LOTS OF BELLS AND WHISTLES. BATTERY OPTIONS DISAPPOINTING

Author's Rating:

Pros: Data storage capability. 30Gb Hard Disc. No need for additional recording media. Large LCD. Software.

Cons: Easy to learn, but takes time. Included Battery insufficient. Car charger unavailable. Batteries costly.

The Bottom Line: 
Buy if you plan on making good, long movies and will use often. For occasional use, more basic camcorders can be found for less.

Author's Review
THE "DEAL"

It may be noticed that the price I paid was far below retail offerings. This due to the fact that I purchased an "Open Box" unit from Circuit City. Everything was still in their original bags, labels/tags were still attached, all accessories were included, and the warranty/return guarantee still applied. For $329, I grabbed it. As I've stated in previous reviews, look for rebates or deals on items. In this case, I could live without the original box.

THE BASICS

The Everio GZ-MG130U camcorder features a built-in 1.8" 30GB hard disk drive which can record 10.5 hours of DVD quality video, and over 37 hours in economy mode. Direct-DVD button and a Direct-Back-up button for one touch operation. Also takes still pictures in camera mode. Alternative Flash Memory (SD) compatible. Built-in speaker with Audio Recording in Hi-Fi. 34x Optical Zoom. The camcorder measures approx. 2.75"(H) x 2.25"(W) x 4.25"(D) and weighs less than 1 pound.

BATTERY INCLUDED

It may seem as though my review of the battery is long winded. I just think, being a portable device, you should know the biggest con of this package. The battery and options could be improved by JVC.
The Battery Life of the included BN-VF808 battery is rated at 730mAh and 1h 45m (@ 68 degrees F), - less, if you operate the zoom feature on the camcorder.
NOTE:Enclosed literature that arrived with the camera had a correction insert relating to these times. For this camera, the rating is 1h 35m (again, less if you operate the zoom feature).

Being a Lithium-Ion type, I completely drained it. I then fully recharged it and let it run the camcorder. It operated for 1 hour and 25 minutes before shutting down. Fairly close to the rated 1.5 hours, but the battery is new and as usage continues the battery will hold less of a charge.

UPDATE 2/19/07: "pvreditir" has informed me that Lithium-Ion type batteries do not obtain a new "dead point" (see his comment), should you recharge them when they are less than completely dead. I apparently thought them the same as the nickle-cads from days of old.

Two additional batteries are available for purchase separately. The BN-VF815 @ 2h 35m and BN-VF823 @ 3h 50m (time ratings when used with this camcorder) are more powerful, but far more expensive. The BN-VF808 costs $59 -$79 retail. These are new technology. As of this writing, none have made an appearance on eBay or other locations at discount prices. JVC has also gotten smarter. Built-in technology does not allow the operation of the camera using other batteries (though they may fit) without the possibility of damage or completely preventing the camera from powering on. My biggest beef is that I could have lived with this if JVC had a car charger offered for use on the road. Currently, one is not available.

The battery must be charged while installed on the camera using the supplied AC adapter. A separate, independent AC charger is available through JVC at a significant price. Again, it would have been nice if the independent charger was part of the package being offered.

After calling JVC, I was informed an adapter is available for car use. It is actually an inverter. Plug the DC - AC inverter into the cigarette lighter, then connect the provided AC - DC adapter to the inverter. Seems a long way to get there, but that is their solution. Cost: $129 plus shipping. JVC Part# BH-V1U

UPDATE 2/19/07: "Tennis Player" has informed me that an inverter can be found at Wal-Mart for significantly less (see his comment).

VIEWSCREEN

The flip out viewscreen is one of the nicest I've seen while looking at camcorders. It has a full color 2.7" LCD screen (can be viewed in 16:9 widescreen or 4:3 ratio) is easily readable in direct sunlight. Moving through the menu and function options on the screen makes viewing your options an easy task. Images are crisp and clear. Buttons for some functions, located on the screen door, are conveniently placed far enough apart so that only the fattest fingers would have a problem using them. The screen acts as the viewfinder when taking still pictures (there is no separate viewfinder on this model).

34X OPTICAL ZOOM (not to be confused with *Digital Zoom)

Probably my favorite feature of this camcorder. I use my cameras for trips in the Rockies and High Sierras, Though I'm sure those who want it for sporting events will appreciate the amount of zoom. Often, my quarry of elk and other wildlife will remain on the other ridge. Instantaneously adjustable up to 34x Zoom is like a telescope, though a stand is required for the higher limits. It is impossible to hold the camcorder steady enough by hand to record an image that is not moving. Playback of your attempt will make you seasick, as the frames are jumpy - no matter how you tried to hold the camcorder steady.
*Do not confuse Optical Zoom with Digital Zoom. Digital Zoom (this camcorder has 800x digital zoom) will increase the original picture size, but clarity is lost. In simple terms, pictures are created using many thousands of pixels (itsy-bitsy colored squares) assembled together. Digital zoom will enlarge those pixels. The result is a larger, cropped picture that is not as sharp as your original. For picture purposes, digital zoom is not really zoom, in the strictest definition of the term. If you've been regularly using digital zoom and wondered why your pictures did not look that great, now you know. Rule #1: Do not be impressed with any cameras digital zoom rating - be concerned with Optical Zoom only.

NOISE REDUCTION

JVC touts their newly developed Gigabrid engine: "Improves picture quality by integrating various noise reduction technologies to increase the signal-to-noise ratio by about 30 percent (3dB) over previous models."

They make claim to 3D Video Noise reduction:

"Frame-based three-dimensional processing reduces video noise (visual static) by 30%, allowing you to get a bright picture with less noise, even in low light."

I can't confirm any of that. Way too technical to verify their claims of percentages nor do I have a previous model of theirs, to compare this one to. Guess I'll have to take their word for it and simply state that I don't see any "static" noise. (see comment from "pvreditor" for more on video noise)

QUICK ACCESS TO RECORDINGS AND EASY PLAYBACK

Recording videos to a hard disk allows you to edit your playlists. You can locate your recordings and then rearrange the order of playback. When recording, the camcorder starts automatically from the blank space on the disk, so there's no danger of recording over something you want to keep. Multiple connections allow convenient TV playback, dubbing to a VCR or DVD recorder, transfer to a PC or Mac for DVD creation, and editing. Posting on the Internet and even burning discs directly if you have a DVD burner is also an option. Using the 2.0 USB cable allows for quick downloading of video/pictures to a PC. It is a digital-to-digital transfer, so there is no quality loss when transferring data.

REMOTE CONTROL

Gotta have a Remote! The Remote Control is intense and works on infrared beam. Especially useful if you hook up your Camcorder to a TV, VCR, DVD, or other device. It has almost every control option found on the camcorder. Besides the standard "Play" and "Record," it has the ability to zoom, widen, obtain the menu, search the menu, index, take a snapshot, rotate pictures, skip, and much more. Personally, I don't see myself using for more than playback on the TV or placing myself in pictures, but it is still an impressive little gadget.

OTHER FEATURES

Bump protection: I hope to never find out if this works! Everio-G camcorders have gravity-like force sensor systems that automatically sense sudden acceleration (as in a free fall situation) and turn off the power to protect the hard disk. Like that you may have seen advertised on TV for Notebook PC's.

In-camera editing: In-camera editing capabilities allow you to cut portions of a given video clip. This Partial Delete function takes advantage of the random access nature of HDD and SDHC media.

Data Battery Readout: You can check the remaining battery power and remaining recording time in minutes by using the INFO button, even while the camcorder's power is off. Nice feature to let you know when you're running out of time.

Others, which are pretty self explanatory:

AV Connection
USB Connection
Custom Titling
Date and Time Stamp
Exposure Control
Night Recording (Ability to record in low light)
Electronic Image Stabilization
Still Picture Resolution 640 x 480 dpi
*Built in Light Source

*This is a small, but fairly bright light and can be turned on or off as needed. A REAL BATTERY DRAINER!

FEATURES NOT INCLUDED

SD memory card (no physical card included)
Manual Focus
Motion Sensor
Time Lapse Recording
Battery Charger (Car Adapter type)

INCLUDED IN THE BOX

CD ROM Software
Shoulder Strap
Battery (BN-VF808)
Remote
USB Cable
AV Cables
AC Adapter
Printed Manuals

INCLUDED SOFTWARE

I could write another hour on the software, but I will try to keep it brief, as for all but the most adept would need an in-depth review and I doubt I could do it justice.

Suffice to say, JVC provides very decent programs to be used with the camcorder. The Digital Photo Navigator Ver 1.5. Along with Digital Photo Navigator, there are 3 editing programs that can be loaded onto your computer. Power Producer 3 NE, Power Director 5 NE Express, and Power Cinema NE For Everio.

All are quite capable and can do more than the basic recording desires. Admittedly I have not used all that is available, other than some cutting and fading features, but there are numerous special effects available. Additional special affects can be obtained by registering the software. For most, the programs will more than satisfy the average users needs. Easy installation and I had no conflicts or problems after installing. Took about 3 minutes and has a tutorial and demo available to assist you.

SUMMATION

I took 1 star away because of the battery issues. Although my biggest complaint is the battery and options associated with portability, in fairness I can't rate this JVC camcorder poorly. As a camcorder it has most of the best features available. I am extremely pleased with every other aspect of it. The 30Gb hard drive should be more than satisfactory for families and individuals not making the next "Gone With The Wind." It should be the most camera needed and, if cared for properly, should last the years required during your childrens growth and when those special events occur.

Hopefully, the battery problem of price and charging options will resolve itself as time goes on. As the situation now exists, be prepared to spend another additional monies for an additional battery and associated accessories in order not to lose any recording opportunities.

UPDATE: 12/21/07

I Just wanted to stop in and give a little update on a couple of comments I Made in my original review.

The power/battery concern never became an issue. Another trip in the mountains had us near a vehicle enough to ensure the battery would stay charged (the power converter that plugs into a cigarette lighter did the trick - and only cost about $12 versus the $100 JVC wanted for their adapter).

The movie making programs supplied with the camera turned out to be a disappointment. The more I got into them, the more I discovered what I COULD NOT do. They are less than the full version movie making programs and you are expected to "upgrade," at a cost, for additional options to work. NOT WORTH IT! The more I investigated reviews on the supplied movie programs the more I saw people not happy with them - even after upgrading. Went with Vegas Movie Studio + DVD Platinum and it was a great choice.

I am still very happy with the camera and it continues to function perfectly.