JVC Everio GZ-HM1

Playback (6.75)

The playback setup on the GZ-HM1 is similar to what you see on most consumer camcorders. Clips are arranged as small thumbnails on the LCD and you can press the zoom rocker to display more (12) or less (6) thumbnails at once. Since the HM1 doesn't use a touch-screen system you must select a clip for playback by sliding your finger along the Laser Touch Strip. A blue selection box will then jump from one clip to another as you slide along the strip.

After you select a clip for playback a few VCR controls will appear at the bottom of the LCD. These controls each have a corresponding button on the bottom of the LCD panel that is used to activate the control. We don't like the fact that the GZ-HM1 doesn't have dedicated VCR buttons, but we like this system better than the large touch-screen buttons featured on numerous other consumer camcorders. At least the HM1's VCR controls don't take up tons of space on the screen while you're trying to watch your videos.

In playback mode clips are arranged in a standard thumbnail fashion.		The playback menu has quite a few controls.

Additional playback controls include the ability to create playlists, add wipes/faders to your clips, and some internal editing features (like trimming and dividing). You can also set in/out points for clips that are going to be uploaded to the internet. All of these things can also be done using a basic post-production software—including the Everio Media Browser programme that comes with the camcorder.

Connectivity (6.38)

Most of the ports on the GZ-HM1 are located on the back of the camcorder. Running vertically along side the battery compartment you'll find a large, flip-open port cover that houses the following connectivity terminals (from top to bottom): Headphone, Component-out, HDMI, and DC-input. The thick cover protecting these ports is fairly strong, but it doesn't open all that far, which is something that could lead to some cramped spacing issues if you have lots of cables connected at once.

Most of the camcorder's ports surround the battery compartment.

Above the battery there's another port cover that runs horizontally, although this one is much smaller than the one to the left of the battery compartment. Here you'll find a regular AV-output port and a 3.5mm microphone jack. The mic jack doesn't have the classic red colour code that is usually associated with external mic inputs and it is confusingly labelled with 'plug in power.' In JVC's defense, however, the jack is labelled as 'Mic' on the outside of the port cover.

The USB terminal is located inside the LCD cavity away from the other ports.		The SD/SDHC card slot opens via the small, black switch to its right.

Inside the LCD cavity there's one more lonely port: the USB terminal. This port isn't covered by any protector, but it is indented into the camcorder's body a bit—and the LCD panel does cover the port when it is closed. Also on this side of the camcorder is the SD/SDHC memory card slot, which springs open via a small, black switch.

Sliding open the door reveals the accessory shoe compartment...		... but you must screw in the adaptor before you can connect any shoe-mount devices.

The GZ-HM1 does have an accessory shoe, but the shoe is cold (not powered) and it requires the use of a provided screw-in adaptor. The plastic adaptor screws into the top of the camcorder in the area beneath the sliding door just behind the built-in microphone. We're not crazy about this adaptor—it feels cheap and it is easy to lose—but we do like the fact that the accessory shoe doesn't use any kind of proprietary fit or design (it should work with any regular shoe accessory).

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