JVC GR-DV4000 Camcorder Review

by Mark Bassett
Published on Nov 13, 2004 12:00 AM



Editorial Note: In a testament to the outstanding quality of the JVC press shop, we bring you the first coverage of the US JVC GR-DV4000. No, it's not a news item, it's a review! We can't exactly figure out why JVC has done this (though they did the same thing with the GR-D200), but they're providing some retailers with the GR-DV4000 although they never actually announced the camcorder. It kinda just slid in under the radar, we only knew about it because a retailer told us about it. Anyways, here's the first JVC GR-DV4000 review, and coverage by an US publication for that matter! We called JVC Corporate Communications regarding the issue however they did not get back to us in time for the printing of this article. We do know that the camcorder is available at B&H, though most stores don't have it.

The JVC GR-DV400 is an upgrade of the GR-DV3000. The camcorder is in a word, lackluster. While it has a slew of well positioned manual control features, a nice feel when in hand, and a 1.33 Mega Pixel CCD with a 10x zoom, the level image quality isn't comparable with camcorders in the same price range and lower price ranges. The specifications claim 540 lines of video resolution, but in sun light the colors are muted, and low light colors are barely disenable. The Sony DCR-TRV38 was heads and shoulders above the GR-DV4000 in video and low light performance. Even the lower priced, point and shoot, Sony DCR-TRV19 had better video and low light capabilities.

Video Performance (6.0)
The video performance of the GR-DV4000 is sub-par. Despite a good sized 1.33 Mega Pixel CCD, the GR-DV4000 doesn't deliver what one would expect. The camcorder is unable to capture the brilliance of the color spectrum. In good lighting with patches of shade, the processor can't deliver the range needed to interpret the subtleties in darks and lights, and as a result, illuminated parts of the subject are washed out, and those in the shadows look grey. You would assume that this problem could be adeptly handled with manual adjustment. The GR-DV4000 does allow for manual adjustment in nearly every department. Unfortunately, most are pre-set designations that leave many shutter speeds, aperture settings, and gain control unattainable. In addition, engaging the manual functions requires you recompose the frame from scratch. You can't tweak the automatic setting to overcome processor shortfalls to get desired results - it's either full manual or full auto.

The Front (6.0)
The JVC GR-DV4000 has a sleek look. The front of the camcorder is nearly all lens. The 'super bright' aspherical lens has a maximum aperture setting of F1.2. The zoom is 10x optical to 300x digital. According to JVC this produces 540 lines of video resolution and still images at 1600 x 1200. The lens has a nicely designed manual focus ring, which is made of a raised-ridged-rubber band. The level of resistance is on the low side, and that resulted in a give and take to get fine focus on a subject. Above the lens, effectively the top of the camcorder, the GR-DV4000 comes standard with a built in flash for stills in low light. Below the lens is a large infrared sensor that serves as the receiver for remote control signals, and as the processors light meter.

The Right Side (8.0)
The right side of the GR-DV400 is minimalist functional. The lens extends from the front to the body of the camcorder. Just before the body begins, there is a rubber patch that when lifted exposes a slew of ports including: SVideo in/out; external microphone; external headphone; and an RA edit input that connects the unit and the remote to a VCR. The body of the GR-DV4000 has a grey suede strap with a fleece look, above that on the plastic grey casing. is an unused rectangle secured with a small screw-perhaps a port for past or future models. To the left of that unused space, is the mode selector switch. The switch is sliver plastic, and from top to bottom, shifts the camcorder into manual, automatic, off, and play. Above the mode switch is the slew of controls. There's a small depressible exposure dial that also controls the LCD menu, a blank search button (for jumping time code to blank tape), the snap shot button, and a raised zoom control. The zoom control is nicely designed and allows for adept control of moving in and pulling away from subjects. Other than increasing the size of the exposure/menu control dial, and accounting for the unused 'mystery' port patch, the right side of the GR-DV4000 is well put together.

The Back (6.5)
On the top of the back of the GR-DV4000, is a pull out color viewfinder. Unlike a number of other camcorders on the market, the viewfinder doesn't extend. It has a sliding mechanism that moves the eye piece just beyond the battery, and lifts to a 45 degree angle. The eye piece is surrounded by a grey rubber mold, which is large enough for those who wear glasses. The battery snaps into place from bottom to top, seemingly upside down. To the right of the battery are the record button, and the ports for DC power and an AV cable.

The Left Side (8.0)
The left side of the GR-DV4000 has a large 3.5 inch LCD Monitor with 123,000 pixels of resolution. On the exterior is a well thought-out information panel that shows time code, whether a tape is loaded, and battery life. Unlocking the LCD screen reveals nine buttons that control playback, add cheesy titles, control fades and wipes, allow direct email, and tape navigation. In addition, there is a blue toggle switch that designates whether you capture to tape or memory card. At the base of the interior panel is the input slot for memory cards. Above that slot are the input jacks for USB and Firewire. In front of the LCD, on the lens casing, are button that engage manual focus and the picture enhancing 'backlight' function.

The Top (6.5)
The top of the GR-DV4000 is adequately sparse, but a bad location for the internal microphone. In the center of the camcorder, just beyond the viewfinder, is a protruding hot shoe for JVC component accessories. In front of the hot shoe, is the camcorder's two channel microphone. On board mikes are, as a rule, poor. However, putting the mike on the top of the camera produced often inaudible results.

Picture & Manual Control
Automatic Control (6.0)
The JVC GR-DV4000 doesn't provide the processor power to achieve the level of automated picture quality found in like and lower price camcorders. Despite what appears to be a semi-professional exterior, the inner-workings of the unit are far below what one would expect for the price. Automation levels for things like white balance and exposure produce poor image results, and the camcorder is slow to react.

Overall Manual Control (5.5)
The GR-DV4000 has significant opportunity for manual control. Users have the ability to adjust many facets of an image, but there is no way to tweak the processors interpretations of condition to enhance what's missing in a given light or topic condition. Manual adjustment of shutter speed is limited to a series of pre-sets. Exposure is adjustable from plus to minus six. One can control gain in dimly lit conditions from within the LCD menu. The standout manual control is the focus ring. Despite a lack of resistance, the ring works well, and there's a processor driven guide that suggests either increasing or decreasing focus to attain crispness. While this maybe be a slightly useless addition, it's interesting to see what the processor determines is in or out of focus.

Zoom (7.5)
The 10x optical zoom of the GR-DV4000, is controlled by a raised toggle-type switch on the right of the camcorder. The component enables adept, smooth and variable speed zooms. The level of optical zoom, 10x, is little low for such a large lens, but functionality outweighs this shortfall.

Focus (8.0)
One of the few highlights of the GR-DV4000 is the manual focus ring. Manual focus in engages by pressing a button to the left of the lens on the lens casing. Once engaged the rubberized grip provides good control of the focus feature. However, the resistance is low, so capturing focal nuance requires more adjustment than a ring with medium tension.

Exposure (Aperture) (6.0)
The GR-DV4000 exposure control is another positive attribute of the camcorder-although, the controlling mechanism is on the small side. Once set in manual, the exposure can be adjusted from plus to minus six. This is controlled by a dial placed next to the zoon control, and is easily accessed by the forefinger. The only drawback is the size of the recessed dial. It's way too small to make the easy access, especially convenient. Something to bare in mind is the nice mix of touch screen functions, and an abundance of well placed external manual control mechanisms.

Shutter Speed (2.0)
While you can make adjustments to the shutter speed on the GR-DV4000, they are all pre-sets. Essentially it's carefully regulated semi-automation. These pre-sets are accessed through the LCD screen, and operated with the depressible exposure dial, which doubles as the menu control.

White Balance(6.5)
Like most consumer camcorders, the GR-DV4000 has the standard white balance options: auto, manual, indoor and outdoor. Unfortunately, the automatic option tends to produce a drab image. This is likely due to processor shortfalls.

Gain (5.0)
Ironically, the GR-DV4000 has a fairly functional gain control option for low light. This is accessed in the LCD menu, and is helpful-but because of poor video and low light performance, the attribute is somewhat superfluous.

Still Performance(5.5)
With a possible 1,600 x 1,200 pixel resolution of stills, the GR-DV4000 is average among camcorders in this price range. When you consider that the recently reviewed Sony DCR-PC330 (Review, Specs, $599) is rated at 2,016 x 1,512 and the Panasonic PV-DV953 (Review, Specs, Recent News, $899.88) has still capabilities of 2,048 x 1,496, the GR-DV4000 is on the lower end. It's always nice to have a built in flash, and the manual focus ring, but without the resolution, they're just fluff. Stills can be grabbed to tape or stored on a memory card. Worth mentioning, however, is the audio track of a 35mm shutter that plays after photo is snapped. It's an interesting touch. That leads to another drawback, the time it takes for the processor to recalibrate after a still is shot is way too long. You literally wait 2-3 seconds before the unit continues recording. So, if you're recording, and snap a picture to tape, you'll have a long gap in the continuity of your shot.

VCR Mode (6.0)
The GR-DV4000 works well in playback, with convenient and easily operated search functions. In addition, the editing functions act like a fairly sophisticated non-linear editing system. Considering liner editing is so pervasive, one wonders why JVC even put so much thought into that capability.

Low Light Performance (3.5)
The dynamic range of the GR-DV4000 falls short. There's grain, and the colors produced are barely discernable. Hours after sunrise, on a fall day with a range of colors to be captured, from a blue sky to a rainbow of leaves and grass, the GR-DV4000 did a good job making everything look brown. Indoors it didn't do any better. With general, non-studio, lighting, the camcorder didn't interpret color well. For a 1/3 inch CCD, the low light performance doesn't compare to other camcorders.

LCD/ Viewfinder (8.0)
The GR-DV4000 has a large 3.5 inch LCD Monitor with 123,000 pixels of resolution, and an exterior information panel that shows time code, whether a tape is loaded, and battery life. The LCD is large, yet icons of operating functions take up far too much space, and result in clutter. Instead of extending from its casing, the viewfinder is on a sliding track. The eye piece has a large soft rubber cup, which makes it easy for those who wear glasses to use.

Audio (6.0)
The microphone on the GR-DV4000 is in one of the worst locations conceivable. The mike is on top of the lens casing, behind the flash. It works great for picking up the sound of planes flying overhead-that is if you're not aiming at them. There is 12bit and 16bit sound recording on multiple channels, and, post production functions that allow recording of voiceover onto previously recorded tape. Another audio weakness, is the camcorder doesn't allow manual setting or monitor of audio levels.

Handling (7.0)
Probably the best feature of the GR-DV4000 is the sleek organized design and the firm feel when in hand. All of the relevant manual controls are easily accessed by your forefinger, except of course the focus ring. The unit is nicely balanced and rests firmly in your hand, so your shots will be steady. Even with the LCD open the camcorder holds remarkably well. The infrared receiver is curved for steadying the camcorder with a second hand. The unit is pleasure to use, too bad it doesn't perform. If as much circuitry and processor design went into the conceptualization of the exterior, JVC would have a winner at around $1000.

Ports (6.5)
The GR-DV4000 has all the ports and jacks of high end camcorders: A Firewire, USB, DC, Microphone in, SVideo In/Out, headphone jack, RA Edit, and a hot shoe. The only draw back is the placement of the USB and Firewire ports, which are housed beneath the LCD. When capturing video or images to a hard disc, you're looking at the LCD with a cable running along its front.

Other Features (8.0)
Audio Alterts The GR-DV4000 has a series of audio alerts that engage the ears, like the sound of 35mm camera click.

Webcam The GR-DV4000 has web cam capabilities.

MPEG Unlike many camcorders in this price range, that capture up to MPEG 4, the GR-DV4000 can only capture MPEG-1 quality video.

Analog to Digital Pass Through The GR-DV4000 can transfer an analog signal from a VCR or television to a digital video tape.

Comparisons(no score provided)
DCR-TRV38 The GR-DV4000 is ranked with the Sony DCR-TRV38, the Sony is a much better product. The lowlight and actual video performance of the DCR-TRV38 is a good 'level' above the JVC.

PV-GS70Another comparable camcorder is the Panasonic PV-GS70. At a price tag of around $900, the PV-GS70 has three CCDs and excels in normal lighting conditions, producing colors that are very accurate and very sharp. Even in low light, the PV-GS70 does a strong job, with some color dullness. The PV-GS70 is a good choice. Where the JVC excels is in the manual control and handling. Which do receive points in the camcorderinfo.com guidebook. However, without the picture, is the manual control or handling that important? If the JVC was priced well below the $1000 suggested manufactures retail, it'd be worth another look, as a camcorder that should be used on manual settings.

Who's it For
Point and Shooter's (4.0)
It's too high priced to be for the point and shoot set. And considering the processor isn't on par with other camcorders, pointers and shooters may be left with an expensive product that they can't use.
Budget Consumers(4.0)
With a thousand dollar price tag, if you're on a budget and want quality, best to look at other units.
Still Photo / Video Camera Hybrid (6.0)
The GR-DV4000 has average still capacity, and a handy popup flash.
Gadget Freaks (6.0)
The camcorder has a few trick and twists but the stand out is the audio accompaniments that enhance the still feature.
Manual Control Freaks(6.0)
Sure, you got plenty of control, but other camcorders call those pre-sets, and have additional manual control.
Pro's/ Serious Hobbyists (3.0)
You'll be disappointed.

Conclusion
The JVC GR-DV4000 is an underperformer. While the camcorder has a slew of well positioned manual control features, a nice feel, and a 1.33 Mega Pixel CCD with a 10x zoom, image quality doesn't compare with camcorders in the same price range. JVC claims 540 lines of video resolution, but in sun light the colors are muted, and low light colors are barely disenable. If JVC gets their processor power in gear, they'll be a worthy contender.