0ur opinion:

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Don't tape it. Don't worry about reloading discs either, because the palm sized GZ-MG20 records over 24 hours of video on its high-capacity 20 GB hard disk drive. So when you are on the go, vacationing or at a family event, pack your lightweight Everio and go. There are four recording modes allows you to record the way you want. The ULTRA mode will record over 4.5 hours of almost DVD movie quality. The FlNE mode will record at DVD camcorder quality for over 7 hours. Either way, the high quality MPEG-2 recordings are the same format used as a DVD. There will be no quality loss when burning to DVD. Plus, no cassettes or discs to lose. Every Everio camcorder is designed to simplify your life. The built-in hard disk drive allows you to easily delete unwanted scenes and rearrange your footage even on the go. This Everio's multi-connectivity allows you to get connected and share all your memories. Your own portable video scrapbook - from JVC. Long recording time and easy to use features in a palm sized hard disk drive solution.

From the Manufacturer:
The revolutionary JVC Everio G series hard-disk camcorders offer unprecedented storage capacity, eliminating the need to carry tapes, discs, or any media at all--yet can record up to seven hours of DVD movie-quality video. They also record more than 10.5 hours at a quality level comparable to a DVD camcorder’s 30-minute mode. Recording-time capabilities for all four models in the Everio G series are impressive: The GZ-MG20 and GZ-MG40 offer 4 hours and 50 minutes of recording time at DVD quality and 25 hours at lower-resolution lnternet quality; the GZ-MG30, GZ-MG50, and GZ-MG70 record for 7 hours and 10 minutes at DVD quality and 37 hours at lnternet quality.

The GZ-MG20 fits in the palm of your hand.

The GZ-MG20 has a 20 GB hard disk, is truly palm-sized, and weighs less than 14 ounces with the battery attached. lts design is similar to a MiniDV camcorder’s, which means that it’s comfortable to hold and operate, and includes a large, 2.5-inch flip-out LCD monitor for easy recording.

Playback is easy, too, with multiple connections allowing convenient TV playback, dubbing to a VCR or DVD recorder, transfer to a PC or Apple Macintosh for DVD creation, editing, or posting on the lnternet, or even burned directly without a PC to a full-length movie DVD disc using an optional DVD burner.

MPEG-2 Video Recording for DVD-Movie Quality Footage
The GZ-MG20 offers an impressive 4.5 hours storage at 9 Mbps, and over 7 hours at 6 Mbps. The high-quality MPEG-2 recordings are in the same format used in DVD, so there's no quality loss when burning them to DVD, and no time- and quality-wasting conversion.

The JVC GZ-MG20's 3D NR technology reduces video noise by 30 percent, even in low light.

3D Noise-Reduction Technology
Conventional noise reduction offers limited accuracy since it compares field A and field B that make up a frame with different sets of odd and even scanning lines to compensate for noise. JVC’s 3D noise-reduction technology compares field A to field A, and field B to field B across two frames so that the scanning lines are identical and noise can be reduced more accurately. As a result, signal-to-noise ratio is improved by 2 dB and noise is reduced by about 30 percent. Flicker is eliminated and color reproduction is improved, enhancing overall picture quality.

25x 0ptical Zoom with 800x Digital Zoom
With the powerful 25x zoom, an image is enlarged 25 times without jagged edges. lmages can be further enlarged up to 800x when combined with the digital zoom.

Get close to the action with optical and digital zoom options.

Random Access to Recordings
The benefits of recording video to a hard disk are the same benefits that have made hard disk-based audio players so popular--random access to quickly locate desired material, and the ability to effortlessly delete unwanted material and easily rearrange the playback sequence. What’s more, there’s no danger of mistakenly recording over something that’s to be saved.

Browse recorded scenes easily with the thumbnail image index.

Scene selection is made easy thanks to on-screen index images, so the large amount recorded won't become a hindrance to quick accessibility. And with remote control operation, it is possible to connect the Everio G camcorder to a TV and operate it from a distance, just like a DVD deck. Playlist operation allows recording of desired clips directly to DVD with the optional DVD burner, or directly to VHS or other analog input devices with the S-Video or Composite video output for perfect copies every time.

Hard-Disk Protection and Stability
A challenge in designing and building a hard-disk camcorder is protecting the disk from shocks and vibrations. 0ne way this is done in the Everio G camcorders is through a unique floating suspension system that effectively dampens vibrations through advanced polymer shock absorbers. Another security measure familiar to notebook PC users is its gravity-like force sensor system that automatically senses sudden acceleration such as in a free fall situation, and turns off the power to defend the hard disk so that a head crash can be avoided in many cases even when the unit is dropped.

Confirm remaining disk capacity and other details with the GZ-MG20's intuitive graphical display.

Make Full-length DVDs Easily, With or Without a Computer
ln a unique collaboration with Apacer Technology lnc., JVC and Apacer developed a new DVD video burner that connects directly from the Everio G. Just select the playlist or file, or simply copy it all--one touch creates a full length video DVD to watch on a DVD player, with no need for a personal computer. For those who want to edit with a computer, JVC includes software for use with both the Windows and Macintosh platforms. Provided Pixela Capty MPEG Edit EX and optional Capty DVD for making DVD Video software provide seamless integration into the Apple Macintosh computer world. 0f course Everio G is compatible with iPhoto for still pictures.

For Windows PCs, the CyberLink DVD Solution bundled with Everio G models comprises three applications that make it easy to make full-length DVD movies. A standard 4.7 GB single-layer DVD-R/RW disc holds over one hour of an Ultra mode movie, and over 90 minutes of a Fine mode movie.

• PowerProducer offers easy saving and authoring of video clips in any order to DVD, even directly from a USB-connected camera, so users can share original DVDs with anybody who owns a DVD player. The software makes it easy to locate and transfer video files residing on the camera’s hard drive. Saving to DVD requires only a PC with 256 MB RAM, 700 MHz or above Pentium lll, USB 2.0 terminal, and a DVD burner.
• PowerDirector Express offers feature-rich, non-linear editing so users can flex their creative muscle with titles and even mix stills with videos. PowerDirector Express also converts movies to a variety of file formats to send via the Web or e-mail. Supported formats include DV-AVl, Windows AVl, MPEG-1 and MPEG-2, as well as Windows Media Video and RealVideo that can be streamed uploaded or streamed over the lnternet.
• PowerDVD conveniently plays back video clips and DVDs with Dolby Digital audio.

What's in the Box
Everio GZ-MG20, AC power adapter/battery charger, rechargeable battery, AV cable, USB cable, remote control, shoulder strap, grip belt, lens cap, software CD-R0M (USB driver, Digital Photo Navigator: Windows, CyberLink DVD Solution: Windows, PlXELA Capty MPEG Edit EX: Mac)

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Buyer's feedback: - * great ...
this is a great camcorder the only problem i have is the battery life. other than that i love it. i have dropped it like 10 times and it still works.

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Buyer's feedback: - Excellent camera and high quality video
I bought this camera and I just love it. Forget about the issues some people mention here about low quality video, the trick is to change the camera settings for the environment you are recoding in. Just leaving it to the default settings do create grainy video in some situations, but change the settings and you will get gorgeous video quality. There is nothing wrong with the camera, it is all about the operator.

I love the internal harddrive. I did not want any disc or tape based systems, and this is perfect. Particularly convenient is it that this camera support SD cards, as my Casio digital camera uses that too --so I have a stack of them already that I now can use in both cameras.

The only thin missing is a nice case/bag for the camera. That and an extra battery or two is on top of my shopping list now.

I'll shoot my bride in my upcoming wedding, with this camera that is.... :-)

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Buyer's feedback: - * Really like it. But important to read the instructions. ...
Just got this camera recently. I'd read a number of reviews suggesting the image quality wasn't too hot, but thought I'd give it a try as I'm really tired of trying to keep track of all the little tapes I've accumulated over the years. Out of the box, I shot some video of the family in the house using only overhead lighting. Then I converted it to DVD (included software is very easy to use, but I wanted to use Nero. The file extensions are .mod, but Nero recognized it just fine). Yep. It was grainy and the color was lackluster. THEN I read the manual. As it turns out, the camera comes from the factory with the GAIN setting turned on. This really boosts the signal in low light conditions, but can result in a slightly grainy image. So I turned it off. That helped alot. Then, realizing that none of the walls in my house are white, I manually set the white balance (very easy to do with this camera) and WOW. Big difference. Colors are just right. I even filmed my daughter in her pink room and it came out right. I'm liking this camera more and more everyday. Just be sure to read the manual and don't be afraid to tweak the settings to your situation.

So far, only two downsides: the VF707U battery it comes with is a wimp (about 50min record time) and the camera doesn't have a standard view-finder. However, this last point is mitigated somewhat by the fact that the camera is so small, it is a pleasure to carry it just about everywhere.

I recommend this camera if you don't mind a little learning curve, plan on buying another battery, and are tired of trying to keep track of little pieces of recording media. For me, It's making taking video fun again.

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Buyer's feedback: - I vomit on this POC
Well all the reviews I have seen say it is a little grany, if by a little grany you meen looks like crap I would have to agree, the DVD quality is a DVD that has been run over by a truck... alot. Slow to focus crapy in low light.

Great concept, but it need better video quailty before I can say anything good about it.

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Buyer's feedback: - * TRY THE ALTERNATIVES BEFORE YOU BUY !!!! ...
Been a JVC movie man for many years, and decided to update the well-travelled Mini-tape model to the shiny new HDD MG20 (purchased in Dubai while on holiday). Lovely quality, easy to use....BUT DON'T BUY IT before you check if the low-lighting results are acceptable to you. It might be fine for you, in which case this is a good buy, but not for us; colours faded, exceptionally grainy....even the software doesn't get it up to the levels we had from the old model.
Returned it to JVC, who returned it as being absolutely fine, and I have been told I must take it back to the retailer...IN DUBAI !!
So, this long-time JVC family are moving elsewhere. Recommendations appreciated.