JVC Everio GZ-HD6 HD Camcorder review

JVC launched what it claimed to be the world's first full-HD camcorder (the GZ-HD7) in early 2007, and has since seen some success in the market with its wellfeatured and user-friendly models.

However, unlike Sony's HDR-SR12 AVCHD camcorder, the Everio GZ-HD6 uses JVC's preferred method of compressing its full-specification HD images with a variant of Mpeg-2, rather than the Mpeg4based H.264 advanced video codec that lies at the heart of AVCHD.

The HD6, together with its HD5 sibling, employs not only a high-end 10x Fujinon HD lens, but also three 1/5in progressive scan CCDs designed to deliver a total effective resolution of 2.14 megapixels in the creation of full-specification 1920 x 1080 image sequences. On the plus side, these models offer menu-selectable 1080/50p progressive scan recording as opposed to Sony's fixed 50i (interlaced) method, which results in each movie frame being generated as a complete pass rather than two alternate odd/even line scans. This means that sequences are more suited to display on modern LCD and Plasma flat-panel displays when connected via HDMI or component output connections, both of which are available here.

The HD6 also provides for 'hybrid' operation, offering a choice of recording to a 120GB hard disk drive (60GB on its HD5 companion model) in addition to an optional MicroSDHC card. Four HD recording modes are on offer, the highest FHD setting provides 10 hours recording using a 26.6Mbits/sec Variable Bit Rate transfer. At the other end of the quality scale, the 1440CBR mode uses a bit rate of 27Mbits/sec to generate 1440 x 1080i HD recording. Only the top quality mode setting offers the full 1920 x 1080 resolution, however, and even this is produced using JVC's favoured 'pixel shift' technique on the green CCD output.

In default mode, the HD6 records 50i movie sequences, but this can be changed to 50p in the well designed menu system, whose options are chosen using a mini joystick on the side of the 2.8in colour LCD frame. In order to take advantage of the x.v.Colour processing capabilities of the latest 1080p LCD screen displays, the HD6 (as with the HD5) processes its digital output via HDMI using this technology.

At 1.4kg, the HD6 is quite heavy, but it sits well on a good tripod and is very easy to use. In auto mode it performs well, but produces much more satisfactory results when under manual control. It's not as good as the Sony SR12 in darker conditions (indoors its pictures are noisy by comparison), but in good light it will satisfy many requirements. Connectivity is very good, although the lack of a microphone input (present on the HD7) is a tad disappointing. Interestingly, it does possess a FireWire output for streaming SD video to a DVD or HDD recorder.

The Everio range of HDD/SD cameras from JVC has been good for users looking for good quality, user-friendliness and sturdy build quality. In that respect, it's reasonable to expect that the HD6 will keep its owners happy, even if it's pricier than equivalent AVCHD models. However, with the company's new AVCHD models just around the corner, it's inevitable that these Mpeg-2-based HD models will have a limited appeal.