Comments on: JVC PICSIO GCFM1A HD Camcorder Brilliant Blue

By: nedly

nedly — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 00:31:43 +0000

Good for what it is
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
What it is, is an item of convenience small, portable, simple to transfer to an ipod. No it is not used to broadcast the local news in HD from the studio nor will you see it used by the crew on the sidelines showing the Superbowl. I have used it outdoors at 1080p with a monopod with fine results and indoors set at 720p with good enough results. Go to youtube to see people running tests on it to see for yourself that it is not a bad camera for what it was designed for, convenience.

By: Douglas R. Goodenough

Douglas R. Goodenough — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 03:06:52 +0000

Its the little thing
Rating:2 out of 5 stars
Controls are flush to the back of the unit and offer no tactile difference to the case. They are also hard to press, especially the on off button. Some form of lens cover would also be appreciated.

The video produced is ok but the camera pics are not very good.

By: G. Bonner

G. Bonner — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 07:37:24 +0000

Bad HD video; lack of image stabilization; bad color reproduction.
Rating:1 out of 5 stars
I tried several similar gadgets and JVC PICSIO is one of them. Despite good overall design, there several problems that turned me off.
CONS:
- good overall designe
- low cost

CONS:
- poor of image stabilization: practically absent
- poor HD quality: image "wobbling"
- not posible to use indoors: grainy picture; inaccurate colors; etc.

I returned my JVC PICSIO back to the store. Do not recommend anyone to buy this model.

By: V. morales

V. morales — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 10:27:07 +0000

For reviewer above
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I dont own one of these but I would say most of these types of flips or vado or rca pocket vid cams do not do well in inside or “Indoor” light setting. Try you cam outside first before returning it.. From what you see in the room with your own eyes may “Seem” like good light but cameras do not pick up on ambient light like the human eye does. It needs far more light. So give your cam a try outside before returning it.. And others be sure to keep this in mind. I own the Creative Vado and the flip and both cams do not do well in a dark room or “Indoor” light bulb lighted room. Unless you are shooting this indoors in a “BRIGHT” “Fluorescent” shopping store type of room it will look graining no matter what cam you use.

I use the Vado and find the price to be a great price for a pocket vid cam.. Its also got the new built in software that works for “BOTH” Mac and PC’s just go to Creative site and download the new Mac Software. The Vado HD is fantastic for the 124.00 dollar price. The thing will record up to 8 hours of video. Has the software built into the camera but the biggest factor why I like the Vado its a “WIDE” angle Lens! Supper important when filming vacation stuff or parties or events as most other vid cameras the lens is too “Zoomed” in or narrow of viewing field. WHich makes for “VERY” shaky filming. The vado’s wide lens makes it great for group shots and scenics shots. It smoothes out the video shake. Its sort of like if you try shooting a video through a pair of Binoculars it will be all shaky. With a wide lens it eliminates that. I mean for 124 dollars and it films up to 8 hours of footage and is wide angle its the best bang for you buck. I admit the Flip Video HD mino is slick but its [...] bucks more money. For something you put in your pocket or give to the kids the vado is a easier on the wallet. Use the vado for the next 2 years by then their will be better res cameras with better mics on them and light sensitivity. Thats my opinion. In the meant time take advantage of the 124.00 price tag on a Vado HD. If you can check out the video footage of some guy on Face book that he taped of the “Tour De France” its amazing the quality. Look for that footage on Facebook. Its a asian family that takes the footage with the Vado HD at the Tour De France “Who would have known”

By: Steven B. Eng

Steven B. Eng — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 18:19:26 +0000

JVC PICSIO review
Rating:2 out of 5 stars
The PICSIO seem a little light and not very sturdy. My brother’s flip was much better made. I compare his Flip mino HD during dinner and both the quality of the Flip and the ability to take videos in low light rooms was easily bettered by the Flip. My vidoes on the PICSIO in low light was extremely grainy but on the Flip was 5-6 times better. If you plan on using the PICSIO in well lit areas it is probably ok but in low light the Flip wins hands down. One more thing, people with fingers larger than a childs should use the Flip. The power button is hard to push. I ended up returning the PICSIO and getting the Flip; much happier now. Even better my Flip mino HD was $20 less. I purchased it for $159 on amazon. Amazon took back my PICSIO return and gave me full credit. This is the way to shop for Christmas!

By: Gustavo Romero

Gustavo Romero — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 23:37:03 +0000

“Brilliant” design…
Rating:1 out of 5 stars
The User Guide’s states:

“When the battery life is too low even if it is in full charge, the battery comes to the end of its life”

This statement should be rewritten:

“When the battery life is too low even if it is in full charge, the CAMCORDER comes to the end of its life”

The battery is internal meaning that you can’t replace it when it begins to have trouble holding a charge (as they all eventually do).

So the question is: What is the life expectancy of the battery?

I have posted this question on the JVC site forum but, of course, never got published. They also removed another post somebody made to this forum in this regard.

Stay away from it..

Who wants to buy a camera with a 1-2 years (maybe less) lifespan?

By: Sam

Sam — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 08:45:37 +0000

Grainy even when well lit. I'm sending it back.
Rating:1 out of 5 stars
I just got it an hour ago and shot a couple clips in a very well lit sunny room. The image was grainy and shaky (even though stabilization was on). I'm returning it immediately.

I previously owned a flip HD and have shot video in the same room and the quality is much better.

I'd consider myself a video expert, I use HDV Sony camcorders all time and do extensive video editing in Adobe After Effects.

Spend your money on a different compact camera...

By: nick pignato

nick pignato — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 17:27:05 +0000

Not Bad
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I have one, and it works very well, no problems yet. It is used for assessing athletic performance,(Baseball,Soccer,Volleyball,Golf,Tennis,Track+Field,Gymnastics,Team Handball, ETC),gives the student instant feedback. Maybe I am just lucky, and received one that works well, time, and length of ownership will be the barometer.

By: Mr. Gary E. Sims

Mr. Gary E. Sims — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 20:56:00 +0000

You get what you pay for!
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
I have read all the reviews and take on board all of the points made. I have just picked one of these up for $200 NZ! Thats around £89! Bargain I say. Although it probably means that there is a new model on the way! It does have some failings but for a pocket HD camcorder, it’s a good unit. I don’t find the buttons difficult to use and I have tried hard to get a grainy 1080 movie in low light and so far have only managed to get good results. I am a TV professional so have access to all sorts of cameras etc and while it cannot touch, say an EX-3 or similar for quality, I paid $200NZ and it’s smaller than my iPod! It does exactly what it says on the tin! The feel of the unit does feel ‘cheap’, even a rubberized surround instead of the ‘chromed plastic’ would be better. But over-all I am happy with it.

By: F. Ospina

F. Ospina — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 06:18:51 +0000

Stops recording after 29 minutes.
Rating:1 out of 5 stars
It only records for 29 minutes at a time. This makes no sense. What a waste of money.