After using this camera very happily for about a year and a half, suddenly videos became very blocky when onscreen objects moved. Now, instantly, everyone reading this is going to say, "How obvious, the heads are dirty." But I don't think this is the case. I have cleaned the camera with a cleaning tape about once every two or three weeks, or when it looked like the heads needed cleaning. But about two months ago, that stopped helping. The picture has become progressively blockier. A couple of days ago, I gently cleaned the heads with q-tips and a non-harming cleaning solution, but this did nothing to improve the camera's condition.

I recently went to Best Buy and talked to a salseman there, who said more complaints are made about JVCs regarding this matter than Canon or Sony.

Believe me, I didn't want to switch brands - as I had been using and liking my JVC camera, as I said, for about 1 1/2 years. But soon I'll be getting a Canon and throwing the old JVC away. It's unlikely I'll buy from them again.

I confess... I made the unforgivable mistake !!!!!

Before buying my camcorder, I browsed the web for endless hours, for 2-3 months, looking for the best product within a reasonable price range. I kept IGNORING the SONY till the end, because it was a $100-150 more than the best I eventually found ....the JVC GRDVL820U.

I should never have written that check without holding a SONY in my palm and seeing what it has to offer.

I got my JVC and proudly used it the first 2 weeks ....but much was missing ....it didn't live up to my expectations. The pictures were good but not sharp, as would be expected of a MegaPixel camcorder. Indoor shooting and shooting in low light was a pain ....color reproduction was horrible in subdued light.

I was lucky I could return my camera and get my money back .....because soon I built up enough courage to walk upto a SONY dealer and try the DCR TRV38 ......AND IT LEFT ME SPEECHLESS!!!

The color reproduction, even in low-low light is incredible. It enhances the picture tone and brightness beyond imagination. The picture sharpness is unbelievable ....truely MegaPixel. It has terrific functions, way-way advanced features, exceptional craftsmanship and looks.

The SONY stands out at the top and has no challenger. I don't mind the extra $100 or 150. I really can't believe I ignored SONY initially!!!

So.... DON'T BUY A CAMCORDER UNLESS YOU TRY A SONY !!!!

This is my second camcorder. My first-a Sony-met an untimely end with the ground with assistance from gravity and loose fingers.
This JVC is lightyears ahead of that Sony. Packaging is very nice. The included bag is usable and a keeper.
To put some things in perspective. I always spend a little extra to get the top notch quality. Only Lexus, only Craftsman, only Oxford, etc..You get it. Electronics-only Toshiba,Sony,JVC, and Hitachi. No GE, BMW, Aiwa, ,Yugo, or Zenith here.
I compared camcorders for 6 months before this purchase.
Features first, price second.
So to break it down:
PROS:
1) Very very good video picture
2) Stability control is good
3) One of the sleekest looking camcorders on the market. Simply gorgeous.
4) HUGH 3.5" LCD that makes others at the amusement park drool
5) Remote works well
6) Very quite
7) Memory card slot that accepts Secure Digital-SD and Multi Media cards. Perfect because they go right into my Pocket PC phone to view and take the pictures with me.
8) Firewire, USB ports for fast transfer rates
9) Bright night lite
10) OK still pictures-even at 1280 mode. Not digital camera quality, but good for a camcorder.
11) Megapixel CCD for great tone/contrast
12) Good documentation
13) Good sound with no echo effect as in other camcorders
14) Comes with a USB cable. Also accepts universal Fireqire cables which you would already have if you have Firewire on your system.

CONS:
1) Battery life a little weak. Upgrade to the 3 hour battery for only $...off Ebay
2) Limited warranty-All camcorders regardless of make are problem prone. JVC only offers a 90/1 year while others have 1 year/1year or more.
3) No such thing as Night Mode. It simply does not record in very low/dark settings-This is normal for all high megapixel digital cameras though.

I got it home, opened the package, charged it, and making movies within an hour. I opened MovieMaker in Windows XP ,pressed play in the JVC and record in MovieMaker and imported the movies all within 5 minutes. Editing was also a breeze. I loaded the supplied JVC software, but found the software in XP to be more than suffecient.
I would highly recommend this camcorder to anyone looking for a digital quality camera. Plus, the price has come down to around $...if you really shop around.
You will not be dissapointed.

This camcorder is user friendly with many great functions but, unfortunately, performes poorly in low-light situations or while shooting indoors with poor color reproduction. The color improves a bit with the NightAlive function but the shutter speed is so slow it causes a blurred image. NightAlive function cannot compare with the superb effect of MagicPix that Panasonic provides on their camcorders. In good light the picture sharpness, although good, is nowhere close to a SONY.
I returned my JVC GRDVL820U and am buying a SONY !!

This camcorder is user friendly with many great functions but, unfortunately, performes poorly in low-light situations or while shooting indoors with poor color reproduction. The color improves a bit with the NightAlive function but the shutter speed is so slow it causes a blurred image. NightAlive function cannot compare with the superb effect of MagicPix that Panasonic provides on their camcorders. In good light the picture sharpness, although good, is nowhere close to a SONY.
I returned my JVC GRDVL820U and am buying a SONY !!