JVC's HD Everios go 1080p

HD Everio GZ-HD6(Credit: JVC America)

JVC rolls out a pair of smaller, more progressive high-def Everio hard-disk camcorders to replace its GZ-HD7 and GZ-HD3.

Though they use the same 10X zoom lenses and tiny, low-resolution sensors as their predecessors, the new models can produce progressive 60fps 1920x1080 output, in JVC's MPEG-2 output format. The HD6 has a 120GB hard drive (rated to hold 10 hours of best-quality video), a microphone input and comes in black, while the HD5 has 60GB drive and comes in silver. They both support x.v. Color, theoretical compatible with Sony's implementation of the xvYCC color space, for better color reproduction on supporting TVs (currently Sony Bravias and maybe some newer JVC models).

In addition, the previous models had issues with subpar optical image stabilizers that JVC claims to have fixed. We also thought they were overpriced; at $1,399 for the HD6 and $1,119 for the HD5, they might still be. We're reserving judgement for now. They'll both be available in March.