JVC Everio G Camcorders Review

Camcorders — 22 September 2005

Forget tapes and discs because JVC’s Everio G camcorder line records right (double entendre) to a hard drive.

There a few different models of the Everio G line, which are reflected in hard drive size (20-30GB), zoom lens distance, and still photo quality (.3-1.3megapixel). This means it holds anywhere from 5-7 hours of high quality video depending on model. This should be more then enough for the family vacation, unless of course you’re one of those idiots that records landscapes and vistas that were clearly destined for still photography. Thumbnails of each shot can be displayed on the 2.5 inch LCD and allows you to select clip by clip for viewing. You can even create a 99 shot play list.

The best part of course is that importing and editing should be a snap. No more batch digitizing, or having one continuous clip of video to segment. Even better is that transfer is 4 times as fast because it no longer has to play in real time, and it connects to USB 2.0. JVC has also included editing software in the box, although I am sure many will opt for iMovie if Apple users.

The camera’s pretty small at just 11 ounces and 2.6 by 4.3 by 2.8 inches, and start at $750.

About Author

Christen Costa

Grew up back East, got sick of the cold and headed West. Since I was small I have been pushing buttons - both electronic and human. With an insatiable need for tech I thought "why not start a blog focusing on technology, and use my dislikes and likes to post on gadgets."

Robert

iMovie only works with a firewire connection. The Everio has no firewire and the JVC editing software is horrible. The controls aren’t very user friendly and the camera is incompatable with the iMovie application although if you upgrade Quicktime, you can watch what you shot on an Apple… you just can’t load it into iMovie.
Costas

Just to point out that iMovie can import and edit mpeg files, which is all the Everio-G has anyay… Just change the file name from filename.mod to filename.mpg and import to iMovie.

Heck, this thing even works with my Linux box and Cinelerra.
Natec

Do these cameras download to FCP? If they don’t have firewire doesn’t USB take a lonnng time?

brett

did you ever figure out how to get it into fcp?

Metaboring

USB 2.0 is faster than firewire.
Patrick Wall

I have a JVC Everio GZ-MG37AA Camcorder. Whatever I do I cannot seem to get rid of all the LCD icons when I transfer to DVD record. Maybe I’m missing a simple operation but – HELP
Gazza

I just bought a JVC Everio MG37AA and I am having trouble loading my clips onto my computer. Can anyone help??
K Strong

What a joke to say it is compatible with a MAC. Mac users want to use iMovie and the Everio isn’t compatible with iMovie. Please, can there be an upgrade to the Everio software to make it so?
Lynn

HELP! I have the JVC Everio GZ-MG20, been trying to upload & burn my videos to DVD since MARCH 2006 with NO LUCK� I should say with NO SOUND. I originally had no software with my camera, JVC told me to get Cyberlink PowerDirector (did that), haven�t been able to get SOUND from my videos on that program, but sound DOES play when I connect to a TV & when I burn on an external DVD burner, and when I play on PowerDVD� I�ve tried it on different computers, I�ve tried PowerDirector and PowerProducer, and I�ve tried 2 different versions (new & old) � all with no luck. I�ve contacted both JVC & Cyberlink � neither have been helpful, and I don�t know HOW to change the file names from .MOD to .VOB or whatever it is you guys are telling me to do? any suggestions? Can anyone tell me HOW to change the file names?? I can�t do it?? THANKS!! this has been a NIGHTMARE!
Blake

You can change the file name easily by clicking on the name of the file, highlighting it, then replacing .MOD with “.VOB” or MPG. whatever… im still trying to get sound in quicktime and final cut pro as well….. HELP!
Ann

I bought the Everio GZ-MG37AA and have spent the the last month trying to import from the camera to iMovie via a USB cable. Let me get this straight, if I use a firewire cable all my problems will be solved? Great camera to use, but unless there’s a simple solution to this, I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone.
MICK

I CAN NOT SEEM TO GET MY GZ-37AA TO UP LOAD MY VIDEOS TO MY COMPUTER SO I CAN BURN TO A DVD . PLEASE CAN YOU HELP
Kalei

I bought a JVC Everio G (model GZ-MG21u) about two months ago and it has worked well until recently. The hard drive was not full and had ample space left for recording. It simply lost what I recorded twice because it displayed “Hard Drive needs to be formatted, all data will be lost” when I went to record. It is a quirky thing and I lost some video that cannot be replaced! And the still shots are very grainy (to be expected when using video lense set up). Anyways, I am not happy with this camera and will complain loudly until I get a refund from “Wally”.
Sneakers

You people are a bunch of whiners. How do I change file names, the still pictures are grainy, I lost video (ever heard of backing up your work?), it doesn’t have firewire.
Do your reasearch or learn how to do some very basic things with a computer next time.
I am very happy with my everio because I did my research and bought it for the features it HAS instead of whining about what it doesn’t have afterwards.

Losers.
Rdp

I cant’ use the pictbridge it freezes the camcorder. Yes my printer supports it and i already use it with a canon powershot s40. Is there any firmware upgrade ?
Rdp
KC

I agree completely with Sneakers. This is a solid unit with alot of great features. I use IMovie and drag all the files in no problem. This is fairly new technology so why sit there and complain about a few things you cant do with it? Are you trying to shoot professional quality? Sure, then this isnt the cam for you. Is it extremely convenient and portable? Absolutley. Go back a few years and carry 10 lbs on your shoulders going through tapes.
Diane

I got this as a surprise Christmas present. I was a little nervous when I read all the terrible reviews on Amazon.com, but my husband is diligently reading the manual, farting around with all the controls, and researching all he can on the internet. We are also having trouble with the sound (burned dvd worked on hubby’s pc but not the tv or my laptop) but I love this camera because of its size and ease of transferring to pc and dvd. We are determined to figure out how it works instead of complaining and returning. Also, the price was right for this camera (under $400).

For every person who complains about this camera, there is an awesome recommendation for it. I guess as Sneakers and KC are saying, it just takes some time to learn what you can do with it – and how to do it.
urmom

yea i just got it and everytime i try to upload and or just view files on mypc it says the files are corrupt ?? wtf the instruction only tell me to reformat the hard drive ive done that already wtf and another thing say im dioin a time lapse deal right and i leave it sitting on record for a couple minutes it just stops recording wtf i need help this thing is fucked
noz

sneakers you are an a hole if you are so smart tell us non geeks how to use this piece. that will impress not your knowlege of the tech. stuff the rest of dont understand .you f’in dork.
mamacita

hi, I’m just wondering if someone can help me understand why when I connect my everio gz-mg21u to my computer i can upload pic no prob, but video doesnt automatically. I had to move it seperately, which is fine…but the file ext. isn’t recognized. first, is there a way to upload everything automatically all at once? and second, do i just change the.mod to mpg for videos to play on my computer or do I need to change those .moi files too? what are they?
I’m just greatfull to have a video camera to capture my newborn son…so if anyone could help me, I’d really appreciate it. Thank you.
meee

help! like mamacita i can upload pics no prob but am having no luck with the video clips. i have imovie which is driving me mad. i have already tried changing the clips from mod to mpg but it still wont work for me. can anyone help at all?
Looneymo

Hi all. Bought a everio gz-mg21u and love it. Only one ?. How can you tell the year it was manufactured by the serial number? I want to buy some extra batteries and they need to know. Thanks
Jagga

Purchased Everio GZ-MG505 and no, I didn’t do a heap of research before I bought and no (tough) and yes, like many of you I CANNOT understand why this compatibility issue arises when it exists purely as a SOFTWARE problem. I own a MAC, I use imovie. Using a very lengthy process and after $90 of downloaded software, I can get my files in true widescreen format with music into imovie – but I have to do each file individually and in all honesty can’t be flogged spending that much time just to get my files INTO imovie let alone start to them. http://www.videoforums.co.uk/general-software-problems/8976-jvc-hard-disk-drive-camcorder.html may help understand a few things, but it still fails to make HDD camcorders and thier MPEG2 files compatible with imovie. Strange that the NEW technology that all the main companies are embracing hasn’t even sorted out the basic issues of software compatibility and editing. Frustated but onlly myself to blame for not researching enough. A future patch may fix it all up but a have always hated waiting.
JensDensen

The files from the everio are mpeg2 but a bit strange, they do not play well through the standaard apple decoder. I transcode them with Mpegstreamclip to DV which seems to work but still the audio does not play well in FCE(has to be rendered first). Looking for a way to ‘fix’ the files so they can be used directly.
Jim

Some of you seem to have it figured out … So, please can someone break it down in (hopefully) simple steps how to get this camera to work with iMovie?
Thanks in advance.
supasam

I was given the everio GZ-MG57 HD cam to edit some of the footage on it. I use final cut pro, and ive been using it and editing for a while. but ive got no idea how to get this to work. I know how to change file names, but there are to files of the same name which is the right one? please someone help me!?!?
Spadez

I have a JVC GR-DVM70 when i try to record, i get no sound , kinda like dead air …… i also have a JVC- GR-DVL320U i also cant record any sound, no noise at all just silent. im assuming this is a software setting. can someone help me out? email spadez_hiphop@hotmail.com
OhioTerry

To transfer movies to your PC from a GZ-MG21U:
1. Connect the camcorder to the PC using USB.
2. Find your MOD files (I forget the exact location but you’ll find them).
3. Copy the MOD files to your PC (desktop, c:\, My Docs, wherever).
4. Navigatge to the location you copied the files to using My Computer.
5. Single-click on a MOD file and hit F2 (the Windows rename key).
6. Type in a new name for the file and use .mpg for the extension.
7. Done! You now have DVD-compatible mpeg files on your PC from your camcorder that can be used to create DVD titlesets.

WinAVI is a good application to convert files among various formats, and can create a DVD titleset from any video file. Google it.

Regarding iMovie, you can import these .mpgs you just renamed into iMovie. You CANNOT directly connect to the camcorder using iMovie. They must be manually copied and renamed first.

Hope this helps,
Terry
OhioTerry

By the way, Windows XP will usually not provide any indication of a connected device when you connect. The camcorder will simply become a new drive letter in Windows that you can navigate using My Computer or Windows Explorer, just as you already do with your hard drive, optical drive or network drives.
Storm_ice

Very interesting forum this, especially as I happen to be very tech savvy, and in possession of the Everio G camcorder.

Unlike most of you, I don’t seem to be having problems with recording sound and or picture, the only problem I have had, and almost threw the damn thing against the wall, I mean really, it’s so small, it wouldn’t have had a dent! Duh!
Anyway, back to my whinning, I have had problems trying to access the removable HD drive on my pc..each time I connected the camcorder to my pc, the mouse curser would stick and not move, meaning I had to restart my pc over and over and over…took me almost 3 days of trial and error, i have since managed to burn a DvD…good clarity, but the USB connection is a killer and not user friendly.
Other than that, the still pictures don’t come out clear, there’s a lot of haze…good equipment though.
DA Don

Luv my gz-mg37aa !had trouble understanding the software but ok with it now. storm_ice try using another USB port.sometimes that works
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kittie.

COMMENT to OhioTerry…….I have tried everything you suggested in the way of changing file name but it still dont work….I am editing with adobe premier 3.0 and i cant use all the files.
I tried convering them some work but others dont….Any more advice on how to help…..Thanks.
pjs

I have a JVC HDG20 and a Mac Power Book Pro. Before commenting I would be nice for each person makes a comment, they should state what equipment they use. That would help make things clearer and more helpful. I cannot get my video to transfer over to the mac. I do get a USB Mass Storage reading on the video camera screen. While trying to get 7 hours of video to transfer somehow all the video files were lost and hard disk was wiped clean. Now I have no video to transfer so starting over. Can anyone advise me how to move new video over? If so please let me know!!!
disfasia

I would like to give some free information here to Macintosh users. The Everio can be use with the Mac–just download the following software: MPEG Streamclip. There is nothing that I cannot do in video editing–Final Cut Pro, imovie, etc. Also, rename the .mod files to .mpg or .avi.

If you have any questisons, feel free to ask.
Peter Harris

I just purchased a GZ-MG505 for my wedding a great camera but the first thing I tried to do was to buy a SD card for it. JVC recommended Toshiba and I bought a 4GB model as I couldn’t easily obtain 8GB. However whenever I try to format it, it returns “MEMORY CARD ERROR”. Tried other cards same result.
Does this mean the GZ-MG505 is FAT16 and is restricted to a maximum of 2GB cards??? It apperars so but the camera guys I have spoken to do not appear to be technically competent when it comes to talkjing about FAT32. I have searched via Google but cant find any mentioned of FAT32 support for the JVC?? I can’t find any mention of firmware upgrades!!! Can anyone out there help me with FAT32, 4GB and firmware upgrades for this camera???
Also I have started to use the Cyberlink Power Producer. Does anyone know how I get it to use 16:9??
Xtina_Marie

I work on a MacBookPro and use Mpeg Streamclip which I convert the .mov’s to .mpeg4′s- necessary to avoid the no sound thing- this takes a couple of minutes, but lessens the stress. Then I can pull it into imovie or final cut- the only other thing I had to purchase was an upgrade for $19.99 for quicktime. thats it.
Earl da Squirrel

OK OK Ok … So I bought the gz-mg505 … It’s amazing and it does everything I want it to … even some stuff I didn’t know it could do … I use a Mac 24 in. … I went through all my files, with all my programs and I can’t even locate my clips (I can only find the pics) … Now I noticed OhioTerry had a step by step for PC users … Would anyone have the steps to downloading onto a MAC ??? thanks ….
Earl da Sqirrel

Right … I’ve got it … Thanks anyways …
avinesh

How are the colors looking on the snapshots taken using MG155?

I find the pictures not of high quality. I tried connecting it to my TV and seeing the pictures and the quality was not so good.

Am I doing something wrong? I was trying to take pictures indoors and the green plants dont look that great.
May

i got a gz-mg2iu for x-mas. i love it! and im working on my first film with it, but im having a hella hard time getting my project to liftoff. i use a mac book pro and i have imovie, final cut pro and the everio software. does any one have recoomendations for which software i should use to edit? and also i can get lots of my videos to play but with no sound…grrrrr
fuck noz

noz, fuck you, you are a dumbass for callin sneakers an ahole, he actually got what he needed on his computer to do the shit that he needed to do and fuckin read how to do it, you all are a bunch of whiners and deserve hell for being so fuckin stupid. get the shit you need, and read how to use it instead of fuckin complaining

Retards.
Billy

I love my camera for the most part – got it as a gift so I didn’t research the issues I’d have with a mac. Spent all day figuring out I need mpeg streamclip and an the mpeg-2 player upgrade for Quick Time. In theory that should do the trip, but I’m getting crummy quality video. Hopefully someone can help me figure out why. If I can get good video coming out of final cut express, I’ll be totally satisfied with this camera (though I do wish it had an audio in jack for a mic).
Kai Jenski

I love my camera, it takes nice snapshots and it’s easy to use, but I’m having problems uploading the video. I’ve got an Everio GZ-MG21U. Up at home I can understand it not working with my mac, it’s ancient, but I’m at a friends who has a MacBook that’s running at top speed. It’s running 10.4.8 which isn’t one of the specific upgrades that the camera works with, but it should be all-inclusive, it’s a mac.

I’ve changed the file names to .mpg but it just tells me that the file goes corrupt when I do that.

Any tips, or should I just go find someone with a PC?

Thanks
–Kai
Berwin Bungalow

Got the JVC Evario…it sucks. Technically, it may be ok, but the compatibility and software issues make it a piece of garbage. I would recommend buying a CD Camcorder. Until they modify this JVC software, I will continue to use my new camera as a paperweight. Good luck.
perkins

Hubby got me a JVC Everio. Takes good video, transferred to Power Director software okay and my daughter made a movie for school project. Added movie clips, WAV clips and mp3 clips, it plays great on preview mode but when I ‘produce’ the movie I get video but no audio??? Any help would be appreciated.
kmo

For Mac users– after reading all the comments I think I have it!! There is sound and quality..
1. Upgrade to QuicktimeMPEG2 see http://www.apple.com/quicktime/mpeg2 – this enables u to read the raw JVC files that are MPEG-2 format even though the file extension says MOV -US$20 – If you have Quicktime Pro you can compress and send video clips via email or for websites etc…

2. Download MPEG Streamclip 1.8 -FREE http://www.squared5.com/svideo/mpeg-streamclip-mac.html
This enables u to convert into MOV files into DV files compatible with iTunes and iMovies
So far so good.. this works fine for now.. not got to the editing of movies stage yet but will keep posted if anyone is interested
kmo

Sorry read this one —For Mac users– after reading all the comments I think I have it!! There is sound and quality..
1. Upgrade to QuicktimeMPEG2 see http://www.apple.com/quicktime/mpeg2 – this enables u to read the raw JVC files that are MPEG-2 format even though the file extension says MOD -US$20 -
then change the the raw JVC files MOD file extension to MPG file extension to view files in Quicktime Player

If you have Quicktime Pro you can compress and send video clips via email or for websites etc…

2. Download MPEG Streamclip 1.8 -FREE http://www.squared5.com/svideo/mpeg-streamclip-mac.html
This enables u to convert into MOV files into DV files compatible with iTunes and iMovies
So far so good.. this works fine for now.. not got to the editing of movies stage yet but will keep posted if anyone is interested
John B

I have a JVC Everio. It came with Powerdirector and Power Producer express. I purchased Cyberlink Powerdirector and things were fine, yesterday I purchased and installed Power Producer3 and now audio in PowerDirector doesn’t work when I do production. Audio works fine in the media library portion of the app. Anyone else?
Susie

I have been reading this, as well as other forums to try to transfer my video from my Evario to my PC and then to DVD or a video that I can upload to MYSPACE. With Powelink Power Director/Producer, I can transfer it to a DVD, but saves the files as .pds (vs. .mod) which myspace does not support. I have manually changed the file extensions to .mpg, .mpeg, .avi etc. The icon changes to a Windows media icon, yet the files will still not open. I am at my wit’s end with this camera and am ready to chuck it, but I have some very important video that I need to upload to the internet. Is there anyplace that anyone knows of that gives a step by step tutorial on how to do this on Windows? I can really use the help. Thanks….