Editorial: JVC 'Saw the Light' and Took Action

by Robin Liss

Published on Apr 7, 2004 12:00 AM
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Probably my number one complaint about consumer camcorders is their poor low light performance. Most camcorders out there under $1,500 perform terribly indoors, and it's because of their poor low light performance. For years camcorder manufacturers have been shrinking CCD size and reducing the low light performance of their camcorders. Most consumer camcorders now feature 1/6 in. CCDs, the smallest size CCD available. In our 2003 tests, the JVC camcorders across the board had the worst low light performance when compared to models by Canon, Sony and Panasonic. However, in test results that will be released in camcorder reviews over the next few weeks, we will show that JVC successfully improved their camcorder's low light performance, beating all of the similarly priced Canon camcorders and some of the Sony camcorders with even bigger CCDs. JVC has turned their consumer camcorders from low light loosers into low light winners, at the top of the pack.

 

Allan Holland National Product Supervisor for camcorders at JVC explained to us that JVC took 3D noise reduction technology from their VCR's and implemented it into this year's camcorder model line. The technology was implemented into all of JVC's new camcorders, however we have only tested the GR-D33, GR-D72 and the GR-D93. Holland explained how JVC has been trying to improve the low light performance of their consumer camcorders for years ''As every year went by and we were pushing that we need to get better at low light, having the documentation from your [CamcorderInfo.com's] shoot-out with B & H, it came in at the right time when we were doing product planning,'' he continued ''So thank you.''

Marketing material provided by JVC about the 3D noise reduction technology states that ''Conventional 3D noise reduction offers limited accuracy, since it compares fields A and B that make up a frame and odd and even scanning lines in the noise reduction process. With this method, edge noise is especially difficult to eliminate. JVC's new 3D NR technology compares field A to field A and field B to field B across two frames. So it detects noise components in the same lines between two frames. With more information, twice that of the conventional system, this allows for more accurate noise reduction.''

The marketing materials go on to also explain that while most camcorders reduce the noise before the stabilization, the new JVC technology reduced noise after the stabilization. According to JVC this allows for more accurate noise reduction when stabilization is on. The 3D noise reduction technology reduces gain by 2 dB.

JVC should be praised for implementing this new technology into their camcorders. Low light is incredibly important but it has been practically ignored by all the manufacturers, especially in the lowest price range. The JVC GR-D33, one of the camcorders we tested which had outstanding low light performance, sells for only $350. While Panasonic has implemented technologies to improve the low light performance of their $700 and $1,000 3 CCD camcorders, and Sony improved the low light performance of their $2,500 model, the other manufacturers are ignoring the low light needs of consumers who can't spend more than $500 or $600 on a camcorder. JVC should be applauded for investing the research and development dollars and their valuable engineers time into improving the low light performance of their lowest end products.

The JVC camcorders have their weaknesses with regards to manual control, however none of the camcorders in this price ranger are manual control stars. These camcorders should be about making it easy to shoot good video for people on a tight budget, and JVC has done a great job of that task with regards to low light shooting conditions. Although we have to wait for the full review, low light performance along with video is the most important factor in our reviews, and we will likely recommend all three JVC camcorders as great buys. JVC has turned their low end line into real gems, likely making the GR-D33 the best buy on the market for any camcorder under $600.