Review: JVC broke new ground with the aptly named GR-HD1, the first consumer-oriented high-definition (HD) camcorder. If you're a well-heeled video hobbyist or an entry-level pro looking for a camcorder with the resolution to fill a 16:9 HD television screen, this is one of the very few options on the market. Unfortunately, unless you own or plan on acquiring an HDTV, you won't appreciate the advantages of this camera. While it can record standard-definition (SD) video and shoot megapixel stills, its unremarkable performance at those tasks definitely doesn't merit this camera's prosumer price tag. But even ...
Expand full review JVC broke new ground with the aptly named GR-HD1, the first consumer-oriented high-definition (HD) camcorder. If you're a well-heeled video hobbyist or an entry-level pro looking for a camcorder with the resolution to fill a 16:9 HD television screen, this is one of the very few options on the market. Unfortunately, unless you own or plan on acquiring an HDTV, you won't appreciate the advantages of this camera. While it can record standard-definition (SD) video and shoot megapixel stills, its unremarkable performance at those tasks definitely doesn't merit this camera's prosumer price tag. But even if you're not enough of an early adopter to pay a premium for its HD capabilities, take note: This camcorder is a harbinger of things to come, proving that HD image-acquisition technology has already trickled down to a price competitive with that of standard-definition gear.With a sleek, solid design, the HD1 aims to please high-end consumers, who expect a refined product in return for a slice of their substantial disposable incomes. Its dark-gray, aluminum body has a well-constructed feel, and the camera weighs about 3.3 pounds with battery and cassette loaded. The HD1's layout follows the classic handicam model: the battery set below a small viewfinder in the back, the tape compartment under a hand strap and a zoom-rocker switch on the right, a fold-out LCD on the left, and a barrel-shaped lens with zoom and focus rings as well as a rectangular lens hood jutting out of the front.
![]() Average User Rating 3.0 stars out of 17 user reviews Rating Breakdown -
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4 star: 10 -
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1 star: 2 My Rating 0 stars click stars to rate product Most Helpful User Review 0.5 stars 7 of 10 users found this review helpful Pros Great for HDTV Cons Does not work Summary I bought this camcorder on September 28, 2003 when it was still fairly new on the market and more expensive than it is now. By July 2004 both the LCD screen and the viewfinder just went black. No image but I was still able to record audio. I reported it ... Expand full review Summary: I bought this camcorder on September 28, 2003 when it was still fairly new on the market and more expensive than it is now. By July 2004 both the LCD screen and the viewfinder just went black. No image but I was still able to record audio. I reported it to JVC. They told me I had to send it in for repair, which I did. It seems that this was a common problem. They didn't ask too many questions. The warranty had already expired so I had to pay a couple hundred dollars. Six months later, the same problem again. I called JVC again and told them the problem. The technician who attended to me suggested that I turn it off and disconnect all power for about an hour and then try again because "that usually works." Now what kind of advice is that? I need this camera to shoot footage of events. What am I supposed to do each time this happens? Turn it off for an hour and ask the event organisers to postpone their events for an hour? Anyway, even that super solution didn't work, so I called again and they said I had to send it in for repair again. So I asked, would I have to be sending this camera in to you every six months? "No," she responded but "thank you for calling JVC."
The words I would like to use to describe this camera and JVC cannot be expressed here but do not buy this camera!!! For the short period of time that it did work, it was great, but I will never buy this or any other JVC product ever again.
I thought about fixing it and then selling it used but then my conscience wouldn't let me pass this problem on to someone else. So I decided to write this review. Most Recent User Reviews (Showing 2 of 17 reviews) Thanks for your submission!
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