JVC GR-SXM540

The JVC GR-SXM540 is an S-VHS-C camcorder made by the Victor Company of Japan (JVC) beginning around 2001. It was made with the same chassis as the GR-SXM740, SXM340, AXM240, and GR-SX970.

Overview
The GR-SXM540 has the "camera in-palm" design which was common in its era. It has a 3" diagonal (7.6cm) LCD with no buttons on it. It also has a black-and-white CRT viewfinder that tilts but does not telescope.

When this unit was purchased new, being a VHS-C unit, it included an adapter for playback of VHS-C tapes in full-size VHS machines.

Model Number Guide
JVC starts the majority of its camera model numbers with "GR." The "SX" signifies that it is an S-VHS-C model (a VHS-C model would've been followed by "AX"). The additional "M" signifies that it has an LCD.

Common Features

 * 16x Optical Zoom and 600x Digital Zoom
 * Can take still photos to tape
 * Automatic and manual focus
 * S-Video and A/V jacks that are outputs only
 * Review (retake) Button
 * Night-Alive (basically a "slow shutter" mode)
 * Fader, "Digifect" picture effects (Sepia, Black/White Monotone, Blue Filter, Red Filter, Solarize, Negative Positive, Mosaic, Stretch, Classic Film, Strobe, Video Echo)
 * Records in 4:3 only, can cut off lines to simulate 16:9
 * Electronic Video Stabilizer
 * Built-in Light
 * Tape is inserted from side
 * Digital I/O Jack for Still Pictures
 * Black and white viewfinder, tilts
 * 3" LCD
 * The zoom control doubles as the volume control during playback (common on JVC units)
 * The image stabilizer on/off button doubles as the TBC on/off button during playback
 * Allows manual setting of white balance, focus, and exposure

Series/Family
This camcorder shares its manual (and thus, its chassis) with four other camcorders. They are part of the GR-SXMx40 series: The GR-AXM240 supports VHS-C only, and the GR-SX970 does not have an LCD.
 * GR-SX970
 * GR-AXM240
 * GR-SXM340
 * GR-SXM540
 * GR-SXM740

If the above list is looked at as a hierarchy, the SXM540 is the model that adds the digital I/O (a serial connector and software CD are included) and the 3" LCD (the AXM240 and SXM340 have a 2.5" LCD). From there, the SXM740 adds a remote control and a 3.5" LCD. The AXM240 does not have an S-Video output jack. All models record monaural audio only, and they do not support HiFi.

For more info, see the page on the GR-SXMx40 series.

Battery/Power
The GR-SXM540 can use the JVC BN-V12U, BN-V20U, or BN-V400U. The standard battery is the BN-V11U, which is a 6V nickel-cadmium battery. The standard charger is the AP-V10U.

The charge port is located behind the cover with all of the video connectors. The unit could theoretically be plugged in with a battery attached, however, according to the manual, it will not operate with this configuration.