JVC Everio GZ-HM400

Audio Features (3.75)

The GZ-HM400 has a few additional audio features that are not found on other consumer camcorders from JVC. It offers an audio level display that can be turned on and off and microphone level adjustment from -2 to +2 (in one-level increments). This isn't as good as full audio level adjustment (like you get on the Canon and Panasonic models), but it is better than just offering a high/low setting for the microphone.

The GZ-HM400 also has an external mic and headphone jack, both located on the back of the camcorder. Neither of these ports are found on the GZ-X900, nor any of JVC's mid-range 2009 models. The headphone volume output can also be adjusted in the camcorders menu. Wind Cut is still an option on the GZ-HM400, which is also featured on JVCs other models.

The built-in mic isn't placed well and can be easily rubbed.

The biggest problem with the GZ-HM400's audio features may be the placement of its built-in microphone. The mic is top-mounted near the front of the camcorder. Depending on how thick your fingers are, your pinky may cover the entirety of the mic or rub up against it when you hold the HM400 in your right hand. This can be avoided by squeezing your fingers together, but the fact remains that the mic can easily be rubbed or bumped by your pinky while you're recording.

The HM400 has some extra audio features that aren't present on other JVC camcorders.

The camcorder comes with a screw-in shoe adapter that allows you to connect shoe-mount accessories to the GZ-HM400. The shoe adapter is not powered and its plastic design feels cheap and breakable. Also, if you lose the adapter then you have no way of connecting shoe-mount devices to the camcorder.

New on the HM400 is something called K2 technology that supposedly enhances audio quality during playback. According to JVC, the K2 feature restores sound details that are lost during the compression process. The K2 audio option is a feature exclusive to JVC and it can be turned on and off in the camcorder's playback menu.

Other Features (2.2)

High Speed Recording
The JVC GZ-HM400 offers the same high-speed shooting modes as the GZ-X900. The modes, which capture video at 120fps, 300fps, or 600fps, enable the camcorder to record small, low-quality slow-motion clips. We must emphasize that the clips are very low quality (far worse than regular standard definition video), and they have strict time limits, which limits the versatility of these features. Below is an example video of the camcorder's high-speed modes:

Register Event
Videos can be marked before recording with various 'event tags' in order to assist with organisation of your clips. So, you can tag all the videos of your newborn baby as 'Baby' and all of your Thanksgiving footage as 'Holiday.' The camcorder includes 10 different tags, each of which has three options (making 30 tags in all). The tags include: Vacation, Holiday, Sports, Anniversary, Congratulations, Baby, Sony, Daughter, Birthday, and Graduation. Register Event may be an exciting option for people who are obsessed with organisation, but we would be surprised if most people actually took the time to utilize the feature.

Image Effects
The HM400 has a standard set of image effects that will alter the look of your video. There's Sepia, Monotone (black and white), Classic Film, and Strobe. Classic Film lowers the shutter speed to around 1/15 of a second in order to create a choppier look, while Strobe uses an even slower shutter speed.

JVC GZ-HM400 Comparisons
JVC GZ-X900	Panasonic HDC-HS300	Canon HF S100