Product Reviews

Unlike JVC's earlier Everio models, which use 4GB removable Microdrives as their recording medium, JVC's new Everio G digital media cameras employ 20GB and 30GB internal hard disks. This means the 30GB-capacity GZ-MG50 reviewed here can record seven hours of Mpeg 2 video at the highest-quality setting, and even more if you're happy to compromise on a little quality.

As with the rest of the G range, the GZ-MG50 uses USB 2 rather than FireWire for data transfer to a computer and includes software for importing Mpeg 2 and image files to a Mac, and converting files from Mpeg 2 to QuickTime MOV or a QuickTime DV Stream for editing in iMovie, for example.

The MG-GZ50 lacks a viewfinder, mic input and headphone output, but makes up for this with its extended recording capacity. With four bit-rates, ranging from 8.5Mbits/sec at the highest Ultra Fine setting to the lowest 1.5Mbits/sec Economy setting, the GZ-MG50 can record from seven hours to more than 30 hours if you're willing to compromise on quality and accept a reduced 352 x 240 pixel Economy resolution. Even when recording at the Fine setting (5.5Mbits/sec), few people would be able to tell the difference between that and the top setting.

Everio G models save each recorded clip as an individual file on the hard disk. These can be deleted, moved and even rearranged into playlists with exactly the same level of control as you'd find on a digital stills camera. Furthermore, user-defined playlists can be played out via the camera's AV (and S-Video) outputs to a TV or external recorder as required. Unlike most DV and DVD camcorders, there's no input capability to speak

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of, but neither is there a need.

In addition to a 1.33 megapixel 0.25in CCD that produces surprisingly good images in varying light conditions, the GZ-MG50 offers a range of manual controls including focus, exposure and white balance, all of which are accessed and adjusted via the MSET menu using push-button controls arranged around a control thumbdial housed in the 2.5in LCD screen recess. The menu button accesses an impressive range of options, including the library of SD-Video Mpeg 2 video files, as well as DSC images that can be saved to either the hard disk or optional SD card. Using menu options, images can be moved from one storage medium to another and, as you're dealing with hard disk media, it's also useful to be able to format the hard disk in the same way as you would your computer's hard disk.

All Everio G cameras have a built-in gravity (G) sensor that instantly shuts down its hard disk if a sudden minus-G dropping motion is detected. Throwing the cam from one person to another resulted in a successful shutdown during tests, although the mode can be switched off when those dramatic rollercoaster shots are required.

The GZ-MG50 offers a respectable 15:1 optical zoom using a f1.2-2.8 lens, with digital zoom options being 60:1 and a practically useless 700:1. It also offers 16:9 widescreen (using anamorphic compression to fit the 4:3 CCD space), not to mention Digital Image Stabilisation and a small but impressive LED movie light.

Each Everio G model comes with Pixela Capty Mpeg Edit EX file management and export software in addition to Cyberlink's Windows applications. Requiring Mac OS X 10.2.8 or higher, Capty uses USB 2 to facilitate exporting files to a Mac. Although the software provides basic editing capabilities, a better option will be to grab the files off the hard disk and convert them to a format supported by Apple video applications.

For its seven-hour random-access recording facility alone, the JVC MG-GZ50 will find a market among those looking for a well-designed and functional camera that not only makes it possible to go direct from hard disk to DVD, but does away with the need to stock up with tapes. A great DV camera, and surely a sign of things to come.