JVC PICSIO GCFM1A HD Camcorder Brilliant Blue

Awesome pocket cam
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I love this camera despite what I have read about in my researching for a pocket cam. This model comes in three colors; Black, Blue & Purple. It has 1080p HD video, DIS for the video, internal 128MB memory, SDHC card slot, Rechargeable Li-on battery & 8 MP stills which is great of not having to carry two different cameras for great video and great stills. I use it every where I go & it is perfect for me to get my kids in their football games. Being able to take it right out of my purse and get recording right away is a snap. Having 128MB of internal memory & a card slot to expand the memory is great so when the games go into OT I have enough space to continue thru. I would recommend a 4GB memory card or higher for lots of storage space. I am not a techy person and the simplicity of camera is perfect for me of not having to figure out all those menus. All you have to do is push the buttons and the camera will do what it is to do. You have a power button, video/camera mode, a review, trash can, index & the center button is for record mode/snap a picture. You even get a 4x digital zoom by pushing the up & down buttons for when you need to get a little bit closer. I just love taking my videos & sharing them online to You Tube so my mother back east can see the boys in their games right away. Even when they have night games you can still see the video very clear & steady just like in a traditional camcorder. I used to make DVD’s which takes me forever to figure out the software & takes time mailing it over. If it will even reach over the mail in one piece. I can’t begin to tell you how many times the DVD disc was broken on delivery to then make it all over again. Now the moment is lost and forgotten. But now just plug in the camera to the pc & the software loads instantly so I am able to share online to You Tube in an instant. Now my mom gets to see it right then and there. She is very happy & feels like she has not missed anything at all. My older boy loves the fact it will share right to his iTunes library. He puts his videos of the game right on his iPod where he can share it with his friends. How cool is that. I have taken quite a bit of stills and wow how great the quality is & you can print very large too. I did a poster print and looks very clear & sharp. The playback is awesome as you even get a HDMI port, which is very important to me as to match my new HDTV. You can see how clear and how sharp all the colors are. It’s not grainy at all & even in lower light. I was able to take a video of an underground parking garage with low light & to my surprise it is very clear & you can see everything just like you where there. I am so amazed of how steady the playback is. I give this product a two thumbs up. Try the model yourself you will be amazed of how great this little cam is.

Grainy Grainy video
Rating:2 out of 5 stars
I had the worst time trying to get good quality video out of this device. It performed sub-par in extremely well-lit areas, on all of the available settings. The device is extremely light (good) but also very cheap feeling.

Needless to say, I ended up returning the device.

Nice Specs on Paper, Worthless in the Real World
Rating:1 out of 5 stars
After reading the specs I had high hopes for this camera. Unfortunately, it failed to perform in every way. The build quality was cheap and flimsy, the controls were awkward and counterintuitive, the video was unwatchable, and the stills weren’t sharp. Thankfully, Amazon accepted my return.

First, the PROS:

–It is small.

Then, the CONS:

–The control buttons are recessed and difficult to press. Usually I would have to press a button several times before it actually worked. When in still camera mode there is no audio or visual confirmation that you have actually taken a photo so you never know for sure until you scan through the images and video saved.

–The video is violently shakey and not as sharp as 1080p should be. Even on a tripod the video shook and wobbled. Basically the video is unwatchable. Everything looks like “Blair Witch Project” outtakes.

–Video and stills are grainy in any light, indoors or out. Don’t bother trying to use it in low light.

–The audio is average.

In short, a very disappointing product that has turned me off to the compact video camera segment.

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.

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.

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.

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…

“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?

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!

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”

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.

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.

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.