1. Not to sporty on Windows 98, have problems from time to time on my old computer running Win 98 getting this to be recognized.

2. The tape loads underneath which means if you are on a tripod that camera must be taken off in order to change tapes.

3. USB and Firewire ports are underneath the view screen which means the camera must be opened in order to use them.

With that said let me say that the camera performs well on my two other computers using Win XP. I enjoy Windows Movie Maker and this camera, they make a perfect match and good outcome.

If you have Win XP or newer this is the camera for you. PLEASE don't forget to get the Flash and Light accessories which really make this a wonderful camera. It is a lightweight and very easy to use camera. I put a 256SD card in this and have not been able to come close to filling it.

I like being able to video and also digital image at the same time, before I had to use two cameras. This camera puts your digial images on the SD Card and also adds the snapshot effect right on the tape. I use this camera daily and have not been let down yet.

Great camcorder for moviemaking (Rating: 4.00)
Review : I purchased this camcorder to make a low budget movie. I was impressed with how many features (like 540 lines of horiz. resolution) were available on this camcorder that were hard to find on anything but the best quality professional mini-dv camcorders.

The image quality was great when adequate lighting was used, and there was no picture distortion, even on a larger (close to 50") television. I recently had trouble with the tape loading mechanism, but that could just be my fault.

Pros:
-1.33 Megapixel CCD hard to find on less expensive camcorders
-Sharp LCD screen
-Viewfinder has diopter (so you can take off your glasses)
-Accepts many lens attachments (I use a wide angle and telephoto lens from Sony)
-Body feels strong, not cheap and light like many Sonys or Panasonics
-Some of the picture effects are useful (like shutter speeds)
-Digital Wide Angle setting (allows you to reach <1x zoom with built in lens)
-Great battery life for included battery
-High quality mic preamp built in
-Amazing picture quality for price when used in good lighting

Cons:
-Bottom loading tape (can't open with tripod attached, but few cameras don't have this now)
-No focus ring (you have to use the tiny scroll wheel, but focus rings are only available on camcorders that cost $1000+. Just use a telephoto lens if you need to pull focus)
-Remote sensor can only be used in front of camcorder
-Poor low light shots (just use good lighting)

All in all, this is a great camcorder for making low budget movies, as long as you have decent lighting. Many options are available in manual mode, allowing you to have more control over picture. Automatic mode works great too.

GR-DV500 (Rating: 5.00)
Review : Its simply amazing what you can do with this piece of equipment!
Very user friendy and if you are operating on Windows XP,then you are in another entertainment world.
With its compact nature and numerous facilities,it is a must buy.
I love it.

Very Nice (Rating: 4.00)
Review : So far, the only thing keeping me from giving this camera 5 stars would be that the night vision is choppy. I'm sure its a side effect of the slower shutter speed required for night viewing, but it made all movement look blurry but the color was great. It's light weight, and easy to use right out of the box. The software that comes with it is usable. It would be better if they would just use a standard windows look and feel though. I could not get XP's movie maker to recognize the camera, but after reading one of the other reviews, I'm sure it's my problem and not the camera's. (8 USB devices and 4 cameras hooked to the same computer may have something to do with it.) All and all, a great package.

Great camcorder (Rating: 5.00)
Review : I bought this camcorder last Christmas and I've loved it since. I was looking for a reasonably priced Mini DV camcorder and came across this one at a local Sears. It felt nice and sturdy in my hands unlike the smaller ones offered by Sony and Panasonic. I checked some reviews on it, found them to be good and bought it at J&R over in NYC. The video quality is nothing short of outstanding in good lighting thanks to the 1.33 megapixel CCD (a godsend in this price range).

As for faults, the only real Achilles heel this camcorder has is the worthless "Night Alive" mode. Sony's nightvision trumps the JVC in this respect because the picture becomes nothing but a bright, blurry mess in Night Alive mode. I will invest in a video light to remedy this problem and I suggest that those considering this camcorder do likewise. Overall this is still a terrific camcorder thanks to the 1.33 megapixel CCD not usually found in this price range.