JVC GY-DV300
HOMEPAGE GLOBAL-DVC

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

First DVC-MEMBERS  impressions are truly BAD !

We have to admit: we are spoiled with top prosumercams like:
the Sony PD150, The VX2000 and the Canon XL1S. But after seeing JVC GY-DV300 we see the same kind of model with LCD but not the same quality.

MAIN BAD POINTS ON FIRST IMPRESSION:

1. Not allowed to use other brand tapes.
Importer advised us strongly to use only JVC professional miniDV tapes! We think this is absolutely NONSENSE! MiniDV supposed to be a world standard and every tape with the initionals 'miniDV' should be accepted.  Remember: JVC cameras and vcrs had big troubles before with mini-DV tapes and if with this camera other brand tapes again will give problems, its crying time again for many buyers!

2. Colors didn’t look right.
At this show the camera was pointed at some bright colored boxes. The colors were really bad! Not slightly different as with the Canons but reds became orange ! This means whenever used this JVC to mix with Sony DV-Cam minDV or even Betacam or Canon footage, color correction will be always necessary !

3. This camera has no Photo mode. No memory stick etc

4. The ring for wide angle lenses is hard to reach. The lens hood does not come of. Extra matt box or filter compendium is not possible!

5. It looks very breakable. Less impressive as VX2000.

6. The plate underneath destroys the ergonomics and round design.

7. The ZOOM was working very badly. TRY zooming in the creepy zoom mode and the zoom started to kind of  jitter. Jumping ahead in small steps.

8. No L-Controle. This makes a Sony and Canon cam so attractive for using a Varizoom or Zoe Zoom  remote.    

So, we stop comparing. Waist of time. We did ask several times if this was a sample or a production model? No this is what you get! So, sorry for JVC Japan! Pity your designers didn't work and learned at least from Sony VX2000 users. Those users from today could have been your buyers from tomorrow!  Can't understand why JVC camcorder designers don't listen to todays  users of VX2000 and PD150. They didn't ask us anything! Or have any of you seen or  talked with them?

 

Comments at Newsgroups:
Search for JVC GY-DV300 in newsgroups at www.Google.com ! 

I will never buy another JVC product as long as I live. About two years ago I bought a DVL9800u minidv cam and the heads and transport were just replaced. There was little use on the camera but it was eating tapes. The repair guy said that JVC was one of the worst products that he works on in terms of quality. The camera will now be used for minor stuff and my VX2000 will be used for stuff I cannot afford to loose. The VX2000 is a great camera...

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DO NOT even think of using the above camera in AUTO MODE. 
You have to take the Color Matrix OFF.
Increase the detail to +2 
Can't use the front internal mike with a rear XLR mic. connected to it.
Either one or the other. If set to XLR you must purchase a front XLR
microphone. 
Can't adjust TINT, COLOR saturation.
However, the JVC has better EVF and LCD adjustments including PEAK.
When tweaked it is OK-sharper than my VX2000. 
HOWEVER, Love my VX2000.
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> 4. The ring for wide angle lenses acces is hard to reach and for some lenses  impossible. The lens hood does not come of. Extra matt box or filter compendium is not possible!

Great point - This is a real reason for me to not buy the camera

> 5. It looks very breakable. Less impressive as VX2000. Small viewfinder. Toy microphone.

I got the same feeling.  As a matter of fact, someone accidentally broke it at the camera store - the wide lens adapter broke off with a light tap.

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