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JVC GC-XA1 ADIXXION Action Camcorder
- BN-VH105 Rechargeable Battery
- Goggle Mount
- Flexible Mount
- 2 x Lens Protector
- USB Cable
- Instruction Booklet
- 1-Year Limited Warranty
Hands-On Review: the JVC GC-XA1 ADIXXION Action Camcorder
This video introduces the rugged and compact JVC GC-XA1 ADIXXION Action Camcorder. It's waterproof down to 16.4 feet, shockproof from falls of up to 6.5 feet and resistant to dust and freezing temperatures. It features a CMOS sensor that's capable of recording Full HD 1920 x 1080/30p video, HD 1280 x 720/60p video for high-speed action and 5-megapixel stills. In this video review, the ADIXXION is tested in both rainy and freezing conditions. It's compared side-by-side with the popular GoPro camera as well. Although the GoPro video footage was slightly sharper, the ADIXXION requires no housing or cases, and it also features a convenient 1.5-inch LCD screen, which the GoPro doesn’t have.
The ADIXXION has Wi-Fi functionality, which enables you to transfer movies to your smartphone or tablet while you’re in the field. Plus, you can even stream live video by using the USTREAM function—and you don’t even need a computer to do it. The Wi-Fi feature works with a free app for Android and iOS, which the video shows in action. For wired connectivity, the ADIXXION features HDMI and USB ports. There’s an SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot as well. The video review also covers the included accessories, as well as optional accessories including various JVC mounts and a 4GB SanDisk Extreme SDHC memory card.
| Waterproof | To 16.4' (5 m) IPX8 |
| Shockproof | To 6.5' (2 m) MIL-STD 810F |
| Dustproof | Yes (IP6X) |
| Freezeproof | To 14°F (-10°C) |
| Image Sensor | 5-Megapixel CMOS |
| Lens Type | 170° Fixed Focus |
| Digital Zoom | 5x |
| Digital Image Stabilizer | Yes |
| White Balance | Auto & Manual |
| Exposure | Auto |
| Self-Timer | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
| Video Recording Format | MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 (MP4) |
| Video Recording Modes | FHD 1920 x 1080p at 30 fps (15 Mbps VBR) HD960 1280 x 960p at 30 fps (8.9 Mbps VBR) HD60 1280 x 720p at 60 fps (13 Mbps VBR) HD30 1280 x 720p at 30 fps (6.7 Mbps VBR) WVGA 848 x 480p at 30 fps (3 Mbps VBR) |
| Still Image Format | JPEG |
| Still Image Resolution | 5 Megapixel |
| Audio Format | AAC |
| Monitor | LCD (Playback/Record) |
| Screen Size | 1.5" (38mm) |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi |
| HDMI | 1 x HDMI (mini) |
| USB | 1 x USB (mini) |
| Memory Card Slot | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
| Dimensions (WxHxD) | 2.9 x 2.1 x 1.4" (74 x 53 x 35mm) |
| Weight with Battery | 4.4 oz (126 g) |
Comments
I just bought the Adixxion with the intentions of utilizing the Streaming capabilities more than anything. The major flaw I've found has been with some kind of "Auto-Off" feature and after 5 or so minutes of streaming, I'll go to the camera and the screen will be black and the streaming will have ended. I need the camera to go continuous for a couple of hours, so, is there a way to turn the "Auto-Off" feature off entirely? If not, do you know of a suitable and affordable alternative that can provide these streaming capabilities more consistently and with an easier to use platform?
Hi Andrew -
JVC has no documentation available that details an override to the "Auto Off" feature. You may want to consider their incredible new GZ-EX515 which is equipped with Wi-Fi and several wireless functions. The wireless features include Index Marking for Best Play, Sports Scoring, Live Streaming by USTREAM, Live Monitoring with Remote Recording/Snapshot Control, Data Transfer to tablet / smartphone / PC, One Touch Auto Backup to PC (HD compatible), Home Detection Monitoring (Auto Photo E-mail), Video E-mail and Geotagging. You can use the camera with a JVC's free downloadable app as well. The app works with Android phones/tablets, iPhone and iPad.
Please contact us via e-mail if you have additional questions: AskBH@BandH.com
I have been looking for a remote control app for iphone which is supposed to be provided "free of charge" by the manufacturer, but could not find a link to or on iTunes store. Where is it?
Please search in the App Store under the name of "WiVideo" and it will show up.
Please search in the App Store under the name of "WiVideo" and it will show up.
Dennis L askbh{at}bandh{dot}com
Thanks for starting the ball rlolnig with this insight.
I have two questions:
#1 when recording long videos, does tis camera break the video into smaller files? If so what is the maximum file size in tems of minutes? If does the included software allow you to stitch them together without loss of ressolution?
#2 Can this camera be charged while recording? If not, what is the recording time at 30 fps?
Thank You.
Hi EP,
I just got this camera and can refute at least one point made in an earlier reply ... I made a test video and the full HD mode does NOT break movies into 4 minute files. I just shot 8 minutes and 20 seconds at full 1920x1080 and it was stored as 1 file (about 950 MB), and there was no indication of a timeout. I suspect the max file size will be limited to 4GB each as they are on the GoPro which has about the same compression ratio (about 35 minutes in full HD) but the movies should be stored as consecutive files with no time gap if you extend beyond 1 file.
The "Endless Record" function is not explained well in the manuals but is described on a "FAQ for GC-XA1" page. It is limited to the 720p 30 fps mode, and it rewrites over old files, apparently putting about 15 minutes in each file. This would be used to perform continuous filming for a webcam or dashboard camera or security camera type function. I don't see this as very useful since the battery will run out long before an average memory card will.
Can you have it record endlessly while it is powered from the charger? If so, can the camera detect when the charger is plugged into the socket and the camera starts to receive charging power? This would be the signal for the camera to start recording. Conversely, when the charging power is removed, that would be the signal for the camera to stop recording. This is how my low quality car dashboard camera operates, controlled via the cigarette lighter which in turn is controlled by the car's ignition switch. Can the 15 minute file chunk size be adjusted for shorter time intervals?
The endless record will function while plugged into power. The camera will not start and stop recording triggered by the car though. You would need to set up and start the endless record each time you need to use it. 15 minute intervals is the only option.
Hi EP -
#1 - The file size is about 4 minutes at full resolution. However, the Endless Record function allows you to record with a fifteen minute time interval without stopping - but video resolution drops to 720p/30fps in this mode. The included software and many other video editing suite will seamlessly stitch all your scenes together.
***NOTE: SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot support up to 64GB
Quality SDHC/SDXC Card
4GB 8GB 16GB 32GB 48GB 64GB
Full HD(1080p30) 35m 1h10m 2h20m 4h50m 7h10m 9h30m
HD (960p30) 60m 2h00m 4h00m 8h00m 12h 16h
HD (720p60) 40m 1h20m 2h40m 5h20m 8h10m 10h50m
HD (720p30) 1h20m 2h40m 5h20m 10h30m 15h50m 21h00m
WVGA (848x480) 3h00m 5h50m 11h50m 23h40m 35h30m 47h20m
Four resolution settings aare available:
Full HD (1080p 30fps)
HD (960p 30fps)
HD (720p 60fps)
HD (720p 30 fps)
WVGA (848x480)
#2 - It is not feasible to take a video while the adapter is applied, though Endless RECORD and Time Lapse would still work.
Please contact us via e-mail if you have additional questions: AskBH@BandH.com
Question about the endless record function. Does it have a "car dashboard camera" function? By that I mean when external power or charging is applied by car charger or USB, the camera will automatically start recording and will stop recording when the power is removed? I would consider using it as a high quality car dashboard camera but need it to start recording automatically when the engine is started and to stop recording when the engine is turned off.
Hi Mati -
There is no car dashboard function for this camera. It will run on it's own battery only.
Please contact us via e-mail if you have additional questions: AskBH@BandH.com
I understood the Endless Record function records segments continuously while overwriting the oldest file. This is what a car dashboard camera does. The car dashboard camera senses when the cigarette lighter becomes energized via the ignition switch and then commences recording. I was hoping that the this camera would operate in the same manner in Endless Record mode when its charger was connected.
That's why it is a dashboard camera and this isn't. You wouldn't want it recording every time you recharged it out of a vehicle, but on the other hand not all vehicles have lighter outlets that turn off with the ignition.
So far as recording while charging, the majority of cameras can do that, but the exception that some need a power-only cable meaning that the data lines from a host (computer, etc) don't connect to the camera and put it into a transfer or playback mode instead of staying in the same mode it was already in.
Also this looks a little flashy for a permanent dash cam, I'd be worried about it enticing someone to break in and steal it... and whatever else is found in the vehicle while the burglar is at it. Maybe you could gut a stuffed animal and hide it inside, but police may not take kindly to there being a stuffed animal on the dash.
I would be very interested to know if the full HD mode can only film 4 minutes at a time, and whether the "Endless Rec" 720p 30fps mode shoots only 15 minutes at a time (with a stop and a time gap) or infinite (memory limited) continuous length but broken into 15 minute files.
Hi Steven -
It will film continuously to the capacity of the card but breaks the footage down into 4 minute files. The shooting is continuous, as is the footage with no gaps. The "Endless Rec" 720p 30fps mode shoots files of 15 minute lengths up to the capacity of the memory card as well.
Please contact us via e-mail if you have additional questions: AskBH@BandH.com
This reply is a little deceptive. Many cameras break the continuous shooting into files, but that should not imply a time gap or "stopping" of the filming. The reply makes it sound like the user has to stop and restart every 4 or 15 minutes. If the Adixxion is like other cameras, the camera just creates separate files with no time gap.
I think this whole discussion about the camera breaking the recording into smaller files is wrong. I just purchased the Adixxion. I went for a motorcycle ride and turned it on, filmed for about 35 minutes, and stopped (took a riding break). Started recording again and continued for 40 minutes, and stopped (another break). Finally, started rrecording again, and about 30 minutes later, it stopped when the battery finally died. The result? 3 individual files; one that is 35 minutes long, one that is 40 minutes long, and one that is 28 minutes long. This was at the 1280x720/60fps setting.
Thanks you very much for your testing, I hate to have to return things.
I think now if the hsd the go pro clearness in that cam I would buy it in a heartbeat, a must for action cams and 3D (twin cams).
I just don't like the bubble lens on the go pro...unless you had the option to replace it with a flat lense like it's dive lense cover, but that's just a cover lense.
I'm looking to get this for my son. He has a Mac computer and Iphone. I saw in the review that the app doesn't work with a Mac. So what won't he be able to do? Does this mean I shouldn't buy this brand of action camera and instead go with the GoPro?
Hello Jim-
The app will not work (as it is Window's only) - but the camera's footage will be perfectly compatible with iMovie 11 or Adobe Premiere Elements 11. The MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 (MP4) files created by the camera are completely compatible with Mac OS. You may need to use a card reader to transfer the files off the memory card in order to avoid a conflict with the cameras embedded Windows only software. Any USB SDHC/SDXC card reader will work.
Please contact us via e-mail if you have additional questions: AskBH@BandH.com
To clarify, are you suggesting that upon connection to a host (computer), this camera only supports MTP transfers, not UMS (USB Mass Storage which would make the SD card contents show up as a file system and drive letter to copy over the files) ?
If it supports UMS, there should be no need to use a card reader with MacOS since version 9 and newer natively support UMS (or it's an add-on for older versions).
If the cam doesn't support UMS and requires software on every host, that's a substantial detraction to this cam. I can't imagine wanting to use software when UMS is available even if I am using a windows PC.
Hello Dave -
This camera does not support UMS storage and may prove to be inconvenient for those users who need that functionality.
Please contact us via e-mail if you have additional questions: AskBH@BandH.com
So how does the app not working limit his ability to use this camera? Does the app not work because of the Iphone or because of the mac computer? I've read other reviews that say they can get the app to work with a Iphone 4 but it just takes some time. If he can't use the phone to remotely work the camera and see his shots then that is a big negative.
Hello Jim -
Although it may be possible to squeeze some limited functionality from the WiVideo app for Apple IOS - this camera was designed for a Windows platform. JVC will only support the WiVideo app for Windows. We do not test or verify an app that is not recognized by the manufacturer. You may need to consider a different camera if this is the prime application of use.
Please contact us via e-mail if you have additional questions: AskBH@BandH.com
How high of a temperature can it withstand? I'm looking into a aaction camera for training burns and firescene video with my Fire Department.
Hey, did you pick a camera yet? In the same boat for the fire fighting issue and looking for one that will record well with the wifi, but yet can handle the heat. Any help would be appreciated, thanks!
Hello Monica -
This camera is not fire or heat rated, but has been used by our customers in extreme desert and beach conditions where air temperature can get quite high. That said - this is from JVC:
"Do not leave the camera for extended periods in freezing temperatures or at temperatures of 40 degrees Centigrade (104 degrees Fahrenheit) or above; under direct sunlight, in a parked car in the hot sun, or near a heater for example. Degraded water resistance can result."
Please contact us via e-mail if you have additional questions: AskBH@BandH.com
and where can i take a look at this remote software for ANDROID OS?? i wasnt able to find anything :(
Hello -
Mount the camera and frame your shot on your smartphone/tablet before recording (with auto 3 minute shut-off to save battery power when the action starts). iPhone and Android apps will be offered free of charge. You may view screenshots of the WiVideo App for the Android OS here:
http://bit.ly/SwQWhF
Please contact us via e-mail if you have additional questions: AskBH@BandH.com
does it have a microphone port?
There is no mic input on this camera.
Hi,
Is the sound recording in stereo? I've seen no mention of this anywhere...
Thanks!
Hello -
An on-board stereo microphone delivers a realistic sound field, saved to the AAC audio format.
Thanks for an outstanding article and review. Sorry if I missed this, but does it have a remote? I kayak fish and want to mount it on a hat or helmet and have the ability to do the following: 1. turn on record and off record (and be aware of if it is on or off). A simple remote to turn it off and on and some kind of indicator saying: "it is recording" . Thanks so much. TB
There is no included remote control but it does have wifi capability which allows you to use your smart phone as a live preview of the video and to remote control the camera.
I have a question about using my smartphone to control the camera via wifi. Do I need to be connected to my home wifi network or to a mobile hotspot? Or will the camera and smartphone create their own independent network?
If I need to be connected to a network that would limit it's use to within my living room, not too useful.
Thanks