Editor’s Note: This product has been removed from the comparison since it is no longer readily available for purchase. You can still read our original review below, but TopTenREVIEWS is no longer updating this product’s information.
For consumers looking for a standard definition camcorder that offers the most recording time possible without having to bother with changing cassettes, DVDs or flash memory cards, the impressive JVC Everio GZ-MG680 should strongly considered. Beyond unsurpassed recording capacity, it features high quality optics and advanced electronic features that result in high quality videos. It can even up convert results for optimal viewing on an HDTV. Multiple convenience features make it flexible and easy to use and its price makes it a bargain when considering its many attributes.
With the JVC Everio GZ-MG680 standard definition camcorder, subject matter to be filmed is likely to run out long before the mammoth 120GB hard disc drive is full. The camera shoots in four distinct recording modes. In the highest resolution Ultra Fine mode, the disc can hold more than 28 hours of filming. In Fine mode, it holds more than 42 hours while normal mode will accommodate over 56 hours. For users who need to film over an extended period of time without transferring the files to a computer or DVD, the device will hold an astonishing 150 hours of recoded content. That’s non-stop recording for 6.25 days.
It goes without saying that longer recording times are gained at the expense of resolution quality and we urge users to maximize the quality of their videos by using the finest mode possible and to transfer videos whenever feasible to minimize disappointment with lower quality results. In addition to the hard disc drive, the GZ-MG680 has a slot that will accommodate an SD/SDHC card of up to 32GB. While that may not seem necessary given the huge hard drive, it offers an opportunity to transfer recorded content from the camera to a computer or printer when it may not be practical to transfer using the USB interface.
Images are captured by the JVC Everio GZ-MG680 via the precision optics of a Konica Minolta lens featuring 35x optical zoom. It also has 40x Dynamic Zoom which increases the 35x optical zoom with some electronic enhancements for even more telephoto reach with minimal loss of resolution. Further, up to 800x digital zoom is available. Digital zoom electronically magnifies the image gathered by the optical lens and distortion becomes ever greater as zoom increases. The device has digital image stabilization which helps reduce the effects of camera shake but lacks the superior optical image stabilization capability.
Images gathered by the lens are captured by a 1/6-inch CCD featuring 800K pixels. That optical data is processed by the Gigabrid Engine processor for clearer, more accurately colored and detailed images than are attained by most devices in this category. Even low light shooting is of acceptable quality and is augmented by the Auto Illumi.Light video light which comes on automatically when needed.
Video up converting is among the most advanced and desirable features of the JVC Everio GZ-MG680 camcorder. The camera can up convert its standard definition video to full 1920 x 1080p high definition for play back on an HDTV when using the included HDMI interface. Images displayed on lesser televisions will be less satisfying but still as good as the TV is capable of reproducing.
The camera is made with sharing of videos, by a number of routes, in mind. The One Touch Export function allows videos to be transferred to iTunes and subsequently loaded to an iPod or iPhone. One Touch Upload also provides the ability to upload directly to YouTube and other video and photo sharing web sites easily. There’s also One Touch DVD burning. These functions all are made available by installing included software on a computer then linking camcorder to computer via the USB port. The camcorder has dedicated upload, export or direct DVD buttons which activate the software to perform the desired process. Burning directly to DVD without a computer can be accomplished by using the JVC CU-VD50 direct DVD burner/player which is available as a separate purchase.
The GZ-MG680 has an improved version of much maligned Laser Touch control on the side of the 2.7-inch LCD display screen. Though some people seem to like it, most find it overly sensitive and difficult to control. Fortunately, several functional controls such as zoom are also available as dedicated buttons. A clever new feature is called Digest Playback. It selects clips of recorded video and plays them back like movie highlights in a trailer. It compresses an hour of recorded material into five minutes of playback time. Additionally, opening and closing the LCD screen automatically turns the camera on or off and opens and closes the integrated lens cover. The associated Quick Restart feature makes it possible to start recording within about a second of opening the display screen.
The JVC Everio GZ-MG860 standard definition camcorder is an economical alternative for consumers who need an excellent video camera but aren’t ready to jump to the higher quality and higher price of High Definition units. The huge hard drive is ideal for those who need to do a tremendous amount of recording without being bothered by changing out removable media or transferring content to a computer or DVD frequently. The device is well worth considering when looking for a standard definition camcorder.
