Digital Trends

JVC GZ-MG70U

November 2nd, 2005 | by David Elrich

Features and Design

I'll confess to using camcorders since the time they looked like shoulder fired missiles using full-sized T-120 VHS cassettes. One of my favorite memories was walking around Walt Disney's Epcot Center in the ‘80s seeing dozens of people struggling with these 10-pound monstrosities. In 1989 Sony shook up the camcorder world with the introduction of a relatively tiny 8mm Handycam (the CCD-TR55). I vividly remember a Sony exec taking it out of his overcoat pocket at the press introduction. Wow! That was exactly my reaction when I took the GZ-MG70U out of the carton. I was looking for other pieces the thing was so small, literally palm-sized (2.8 x 2.8 x 4.3, WHD, in inches). And with the battery and SD memory card it weighs .9 pounds. DVD camcorders tip the scales at around 1.5 pounds and are much bigger since they have to hold blank disks.

The front of the GZ-MG70U is dominated by a 10x optical zoom lens with an f/1.8 aperture rating. Like the Canon Optura 600 there's no built-in lens cover just a clunky cap that's attached to the wrist strap. It's just as lame here as with the Optura. There's also a built-in flash, stereo speaker and remote/camera sensors. Unfortunately there's no AF Assist lamp or video enhancement light to help with stills and video in low light. The right side is plain, other than the DC input and type that proclaims “Hard Disk Camcorder” with an embossed HDD logo. I guess they want to let folks know it uses a hard drive. On the top you'll find a wide/tele key and the basic mode switch (off, play, record) with lights to indicate power and HDD access. There is no accessory shoe, another oversight. The left is dominated by the flip-out 2.5-inch LCD screen (rated an O.K. 112K pixels). The screen turns 270 degrees. When open you have access to a number other controls including the mode (video or still), an S-video output, Delete and Menu keys. Alas no S-video cable is supplied. The flash key has options for auto, auto red-eye reduction, on, slow synchro and off. The Info key tells how much recording time is available and to the minute how much battery life is left, a great feature. The supplied battery that connects on the back is rated 50 minutes, close to DVD camcorders. There's a four-way controller with center OK button. In video mode it's simple making manual adjustments for auto exposure, focus, white balance, shutter speed, program AE or special effects. JVC doesn't win any raves here since they're a basic set with only four Program AE options (Twilight, Spotlight, Snow and Sports). In still mode you can adjust AE, focus, white balance and shutter speed.

On the back of the camcorder are the record button, A/V and USB outs. The bottom has a tripod mount and slot for an SD card. The camcorder kit has what you need to get going including an AC adaptor, wireless remote, cables, neck strap and the Digital Photo Navigator V.15 software CD ROM that includes PowerDVD 5 NE, PowerDirector Express NE and PowerProducer 2 Gold NE for the PC and Capty MPEG Edit EX for the Mac. There's also a straightforward 64-page owner's manual and a 36-page booklet for loading the software with baby steps to get you started. No SD card is included or any other recording media since the HDD holds it all. JVC recommends using a brand name SD card rated 10 Mbps.

Just to let you know you have something different on your hands, JVC includes a “Read This First!—How To Handle The Hard Disk Camcorder.” HDDs may be old news but they have their baggage. JVC immediately warns that you should make backups on your PC or on DVD. What they don't say is patently obvious—hard disk drives crash and burn and you better make a backup, just as you do for your important files at home or work (you do back up, right?). They also tell you to format the HDD and SD card for stable speeds and operation. Getting uncomfortable? JVC tells you to reset the camera if it does not operate correctly, shades of Ctl-Alt-Delete! Maybe it was the lawyers getting involved or a real warning, I'm not sure since my drive didn't crash (whew) during my test period.

Image Courtesy of JVC