JVC Everio GZ-HM1

Audio Features (3.75)

The JVC GZ-HM1 isn't stacked with audio features, but it does have all the basics. The camcorder is equipped with both a headphone output and an external microphone jack, although we're a bit upset with JVC's obscure labelling of the mic jack. Both jacks are located on the back of the camcorder, albeit in different spots (the mic jack is above the battery compartment, while the headphone port is on the left side).

The built-in mic on the HM1 records 2-channel stereo audio, but the placement of the mic is very poor. When we gripped the camcorder in our right hand we found our pinky finger continually rubbed up against the edge of the microphone—something that spells disaster if you're trying to capture pristine, unadulterated audio. The GZ-HM1 is equipped with K2 audio recording technology, which, according to JVC, offers improved sound quality. If you want really good audio, however, you're best off using an external microphone with the camcorder.

The built-in mic isn't positioned well to prevent unwanted nudges by wandering fingertips.

The GZ-HM1 has a limited audio level control feature that lets you manually adjust the recording levels from -2 to +2. This is a far cry to the large range of audio level adjustment you get on the Panasonic HDC-TM700 or Canon HF S21. The GZ-HM1 does also have the ability to adjust the volume level for the headphone-out terminal. A complete overview of the HM1's audio features—along with that of the competition—is listed in the table below:

Other Features (3.2)

High Speed Recording
This feature is relatively unchanged from what was available on last year's high-end models from JVC (the GZ-HM400 and GZ-X900). The GZ-HM1 has three high-speed record modes—120fps, 300fps, and 600fps—each of which captures video at very low-quality. When we say the video is low quality, we mean compared to what the camcorder is capable of capturing in its regular shooting mode. Each of the slow motion settings produce video with lots of artefacting, discolouration, and the recording resolutions are very small.

In addition to the quality of the video being very poor, each high-speed record mode has a time limit for how long a recorded clip can be. See the table below for complete details.

Time Lapse Recording
The Time Lapse Recording function will capture one frame of video at whatever interval of time you choose. You can set the recording intervals to 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 40, or 80 seconds. You must capture at least one second of video in order for the clip to save properly. As with most time lapse features, this recording option is best for capturing things like a flower blooming or a sunrise/sunset.

Register Event
A staple on JVC's camcorders, Register Event allows you to tag your videos with a specific label in order to organize them better. The tags on the GZ-HM1 include Vacation, Holiday, Sports, Anniversary, Congratulations, Baby, Sony, Daughter, Birthday, and Graduation (with three numbered tags for each).

Image Effects
The camcorder features a basic set of image effects that digitally alter the look of your video. There are settings for Sepia, Monotone (black and white), Classic Film, and Strobe. Classic Film offers a slow shutter speed to create an old, choppy film style, while Strobe uses an even slower shutter speed to create an even choppier effect.

JVC GZ-HM1 Comparisons
Panasonic HDC-TM700	Canon HF S21	JVC GZ-HM400