JVC Everio GZ-MG505

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Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 10 reviews Back to product review
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5 out of 9 people found this review helpful

3.5 stars

"Amazing camcorder - but why does it record in non-standard files?"

by bruscol on September 5, 2006

Pros: Compact, lightweight, great picture quality, fits in hand all day, records 7 hrs in best mode

Cons: Non standard .MOD file format; Record indicator red, pause indicator green, small and slightly recessed start/stop recording button
Summary: The other reviews say it all - a wonderful camera that takes fantastic pictures - lightweight - compact - fits in hand and can stay there all day. Fits 7 hrs of best quality video - enough for a whole vacation.

But the cons are there also. First and foremost - why does JVC use a non-standard file format? The .MOD format is not usable by most DVD burning programs, so you are forced to use the one bundled with the camera, a light version that does not work all that well. If you want to convert the files to a more usable .MPG or .AVI format, you need to by converters that should be bundled with a $1200+ machine. The start/stop recording button is small and slightly recessed - and it is sometimes tough to make sure it is actually recording. This is made worse by the fact that the "record" indicator is RED - and the "pause" indicator is GREEN - and intuitively - it does not make sense and should be reversed - or the "pause" indicator should say STOP or something - rather than a circle/|| symbol that, when you are shotting quick - if you don't use the camera all that often - could be mistaken in green for the camera actually recording. Just some minor irritations which I could live with on a $400 camcorder that become more annoying on a $1200+ machine.

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2 replies to this review

reply by: rerepeater on February 2, 2007

Red has always been record and green play. On all things since the 80's. VCR's,Tape Decks/
Your not reviewing a traffic light. It's a camcorder. IT's the standard. You should remove your review. It's weak and pathetic.

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reply by: devhacker on September 26, 2006

"If you want to convert the files to a more usable .MPG or .AVI format, you need to by converters that should be bundled with a $1200+ machine. "

That's not did you bother to install the software? you can save videos to wmv, avi, mpg, rm, etc. all converters are part of the cd install. you just have to install the software and you might want to read the manual too. as for the lights RED has always been red on all cameras.

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JVC Everio GZ-MG505: $948.18

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