JVC GR-SX850 S-VHS-C Analog Camcorder
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- Camcorder Type: Analog
- Recording Media: S-VHS-C
- Optical Zoom: 16x
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206
A Super S-VHS Performer!...VHS-C Ain't Dead Yet!
Pros
Plays in your VCR ! Big performance! Inexpensive tapes! Maxell adapter is superb!
Cons
Dial Zoom can become faulty!! Preset general titles. No custom made capability.
Recommended it?
Yes
The Bottom Line:
Although this economical camcorder will attract many a home movie maker...its Hi-Res video quality will make it a knockout purchase for the semi and pro alike!
Walk into your favorite camera store these days and browse through the too numerous to mention seemingly endless supply of Digital wonders that sport small physicality but yet big beautiful performance! Well...the first-rate camcorder for review here...the JVC GR SX-850U is not one of them! It may sport digital features but yet is of the "old school" S-VHS-C Format.
The Basics:
Analog w/DSP on board
Recording Format S-VHS-C
CCD Quantity 1
Optical Zoom 16x
CCD Quantity 1
Color Viewfinder
Color Viewfinder With Color Viewfinder
Lens
Optical Zoom 16x
Digital Zoom 300x
Video Modes-3=Super VHS, Super VHS-ET & VHS-C
Digital Image Stabilizer
Low Light=1 Lux
Recording Speed SP EP
Audio Format hi quality Mono
Memory Photography
Digital Still Shot Mode Without Still Shot Capability
Battery Type 90 min. Ni-Cad
Warranty
Warranty 1 Year
From The Horse's Mouth:
"The JVC GR-SX850U has three recording modes: It uses Super VHS recording to deliver up to 60% better resolution than standard models for better quality home movies. For quality and economy, the Super VHS ET mode lets you take those high-resolution videos using any VHS-C tape. For compatibility with any VHS video recorder, standard VHS is also available. A picture stabilizer gets rid of annoying picture shake. The 300X zoom makes sure you don't miss any of the action. Endurance Shooting allows up to two hours recording time with the provided battery pack. When you are done recording, the tapes play back and can be shared in any VHS video recorder using the provided VHS-C Playpak."
I have been most fortunate of having the distinct pleasure of videotaping Football games for our town since 1997. I have used and owned many different camcorder models of varying formats including my all-time favorite...the JVC GR-DV 2000U with its amazing "Progressive Scan" feature!...http://www.epinions.com/content_75551116932 However...here is the dilemna....
The great Mini-DV 2000 while being small enough for me to NOT send everybody flying over the sides of our most humble media booth...simply required that I either have a separate standard VCR running during the taping or I myself would spend up to two hours after the game's completion transferring the wondrous event to a standard VHS tape. Well...having a separate VCR running while taping was not a viable option as it required too much space and inconvenience to myself and others for our very restricted space!
The only other alternative was for me to get the Master tape home quickly and start copying immediately. This wasn't too bad at first but after awhile I sensed the coach's impatience as he had to "wait" for the results. I could hardly blame him as he sometimes waited for two solid hours! This simply turned out to be nothing less than a great inconvenience.
Switching to a full-sized classic Magnavox VHS unit the next season alleviated his problem but caused inconvenience for myself with our limited confines during my rather large physical being constantly panning from end to end. Then, I tried to use my backup Hi-8 model which offered superior resolution to the VHS cam but again we were back to endless copying after the game. With the coach tapping his foot at my front door after each scrimmage I finally said..."Enough is enough!" We're going to come up with a solution that is advantageous to us both!
And that's when I got the idea that perhaps VHS-C might be the answer. However...I did have my reservations about the format. In the Past I had experienced some really aggravating moments with this type's earliest models crumpling tapes as they were loaded into the camcorder itself. Not only that but the available tape lengths were not quite long enough in the "SP" mode to get all that I needed to get from a typical High School Footbal game onto one tape. The "EP" mode renders unacceptable quality video even for a semi-pro like myself. But then I remembered something else!...
I distinctly recalled purchasing a blowout Zenith unit a few years before for the "little school" in town and was quite impressed with its basic very good video quality while handling the vulnerable smaller tapes gently without ever stretching or damaging the video during "Record" or "Playback". Plus...my dear friends at Transtronic Lab had informed me of an economical refurbished JVC model that also sported Super VHS...which simply adds more resolution to the video! This would enable me to make a first class video without having to sacrifice time or video quality during a given tape transfer...as there would be no need for doing so! Only one problem remained...
In order to take full advantage of the Super VHS mode...coach Duke would need a Super VHS VCR to "play it back" on. The coach stated that this was no problem as his training VCR had "SVHS" stamped on the "Loading Door Tray"! Great! Now there was just a couple of other issues to consider...the price of SVHS-C tapes as this media was not going to be cheap...especially since we decided I would simply use two TC-30 [30 minute] cassettes for each game. The idea was that after each game I would simply pack the two little cassettes [each representing a "Football Half"] into a plastic full-sized VHS storage container for convenience's sake. The other issue was...how was I going to pay for the new camera without sacrificing my reimbursement for said services. Enter the town of GR, JVC SX-850U Camcorder and the Duke!...
Coach told me to gather up all of the receipts from my media and battery backup expenses for the season. Well...this was no problem as I had kept all of my receipts from my own internet out-of-pocket expenses. They totalled approximately $160 for the season that I was quite willing [as in the Past] to simply write-off. But this time the coach was willing to reimburse me for them which cameout to precisely ten bucks short of the $170 price tag on the new cam. I do think I can handle that!...and so it was! Off I went to Transtronic to make the famous purchase!
The first thing I noticed when getting the refurbished unit home was that my spare 40.5 mm UV Lens attached to the excellent Main Lens perfectly!...No need to buy another one as now my new investment would be well protected from the South end of the field's brutal sunrays during a Fall afternoon game! Please see this review on the Sima UV lens...http://www.epinions.com/content_116651101828
The other thing I noticed was that the camera had apparently been dropped and its original Main Lens damaged in the process as evidenced by the marred outer casing surrounding the lens. No problem as the new refurbished cam and lens are just superb!
The Features:
The supplied JVC BN-V11U 6v Battery is adequate for most users' taping providing anywhere from 45 to 90 min. operation depending on what options one uses during "Record". There is no built-in video light to further drain power on this model so you will have to purchase a separate "lighting" unit. A heavier duty battery will be purchased by yours truly from www.BatteryCountry.Com for the nice price of $38 adding more than three hours to the total.
My only quibble about the battery is that it is located on the camcorder's right side so that one's palm wraps around it during "shooting". No big deal but do be careful so as to not upset the battery during this process. The batt does seem to lock very firmly into place so as to avoid an accidental "power outage"anyway. This was very reminiscent of my old "Hall Of Famer" JVC GR-DV-21. See this review...http://www.epinions.com/content_77142724228
The Color Viewfinder is perfect for me as I have found even the best LCD swingout tv's to be rendered useless during bright sunny Football games. I always windup using the viewfinder anyhow! The adjustment is easy and renders clear wonderful viewing for any old pair of eyes...First rate indeed!
The Rear Panel Functions include P. AE [programmable auto exposure],Effect, Retake/Rewind/FF, Stop, Play/Pause, Menu/Push/Rotate, Counter R/M, SP/EP and Eject. They all operate smoothly and are easy to learn beyond a shadow of a doubt...even for the novice.
The Big Red Record Button is well placed and the camera's Zoom Lever feels good to me. The 16X Optical Zoom is perfect for Football filming and having the option of engaging the 300X Digital Zoom only adds icing to the already well-baked cake.
A Word About "Digital Image Stabilization":
The DIS feature on this camcorder is easily activated ...NOT through the Main Menu button but rather via its own separate button placed on the upper portion of the right hand side. It is a small darkish button that could be overlooked at first as it appears to be somewhat camouflaged. It "IS" effective however...but only noticeably so...NOT dramatically. When engaged it will appear as such in the beautiful color viewfinder and also will work its magic under all but the most severe "shaking" conditions.
I use it during a sporting event both on and off the tripod. It does not seem to take away any appreciable amount of pixels or resolution nor does color seem to suffer as would be expected although the "Owner's Manual" indicates otherwise. Keep it on! There is no substitute for a perfectly steady shot.
Hey, Sam-Pro...Whatabout the Charger?
Forgive me as I originally forgot to mention this. I DID NOT receive a JVC power supply/charger with my unit but instead opted for the wonderful Lenmar BR-06 Universal Battery Charger which handles three different types of 6v camcorder batteries for under $25! Please see this report on this excellent little item...http://www.epinions.com/content_168630193796
The SX-850 itself has a great "feel" as this is so important to the potential buyer before finalizing a purchase! The Auto-Focus is fast reacting...very responsive even under light changing conditions. Wide-view is also excellent. Having said this...I DO find the dial "Zoom" to be inferior to rocker types. On the JVC this can lead to the darn control becoming unglued from its tiny spring over a period of time...a nasty little idiosynchrosy and I have downgraded the unit to four stars. However...picture resolution and performance remain outstanding!
Add to this the fact that I already owned a nice "Motion Blue Camcorder Bag" that houses this camcorder perfectly while not in use...well...I am simply "good to go"...as they say! Please see this report...http://www.epinions.com/content_149951319684
Since no adapter was supplied with my refurbished unit...I simply opted for a low cost but superb Maxell Motorized VHS-C Adapter that is better than most. Please see this review...http://www.epinions.com/content_169739325060
As to the expense of S-VHS tapes...well guess what!! This camcorder has a wonderful feature known as Super VHS...ET which enables the magnificent cam to perform its full Super VHS Hi-Res capability with regular VHS-C High Grade videotape such as JVC EHG, Maxell HG and TDK Ultimate EHG! I have seen the results first hand already and they are absolutely stunning with excellent color saturation! And do remember to switch back to the normal VHS-C mode for regular tape viewing. I now have finally found a mutually loved format for coach and videographer...and now understand why so many other Football videographers use their SVHS-C cams!
In the rush rush world of High School Sports filming...this is the way to go and the JVC GR SX-850U seems to be the most reliable and economical means for doing so. This is not to say that its excellent performance and layout of controls wouldn't warrant the home movie maker's consideration also. 400 lines of resolution can indeed make a difference in one's life over the more commonly experienced 270 lines of res on basic formats. At least now one can approach and even sometimes surpass the quality of a more popular and expensive Mini-DV or DVD cam!
The other features all work wonderfully such as the various Wipes and Fades plus the really cool digital special effects! Learning the camera is such a snap and the well written rather lengthy Owner's Manual only enhances my high opinion of this first rate highly recommended unit! For any of you out there that need a super low cost means of high quality movie making...this JVC is for you!
Keep in mind that I made my purchase all the way back in November of 2004 as by the time this review goes to print there will be other newer versions of the cam with buit-in color tv LCD monitors with extra features. But there is something to be said for a slightly older model that still performs well. Such is the case here. I'm quite sure the newer ones will also be first-rate...just make sure they have the Super VHS-ET capability. When I wrote this review initially...it was with the idea that someone may have one up for grabs on Ebay at an even more attractive price.
The Camera Main Lens is a superb piece of craftsmanship with excellent Field Of Depth. Low-Light Capability is also very good if not the best. This is important for all of you auditorium movie makers...especially during your sibling's Graduation or First Communion or any other major schooling event.
The high-performing JVC EHG-TC-30 tapes are available from on-line vendors like www.TapeStockOnLine.Com for extremely low low prices. These tapes along with some Maxell Hg's that I used rendered wonderful "playback" of two Mountainside Hospital Masses that I recorded while there! Please see this review on JVC VHS-C media...http://www.epinions.com/content_148953075332
The upcoming 2005 Football Season hopes to be a banner one for our local High School. It's nice to know that I'll be able to accomplish my part in it with Hi-Res high quality videos for the players and coaches. No, folks...VHS-C ain't dead yet with this model still kicking around out there!...@c 2005 PJS Series II
The Basics:
Analog w/DSP on board
Recording Format S-VHS-C
CCD Quantity 1
Optical Zoom 16x
CCD Quantity 1
Color Viewfinder
Color Viewfinder With Color Viewfinder
Lens
Optical Zoom 16x
Digital Zoom 300x
Video Modes-3=Super VHS, Super VHS-ET & VHS-C
Digital Image Stabilizer
Low Light=1 Lux
Recording Speed SP EP
Audio Format hi quality Mono
Memory Photography
Digital Still Shot Mode Without Still Shot Capability
Battery Type 90 min. Ni-Cad
Warranty
Warranty 1 Year
From The Horse's Mouth:
"The JVC GR-SX850U has three recording modes: It uses Super VHS recording to deliver up to 60% better resolution than standard models for better quality home movies. For quality and economy, the Super VHS ET mode lets you take those high-resolution videos using any VHS-C tape. For compatibility with any VHS video recorder, standard VHS is also available. A picture stabilizer gets rid of annoying picture shake. The 300X zoom makes sure you don't miss any of the action. Endurance Shooting allows up to two hours recording time with the provided battery pack. When you are done recording, the tapes play back and can be shared in any VHS video recorder using the provided VHS-C Playpak."
I have been most fortunate of having the distinct pleasure of videotaping Football games for our town since 1997. I have used and owned many different camcorder models of varying formats including my all-time favorite...the JVC GR-DV 2000U with its amazing "Progressive Scan" feature!...http://www.epinions.com/content_75551116932 However...here is the dilemna....
The great Mini-DV 2000 while being small enough for me to NOT send everybody flying over the sides of our most humble media booth...simply required that I either have a separate standard VCR running during the taping or I myself would spend up to two hours after the game's completion transferring the wondrous event to a standard VHS tape. Well...having a separate VCR running while taping was not a viable option as it required too much space and inconvenience to myself and others for our very restricted space!
The only other alternative was for me to get the Master tape home quickly and start copying immediately. This wasn't too bad at first but after awhile I sensed the coach's impatience as he had to "wait" for the results. I could hardly blame him as he sometimes waited for two solid hours! This simply turned out to be nothing less than a great inconvenience.
Switching to a full-sized classic Magnavox VHS unit the next season alleviated his problem but caused inconvenience for myself with our limited confines during my rather large physical being constantly panning from end to end. Then, I tried to use my backup Hi-8 model which offered superior resolution to the VHS cam but again we were back to endless copying after the game. With the coach tapping his foot at my front door after each scrimmage I finally said..."Enough is enough!" We're going to come up with a solution that is advantageous to us both!
And that's when I got the idea that perhaps VHS-C might be the answer. However...I did have my reservations about the format. In the Past I had experienced some really aggravating moments with this type's earliest models crumpling tapes as they were loaded into the camcorder itself. Not only that but the available tape lengths were not quite long enough in the "SP" mode to get all that I needed to get from a typical High School Footbal game onto one tape. The "EP" mode renders unacceptable quality video even for a semi-pro like myself. But then I remembered something else!...
I distinctly recalled purchasing a blowout Zenith unit a few years before for the "little school" in town and was quite impressed with its basic very good video quality while handling the vulnerable smaller tapes gently without ever stretching or damaging the video during "Record" or "Playback". Plus...my dear friends at Transtronic Lab had informed me of an economical refurbished JVC model that also sported Super VHS...which simply adds more resolution to the video! This would enable me to make a first class video without having to sacrifice time or video quality during a given tape transfer...as there would be no need for doing so! Only one problem remained...
In order to take full advantage of the Super VHS mode...coach Duke would need a Super VHS VCR to "play it back" on. The coach stated that this was no problem as his training VCR had "SVHS" stamped on the "Loading Door Tray"! Great! Now there was just a couple of other issues to consider...the price of SVHS-C tapes as this media was not going to be cheap...especially since we decided I would simply use two TC-30 [30 minute] cassettes for each game. The idea was that after each game I would simply pack the two little cassettes [each representing a "Football Half"] into a plastic full-sized VHS storage container for convenience's sake. The other issue was...how was I going to pay for the new camera without sacrificing my reimbursement for said services. Enter the town of GR, JVC SX-850U Camcorder and the Duke!...
Coach told me to gather up all of the receipts from my media and battery backup expenses for the season. Well...this was no problem as I had kept all of my receipts from my own internet out-of-pocket expenses. They totalled approximately $160 for the season that I was quite willing [as in the Past] to simply write-off. But this time the coach was willing to reimburse me for them which cameout to precisely ten bucks short of the $170 price tag on the new cam. I do think I can handle that!...and so it was! Off I went to Transtronic to make the famous purchase!
The first thing I noticed when getting the refurbished unit home was that my spare 40.5 mm UV Lens attached to the excellent Main Lens perfectly!...No need to buy another one as now my new investment would be well protected from the South end of the field's brutal sunrays during a Fall afternoon game! Please see this review on the Sima UV lens...http://www.epinions.com/content_116651101828
The other thing I noticed was that the camera had apparently been dropped and its original Main Lens damaged in the process as evidenced by the marred outer casing surrounding the lens. No problem as the new refurbished cam and lens are just superb!
The Features:
The supplied JVC BN-V11U 6v Battery is adequate for most users' taping providing anywhere from 45 to 90 min. operation depending on what options one uses during "Record". There is no built-in video light to further drain power on this model so you will have to purchase a separate "lighting" unit. A heavier duty battery will be purchased by yours truly from www.BatteryCountry.Com for the nice price of $38 adding more than three hours to the total.
My only quibble about the battery is that it is located on the camcorder's right side so that one's palm wraps around it during "shooting". No big deal but do be careful so as to not upset the battery during this process. The batt does seem to lock very firmly into place so as to avoid an accidental "power outage"anyway. This was very reminiscent of my old "Hall Of Famer" JVC GR-DV-21. See this review...http://www.epinions.com/content_77142724228
The Color Viewfinder is perfect for me as I have found even the best LCD swingout tv's to be rendered useless during bright sunny Football games. I always windup using the viewfinder anyhow! The adjustment is easy and renders clear wonderful viewing for any old pair of eyes...First rate indeed!
The Rear Panel Functions include P. AE [programmable auto exposure],Effect, Retake/Rewind/FF, Stop, Play/Pause, Menu/Push/Rotate, Counter R/M, SP/EP and Eject. They all operate smoothly and are easy to learn beyond a shadow of a doubt...even for the novice.
The Big Red Record Button is well placed and the camera's Zoom Lever feels good to me. The 16X Optical Zoom is perfect for Football filming and having the option of engaging the 300X Digital Zoom only adds icing to the already well-baked cake.
A Word About "Digital Image Stabilization":
The DIS feature on this camcorder is easily activated ...NOT through the Main Menu button but rather via its own separate button placed on the upper portion of the right hand side. It is a small darkish button that could be overlooked at first as it appears to be somewhat camouflaged. It "IS" effective however...but only noticeably so...NOT dramatically. When engaged it will appear as such in the beautiful color viewfinder and also will work its magic under all but the most severe "shaking" conditions.
I use it during a sporting event both on and off the tripod. It does not seem to take away any appreciable amount of pixels or resolution nor does color seem to suffer as would be expected although the "Owner's Manual" indicates otherwise. Keep it on! There is no substitute for a perfectly steady shot.
Hey, Sam-Pro...Whatabout the Charger?
Forgive me as I originally forgot to mention this. I DID NOT receive a JVC power supply/charger with my unit but instead opted for the wonderful Lenmar BR-06 Universal Battery Charger which handles three different types of 6v camcorder batteries for under $25! Please see this report on this excellent little item...http://www.epinions.com/content_168630193796
The SX-850 itself has a great "feel" as this is so important to the potential buyer before finalizing a purchase! The Auto-Focus is fast reacting...very responsive even under light changing conditions. Wide-view is also excellent. Having said this...I DO find the dial "Zoom" to be inferior to rocker types. On the JVC this can lead to the darn control becoming unglued from its tiny spring over a period of time...a nasty little idiosynchrosy and I have downgraded the unit to four stars. However...picture resolution and performance remain outstanding!
Add to this the fact that I already owned a nice "Motion Blue Camcorder Bag" that houses this camcorder perfectly while not in use...well...I am simply "good to go"...as they say! Please see this report...http://www.epinions.com/content_149951319684
Since no adapter was supplied with my refurbished unit...I simply opted for a low cost but superb Maxell Motorized VHS-C Adapter that is better than most. Please see this review...http://www.epinions.com/content_169739325060
As to the expense of S-VHS tapes...well guess what!! This camcorder has a wonderful feature known as Super VHS...ET which enables the magnificent cam to perform its full Super VHS Hi-Res capability with regular VHS-C High Grade videotape such as JVC EHG, Maxell HG and TDK Ultimate EHG! I have seen the results first hand already and they are absolutely stunning with excellent color saturation! And do remember to switch back to the normal VHS-C mode for regular tape viewing. I now have finally found a mutually loved format for coach and videographer...and now understand why so many other Football videographers use their SVHS-C cams!
In the rush rush world of High School Sports filming...this is the way to go and the JVC GR SX-850U seems to be the most reliable and economical means for doing so. This is not to say that its excellent performance and layout of controls wouldn't warrant the home movie maker's consideration also. 400 lines of resolution can indeed make a difference in one's life over the more commonly experienced 270 lines of res on basic formats. At least now one can approach and even sometimes surpass the quality of a more popular and expensive Mini-DV or DVD cam!
The other features all work wonderfully such as the various Wipes and Fades plus the really cool digital special effects! Learning the camera is such a snap and the well written rather lengthy Owner's Manual only enhances my high opinion of this first rate highly recommended unit! For any of you out there that need a super low cost means of high quality movie making...this JVC is for you!
Keep in mind that I made my purchase all the way back in November of 2004 as by the time this review goes to print there will be other newer versions of the cam with buit-in color tv LCD monitors with extra features. But there is something to be said for a slightly older model that still performs well. Such is the case here. I'm quite sure the newer ones will also be first-rate...just make sure they have the Super VHS-ET capability. When I wrote this review initially...it was with the idea that someone may have one up for grabs on Ebay at an even more attractive price.
The Camera Main Lens is a superb piece of craftsmanship with excellent Field Of Depth. Low-Light Capability is also very good if not the best. This is important for all of you auditorium movie makers...especially during your sibling's Graduation or First Communion or any other major schooling event.
The high-performing JVC EHG-TC-30 tapes are available from on-line vendors like www.TapeStockOnLine.Com for extremely low low prices. These tapes along with some Maxell Hg's that I used rendered wonderful "playback" of two Mountainside Hospital Masses that I recorded while there! Please see this review on JVC VHS-C media...http://www.epinions.com/content_148953075332
The upcoming 2005 Football Season hopes to be a banner one for our local High School. It's nice to know that I'll be able to accomplish my part in it with Hi-Res high quality videos for the players and coaches. No, folks...VHS-C ain't dead yet with this model still kicking around out there!...@c 2005 PJS Series II
