Opinions on JVC-GZ-HD6 Camcorder

[jackdup]

A short time ago I considered buying a new HD camcorder and after doing some reading here found that most new camcorders that use either HDD or flash memory also use AVCHD format which is apparently inferior to the earlier HDV format. I sure don't profess to know that much about the differences, but have been unable to find a camcorder locally that does not use the AVCHD format with the exception of the JVC-HD6 camcorder with a 120 GB hard drive. The specs on the stores website shows this use an MPEG-2 format and has 1080P and 26.6Mbps.

As I mentioned I am very new to HD so would certianly appreicate comments or opinions on this camcorder.

Thank you

[Soopafresh]

I've never actually tried out the HD6, although I'm impressed by the specs. Here's online review of the thing:
http://www.g4tv.com/attackoftheshow/videos/21193/Gadget_Pr0n_JVC_HD6_Camcorder.html

The camcorderinfo.com review is a bit more brutal. Some sharpness and black level issues.
http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content/JVC-Everio-GZ-HD6-Camcorder-Review-34759/Performance.htm#


If you're looking at the HDV world, I'd recommend the Canon HV30 due to the vast amount of support that little camcorder has. I've had one for around 6 months and I like it a lot. Here's some example footage:

http://vimeo.com/HV20

And a website dedicated to the HV30 and older HV20 camera: Http://www.hv20.com



AVCHD quality has markedly improved in the past 3 months. It's certainly where the industry seems to be going. More applications are supporting it, but you have to have a fast machine to work with it. Your Intel Core 2 DUO E6300 which you've got on your PC specs might be a tad weak. There's also the added nicety that some of the newer AVCHD cameras can record at full 1920x1080p resolution.

Try out the Canon HG20 or the slightly bigger HG21 if you can find them in your neck of the woods. That's a really nice AVCHD camcorder http://vimeo.com/videos/search:HG21

Get a steadicam type device if you want to shoot stable looking video, or shoot on a tripod. There's little more jarring than shaky HD camcorder footage.

http://www.b-hague.co.uk/Camcorder%20Stabilizer%20HCS3.htm

[dun4cheap]

I just added to my Canon collection. I have 2 HV20's and now a new HV30 I just bought from Costco this week. I have a multi cam shoot this upcoming weekend. Can't wait....

I still recommend the Canon Series cameras in particuliar the HDV models that record to tape. The hdv format is easy to edit and the fact that they utilize DV tapes is really appealing for me just for the sake of archival purposes.

[Soopafresh]

dun4cheap - Nice setup, man! I've thought about getting another HV30 or HV20 for that exact reason. Good point about being able to store your raw footage on inexpensive DV tapes.

[jackdup]

Thanks for the replies. Are there any real advantages to the HV30 over the HV20 if a person finds an HV20 at a decent price?

[Soopafresh]

Not enough to justify the higher price of the HV30. The HV30 has a few extra things, but an HV20 is terrific.

This is an actually good comparison video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f39hvy0tN7g&fmt=18

[dun4cheap]

what is a decent price. Costco has the HV30 for $749 plus with costco they extend the mfg warranty to two years.


http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11273958&search=hv30&Mo=0&cm_re=1_en-...=1&topnav=&s=1

I bought 1 HV20 new for $729 and the other new for $539 both from Circuit City last year. The $729 camera has the accidental insurance on it, and it goes in to the line of fire quite often. I have mounted it in the back of fastpitch softball backstops filming my 14U youth softball team, it has been on the pool side many of times for my daughters highschool water polo games (gotten wet quite often) a few log rides. It has taken a beating, and after this big shoot this weekend I will probably turn it in to CC. (It got wet at California Adventure on the Raging River ride and stopped responding for a couple of hours.)

Anyhow I am filming a youth cheer competition this weekend with over 80 cheer teams, which will be sold and distributed to over 200 people. With this camera and my 2 others along with my Canon XTI DSLR.

The only real difference I have noticed between the HV20 and 30 is the 30 offers 24F and 30F where the HV20 only supports 24F. Filming the things I film I don't use either of those modes anyways. By the way I have an HV10 at one time, and other than its unique body style it was a nice camera as well.

[dun4cheap]

One other thing, depending on your flavor for editing software, I use Liquid 7 for most of my editing. Especially with multi cam edits such as the one I will be doing this weekend. Pinnacle Studio 11 works well also, but once you have gone prosumer you just don't go back to consumer editors to ofter. I imagine this is the same for those users who use Vegas, Adobe, or Final Cut Pro as well.

[zoobie]