To call the JVC Everio GZ-HD10 ($799.99 direct) a high-definition camcorder is a bit of a misnomer. The GZ-HD10 can output in what's known as "full HD" (1,920 by 1,080 progressive at 60 frames per second), but it doesn't record video at full HD. It records at 1,440 by 1,080 interlaced with a 4:3 aspect ratio at 60 fps. Like an upscaling DVD player, which can make standard DVDs look more like Blu-ray but can't quite make them comparable to the real thing, the GZ-HD10 outputs video at a higher resolution than what it records. As you might expect, the output isn't of the same caliber as what you get from a true HD camcorder, and it often shows some color fringing in high-contrast areas. Even so, this is a solid, well-rounded camcorder for anyone who's not hung up on capturing the highest-resolution video possible. It even comes with video-editing and Blu-ray–burning software—something that neither Sony nor Canon offers with camcorders in this price range.

The 1.05-pound GZ-HD10 is lightweight and very comfortable to hold. One design quirk: Most camcorders automatically open the lens shield when you enter shooting mode (and close it when you exit); the GZ-HD10 leaves it up to you to slide the shield manually. This can leave the lens unprotected if you forget to slide it closed. The 2.7-inch LCD is a standard size for devices in this price range, but the quality is disappointing: Images look washed out, and the viewing angle is limited—and there's no viewfinder, so the LCD is your only option for framing shots.

Like many models in this price range, the GZ-HD10 uses a CMOS sensor, which captures better-quality video than the 3CCD chip in the $700 Panasonic HDC-SD9-8GB. The 10X optical zoom is also fairly standard, though Sony's more-expensive ($1,200), larger-capacity HDR-SR11 gets you a little closer to the action with 12X. The GZ-HD10's sensor also captures 1.84-megapixel JPEG still images.

The user interface is simple and straightforward. All the often-used options are displayed on one screen that's accessible by hitting the Menu button. You navigate through various menu items with the joystick located to the left of the LCD.

The GZ-HD10 records video and still images either to its integrated 40GB hard drive or to a microSD card (not included). The drive can store up to 5 hours of video recorded at highest quality, while a 4GB SD card holds about 30 minutes. You can choose from three quality options; all capture at 1,440-by-1,080 interlaced, but they vary in the amount of data they use to fill up that picture. The highest-quality setting uses more data per frame (17 megabits per second, compared to lowest quality's 5 Mbps), which requires more space but results in sharper images.

Hard drive–based camcorders like the GZ-HD10 offer several advantages over models that record to tape. First off, it's easier to jump back and forth between nonsequential segments in playback mode. A tape-based MiniDV camcorder, like the Canon Vixia HV30, for example, forces you to rewind and fast-forward to find what you're looking for, which is much more time-consuming. Navigating between clips is made even easier by the GZ-HD10's DVD-like menu, which pulls screen shots from the recorded video so you can easily find your way around. Hard drive camcorders do have a downside, though: You need to dump footage continually from the device to your PC to free up hard-drive space for next round of footage—unless, of course, you use an SD card in a pinch.

The camcorder connects to your PC via USB 2.0, and on my tests it took 47 seconds to transfer one minute of highest-quality video. The Vixia HV30 transferred video in real time, taking a full minute to transfer the same clip.

The GZ-HD10 writes video in the AVCHD format, which is fairly popular, and is supported by Apple's iMovie '08, but not by Windows Vista's Movie Maker video-editing software. JVC doesn't leave PC users hanging, though: The GZ-HD10 comes with a copy of CyberLink PowerDirector 6. Be advised, however, that PowerDirector 6 is still not on a par with CyberLink's latest version, our Editors' Choice PowerDirector 7 Ultra. You also get PowerDVD Producer, which can burn Blu-ray discs.

When compared with the competition, the GZ-HD10 does well. Its video output appears sharper than that of the Samsung SC-HMX20C, but not as crisp as that of the Canon Vixia V30 or the Sony HDR-SR11. Although video from the GZ-HD10 isn't full HD, when viewing it on a 24-inch iMac and the Samsung LN52A750 Editors' Choice HDTV, I could read 0.75-inch-high text on a poster board in footage that was shot from 13 feet away, which is pretty amazing. Even the full-HD Panasonic HDC-SD9 couldn't pull this off.

Unfortunately, the JVC also has an issue with color fringing, particularly in high-contrast areas. Footage shows large blobs of purple, and in some shots there's a purple tint over the entire picture. The purple haze was most noticeable in naturally lit, outdoor video. In shots of an X-Rite Color Checker taken indoors, the lighter colors tended to have a purple tint over them, though not as severe as what was cast over images captured outdoors. Those with a keen eye might find the video produced from GZ-HD10 subpar, but less-discerning users and those new to camcorders will likely find it acceptable. Anyone who has the opportunity to view JVC video side by side against footage from a similarly priced Canon or Sony camera will be able to see the quality difference.

Audio recorded with the GZ-HD10 was pleasing; I used the camcorder to record ambient street noise, conversations indoors, and even a few Red Hot Chili Peppers tracks, and all sounded fine when played back. Conversations were loud without being blocked out by ambient noise. Audiophiles who own surround-sound systems might be happier with the Sony HDR-SR11, which can record Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound.

Overall, the JVC Everio GZ-HD10 is a fine choice if you're not meticulous about the quality of your video. Its easy-to-use interface and included editing and burning software make it a solid package for video newbies. But if stellar video quality is what you're after, the Editors' Choice–winning Sony HDR-SR11 or Canon Vixia HV30 are better bets—though they'll cost you more.

Compare the JVC Everio GZ-HD10 with all the other camcorders listed above side by side.

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