For point and shoot users who want the simplest camcorder available, the GZ-MG77 may be the right choice. For users who plan on doing more with their footage than simply archiving to DVD, the camcorder is less than ideal. It records video in MPEG2 format, which is not well-supported by editing software. Another potential drawback to this camcorder is the risk of damage to the 30 GB HDD drive. While HDD drives are fairly durable, they won’t last forever, especially after months or years of jostling.
Handling (4.5)
The GZ-MG77 handles very well for an ultra-compact camcorder with a miniaturized interface and relatively extensive suite of features. A notable improvement over last year’s G series camcorders is the replacement by JVC of four-way touchpad with a joystick controller. The controller has also been moved from the LCD cavity to the outer edge of the LCD screen so that it now faces the user. This placement initially struck us as odd, in comparison to the more typical location of controls on a camcorder’s body. It turns out to feel surprisingly natural because so many users already shoot with two hands, gripping a camcorder with their right and stabilizing it with their left hand on the open LCD panel.
This is also one of the smaller camcorders on the market, so it should please buyers looking for a camcorder they can literally slip into their pocket. The camcorder’s very small body may limit its appeal to people with large hands, and even a people with small hands may find that their index finger overshoots the zoom toggle. Other controls have been scaled down as well, and it does take considerable finger dexterity to use the joystick without making the occasional mistake. However, these handling issues are to be expected from such a small camcorder, and the GZ-MG77 is far easier to use than its pint-sized scale might suggest.
The Battery Info feature, which is unique to JVC, is another perk on this camcorder. It is accessed by pressing the Battery Info button, and provides a precise measure of the amount of battery time and recording capacity remaining. Most consumer camcorders indicate battery life with something like a simple battery bars display that is at best a rough indication of battery life and at worst are inaccurate. Also, the body on our test model had a tendency to make a squeaking sound when we grip the top, something that will end up on your audio track.
Portability (9.5)
The GZ-MG77 is extremely portable measuring 68mm x 69mm x 109mm (2.7” x 2/7” x 4.3”), and weighing in at 430g (.95 lb) with battery. To put that into perspective, many camcorders on the market are small enough to fit into a large pocket on a pair of men’s jeans – but they create a huge bulge, rendering walking around or sitting down impossible. Slipping your average camcorder into a women’s pants pocket is an exercise in futility. This is one of the few camcorders on the market that really is pocket-sized, at least for men or women who wear cargo pants. It has a diminutive profile, and the fact that it’s completely self-contained adds to its portability. Of course there are drawbacks such as the miniaturized interface that will cramp shooters with larger hands – but that’s the price you pay when you opt for an ultracompact like the GZ-MG77.
LCD/Viewfinder (5.5)
The JVC GZ-MG77 only has an LCD, so consumers who rely upon and need an electronic color viewfinder should look elsewhere. When well designed, an electronic color viewfinder can be a valuable asset; when the camcorder is low on power, the switch from LCD to viewfinder will lessen battery consumption and allow for longer periods of shooting. Another advantage of an included viewfinder comes when shooting in lighting situations that aren't conducive to using an LCD, such as harsh sunlight that causes solarization, or places where a low profile is essential and a bright glowing LCD is unwanted.
Battery Life (4.5)
When we tested the MG-GZ77 battery for endurance, it performed poorly clocking in with only 45 minutes of uninterrupted recording time with the included BN-VF707U battery pack. This compares unfavorably with the GZ-MG37 (Review, Specs, $384.95), which was capable of about 83 minutes of recording time. There are extended life batteries available for this camcorder that the manual claims will provide up to 5 hours and 40 minutes of recording time.
