JVC GZ-HD7

The JVC GZ-HD7 high definition camcorder was launched in 2007. This is one of the first camcorders that records high definition video on a built-in hard drive, as well as onto a secure digital memory card. It is the first consumer camcorder to record in 1920x1080 resolution, sometimes nicknamed FullHD.

Lens, sensor and recording technique

The camcorder employs three 1/5-inch 16:9 progressive scan CCDs in a diagonally offset pixel configuration. Signals are processed first as 1920 x 1080p progressive signals, then converted to 1920 x 1080i interlace signals for recording. JVC does not explain in greater detail how exactly progressive signal is converted to interlaced, but claims that chosen approach allows recording a higher resolution HD image than the interline (IL) CCD system.

The camcorder records in three quality modes with different data rate and frame size. The medium quality mode, "1440CBR", delivers the same frame size, aspect ratio and frame rate as 1080i HDV and can be loosely called "HDV on disk". The camcorder preserves compatibility with the tape-based video format, giving an opportunity for recording onto a hard drive instead of tape.

pecification

* Sensor: 3 x 1/5" CCDs
* Sensor resolution: 3 x 530,000 effective
* Lens speed: f/1.8-f/1.9
* Filter Diameter: 46mm
* Optical Zoom: 10x
* Image Stabiliser: optical
* Headphone Out: No
* Microphone In: Yes
* LCD Screen: 2.8"
* Recording media: built-in 60GB HDD, SDHC Class 6 memory card
* Connectivity: HDMI out, Component out, FireWire Out, S-Video Out, AV Out, USB 2.0
* Dimensions, mm: 91x77x186
* Weight: 750 g
*Scenic Mode

ee also

*JVC

Product Information and Reviews

* [http://www.jvc.com/press/index.jsp?item=549&pageID=1 JVC press-release, JVC Develops First Consumer Full HD Recording 3-CCD Camcorder System]
* [http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-camcorders/jvc-everio-gz-hd7/4514-6500_7-32402931.html?tag=tool Lori Grunin, CNet, JVC GZ-HD7 review]
* [http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_14_4/jvc-gz-hd7-hdd-video-camera-10-2007-part-1.html John E. Johnson, Jr., Home Theater and High Fidelity, JVC GZ-HD7 review]
* [http://www.simplydv.co.uk/Reviews/jvc_everio_gz-hd7.html Colin Barrett , Simply DV, JVC GZ-HD7 review]
* [http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content/JVC-GZ-HD7-First-Impressions-Review.htm James Murray, CamcorderInfo, JVC GZ-HD7 first impressions]
* [http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content/JVC-GZ-HD7-Camcorder-Review.htm John Neely, CamcorderInfo, JVC GZ-HD7 review]
* [http://digitalcontentproducer.com/cameras/revfeat/jvc_gzhd7_mpeg2_090707/index.html Steve Mullen, Digital Content Producer, JVC GZ-HD7: World’s First 1920x1080 MPEG-2 Camcorder, Part 1]
* [http://www.jvc-victor.co.jp/dvmain/gz-hd7/ Japanese JVC GZ-HD7 product page (in Japanese)]

Practical Solutions

* [http://www.avchduser.com/articles/JVC_Everio_mod_files.jsp Working with JVC Everio TOD files]
* [http://digitalcontentproducer.com/cameras/revfeat/jvc_gzhd7_mpeg2_091007/index.html Steve Mullen, Digital Content Producer, JVC GZ-HD7: World’s First 1920x1080 MPEG-2 Camcorder, Part 2]
* [http://www.benzmodz.com/html/jvc_workflow.htm JVC GZ-HD7 TOD and MOD Workflow]
* [http://home.mindspring.com/~d-v-c/GZ-HD7.htm JVC GZ-HD7 Production and Post Production Handbook]

Sample videos

* [http://savefile.com/files/718295 1440CBR mode (M2V file, 52MB)]
* [http://www.savefile.com/files/647620 FullHD mode (TOD file, 50MB)]
* [http://www.savefile.com/files/675387 Low light conditions (MPG file, 54MB)]