Camcorder
Questions
- Important Notice to Camcorder Customers
- Where can I get spares and Accessories?
- What was the first MiniDV digital video camera introduced by JVC (UK) Ltd?
- Which format of tape is used with your digital video cameras (DVC)?
- Can a tape recorded on a NTSC MiniDV camera be played back on a PAL MiniDV camera?
- Can a digital video camera still be connected to modern standard televisions (TV) and video recorders (VCR)?
- What is JLIP?
- How do I connect my digital video camera to a computer?
- Can I use my JVC digital video camera with supplied JLIP Video Capture/Video Producer software and USB drivers on Windows NT, Windows 2000 or Windows XP?
- Which model number of camera features digital or analogue input and output?
- I have read in several forums that users of some early JVC digital cameras have had trouble capturing moving video to a Windows PC system via Firewire. Can you offer any advice?
- My digital video camera comes with PC connection accessories and software. Can I import still images directly into my photo manipulation software like MGI Photosuite or Mr Photo Gold?
- I have a new Apple Mac (G3, G4, iMac or iMac DV) and a JVC digital video camera with the JVC PC connection cable and software. Can I use your software to capture still images?
- I have a GC-X1. How do I download still images to my PC?
- When I capture video using a Firewire card and suitable software, the picture preview and captured image is very pixelated and scrambled. What can be done to correct this?
- Is there anything I can do to extend the life of my camcorder batteries?
- My DVC unit has a JLIP and/or PC connection for the computer. Can that socket be used to send full motion video to a Windows PC using your JLIP connection kits and boxes?
- With your MiniDV digital video cameras that have DV (Firewire, IEEE1394) input, do you need to have the tape running in order to convert the digital signal to normal analogue video via the camera's S-Video and Composite outputs?
- While using the supplied JLIP Video Capture and Video Producer software I get error messages such as 'S50' and 'S59' and I cannot communicate with the camera. What could cause such messages and how can I prevent them?
Answers
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Important Notice to Camcorder Customers
JVC has received reports that in certain circumstances, a small quantity of units of the models listed below, may, while in the camera mode, show no picture, a distorted picture and/or display "LENS CAP" even though the lens cap is removed. We have identified the cause as a failure of the CCD Image Sensor. Until 31st December 2009, JVC will cover the cost of repairs of units exhibiting these symptoms. Please note the failure of other components may give symptoms that are similar to those caused by a faulty CCD Image Sensor, however this offer extends only to failure of the CCD Image Sensor. Please also note that this offer does not cover any additional faults that may be found during examination of the unit.
If your product is within the twelve month manufacturer's warranty, please return it to your retailer who will arrange a repair under the terms and conditions of the warranty.
If your product is outside warranty, please write to:
JVC Consumer Support
JVC (UK), JVC Europe Ltd
14 Priestley Way
London
NW2 7BA
Please enclose a copy of your purchase receipt and warranty certificate. Please note that proof of purchase is required. PLEASE DO NOT SEND YOUR CAMERA DIRECTLY TO JVC. You should send ONLY your purchase receipt and warranty certificate with a covering letter. JVC will contact you to advise how the repair will be carried out.
Please call 0845 310 8000 if you need any assistance in obtaining a free repair. We apologise for any inconvenience and are appreciative of your understanding and support.
Model Numbers Affected
VHS-C Camcorders
GR-FX15E, GR-FXM393E, GR-FXM39E, GR-FX16E, GR-FXM404E, GR-FXM40E, GR-SX19E, GR-SX25E, GR-SXM29E, GR-SXM49E, GR-SX26E, GR-SXM30E, GR-SXM50E
DVC Camcorders
GR-D20E, GR-D21E, GR-D22E, GR-D30E, GR-D31E, GR-D40E, GR-D50E, GR-D60E, GR-D70E, GR-DX25E, GR-DX35E, GR-DX45E, GR-DX55E, GR-DX75E, GR-DX95E, GR-PD1E, JY-HD10E, GR-D18E, GR-D225E, GR-D23E, GR-D24E, GR-D32E, GR-D33E, GR-D34E, GR-D43E, GR-D53E, GR-D54E, GR-D63E, GR-D73E, GR-DX27E, GR-DX28E, GR-DX36E, GR-DX37E, GR-DX47E, GR-DX48E, GR-DX57E, GR-DX67E, GR-DX77E, GR-DX78E, GR-DX97E -
Where can I get spares and Accessories?
Spares and accessories, together with the full range of JVC Recording Media, are available from the e-Shop section of this website for secure, online shopping. Alternatively, contact sales@willowvale.co.uk or tel. 0121 766 5414.
Please note that it is not possible to purchase any internal electronic or mechanical components as these must be fitted by a qualified engineer.
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What was the first MiniDV digital video camera introduced by JVC (UK) Ltd?
The JVC GR-DV1EK in 1996.
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Which format of tape is used with your digital video cameras (DVC)?
The format of tape is MiniDV. Unlike our Compact VHS (VHS-C) format used on other camcorders you cannot play the tape directly inside a full size VHS recorder using a cassette adaptor. MiniDV tape is not compatible with Digital8, DVCam or Digital-S products.
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Can a tape recorded on a NTSC MiniDV camera be played back on a PAL MiniDV camera?
In short, no. The digital video information recorded on the tape is different for each video standard.
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Can a digital video camera still be connected to modern standard televisions (TV) and video recorders (VCR)?
Yes it can. The connections and leads supplied with our DVC products are the same kind of leads supplied with a lot of standard analogue camcorders. Video is recorded digitally on to the tape but then converted back to an analogue video signal when connected to your TV or VCR. When connected to your VCR, these analogue outputs from the camcorder can be recorded to VHS tape.
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What is JLIP?
JLIP (Joint Level Interface Protocol) was a communications protocol developed by JVC to allow some of our earlier products bi-directional equipment control from personal computers (mainly Windows® PCs). The protocol evolved over the years to allow, with some JVC digital video cameras, still image capture from the tape or the supplied data cards as well as other information like video email clips and sound effects. This has largely been superseded by firewire & USB connections on most recent cameras.
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How do I connect my digital video camera to a computer?
With moving video, this will depend on the specification of your camera. There are several methods available depending on the specification of your camera and your requirements. If you have a camera with an iLink (IEEE1394 compatible) DV (Digital Video) socket, you could use a Firewire interface which, in a lot of cases, will need to be installed on your PC. Using this method with cameras that have DV out you can capture, with applicable software (not supplied by JVC), moving as well as still video images digitally to your computer. This may be useful for streaming video clips over the Internet as well as making Multimedia or Video CD-ROMs and DVD-R discs if you have a suitable DVD-R drive inside your computer. If your camera has an iLink DV in/out socket, you can not only capture digital video to your PC but also transfer video back into the camera. This is useful if your interest is in Non-Linear computer video editing where your final tape will be recorded back to MiniDV tape to show to friends or family as a video presentation. Most modern computers running Windows come with Windows Movie Maker which will get you started. Some software editing systems that use Firewire interfaces allow the control of suitably specified cameras. If your camera only has analogue video outputs, you could add an analogue video capture device for moving images to your PC. This may come as either a separate card, an external device connected to your USB ports (if you have these on your PC) or integrated with your main graphics card. Also, such a device would be useful for analogue video output from your computer if you have a camera with DV out but no DV in and you want to transfer the edited video clips, captured on your computer using a Firewire card, to VHS tapes. Most of the digital video cameras currently available feature video capture and camera streaming via the camera's USB connector.
For older cameras, if you require JLIP control of your camera and still image capture to a PC, you could use a product like the JVC GV-CB3 JLIP video capture box which allows still image capture from any analogue video source and control of JLIP devices. However, if your camera is one of our later designs with a PC digital still socket, then you could use a product like the JVC HS-V4KIT JLIP Capture Pack.
So, to sum up, the method you use will be very dependent on the specification of your computer. You can use a Firewire interface only if your camera has a "DV in and out" (Firewire, IEEE1394, iLink) and your computer has a firewire card and input. If not , you will need an analogue video capture card for your PC capable of capturing moving video. JVC (UK) does not sell such interfaces or software for full motion video editing on either a PC or an Apple Mac. Below are links to manufacturers of suitable products. Before purchasing, please be sure to check that any products you purchase are suitable for your particular application.
www.matrox.com
www.dazzle.com
www.adobe.com
www.belkin.com
www.pinnacle.com
www.apple.com
www.roxio.com
www.ulead.com -
Can I use my JVC digital video camera with supplied JLIP Video Capture/Video Producer software and USB drivers on Windows NT, Windows 2000 or Windows XP?
Our first Digital Video Cameras, supplied with JLIP Video Capture (to capture still images from tape to PC), JLIP Video Producer (computer controlled editing between camera and video recorder) and Picture Navigator (still image transfer from cameras with memory card to PC) were supplied with software for Windows® 3.1, 95 and 98. Some of the later versions of this software worked with Windows® ME but not Windows® NT. We now have a Web Site where you can download newer versions of JLIP Video Capture, JLIP Video Producer as well as an update for Picture Navigator to work with Windows® 2000 and Windows® XP. The Web Site address is as follows:
www.jvc-victor.co.jp/english/download/index-e.html
There is also a compatibility list available on our Japanese Web Site which will tell you if your version of the supplied software will work under Windows® XP. This Web Site also has information relating to using the USB drivers for some of our cameras on Windows® XP. The Web Site address is:
www.jvc-victor.co.jp/english/download/camcorder/about_winxp.html
As a final note, the USB drivers for our cameras do not work with Windows® NT and we currently have no plans to supply USB drivers for Windows® NT. All current models of JVC MiniDV and Everio camcorders will work satisfactorily with Windows®XP
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Which model number of camera features digital or analogue input and output?
See table below.
Model Number DV In DV Out Analogue In Analogue Out USB GR-FXM42EK NO NO NO YES NO GR-D340EK NO YES NO YES NO GR-D390EK YES YES NO YES YES All Everio Cameras NO NO NO YES YES -
I have read in several forums that users of some early JVC digital cameras have had trouble capturing moving video to a Windows PC system via Firewire. Can you offer any advice?
If you install or re-install Direct X 8.1a whilst the camera is connected this will normally solve such problems.
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My digital video camera comes with PC connection accessories and software. Can I import still images directly into my photo manipulation software like MGI Photosuite or Mr Photo Gold?
With most of our cameras the answer is yes. Some of the cameras in the range we introduced before 2002, like the JVC GR-DV2000EK and GR-DVL557EK, have USB connectivity for direct PC access but none of our digital video cameras feature a TWAIN driver which photo manipulation software and operating systems like Windows® ME require for direct importation of still images into such software. The cameras in our current range feature a new image manipulation program which allows direct import of still images from the camera’s memory card.
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I have a new Apple Mac (G3, G4, iMac or iMac DV) and a JVC digital video camera with the JVC PC connection cable and software. Can I use your software to capture still images?
Some of our digital video cameras like the JVC GR-DVX7 or GR-DVL108 are supplied with JVC Picture Navigator software which will work under the Apple Mac operating system to download still images from the supplied Multimedia Card. However, this can only be achieved via the RS232 serial port system. New Apple computers do not feature such a port and normally only feature USB or IEEE1394 (Firewire, iLink) connections. There is no facility on the multimedia card digital video cameras introduced pre 2001 to use USB or IEEE1394 and to date we have not found a suitable third party adaptor for RS232 to the new Apple Macs. With regard to JLIP Video Capture and Video Producer, both software packages do not work under the Apple Mac operating system. Cameras like the GR-DV3000 and those being introduced from 2002 onwards feature software to allow the transfer of the still image data from the camera to an Apple Mac via USB and supplied software.
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I have a GC-X1. How do I download still images to my PC?
The JVC GC-X1 and GC-X3 do not work in quite the same way as many other digital still cameras. The operation is rather like adding a removable disc drive to your computer. If you have not done so already, and you are running Windows 98 (Second Edition works better) switch on your computer, put the camera into the "USB Mode" using the mode switch and plug it in to one of the USB ports. Windows should now detect the camera and ask for the drivers. If you have the supplied software in the CD- ROM drive, select "CD-ROM" when requested and follow the on-screen Windows instructions. Now, every time the camera is plugged in and switched on, you will notice under "My Computer" that you now have a new removable drive. This is your camera. With the Apple Mac USB drivers they only need to be dragged from the CD ROM folder "Driver" to "System Folder" then restart your computer. Full details are in the instruction book.
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When I capture video using a Firewire card and suitable software, the picture preview and captured image is very pixelated and scrambled. What can be done to correct this?
Apart from the possibility of a fault with the camera the only other things you can check are:- Make sure the camera is powered from the mains adaptor/charger. Update drivers for your DV Firewire card, editing software and in a lot of cases, Windows® platform and version of Direct X. JVC (UK) does not make Firewire drivers for cameras. If the above does not resolve the problem you will need to refer to the manufacturer of your DV card and software.
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Is there anything I can do to extend the life of my camcorder batteries?
There are a few things you can do to extend the life of any rechargeable battery.
1. After approximately 5 charge/discharge cycles, try to discharge or run down the batteries completely in your camera, or use the "Refresh" option on your battery charger, if it has such a function, before you next use it. This will especially help with Ni-Cad batteries but may also give some benefit with Lithium-Ion batteries.
2. As an obvious extension of 1., above, always try to make sure that the batteries are empty or nearly empty before you recharge them. Avoid repeated "topping up" as this will reduce the long-term capacity of the batteries.
3. If you will not be using the camera for a long time, remember to store the batteries in a discharged state.
4. With Lithium-Ion batteries, if you are using them in a cold environment, try to keep the unit and batteries as warm as possible. If the batteries are exposed to temperatures below zero degrees, the batteries’ charge will be greatly reduced and they may become inoperative.
5. With Ni-Cad batteries it is rumoured by camcorder enthusiasts that if they are left in a fridge for a few hours after discharging this actually refreshes the batteries, but, as yet, there is no scientific evidence to support this claim.
6. Take especial care not to short out (join directly together) the battery terminals. This will shorten the life of or even damage your battery and may also cause damage to the unit in which the battery is used. Make sure the terminals are not allowed to get wet before putting the battery on the camera. -
My DVC unit has a JLIP and/or PC connection for the computer. Can that socket be used to send full motion video to a Windows PC using your JLIP connection kits and boxes?
With the current specification of JLIP the answer is no. It is very unlikely that this will change as PC serial ports do not allow the speeds necessary for full motion video. Some digital video cameras feature a 10 second email ready video clip, but these clips (which are held on the Multimedia Card in the camera) are highly compressed and use JVC's own video compression and the transfer to PC does not provide real time preview or full screen playback or editing facilities. Most modern cameras can be connected to a PC via USB connectors or via firewire if the computer has a firewire card fitted.
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With your MiniDV digital video cameras that have DV (Firewire, IEEE1394) input, do you need to have the tape running in order to convert the digital signal to normal analogue video via the camera's S-Video and Composite outputs?
No. The tape does not need to be running in either record or playback for the DV signal to pass through to the analogue video outputs. However, many of the computer video editing programs do require a tape in the camera for the computer to recognise the device.
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While using the supplied JLIP Video Capture and Video Producer software I get error messages such as 'S50' and 'S59' and I cannot communicate with the camera. What could cause such messages and how can I prevent them?
If the error messages are displayed during start up of software, this can be caused by a number of things:
1. Other software running simultaneously with the capture software.
2. Power management systems in the PC. Some of these disable the Com. ports after a set period of inactivity.
3. Battery Voltage Indicators. On some notebooks the voltage indicator can cause small interruptions in Com. port operation.
4. Screen savers. Some screen savers, particularly the "Open GL" type, can use a large amount of CPU power. Once again this can cause interruptions in Com. port operation.
5. Physical damage to the serial cable. Check the cable for damage and if possible, check the operation of the software on another PC.
6. Interrupt request (IRQ) conflict with other hardware in the computer. Check that any expansion cards in the computer are not set to the same interrupt request (IRQ) settings as the Com port.
NOTE: In some cases, a serial mouse can not be in use with the JLIP Video Capture Software, even with no IRQ conflict, but this is dependent on the PC's performance.
If the error messages occur during image capture, the above would still apply, but you should also check the following:
1. Check the transfer rate from the first JLIP interface box or camera. Try to use a transfer rate of 9600 at first.
2. In the "Advanced Port Settings" under Control Panel |System |Device Manager |Ports, try lowering the settings for the receive and transmit buffers.
