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  • Introduction

  • Audio

  • Compression & Media

  • Manual Controls

  • Still Features

  • Handling & Use

  • Playback & Connectivity

  • Other Features

  • Conclusion

  • Photo Gallery

  • Introduction
  • Audio
  • Compression & Media
  • Manual Controls
  • Still Features
  • Handling & Use
  • Playback & Connectivity
  • Other Features
  • Conclusion
  • Photo Gallery

Introduction

Audio

The JVC GZ-HD320 is a decided downgrade from the GZ-HD40. There is no microphone jack or headphone jack, which will definitely lessen the appeal for hobbyist shooter. Because there is no accessory shoe, either, you're limited to the built-in mics on the front.

Compression & Media

Compression

The GZ-HD320 may signal the end of JVC's use of the MPEG-2 TS format, which we're happy to welcome. True, our testing of the JVC GZ-HD40, which shot in both MPEG-2 TS and AVCHD, showed some improvements in image quality, the interoperability with existing software was poor, as it is with many proprietary formats. The entire industry has clearly moved to MPEG-4 as a whole, either implemented as AVCHD or as AVC/H.64. The fact that the GZ-HD320 records only in AVCHD means that you're more likely to find it a happy home with some piece of video software you already own.

The GZ-HD320 records at four quality settings: 24Mbps (a new high speed for JVC, tying with Canon for the fastest possible speed in AVCHD), then 17Mbps, 12Mbps, and 5Mbps.

All recording is done at full 1920 x 1080 interlaced fps, but the camcorder offers the ability to up-res that to 1080P in-camera for supporting TVs.

Media

The GZ-HD320 is a hard drive camcorder, with the option to increase the already generous capacity by way of microSD cards.

Editing

The GZ-HD320 ships with Everio MediaBrowser software. This PC-only bundle includes basic importing and editing tools, as well as the new upload to YouTube software and transfer to iTunes feature.

A sample of the calendar view in the new Everio MediaBrowser software

Manual Controls

Auto Mode

The JVC camcorders that we've seen recently have all done a fine job with auto focus, exposure, and white balance, so there's no reason to fear when it comes to running it in full auto mode. Unfortunately, the auto mode is not as simple as we've seen on Canon and Sony models, which lock down more options to prevent accidental changes.

Scene Modes

Scene modes include Night, Twilight, Spotlight, Snow, Sports, and Portrait.

Zoom **

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The zoom toggle on the JVC GZ-HD320 is small, but well designed. It features a smooth, easy back and forth motion that allows fine control over the zoom. We had no problem achieving a smooth, slow gain.

Zoom Ratio

The JVC GZ-HD320 has a 20x optical zoom, much larger than the average HD camcorder, which will likely give it an edge once all the models are out on shelves. Shoppers respond to zoom specs, there's no question about that. Presumably, JVC was able to achieve this because the sensor is small, relative to top-end Canons and Sonys.

Focus

Manually focusing is the most awkward control to be done through the Laser Touch strip. It's find for menu scrolling, but it doesn't offer the fine control necessary to move focal length by a only a few degrees. In all honesty, it took us a while to come around on liking the Laser Touch system, but not when it comes to focus.

Exposure

The exposure control on the JVC GZ-HD320 is simple and straightforward. Called Brightness in the menu, you get a range of -6 to +6.

Aperture

The JVC GZ-HD320 does not offer manual aperture control, unlike the GZ-HD40.

Shutter Speed

The JVC GZ-HD320 has a Shutter Priority mode with a range of 1/2 to 1/4000.

White Balance

The white balance options include Auto, Manual, Fine, Cloud, and Halogen.

Gain

JVC does not offer direct control over the gain, per se, but it does have a means of cutting off the auto gain, which can help keep noise in check. There are three settings. The AGC setting allows the auto gain to roam unchecked. The Off setting shuts the auto gain off. The Auto setting seems to combine AGC and a slow shutter mode that allows the auto shutter to drop as low as 1/30th.

Color & Image Control

There is a limited selection of color and image controls.

Other Manual Controls

There is one other manual control.

Still Features

The JVC GZ-HD320 records stills in the JPEG format to either the internal hard drive or removable microSD cards. Nearly all microSD cards come with converter that fits into SD card slots, so you can pop the card out of the camcorder and bring it down to your local big box store's auto-printer. There's no flash, but you can turn on the video light for extra illumination

 

Handling & Use

Ease of Use

The JVC camcorder are still not the simplest to operate. The look of the menus have improved, but it can still be difficult to remember where every feature is located. The menu is wide and contains a lot of options, so some time with the manual is recommended. If the GZ-HD320 performs along the lines of JVC models in the past, recording in auto mode won't be a problem if the menu becomes overwhelming.

Handling

The biggest change in JVC's new HD line-up is the switch to the Laser Touch operation, which debuted on last year's entry-level GZ-M100. Apparently, it was a success, because every JVC camcorder offers it this year. It works like this: there's a touch-sensitive strip that runs vertically along the left edge of the LCD screen. Think of a touch screen, but a tad less acute. The engineering still needs some fine-tuning. Because the menus are so long, it would have made sense to allow 'flicking,' like the iPhone (i.e., a strong finger swipe makes the menu options fly.)

The touch sensitive buttons along the bottom, however, are fine. The button on the left side is always used to confirm choices, but the three in the middle are context-sensitive.

In hand, the GZ-HD320 feels good. It's remarkably compact for an HD camcorder. The body feels solid, and it's not too heavy. Our only complaint here is the hand strap. We understand JVC's desire to have the convertible hand strap/wrist strap, but its thin and uncomfortable.

Portability

The JVC GZ-HD320 measures 53 x 68 x 113mm (2-1/8 x 2 11/16 x 4-1/2 inches) and weighs 370g (0.82 pounds). That's remarkably small for an HD camcorder. It's thirty percent smaller than the previous generation models. It's also laughably smaller than the 2006 top-of-the-line GZ-HD7, and its a treat to see how far the technology has come in a few years.

Battery

JVC does not state which battery ships with the GZ-HD320, though it looks similar in size to the batteries used on last year's standard definition GZ-MG330 and GZ-MG730. It loads at the back, with an open design that should allow for expanded-life battery packs.

This JVC allows for expanded battery packs.

LCD & Viewfinder

The JVC GZ-HD320 has not yet specified the LCD resolution, but it appears to be the same 2.8-inch screen with a 207,000-pixel resolution. This is on par with camcorders of its size, but it's hard to beat Sony's 3.2-inch, 921,000-pixel LCDs. There is no viewfinder, which can only be expected on a camcorder that's trying to compete on portability.

Menus

The menu system on the JVC GZ-HD320 is wide and shallow. That makes it easy to know where in the menu you are, but takes a long time to get anywhere, especially if your desired menu item is mid-way through a lengthy list. Navigating through the menu with the Laser Touch is a little tedious, because the technology doesn't feel like it's quite there yet. It's adequate, but it's not great.

 

Playback & Connectivity

Playback

The JVC GZ-HD320 is put is playback mode via a small button in the LCD cavity. Once in playback mode, operation is fairly simple. Your clips appear as thumbnails, several to a screen. Use the Laser Touch pad to select one, then hit the OK button to begin playback.

Several of the new features on the 2009 JVC camcorders revolves around playback and output. When connected to a PC, the camcorder can transfer clips directly to iTunes, once the included software has been installed (PC-only). The software also speeds upload to YouTube, a feature that JVC introduced on last year's GZ-MS100. There's also the ability to perform one-touch back-up to JVC and third-party DVD burners and hard drives.

Connectivity

The JVC GZ-HD320 is modestly equipped with jacks and ports. The lack of a mic jack and headphone jack is conspicuous, but as long as the GZ-HD40 remains on the market, JVC fans will have that option elsewhere.

Other Features

One-Touch iTunes Upload This feature is a PC-only method to transfer clips from the camcorder to your iTunes library. Once there, the iTunes conversion engine can resize the clips and place them on your iPod and iPhone. It's a great feature not so much because JVC surmounted some bug engineering problem, but because it made the process a little easier, and ease of use is the whole *modus operandi *of iPod.

One-Touch YouTube Upload Similar in operation to the iTunes upload, once the included PC-only software is installed, you can speed the upload process to YouTube. Of course, it's not actually one-touch; it's several steps, and only a little easier than doing it completely on your own. We're holding out for a camcorder with built-in WiFi or 3G which has actual one-touch upload.

Face Detection New this year is the ability to recognize and correct exposure for faces. JVC claims the ability to recognize up to 16 faces.

Video Light The small, weak video light on the front of the GZ-MD320 can be set to turn on and off automatically or manually. It can also be used in still photo mode.

 

Conclusion

The GZ-HD320 is not a watershed camcorder for the upper-end hobbyists, considering the lack of a mic jack, headphone jack, and accessory shoe. However, the extreme portability and eye-catching Laser Touch operation will likely be enough to pull in a certain audience ready to step up to their first HD camcorder.

If you like what you've seen on the GZ-HD320 but want to save a little money, check out the nearly identical GZ-HD300. You lose some capacity, as the hard drive is reduced to 60GB, but you get the choice of black, blue, or red bodies. There's also the card-only version, the GZ-HM200, which features two SD/SDHC card slots.

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Meet the tester

David Kender

David Kender

Editor in Chief

@davekender

David Kender oversees content at Reviewed as the Editor in Chief. He served as managing editor and editor in chief of Reviewed's ancestor, CamcorderInfo.com, helping to grow the company from a tiny staff to one of the most influential online review resources. In his time at Reviewed, David has helped to launch over 100 product categories and written too many articles to count.

See all of David Kender's reviews

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