JVC Everio GZMG555 5MP 30GB Hard Disk Drive Camcorder with 10x Optical Zoom (Includes Docking Station)

I have found this camcorder takes fantastic video as long as you set the indoor / outdoor button properly.
Negatives I have read about & agree with:
1) It is a little slow 2 focus at times
2) Still pictures don't look good
3) Records in .MOD format so editing & playback of files stored on a computer can be extremely problematic. I agree the included software 4 this is not very sophisticated & not user friendly. I found it an unacceptable long term solution.

HOWEVER THERE ARE SOME SOLUTIONS THAT SOLVE THE VIDEO EDITING PROBLEM = Adobe Premiere ($400-$600 I believe)and Pinnacle Studio (multiple versions) support the .MOD format (format support listed on both websites). I use Pinnacle studio "plus" version 11 which I found on sale 4 $99. It flawlessly recognizes, plays, & edits video from this camcorder & is a much more powerful program the Microsoft Movie Maker which I was previously using. With this software I love the camcorder. Without this software, moving, playing & editing files on anything other than the camcorder was a nightmare.
So, I would rate this 5 stars except 4 the negatives above. Without the Pinnacle software I agree w/ the 1-2 start rating a few have given.

This camera is great, only problem is, that almost immediately, two vertical lines appeared on the display. Another line appeared a few days after that. It makes no difference 2 the recording, but I am afraid that after a while I will not see what's on the display. I bought this 4 my dad & were able 2 give it 2 him after a few month so now I am wondering if I get any warranty help from JVC.

I bought this camcorder about a year ago & haven't used it much... just been taking video here & there. Now I'm ready 2 do some editing & the file format it records to, .MOD is not recognized by any program except the lame video editing program it comes with. I have Adobe Premiere CS3 with the latest update & it still doesn't work. There are programs out there 4 converting the files, I've tried one, it's a pain, & I still can't get the audio 2 work with the video.

Don't just take my word 4 it, google .MOD & JVC & see what everyone else is saying.

I recently just got this camera & boy is it frusterating! Now don't get me wrong the video quality is just pure excellence compared 2 the last camera I used. Another pro is the night alive feature which allows you 2 turn on a light built in the camera if necessary. Now with the cons. The camera files are saved as MOV files which are basically basically mpeg files, but none of my computer editing software can recognize it, including Windows Movie Maker & Sony Vegas Pro. I have wasted nothing, but precious time 2 solve this, but none of the solutions I've found appeal 2 me. I don't want 2 lose any quality & only want 2 edit the files directly through the programs I have (without converting)and not use the poor editing software it came with. Shame! with it's price tag it should be able 2 do the basic function what my previous $80 camera was capable of doing.

I bought is camcorder about about two months ago. I used it at eight events day & night time shooting & the videos came out great. I also shoot photos at a wedding, I loaded the photos on my computer. The prints were like a pro.

With a 1.8" hard disk drive built-in, its lightweight compactness is not constrained by the size of videocassette or disc media, nor does it require a space-consuming loading mechanism. The redesigned image processor 4 Everio G series incorporates 6 digital noise reduction systems 2 improve the S/N ratio by about 30% (3dB) over previous models. The integrated MPEG-2 encoder features circuitry that reduces the block noise & mosquito noise that can occur with digital video recording formats. It's assurance that all of those Gigabytes of video & photos you shoot will offer the best picture quality available 4 each recording mode.The built-in flash or video light functions automatically so you can shoot brilliant images even in low light situations. The flagship model GZ-MG555 is equipped with both.GZ-MG555 is designed 4 serious shooting, but it's so easy you'll think it's fun!