JVC hit the 2012 Consumer Electronics Show with seven camcorders, including its first four models to offer built-in Wi-Fi. All the new camcorders deliver 1920 x 1080 HD video recording in the AVCHD format with a maximum bit rate of 24Mbps.
Using Wi-Fi and a free app for both Android and Apple devices, JVC's wireless camcorders will be able to transfer both videos and stills from the camcorder to a mobile device. Phones can also be used as remote controls for the camcorder. The camcorders are also capable of emailing short (15 second) low resolution (640 x 360) video clips to up to eight email addresses, making JVC one of the few camcorder manufacturers to support in-camcorder emailing. And there's more: Wi-Fi also enables "live monitoring" which gives a real time preview of still photos as well as an auto photo email function that can automatically email still photographs snapped by the camcorder when motion is detected.
Everio E/EX Series
The Everio E and EX series of camcorders will be JVC's lower cost models for the year. They will offer face detection, a smile meter, which measures the intensity of people's smiles, and smile shot, which automatically snaps a still photo when a smile is detected. There is also Pet Shot, which automatically takes a still image if a dog or cat is detected. The camcorders can add effects to video as well.
The E and EX series deliver 40x optical zoom lenses with an advanced stabilizer (optical) as well as a zoom microphone, which changes the focal point of a video to where sounds are coming from. A silent mode dims the LCD display and mutes camcorder sounds so you can record without drawing attention to yourself.
For $200, the GZ-E10 will offer a 2.7-inch LCD display, 1.5-megapixel CMOS sensor and a choice of black, blue or red designs. At $250, the GZ-E200 delivers a larger (3-inch) touchscreen display, 2-megapixel still photos, and red, black or blue color choices. Spend $300 and you'll get the GZ-EX210 which adds Wi-Fi to the mix or go the $400 GZ-EX250 for Wi-Fi plus 16GB of internal flash memory storage (black only).
Everio V/VX Series
The V/VX series will borrow most of the features from the E/EX lineup but will break in the style department, adding aluminum panels on the LCD panel and front end. You'll also find a burst mode for still images and slow motion recording on the V series.
The V500, for $400, builds on the features found in the E-series (minus the Wi-Fi) but will offer a higher resolution, 3.3-megapixel CMOS sensor and a 10x optical zoom lens. You'll also find a 60 frames per second (fps) shooting option for still photos and 300fps for slow motion video recording. Spend an extra $50 for the VX700 and you'll Wi-Fi in addition to all the other features on the V500.
Everio GX Series
The GX1 offers Full HD recording via a 10-megapixel back-illuminated CMOS sensor. It will deliver several higher-end features include an accessory shoe, microphone input and headphone output. It will also offer a 3.5-inch display. Expect to pay $800.
Coming Soon: Live Streaming
JVC showed off a working prototype of a camcorder that can live stream video over Wi-Fi. Sony has beaten them to the punch with a product that's actually ready to come to market, but JVC's demo delivered functions that Sony's Bloggie Live doesn't - the ability to remote pan and tilt the camcorder's lens from a computer or a tablet.
Details on "Live Stream Camera" were a bit sparse but JVC promises an optical zoom lens, Full HD video resolution and recording to memory card. No word yet on pricing or availability - so stay tuned.