JVC GR-DVL505U Digital Camcorder
By: JVC Average Rating: 3.5 Total Reviews: 15
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 On: 2004-03-16
We got this 3 yrs ago. For the price we paid, it was packed with features and performed well for the most part. We didnt bother with the included software since we had Pinnacle. A year ago (2 yrs after purchase) we had blotches and blackouts on tapes when viewing previously taped DVs. Went through and scratched up bunches of tapes before trying out the head cleaners. Things were ok until few months ago. The motor to eject and receive the cartridge started to get stuck. After jiggling few times, even brute force, it would be ok. Now this past weekend, after we tried to use it to tape our sons birthday party, it degenerated to the point where its eating up tapes and it takes several minutes of coaxing to get the tape to go in or out. Time for a decent burial me thinks.
 On: 2003-12-19
We bought our camera new and thought it was GREAT! We took pictures with it mostly and did take some videos of holidays and our kids programs, ect. Now 2 years and only 6 mini-dv tapes down the line we get an error message stating "head cleaning needed". Well we went out and bought the "needed" head cleaning cassette and ran it through. The next time, and every time since you get into taping about 5 minutes and that same message pops up. JVCs customer support is terrible. All they can say is, "take it to an authorized service center apparently your heads are bad. Well for us the closest one is 120 miles away. Add that to the cost of $50-$100/hour labor plus parts to get it fixed, are you nuts? You can probably buy a new camera by the time your done. As others have stated in their reviews, the software compatibility is also another issue they wont help you with. Just keep searching on the net and youll eventually find someone that can help you with that problem. I am very disappointed with JVC and I wish people would wait a while before they write these reviews. People writing them a month or two after having their product is good to explain all the nice features, but how is it working now a few years down the road?
On: 2003-09-23
We bought the JVC GR-DVL505U Digital Camcorder a couple of years ago. The first year was great. It did what its supposed to do. Thats why I still give it some stars. But on the second year, it started flashing a lot of error messages, constantly ask to clean head, and sometimes DID NOT record at all without any indication on the screen. We found out later when we tried to view the tapes. At first, we thought it was just a bad tape, but it happened to every single tape. In one of the tapes, we found more than half blank/skipped sections. Its so sad and frustrating because were trying to record our babys first everything. Were planning to get a new one. We can no longer depend on this camcorder to capture the important moments. I guess 2 stars is too generous because I wouldnt recommend this product to anyone.
On: 2001-08-03
After purchasing my digital video camera in late November of last year and creating exactly 2 video tapes, the camera stopped working and began generating an E01 error message. After digging out my paperwork, I was dismayed to learn that the warranty covers a year in parts but only 90 days labor. I brought the unit to JVCs recommended service center and was quoted a huge repair bill to re-align and overhaul the camera. After buying the camera less than a year ago I just dont know if I can bring myself to spend the additional money to `make it actually work. If you have to buy this camera make sure you get the extended warranty.
by: Anonymous On: 2001-06-09
camcorder is definitely up there with the best. but why pay $ for it used, when you can get it new on hsn for about the same price.
by: Anonymous On: 2001-05-31
i HAVE HAD THIS CAMERA FOR ABOUT TWO MONTS NOW AND I find that it is everything in a digital camcorder that I was looking for. It takes great still photos, and I had great luck in down loadin them on to my computer. I have a new Dell Dimension 8100,pentium4. This combintion of camera and computer works very well together.
On: 2001-05-18
This is a replacement over a Sony 8mm camcorder I owned, which was broken mechanically. So I was not a Sony fan when choosing a replacement.JVC 505 camcorder certainly meets my expectation when price and performance are considered. For its basic function, the video taken is very clear and colorful, with very little distortion. It amazed me in responding to sudden change in background lighting very quickly, which was not the case with Sony 8mm. Video stabilizer kicks in when you are shooting on moving feet. Sound quality is reasonable. Battery life comes close to book value, if you refrain from zooming or using LCD. Digital still camera works like a charm, making us wonder if we should buy any more films for our Canon SLR camera. Speaking of its outlook, its not the smallest in size, but definitely light in weight. Over all, 505 certainly qualifies as a family camcorder. With the price in the lower range of its class, you get good value for your money. --- Below is an update on 1/1/2002.
After I upgrade my computer from Windows 98 to Windows XP, the Multimedia Navigator program that you need to download pictures to PC stopped working with a "connection error". Searching for JVCs website returned for only one unrelated item in the entire "software update" catagory, and FAQ specifically says no software available for NT, which XP is based on. If you know a working software for NT/2000/XP, please let me know.
I give one star downgrade as a result. ...
by: Anonymous On: 2001-05-04
I just bought this camera and think it is a great video camera, especially for the price. The camera is lightweight and very easy to handle. The menus are simple and straighforward for all the setting and effects. The still picture quality is pretty good. The included pc software is very easy to use and DOES in fact work with Windows 98 SE. Video quality is superb. I would recommend this camera to anyone who wants to purchase a Mini-DV camera.
by: Anonymous On: 2001-04-09
The Provided software to download digital still photos does not work in Windows 98 SE also. The Picture Navagator crashes on clicking any menu in it.
by: Anonymous On: 2001-01-06
Camera seemed to be pretty good, but the included software will NOT run under Windows 2000. So if you think you are going to get your images on to your pc, think again. Otherwise I would have rated 4 or 5 stars.The following is from an email JVC sent to me: "Dear valued customer, This is in response to the e-mail you sent to our Technical Support team here at JVC Canada Inc. At this time there are no drivers available to make these software programs compatible with Windows NT or Windows 2000. Thank you for choosing JVC products. Sincerely, JVC Canada Inc, Technical Support Team"
On: 2000-12-28
I have this camcorder since august 2000 and i bought it after a long time of research and comparaison between differents products. Now, i can say that my choice was the best. Very easy to use, video and sound are excellent. I highly recommend this camcorder.
On: 2000-12-06
I like the size and manueverability of this camera. I agree with the other reviews on the battery life, but you can get extended life batteries (somewhat costly). I recommend at least one extra battery. The video and sound are excellent, but I have not figured out the best way to brighten the picture for various lighting conditions - indoors the colors seem washed out. The drawbacks to this camera: The REC/Pause button does not stick out far enough from the camera, and often requires some gymnastics to pause without moving the camera, resulting in a jerky end to the recording session. Also, to attach/detach to a viewing mechanism such as a VCR or TV requires a lot of plugging/unplugging, particularly if you use the AC adapter (recommended to preserve battery life). You must remove the battery from the camera, and attach the adapter to a spot under the battery, then attach the S-video cable. For some reason, you cannot charge the battery while the AC adapter cord is plugged in (the charger and adapter are one and the same), so after you are done viewing, you must unplug everything including the cable from the adapter to charge the battery. I hope JVC will do something about this to allow charging with the battery left in the camera, and while using the AC adaptor.
On: 2000-09-15
Recently purchased this after a month of research on it and other camcorders. The good things about this camcorder are this: 1) Unlike other camcorders that bombard you with numerous buttons placed about for you to awkardly control, JVC has devised a centralized control system, where that 90 % of what you do with the camera is done by the On/off/PLay Switch, Menu button and the Zoom, which is nicely put in a localized area that your right hand can operate with no problems. 2) The image and sound quality is exceptional. VHS,VHS-C, hi-8, cant compare to the quality of this DV Cam. 3) At 1.2lbs.( give or take a oz.), this camera is very light and easy to handle. Sony D8s are all about twice as heavy as this cam, good excercise tho. 4) Good bit of editing tools, such as Fade effects, video effects, etc. could use a tad bit more tho in this area, but suspect, its a good arrangement of editing features for the avg. consumer. Lots of manual configurations you can set too also. 5) Zoom is good, after about 20 X(10 X opitical + 10 X digital) image suffers dramatically. But very nice below this, may suggest buying a telephoto converter that will increase your optical zoom by 2 X if you are serious bout your photography. By the way, can zoom in and out on things while playing back tapes or looking at pics 6) Digital camera side of this camera is good, takes very good pics outside, inside, better be sure you got plenty of light or it will come out a bit grainy..Suggest using Photo Software to edit pics. But Id say the digital camera part of this beats out any digital camera in the $200-300 range, and if it had a flash.. man, what it could do indoors. Definitely a great web cam. One drawback to this camera is the included battery which only lasts about 35 min. if you use LCD screen and zoom a lot. So plan on buying an additional battery. On the plus side, it only takes 1.5 hours to charge the battery. And you can get 50-55 minutes if you only use the viewfinder, but, you will soon find out how hard it is to use the viewfinder as opposed to the LCD. If you got any questions about this cam, feel free to email me. And I can also help you save big money on this product to, if your interested. Take care
On: 2000-06-13
I was very anxious to get ahold of this baby when I saw it at a trade show. A week later I went out and bought it. The MiniDV format RULES!!! The resolution is Crystal clear. The controls are right at your finger tips making the JVC Digital Camcorder Just Plain AWESOME!!!!Another Great Feature that I was really impressed with was the ability to take digital pictures. They come out crystal clear at really really close up range. Not blurry like my digital camera does. This is more like a 2-in-1 digital Camera/Camcorder in one!! I highly reccomend this as a great first camcorder. Its pretty light weight the Battery could last a bit longer. Over all I Love it!!!
On: 2000-06-11
Looks like the best buy for the money. Has a nice display screen, resolution is more than adequate, all the features are there, and the price is right.
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