Two New HD Everios from JVC GZ-HD5 and GZ-HD6

by David Kender
Published on Jan 30, 2008 4:40 PM

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The new JVC GZ-HD6 high definition Everio camcorder  
   
January 30, 2008 - JVC today unveiled two new high definition Everio camcorders, the GZ-HD5 ($1199) and GZ-HD6 ($1399). Both have one new and interesting feature, the ability to output 1080/60P video through HDMI. The GZ-HD5 comes equipped with 60GB internal hard disk drove (HDD), while the GZ-HD6 is upgraded to a 120GB capacity, along with headphone jack, and a lens hood.

 Though JVC introduced several new standard definition camcorders at the Consumer Electronics Show earlier this month, these are the first new high definition camcorders of the year. The compact design of the GZ-HD5 and GZ-HD6 mirrors that of last year’s GZ-HD3. The new camcorders add the ability to record in full 1920 x 1080 video, a trait borrowed from JVC’s top HD Everio, the GZ-HD7. (The GZ-HD3 can only record in 1440 x 1080.)

Both new camcorders are equipped with three 1/5-inch CCDs, using pixel shifting, the total gross pixel count is 2,270,000, and the effective pixel count is 2,140,000. A mic jack, optical image stabilization, and HMDI v.1.3, which supports xvYCC color output come standard on both.

The key feature that JVC is touting on the GZ-HD5 and GZ-HD6 is the ability to output progressive, rather than interlaced, video, at a 60fps rate. It appears that JVC is borrowing the “Genessa” technology from their HDTV product line to de-interlace and convert the video to progressive. While this is not actually increasing the resolution, it will likely give the appearance of increased resolution when shooting certain subjects, such as horizontal lines and moving areas of fine detail.


The JVC GZ-HD5


The 60GB capacity on the GZ-HD5 stores up to five hours of video in the highest quality. The 120GB capacity of the GZ-HD6 increases the storage to 10 hours. Video is outputted in the MPEG-2 Transport Stream used by the previous HD Everios. In the highest quality, the GZ-HD5 and GZ-HD6 record 1920 x 1080 video at a maximum bit rate of 30Mbps (average 26.6 Mbps). The next-highest quality is a 1440 x 1080 video at 22Mbps (average 19Mbps). There is also an extended record mode and a special 1440 x 1080 mode with a constant bit rate of 27Mbps that is compatible with HDV for output through Firewire.

The GZ-HD5 comes in a silver body, selling for $1199. The GZ-HD6 has a black body and sells for $1399. Both will ship in March 2008.