JVC GR-D200U Mini DV Camcorder Review (page 2)
Widescreen Tricks
Consumer camcorders have had a fake widescreen mode for many years. This is where the camera merely adds letterboxing to the top and bottom of the screen, throwing away image data. We think you might as well just tape cardboard letter boxing to your TV to get the same effect. A few cameras have true anamorphic 16:9 widescreen capabilities, and the GR-D200 is one of them. Sort of. Actually, it has three wide modes: a fake one, a Squeeze mode and D. Wide (which probably means Digital Wide). The Squeeze mode is 16:9 anamorphic, but it doesn't increase the width of the shot at all. Even in the normal mode, the camera has a wide 39-degree field of view. In the D. Wide mode, this increases to 48-degrees, but the video is still 4:3 and not 16:9 widescreen. This means that you don't have to squeeze in too close to Uncle Stinky during the family reunion shot in the dining room.
Tons of Digi Fun
The GR-D200 has oodles of digital playback and record modes for the creative novice who likes to edit effects in the camera. One of the best features that JVC built into the GR-D200 is Random Assemble Editing (RAE). This lets the user program an edit of up to eight cuts to a supported VCR. Still images were as good as we've seen on a video camera at 1,600 x 1,200. In the end, what is going to sell this camera is the point and shoot convenience of it. For example, the camera turns on when you open the LCD or extend the viewfinder (like other newer JVC models). Another small but well-designed feature is the very small and light DC power adapter. As an automatic point-and-shooter, the GR-D200 is a stylish and solidly built camera that will go anywhere.
TECH SPECS
Format: Mini DV
Lens: F/1.8, fl=3.8mm to 38mm, 10x optical zoom, 27mm filter diameter
Image sensor: 1/4-inch CCD
Viewfinder: 0.24-inch color
LCD viewscreen: 2.5-inch color
Focus: auto, manual
Anamorphic 16:9: yes
Image Stabilization: electronic
Exposure: auto, manual, presets
Minimum Shutter Speed: 1/4 in Night mode
Maximum Shutter Speed: 1/4,000 in Sports mode
Iris: no
Electronic Gain: -/+6dB
Night Mode: slow shutter
White Balance: auto, manual, presets
Audio: 12-bit (default), 16-bit
Microphone Input: none
Headphone Output: none
Inputs: FireWire, S-video, composite
Outputs: FireWire, S-video, composite
Edit Interface: FireWire
Other features: still shot (1,600 x 1,200), 8MB SD card, flash
Dimensions (w x h x d): 62 x 94 x 122 mm
Weight: 470 g (sans tape and battery)
Performance
Horizontal Resolution: 460 lines
Field of View (4:3): 39 degrees
Field of View (4:3 wide): 48 degrees
STRENGTHS
- Solid and stylish
- Programmable assemble edits (RAE)
WEAKNESSES
- Awkward to operate for large hands
- Needs lots of light
SUMMARY
- A hobbyist camera that slants towards looks, but away from manual functions.
$900
JVC America
1700 Valley Rd
Wayne, NJ 07470
(800) 252-5722
www.jvc.com
