JVC Everio GZMG77 2.0MP CCD 30GB HDD Camcorder with 10x Optical Zoom

This is a wonderful camera. I purchased it & took it on my long-planned trip through Europe in 2006. Upon return, I downloaded the pictures using the Cyberlink Power Producer software. I worked on the pictures, then saved them until I had time 2 return & finish my sorting, renaming, etc.

When I returned, the pictures were missing. I found a file with the correct extension, but the software wouldn't open it. In spite of several attempts 2 get Cyberlink 2 resolve the problem, we were unsuccessful. Their suggestions 4 resolving the problem were short-sighted & repetitive. I even paid Data Doctors privately 2 try 2 find the file. Cyberlink finally admitted there was nothing else they could do.

JVC didn't even bother 2 write back.

About the only redeeming quality it has is that it does, in fact, record video. Other than that, I find numerous flaws & have multiple complaints. It is a camera that I record video _in spite of_.

1. My camera eats batteries very quickly. If a battery is left in the camera 4 more than two weeks, it becomes useless. I now have about five dead batteries thanks 2 this camera. It seems that every time I need 2 record something the battery is dead. Of course it's out of warranty & customer service won't talk 2 me over email.

2. JVC uses a bizarre, proprietary format - .MOD - that is essentially MPEG-2 with a strange audio format. **It is impossible 2 edit the files in Adobe Premiere** - a huge letdown. I had 2 go through hours of research & trial & error 2 try 2 get my files just 2 play in premiere. Why JVC couldn't have used a more universal format baffles me.

3. Video quality is merely average - about on par with an inexpensive point-n-shoot camera. It is interlaced, & I could not find a way 2 record progressive, so all motion looks jagged when played on a progressive screen like a computer. Another huge letdown.

4. The zoom control imparts clicks & pops 2 the video when it's used. Also, the zoom itself is very slow & actually varies with the focal length. E.g. If I hold it all the way down, the zoom moves at one speed from about 1x-6x & then slows down from 7x-10x.

5. Misc. - The wide end of the lens is too long of a focal length. I have 2 use a .5x adapter 2 get a decent wide shot. The camera has a long startup time - 4-5 seconds as it goes through a "JVC camcorder" animation. It also has no physical controls 4 manual settings - all must be done through a menu. There is no focus ring; trying 2 manually focus through a menu with a joystick is near impossible.

This is a good camera. It has served well since I bought it a month ago. The only thing is that battery does not last more than 40 minutes when fully charged & there is no warranty on the battery. Mine is dead after one month. That is kind of disappointing. I had a Sony DCR-SR40. It had two hours battery life. JVC customer is not good like Sony or Canon.

JVCs are great if you don't need any accessories or never need customer service. if you do you are in trouble. I bought a JVC video recorder last year & despite it being new it came without most of the accessories offered with it--things you'll probably need such as the cable 2 connect it 2 the TV & the one 2 connect it 2 the computer. I had 2 buy each of these 4 $40 each--they would not ship them, & also had 2 buy the software that was supposed 2 come with the camera. after all that, the leads broke & the camera started eating tape. the customer service was useless & I finally just threw it out. I had owned this JVC product 4 less than a year & will never buy another one.

I researched 4 weeks before deciding on the Everio & I am pleased with my purchace. It takes very decent stills w/ flash, the low light lens allows 4 twilight camcordering with out a need 4 a video light & the size,etc is perfect 4 my usage.

The GZ-MG77 Series includes a 2.7-inch widescreen LCD. It features a 16:9 video mode & 16:9 widescreen mode, PictBridge compatibility 4 direct printing, SD card slot, USB mass storage compatibility, Data Battery that displays recording time remaining, remote control & Power-Linked Operation, which powers up the camcorder & engages the standby mode simply by opening the LCD. Operation has also been enhanced with a new four-way controller mounted on the outside edge of the LCD. Pressing the four "compass" points on the circular control operates menu settings, manual controls & playback control.The GZ-MG77 Series offers built-in DVD burner control allowing it 2 be directly connected 2 an optional JVC DVD burner, the CU-VD10 SHARE STATION. The camcorder connects 2 the burner via a USB cable & the burner is easily controlled by the camcorder. Everio .mod files are converted 2 the DVD Video format & the SHARE STATION creates discs that can be played on most DVD players.