CES 2008

JVC's new GR-D870 mini-DV camcorder includes a dual record mode for simulataneous capture of standard-def video and 640x480-pixel still images.

(Credit: JVC)

With all the tapeless camcorder options coming out this year, we're not surprised that JVC has limited its Mini-DV selection to two models, with very little difference between the two. Both the GR-D870 and GR-D850 include 1/6-inch 680,000-pixel CCD sensors, 35X optical KonicaMinola zoom lenses, and 2.7-inch widescreen LCDs with auto backlight control to help keep your LCD visible when moving from moderate to bright lighting conditions. JVC says that the batteries included in the cameras give you two hours of operation and remaining power, expressed in minutes, can be seen at the press of a button even when the camcorders are turned off. That makes it even easier to check the battery the night before you go out to shoot an event.

For about twenty dollars more than the GR-D850, the GR-D870 also gives you still image recording, though its limited to a maximum size of 640x480 pixels (hardly enough for making a print), dual recording so you can capture one of those tiny stills to the camcorder's SD card slot while continuing to record video, and a new Live Slow mode. JVC says that this last mode lets you capture slow-motion, down to one quarter normal speed, which can be played back with real-time sound. They haven't said what happens to the difference in time between the slower video and regular-speed sound, but you can be sure that we'll let you know when we get a review sample. JVC says that the GR-D870 will sell for about $250, while the GR-D850 will cost about $230 when they hit stores later this month (Janunary 2008).

(Credit: JVC)

Gesture recognition and proximity sensors are promising to become major technologies for in-car interfaces, and JVC has stolen a march on the competition with the unveiling of its El Kameleon KD-AVX44. The buttonless single-DIN size stereo marks the return of the Kameleon nameplate, which first appeared in 1999 as a line of products that disguised themselves when not in use by blacking out to prevent theft. The modern iteration of the Kameleon also remains in darkness until a driver or front passenger reaches out to make a control selection whereupon the system's built-in proximity sensor detects the presence of a hand, and illuminates both the video display and the touch-screen control panel on the driver's side of the faceplate.

The KD-AVX44 comes with a 3.5-inch color display that can be used for playing DVD and DivX video formats as well as output from video iPods with the help of JVC's KS-U20 cable. Supported audio formats include CD, compressed audio codecs such as MP3 and WMA, and digital audio from USB drives and iPods, which both plug into the system's as-standard USB 2.0 port.

Look out for the stealthy EL Kameleon KD-AVX44 to hit the shelves in March with a price tag of around $549.95, with an extra $50 for the KS-U20 iPod video adapter.

JVC Everio GZ-MG330

(Credit: JVC America)

JVC made surprisingly few camcorder announcements for early 2008, which included a standard-def Everio hard-disk camcorder lineup of only two basic models, one of which comes in four flavors. On the other hand, based on the specs, they actually sound worse than their 2007 counterparts, for the same prices.

The $799 GZ-MG730, slated to ship in February, tops the line with its 1/2.5-inch 7-megapixel sensor (for producing high-resolution stills), 2.7-inch LCD, and 30GB hard disk. But oddly, the 10x zoom lens is really slow. Its maximum aperture only goes as wide as f3.5 in a category where f2.8 is typical and f1.8 common. That means potential problems for shooting in low light. JVC has also switched to Konica Minolta for the lenses across the line.

And while the MG730 boasts an overly high-resolution sensor, the rest of the line suffers from the opposite problem.The 30GB MG330 ($450)/MG335 ($500) and 60GB MG360 ($560)/MG365 ($600) all use a 1/6-inch 680K-pixel sensor. There's no such endowment issues in the lens department; all incorporate an f1.8 35x zoom stalker telephoto lens. Model names with "5" at the end come with bundled docks. Oddly, only the lowest-end product, the MG300, comes in multiple colors: blue and red in addition to silver.

While JVC is making a big deal about the Laser Touch Operation interface that appears on all the new models, I wasn't too impressed. It's basically a touch-sensitive strip down the left side of the LCD, which looks cool--blue LEDs highlight your finger's progress up and down the strip--but in practice is kind of clunky to work with.

Of the 300 series products, all but the MG360 are slated to ship this month; the MG360 will appear in February.

JVC's demo mode shows off its video processing prowess.

(Credit: CNET Networks)

JVC has announced a new line of LCD HDTVs, the Procision series, scheduled to come out his summer. The press release focuses on a gaggle of new video processing technologies, including Inteliigent HD processing, x.v.Color-enabled signal processing, 36-bit image processing, and Clear Motion noise reduction. That's a lot of high-tech mumbo-jumbo, but it doesn't tell us much about how the Procision series will actually perform. Intelligent HD processing dynamically adjusts picture settings and we generally recommend leaving those types of settings off; x.v.Color-enabled signal processing isn't worth much considering there are no announced Blu-ray or HD DVD discs that use x.v.Color. 36-bit image processing and Clear Motion noise reduction might be useful, but we can't be sure until we actually get our hands on a review sample.

The Procision series consists of three models, 42-inch LT-42X899, the 47-inch LT-47X899 and the 52-inch LT-52X899. All three are 1080p TV's, which mean they have a native resolution of 1,920x1,080 (for more information on 1080p vs. 720p--and whether 1080p is worth it--read this column). These sets also have a 120Hz refresh rate, although it doesn't mention whether it includes any dejudder processing.

Connectivity is highlighted by three HDMI 1.3 inputs, two of which include CEC support. For analog video, there are two component video inputs, two S-Video inputs and a PC input. The rest of the connectivity is rounded out by an AV output, RS-232 port and a USB port for viewing photos.

The Procision LCDs are scheduled to come out in the early summer, and pricing is not currently available.

JVC puts LCD on a diet: These superslims are less than 3 inches deep.

(Credit: JVC)

It may be hard to believe for those of us who still actually own a big, old-fashioned tube TV, but a depth of just 6 or 7 inches can actually be considered too bulky for the flat-panel crowd--especially those looking to mount their TV on the wall. While those fashionistas wait for the millimeters-thin OLED TVs to become affordable, they might want to check out JVC's new superslim LCD TVs. At their maximum, the LT-42SL89 (42-inch) and LT-46SL89 (46-inch) flat panels are just 2.9 inches deep, which JVC claims is "the world's thinnest LCD TVs with built-in tuners." (Hitachi's 1.5-incher utilizes the rival plasma technology.) The space saving was largely accomplished with a smaller backlight and fan-less power supply, both of which--according to JVC--also cut down on the TV's weight and power consumption versus similarly sized competing models. In addition to working with standard wall mounts, JVC will offer a similarly slim bracket that promises to get the TV as close to the wall as possible. The company was otherwise mum on details, except to confirm that both models with offer full 1080p resolution. Look for the LT-42SL89 and LT-46SL89 in the summer of 2008.

JVC showed off its slim LCD last October at Ceatec, Japan's CES. At that show, Sharp and Hitachi also showed off thin LCDs, which will also be exhibited at CES.

JVC NX-PN7: His-and-hers iPod speaker

(Credit: JVC)

When it comes to iPod speakers, we thought we'd seen it all--models with vacuum tubes, 2.1 systems, ones that are totally tubular, and others that are as big as a microwave oven. But JVC's NX-PN7 is the first one we've seen with docks for two iPods. Despite doubling down on the music players, the unit is just 13 inches wide. In addition to being able to toggle between "iPod A" and "iPod B," the NX-PN7 features a clock, an auxiliary line-in, and a horizontal light beneath each iPod dock that can be set to any one of nine colors. It has a sleep timer, but apparently no alarm. If you're looking for a more traditional (single iPod) clock/radio, you'll want to opt for the JVC RA-P31--it sports dual alarms and is transportable (powered by six AA batteries when not plugged in). Look for the NX-PN7 ($150) and RA-P31 ($100) in April 2008.

JVC P-Series: A different kind of "Apple TV"

(Credit: JVC)

There are plenty of docks and cables designed to let you play back your iPod videos on your TV, but JVC's new P-Series cuts out the middleman by integrating the iPod dock directly into the TV. The four LCD flat-panels--LT-32P679 (32-inch 1366x768 screen), LT-42P789 (42-inch 1080p), LT-47P789 (47-inch 1080p), and LT-52P789 (52-inch 1080p)--each feature a flip-down iPod dock built into the bezel directly below the screen's center. And while I was ready to dismiss the whole thing as a gimmick along the lines of ViewSonic's ill-conceived VX2245wm monitor, JVC seems to have included some well-thought-out features to maximize the iPod experience. To quote the press release: