Consumer Product Review

The JVC GCFM1A Picsio Pocket Camcorder , JVC’s offering to the miniature digital camcorder scene, does everything the best cameras already do and more. It would appear that JVC held back while companies like Creative, Kodak, RCA, Sony rushed to fill the market created by Pure Digital’s revolutionary Flip micro-camcorder. The GC-FM1 is a solid piece of hardware, capable of 1080p video in 4x digital zoom as well as 8MP still shots. It saves video as .MOV files in MPEG-4, AVC, and H.254 formats. Computer upload is via HDMI cables, AV out, and USB, and the PICSIO charges via USB to the computer. SD and SDHC memory cards are compatible with the JVC GC-FM1, though the camcorder is not packaged with them.

Available in Black Ice, Blue Steel and Purple Passion, with geometric patterns reminiscent of holograms and wavy chrome accents around the edges, the GC-FM1 is the perfect choice for someone who wants a stylish, solid, inexpensive digital camcorder that makes it easy to transmit video from real life to the Internet or directly to the television via HDMI. At 97mm x 53mm x 17mm, and weighing only 95 grams, the GC-FM1 is easier to transport than many cell phones or digital cameras, barely making a bulge in your pocket.

In addition, the JVC GCFM1A Picsio  offers a 2-inch LCD screen for instant viewing, making it intrinsically useful to the budding videographer who wants to be able to take instant video whenever the inspiration hits him or her. Built-in video stabilization helps keep videos looking professional and watchable. This little dynamo may look candy-coated, but the tech it offers is undeniable. While it has nothing that isn’t also available in the other digital camcorders, the overall style and seamless integration of each element in the GC-FM1 shows that JVC did its research. Its competitors’ products had their successes and difficulties, and then consciously, purposely, JVC put together a product utilizing everything that worked, discarding everything that didn’t, all within a unique, impulse-buyable style. Looking at the holographic surface, one can’t help but want to touch it.

The interface is easy to navigate, without any complicated menus to scroll through. Every function the camera has is accessible by buttons, for switching between still and video mode, to scrolling through the index of files stored in the camera, to zooming in and out, to a function button for starting and stopping videos, playing videos back, or anything else. Visually, the face resembles an iPod, with its effortless, intuitive design and stylish wow-factor. People are already talking about how it’s the next step in miniature video camcorder technology. Offered just in time to garner excitement before Christmas, the JVC GCFM1A Picsio  is sure to be a staple on many lists this 2009 holiday season. 

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