While other manufacturers have hedged their bets in the increasingly complex world of camcorder formats, JVC has stuck to its guns with the hard disk Everio and the range has gone from strength to strength.

Not one to rest on its laurels, the Japanese giant continued to set the agenda in 2007 by releasing several new models, among them the first high-definition Everio, the HD7, and the 40GB HDD/SD combo MG275, which is on test here.

Design and layout

The MG275 exhibits the same rectangular, compact styling as its predecessors, combined with just enough brushed aluminium and jet-black insets to make it a hit with the more fashion-conscious filmmakers. Good looks are complemented by good design and build quality: from the built-in lens shutter to the placement of controls, every last detail has been considered to make for comfortable, stable shooting.

Navigation through the onscreen menus is carried out with a small joystick to the left of the 2.7in widescreen LCD, and a cursory exploration of the interface is enough to see most people on their way without recourse to the manual. 

The Zoom Rocker, Record and Snapshot buttons all fall readily to hand, while less frequently used controls, such as Playback and Auto/Manual switching are located behind the LCD screen. For those who like a more ‘hands off’ approach, a remote control also comes as part of the package.

You also have the option of storing your video footage and stills to the 40GB hard drive or an SD card, with four quality settings on offer with variable bitrates between 1.5Mbps to 8.5Mbps. Recording times range from a maximum of 50 hours when shot in Economy to almost 10 hours at the highest Ultra Fine setting.

Getting your files off the camcorder is also simple thanks to the multitude of connectivity options provided. Hidden away on the chassis itself are USB 2.0, DC-in and AV-out ports, while a further DC-in, DV-out, AV-out, S-video out and USB 2.0 are all available on the bundled Everio Dock.

Features

A quick look at the MG275’s menu will tell you this is not a camcorder for hardcore video enthusiasts. However, it still manages to pack in an array of practical features and imaging technology that will spoil the average casual family filmmaker. Emphasis lies on performance, and with a decent range of manual options alongside five Program AE modes and 16:9 shooting there’s enough leeway to get creative.