Test Bench: JVC GR-AXM225 VHS-C Camcorder (page 2)

There are a few other features that are worth noting. One feature that we really liked was the variable record time setting. With it you can choose to record for 1/4, 1/2, four and five second intervals. This is great for doing animation and time lapse. Great fun!

Our only complaint is that the unit lacks microphone and headphone jacks. The on-camera mike worked well in our tests, but it is impossible to know what quality of sound you are recording without a headphone jack. Now that editing software is being bundled with every new Mac and PC on the market, camcorder manufacturers will need to build camcorders for video editors. Headphone and mike jacks should be standard issue. Instead, to save on cost, we're seeing those two features disappear from analog models. It's unfortunate.

If you're after decent images that you can conveniently share with friends and family and you can live without the mike and headphone jacks, the GR-AXM225 is worth a close look. It's easy to carry on the go and its advanced controls make it an ideal camcorder for beginners and its price makes it easily attainable to most everyone. For the money, it's a good buy.

Price: $600
Format: VHS-C
Lens: 16:1 optical zoom, 300:1 digital, F1.6
Image Sensor: 1/4-inch CCD, 270,000 pixels
Viewfinder: B&W eyepiece, 2.5-inch color flip-out LCD
Focus: auto, manual
Maximum Shutter Speed: 1/2000
Exposure: auto, manual
White Balance: auto, manual
Image Stabilization: electronic
Digital Effects: Fader, Mosaic, five wipes, Sepia, Sports, ND effect, Fog, Twilight, Negative/Positive
Inputs: none
Outputs: Composite
Edit Interface: JLIP
Other Features: built-in video light
Dimensions: 4-15/16 (d) x 1-11/16 (w) x 2-11/16 (h) inches
Weight (sans tape and battery): 2.1 pounds

Performance Times
Pause to Record: 1.5 seconds
Power-up to Record: 11.5 seconds
Fast-forward/rewind (30 min. tape): 6:30

STRENGTHS

• ease of use
• manual focus and white balance
• VHS-VCR compatibility
• animation mode

WEAKNESSES

• no headphone jack
• no microphone jack
• finicky menu wheel

SUMMARY

• An affordable camcorder well-suited to novices and casual shooters who desire easy playback in a VHS VCR.

JVC of America
1700 Valley Road
Wayne, NJ 07470
(800) 252-5722
www.jvc-america.com

• Digg This!
• del.icio.us
• Technorati
• StumbleUpon
• Reddit