JVC Everio GZ-HD320

Audio Features (1.75)

The JVC GZ-HD320 has the bare minimum of audio features. It doesn't have an external mic input or headphone jack, it has no accessory shoe for mounting a microphone, and its manual audio controls are very limited. All it does have is a built-in, 2-channel mic on the front of the camcorder. The mic is placed well, in the sense that it is out of the way from wandering fingertips or noisy straps.     

The front is home to the 2-channel built-in microphone.

The only audio control featured on the camcorder is a wind-cut option that is designed to limit the amount of rustle produced by wind noise. There are no audio level adjustment options, level displays, or microphone controls. The other camcorders in this set aren't stupendous audio devices either, but they all do offer some manual audio controls. The Canon Legria HF20 and Sanyo VPC-HD2000 also include external mic and headphone jacks.

This table below lists the audio features for the JVC GZ-HD320 and its comparison camcorders:                                       

Other Features (3.2)

One Touch Upload, Export, Direct Disc
 These 'one-touch' features are located inside the LCD cavity to make certain functions a little bit easier for the user. They all require you to have the JVC software installed first, so it's certainly not as easy as using a Flip MinoHD or the like. For more details on each function, see Editing.

Info
 The Direct Disc button inside the LCD doubles as an Info button. Press this button to see information on remaining recording time (based on the available capacity of the HDD). There's also a tab for viewing remaining battery life.

Video Light
 A weak pale light that might help you find your keys inside a locked broom closet. But it won't help in most ordinary low light shooting conditions.

Digital Effects
 The HD320 comes with a small assortment of digital effects that can be used to alter the look of your video. Options include: Sepia, Monotone (black and white), Classic Film, Strobe. The strobe effect mimics a sort of slow shutter, but without any motion trailing. It's almost as if they've simply removed two-thirds of the frames. This could have a neat effect if you're at a club or concert, but that's about it.

Drop Detection
 The JVC GZ-HD320 has built-in drop detection so that the camcorder will automatically stop recording when it detects a sudden shift in elevation. This feature lifts the physical needle so that the hard drive is less likely to be damaged in the drop.

Title / Register Event
 During playback, there is a button that will allow you to assign a decorative title placard to each playlist. Many software editing programs allow you to do something similar, often with the same gaudy results.

The Register Event function is as silly as it looks.