The Everio GZ-HD6 ($1,399 MSRP) is JVC’s third attempt at a hard drive-based high definition camcorder after last year’s debut of the monstrous GZ-HD7 and smaller GZ-HD3. This stealthy black camcorder records video to a massive 120GB HDD (Hard Disc Drive), which allows for nearly 10 hours of continuous recording in the highest quality. One of the major marketing points is that HD6 outputs 1080/60P video, but beware the details! There are several caveats that might make it less appealing. Not without its graces, the GZ-HD6 has an overhauled Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) system, which performs better than any consumer camcorder to date. All in all, this is hardly the revolutionary product we wanted to see from JVC.
In bright light environments, the GZ-HD6 produces a vibrant image that might be deemed too saturated for refined shooters. The GZ-HD6’s three 1/5-inch CCDs contribute to the luminous color palette, but the sharpness leaves a lot to be desired. There is a manual sharpness adjustment, but it won’t increase the actual resolution, and may just add grain. In low light shooting environments, the image is slightly darker than its predecessors, yet displays far less noise.
As a performer in Auto mode, the JVC GZ-HD6 is stronger in some areas, and weaker in others. We saw stronger showings from the Sony HDR-SR12 and Canon HF10. The Auto Exposure is lightning quick, while the Auto White Balance seems to take an eternity to adjust to the proper color temperature. The autofocus gets the job done, but it’s not particularly fast. Strangely, if you’re in full Auto mode, the camcorder takes the liberty of adjusting the zoom if it thinks the zoom level is causing a focal issue. Advanced users may find this strange, but it will help point-and-shooters.
For the aspiring directors and cinematographers, the GZ-HD6’s manual control package is very strong, including focus, exposure, shutter speed, and white balance. There are also Aperture Priority and Shutter Priority controls, a handy Focus Assist function, sharpness and color control, and multiple auto gain settings. With this bulky tool belt, shooters are be able to perform a number of image adjustments. Although the menu interface is sometimes cumbersome, JVC has done its best to stock the most used features in one area of the menu, and the less-used features in another.
The GZ-HD6 handles like a miniature tank—it’s heavier than most camcorders and feels like a solid brick in the hand. The LCD-mounted joystick is easy to access and operate, though JVC nixed the viewfinder and should have carried over that great focus ring from the GZ-HD7. There is a MicroSD card slot on the bottom of the GZ-HD6, but it’s of questionable value given the awkward slot position, the relative obscurity of the MicroSD card format in the camcorder world, and the comparative enormity of a 120GB HDD already available.
The GZ-HD6 records 1080/60P video to a 120GB HDD in the following variable bit rate settings: FHD (26.6 Mbps), SP (19 Mbps), and LP (11 Mbps). JVC opted for its own MPEG-2 Transport Stream (MPEG-2 TS) format instead of the more popular AVCHD used by Sony, Canon, and Panasonic. As a result, you are required to import footage first through the bundled software before exporting it to your preferred editing software. (You can also manually change the file extension on a clip from .TOD to .MPG, a cumbersome process at best.) The camcorder also offers a fourth recording setting, 1440 CBR (27 Mbps), which is compatible with any software that can handle HDV files. It’s not the highest quality the camcorder can shoot in, but if it increases compatibility with your computer, it’s worth trying.
As we mentioned earlier, the much-touted 1080/60P recording is a bit misleading. The video that gets recorded to the hard drive is, in fact, interlaced. Then, if you use an HDMI cable, you have the option of letting the camcorder up-convert to 1080P. Also, you must have an HDTV that supports full 1920 x 1080 progressive playback. Practically speaking, this means you can view 1080P video, but there is no way to import it to a computer and edit the footage natively.
So, what’s the verdict? The JVC GZ-HD6 is a good camcorder with enormous recording capacity, solid manual control, and a great stabilization system. If you like the package but balk at the price, JVC offers the GZ-HD5, a step-down model that trims the HDD to 60GB and cuts the headphone jack and lens hood for $1,199 MSRP. On the downside, JVC made little improvement in image quality over previous generations, while the third-generation AVCHD camcorders from Sony and Canon have made big strides. The Sony HDR-SR12 is a much more compelling model in this class. The GZ-HD6 is a baby step in the long journey ahead for JVC’s high definition Everio legacy.
For a more in-depth review, visit the JVC GZ-HD6 Review at our partner CamcorderInfo.com
