EXCLUSIVES

JVC's GR-DVP9US
Words by Bill Troop
April 2004

JVC's GR-DVP9US is near the top of the company's ultracompact camcorder range, with a $1299 suggested retail price and a street price below $900. JVC's goal is to combine pocket or purse portability with high image quality and reasonable ruggedness.

JVC has a lot of experience with this form factorÑthe first GR-DV1 model came out in 1996 and JVC has been steadily refining it ever since. At the heart of the GR-DVP9 is a high-density 1/4 inch 1.33 Megapixel CCD with a Super High-Band Processor for an impressive 540 horizontal lines of resolution. The result is clear images that belie this little gem's small size. It measures just 4.5 inches tall, 1.7 inches thick, and 3.1 inches wide. And, it weighs just 12 ounces. Recording on standard MiniDV cassettes, it gives 60 or 90 minutes in long play mode.

Viewing options include a bright 2-inch fold-out swivelling LCD monitor and a 0.44-inch color viewfinder. Brightness of both can be independently adjusted.

Features include webcam capability, emailing MPEG-4 video clips, and digital stills at resolutions from 640x480 up to 1600x1200 pixels. Additionally, you'll find built-in MP3 Sound Effects, removable Flash Memory (8 MB SD Card included), 10X Optical/ 200X Digital Zoom with Spline Interpolation, an f1.8 lens, a multi-brand remote control, digital image stabilizer, slow motion playback, 16x9 squeeze mode, PCM digital stereo audio, iris lock manual focus, exposure, and white balance modes, black fader, digital wipes and fades, a Lithium-ion rechargeable battery pack, an info-shoe for optional auto light, video flash or stereo zoom microphone, an included AC power adapter, Firewire¨ Input/Output, USB connection, S-Video Output, ImageMixer with VCD, and Digital Photo Navigator.

An interesting capability is JVC's Night Alive function, for enhanced, full color low light images (unlike competing technologies which rely on infrared and result in green images). Night Alive relies on continuously variable shutter speeds, so it won't be at its best with very fast moving objects, and requires a steady hand, or tripod. But for pulling full color images out of "available darkness," it's the best there is.

Like most ultracompacts, the DVP9 has a vertical, matchbox shape, which is difficult to hold steady. You rarely get something for nothing, and miniaturization inevitably costs somewhat decreased image quality and less convenient controls compared to other cameras in the same price range. However, for intelligently balancing the conflicting demands of small size and quality, it would be difficult to beat this attractive model.

Just as important in a camcorder designed for the utmost portability is ruggedness, and here the DVP9US did not disappoint either. When we accidentally dropped it onto the pavement, we were able to continue shooting. (But that isn't something we would recommend doing.)

Most useful, we think, when evaluating this particular camcorder, is to consider that small size doesn't just mean the convenience of being able to carry the camcorder in your purse or (rather large) pocket. What's really great about a camcorder this small is that you can use it without being noticed. This makes it a valuable tool for everything from journalism to surveillance to capturing private family moments with the minimum of fuss and self-consciousness. For this reason, it ranks as one of our favorites.

For additional information go to: www.jvc.com or www.jvc.com/product.jsp?modelId=MODL027061&page=1