JVC GR-DVP3 microPocket DV

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Having introduced the popular DV cameras of more conventional form factors, JVC launches its assault on the bewildering array of MiniDV devices with its GR-DVP3 High Band Digital Video Camera. This adopts storage media with a systems commonality hitherto unheard of, and promises greater connectivity to a host of handheld devices, present and future, as well as the home PC and notebook.

Mainstream MicroPocket DV
JVC's GR-DVP3 comes in two flavours: Gunmetal-Silver and Silver. Sporting a predominantly brushed-aluminium surface finish, the GR-DVP3 could pass off as a MiniDisc player at first glance, conveying a sense of style and individuality. At 410g with straps and all, the deceptively simple-looking DV Cam packs a wallop. Indeed, the GR-DVP3 is as small as micro DV cameras get, with its physical dimensions extending just beyond the bare essentials of the lens and DV tape transport itself. Any smaller and one would be holding the DV tape and lens in each hand. At the heart of the unit seats a F1.8 (3.6~36mm) 10x zoom lens (100x digital zoom capable).

Well-Thought Out Usability
The ergonomics are reflected in the clean lines which appeal to the eye, and the GR-DVP3 unit sits comfortably in the palm of your hand, and affords the user a fair deal of single-handed operation, with good access to all essential controls.

The central jog dial allows telephoto and wide-angle selections using only the thumb, and an outer pseudo bezel-like lock ring serves as the mode selector (Play, Off, Full Auto, Manual). The ultra-slim BN-V107U (700mAh) 7.2V Li-ion battery seats flush in the battery compartment, and blends well with the overall design of the unit.

Nonetheless, as with devices that go beyond what seems like a minimum critical mass for comfortable handing, the congested menu buttons (located beneath the LCD hinge assembly), which are vital for navigating through the different submenus, can prove frustrating.

One has the option of using the built-in viewfinder (with standard dioptre adjustments) or the 2-inch high-resolution polysilicon TFT LCD.

The Info-Shoe, which allows a host of accessories from stereo zoom mics to video flashes, sits to the top rear of the unit, just after the left and right microphone channels. Backlight, Exposure, Focus and Video (DV Tape)/Memory (SD card) buttons are conveniently laid out on the right face of the unit, all within easy reach of the index finger.

A very clever Multi-Strap allows the unit to be strapped around your neck, or configured for a palm strap, further enhancing the overall sleek appearance of the unit, while a stabilizer post extends from where the tripod mount would normally be located.

Livin' It Up
The GR-DVP3 was taken on a field trial and fared well both indoors and outdoors, with very satisfactory near-CD sound quality for the home video footage taken of a typical birthday party, or indoor rock performance session with impressive portability. Color reproduction for stage/amphitheatre footage fared well, with good overall color balance and high-fidelity sound true to that which was actually heard. An interesting point to note was the fact that it took only 3.5 seconds from start-up to shoot, vital when one chances upon a window of opportunity.

The Night-Alive Digital Night Scope for low-light shooting is helpful for indoor shots and low incandescence situations, but did not fare as well in very low light (almost 0 LUX) conditions. This could be attributed to the absence of an Infrared illuminating beam as practised by competing units. Nonetheless, this does simplify the construction somewhat.

Plenty Of Editing Features
Hosts of editing features are offered on the P3, including the whole gamut of scene transitions and fades, limited only by the user�s imagination. The MP3 clips also add another dimension to the whole video experience, with 12 supplied pre-selected sound clips and additional clips that can be download from JVC's Web site. However, one would be hard pressed to do this with the supplied AC adapter. A fully charged battery would last 1.5 hours with constant shuttles between shooting and previewing of the acquired footage.

The incorporation of an MPEG-4 compression facility that allows one to make 20-second email clips is a plus, offering the user an unprecedented degree of flexibility for multimedia productions that can be emailed to friends and family members. These 20-second email clips can be extracted from the DV tape footage. Up to 28 of these MPEG 4 video clips (in *.ASF files) are playable on Windows Media Player (v.7.1 with associated codec).

As with most DV cameras of late, the GR-DVP3 offers limited Digital Still Camera capability based on an 800,000-pixel CCD, with limited built-in preview and editing capabilities. At XGA mode or 1024 X 768, you can store from 16 � 51 images on the 8MB Secure Digital (SD) card, or more at a VGA (640 X 480) setting.

Still images turned out remarkably well, and close-ups of lens-to-subject distances of 30mm demonstrating good depth of focus, image clarity, and good color fidelity. In as much as the 8MB of SD card memory may seem inadequate (for a mix of XGA stills with MPEG-4 clips), this should prove adequate for the casual videographer.

Future Proof
The GR-DVP3 makes provisions for enhanced connectivity for future-ready interfaces with its iLink and IEEE1394-compliant DV I/O terminal. For the time being, USB connectivity is afforded via a docking bay into which the unit seats, and can be connected to any USB port via standard USB cables. The evaluation unit of the DVP3 did not come with a USB cable, and I was forced to leech off one from my ZIP drive. But it is understood (at the time of writing) that production units will come with supplied USB cables. A direct link-up with the unit for off-loading still images, instead of a docking bay, would have been nice.

Maximum Bang For Buck?
The GR-DVP3�s selling point lies in its ultra-sleek, full-flat and ultra-stylish good looks which are just about as chic as a MicroDV Camera gets. The GR-DVP3 packs a whole load of features within its Lilliputian dimensions with decent still image capability albeit at a price (S$2,599).

Battery life 7

Base resolution 6

Amount of available storage 7

Quality of the LCD 8

Usability of the controls 8

Design of the case 8

Usability of bundled software 7