JVC Everio GZ-MG77 review

The box includes PowerDirector Express NE, a very basic video-editing program. You can also use other MPEG-2-compatible software, though you'll find you'll have to rename the file extensions from .mod to .mpg before anything will recognise them. Even then you may have problems. Mac users will find this MPEG Streamclip software useful for converting the video files into an editable format. This is frustrating though, and we wish JVC had implemented a more elegant solution for mainstream editing packages.

Performance
Some operations on the MG77 are slightly laggy. We found autofocus and exposure sleepy to respond, though not lacking in accuracy. The biggest offender here is automatic exposure, which takes seconds to adjust itself during transitions from light to dark. Focusing manually is also tricky because the joystick control is sensitive.

The 16:9 widescreen LCD is sharp and accurate, but it is small, and it makes video shot in 4:3 appear even smaller. It also makes it hard to be certain a subject is in focus. Admittedly, this is a problem that plagues most built-in LCDs on smaller camcorders.

Zooming performance is fast -- a little too fast to begin with. But after practice it's very easy to get the motion right for smooth zooms. For such a small camcorder, image stabilisation is essential, the MG77's is competent. At low zoom levels, it reduced the wobble associated with hand movements, and when the stakes were raised, intense camera shake was perceptible though smoothed.

In the absence of a microphone jack, we were left to cope with the average built-in stereo microphone. Sound is captured well, but there's not much sense of a stereo field when playing back recordings. In windy conditions, you can filter out some of the noise by using the wind cut feature. Using tie or boom mics is obviously not possible with this model owing to the lack of a mic-in port.

Given the MG77's 1.5 hour battery life, you'll want to pack additional batteries for extended record times, especially when you consider the internal hard disk's maximum capacity of 37 hours.

Image quality
The MG77's video quality is disappointing. It's hard to put this entirely down to the MPEG-2 encoding because some DVD camcorders we've tested using the same codec have generated better results. In best quality mode, footage suffered from some problems. Compression artefacts, colour fringing and noise were clearly visible. Anomalies included mottled pixels along areas of contrast and jagged edges on curves. It's early days for the technology, but even bargain basement MiniDV camcorders can achieve a superior image.

The overwhelming reason to consider the MG77 is the sheer usability of a camcorder that will slip into your pocket. For video quality, you're better off looking elsewhere.

Edited by Mary Lojkine
Additional editing by Kate Macefield