Anyone tell me what the JVC GZ-HM445 Camcorder is like please?

LouiseTopp

LouiseTopp

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My cousin has upgraded her handy-cam and wants to sell me her old one which is a JVC GZ-HM445, can any of you tell me what it is like before I agree? At the moment I own a Sony DCR-SR32 which is OK but in need of upgrading itself. It has an internal hard drive as this model I have been offered takes SD cards. Which would be better?

I use it to film scenery when I go to Cornwall as well as take still picture's, also use it to film group outings etc. The JVC GZ-HM445 is a HD which I think can be turned off and filmed in normal if I want, also has 40 x optical zoom, is that good? :thinking:

Please can you advise me before I part with my hard earned cash? har har. Many thanks. I have hopefully inserted in what the model looks like.

:thumbs:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/JVC-GZ-HM44...o_npd?ie=UTF8&coliid=I3NOAXXZU8U5Q8&colid=29L
 
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Janitor. said:
How much are they asking for the JVC? How big is the hard drive on your sony?


I would hazard a guess your pentax X90 would film just as well...
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Hi thanks and happy new year to you. The JVC is £179, i have some Nectar points to use. The hard drive on my Sony is fourty GB.

I've looked at it in Argos and it seems much more smaller then my present video camera, in fact small enough to fit inside a pocket. My tower doesn't have an SD slot, so how would I get the movie I just done onto my tower for editing?
 
Janitor. said:
So it's not second hand? SD card readers can be had for pennies.
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I have been told that Hard disk drive camcorders are better and have more recording time. Tried to find one on Amazon but it wasn't very helpful. Can you tell me if the JVC GZ-MG750BEK Everio HDDis good? I can't find out if it comes with optical sound or usb cable. I'm tempted by the Panasonic SDR-H100, but a reviewer says the screen image is terrible.

:help:
 
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LouiseTopp said:
I have been told that Hard disk drive camcorders are better and have more recording time. Tried to find one on Amazon but it wasn't very helpful. Can you tell me if the JVC GZ-MG750BEK Everio HDDis good? I can't find out if it comes with optical sound or usb cable. I'm tempted by the Panasonic SDR-H100, but a reviewer says the screen image is terrible.

:help:
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I have to say I'm a bit confused by your thread- you say your cousin is selling the JVC but talk as though you are going to buy it new using nectar points?

If you're buying new then why not just state a max budget? Always take reviews with a pinch of salt but the ones you have flagged are under £200 so you aren't going to get £5k performance and you'll need to compromise somewhere.

As for HDD being better- rather subjective and depends- some people think tape is better.
I prefer flash or tape. Flash driven camcorders can often be much smaller compared to similar HDD ones and there is less to go wrong. HDD can usually record a lot more.

Having said all that, for what you describe I'd save your money and use your bridge camera.
If you do insist on buying one- you would be better off trying a few in a shop as some can be uncomfortable to hold or use the buttons. In terms of performance- there's not a lot between them these days much like DSLRs. If you have specific requirements then like all things it's easier to differentiate.
 
Dr_O said:
I have to say I'm a bit confused by your thread- you say your cousin is selling the JVC but talk as though you are going to buy it new using nectar points?

If you're buying new then why not just state a max budget? Always take reviews with a pinch of salt but the ones you have flagged are under £200 so you aren't going to get £5k performance and you'll need to compromise somewhere.

As for HDD being better- rather subjective and depends- some people think tape is better.
I prefer flash or tape. Flash driven camcorders can often be much smaller compared to similar HDD ones and there is less to go wrong. HDD can usually record a lot more.

Having said all that, for what you describe I'd save your money and use your bridge camera.
If you do insist on buying one- you would be better off trying a few in a shop as some can be uncomfortable to hold or use the buttons. In terms of performance- there's not a lot between them these days much like DSLRs. If you have specific requirements then like all things it's easier to differentiate.
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Hi sorry about the confusement. I have decided to take the plunge and get a Sony DCRSX45ES*from Amazon. My last model was a Sony and I was happy with that, am getting a SD card from Maplins. Are Sony cam corders very good?
 
LouiseTopp said:
Hi sorry about the confusement. I have decided to take the plunge and get a Sony DCRSX45ES*from Amazon. My last model was a Sony and I was happy with that, am getting a SD card from Maplins. Are Sony cam corders very good?
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Sony make some really good camcorders- is this one of them? I don't think so- it's not full hd for a start but then although the JVC 'technically' meets that there's no guarantee the footage quality is much better.

It sounds like you just need to buy one you think is best- at this level and for what you are doing it really is much of a muchness.
Personally I'd pay more or just use your bridge camera as I see no real quality difference for what sounds like small clips anyway although either way I'd buy a decent SD card which I'm not sure you are but maybe Maplins do quality like San Disk- and real ones too:shrug:.
 
Dr_O said:
Sony make some really good camcorders- is this one of them? I don't think so- it's not full hd for a start but then although the JVC 'technically' meets that there's no guarantee the footage quality is much better.

It sounds like you just need to buy one you think is best- at this level and for what you are doing it really is much of a muchness.
Personally I'd pay more or just use your bridge camera as I see no real quality difference for what sounds like small clips anyway although either way I'd buy a decent SD card which I'm not sure you are but maybe Maplins do quality like San Disk- and real ones too:shrug:.
Click to expand...

My bridge camera is no good for filming what I do, its alight for stills that's about all. I see they have a Sony version at Argos which I might look at. I have had good results from my other Sony handycam so I might try that.
 
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