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January 7, 2010 – This morning, JVC announced the GZ-HM550: a new high definition Everio camcorder with Bluetooth wireless connectivity. The Bluetooth capability may not offer any standalone benefits, but users that already own Bluetooth-enabled devices will be able to use them in conjunction with the HM550.

The advantages of Bluetooth connectivity may not be as great as those offered with WiFi, but for those that own a number of Bluetooth devices, this will come as a welcome addition. This connectivity allows you to operate the camcorder remotely with a smartphone or connect with a GPS device to record location data. Bluetooth headsets can even be used to monitor audio levels or do voice recording. It's unclear whether you'll be able to transfer files to your computer via the Bluetooth connection.

The HM550 has other great new features being showcased by JVC's newly announced flagship camcorder, the GZ-HM1. First and foremost is the 1/2.3-inch, 10.62-megapixel back-illuminated CMOS sensor. It also has the same Konica Minolta HD Lens, with 16x dynamic zoom. Another feature borrow from the HM1? The Advanced Image Stabilizer, meant to be particularly effective in reducing shake at full wide angle.

Like the HM1, this new Everio will offer time lapse recording, slow motion, and auto record—a setting that will start recording whenever anything moves into the frame. Unique to the HM550 is a two-way grip belt, which allows you to hold the camcorder in a traditional hand grip or detach one end of the grip for a more strap-like result.

The JVC Everio GZ-HM550 records full 1920 x 1080 video using the AVCHD format. All videos are recorded to 32GB of internal flash memory or removable SD/SDHC memory cards. The HM550 is scheduled to be released this March for $799.95 (MSRP).