The JVC GR-DV3000U is a top-flight digital camcorder, and is one of the first with the ability to capture 2-megapixel still images. Plus, it's chock-full of enough features to satisfy just about any amateur videographer, including a 10x optical zoom, 3.5-inch LCD, and manual focus ring. Lens
JVC put a 10x optical zoom into the GR-DV3000U, which is a good compromise of image quality and zoom power, and should be more than adequate for just about any situation. The digital zoom pumps up the total magnification to 300x, but we recommend using as low a level of digital zoom as you need, as a zoom erodes image quality, particularly at high levels.
Digital Stills
We were pleasantly surprised by the digital still capabilities of the GR-DV3000U. Many camcorders these days come with some digital still mode, some with a 1-megapixel resolution. The DV3000 surpasses all of them with the capability of recording 1,600 x 1,200 stills, which is 2-megapixel resolution. Admittedly, the stills are interpolated up--the camcorder is equipped with a 1.33-megapixel CCD--but that doesn't take much of the luster from the achievement.
Inputs and Outputs
The DV3000U also features a fair number of inputs and outputs, meant to satisfy most consumers. You get the standard IEEE 1394 port, plus S-video analog inputs and outputs for converting all your old footage to digital, or dubbing your footage to cassette.
