JVC announced a pair of new high definition Everio hard disk high-definition camcorders that offer high picture quality in a reduced size. The new JVC GZ-HD6 and GZ-HD5 HD camcorders are 45 percent smaller than JVC's previous top-end HD camcorder, the GZ-HD7.

Both new HD camcorders feature a FUJINON HD lens, a progressive scan 3CCD imaging system and JVC's HD Gigabrid engine that delivers 1920 x 1080 Full HD recording. In addition, they offer 1080p 60 frame per second output via HDMI 1.3 with x.v.Color.

Both camcorders offer a long recording time in 1920 x 1080 Full HD -- 10 hours for the 120GB GZ-HD6 and five hours for the 60GB GZ-HD5. They record up to 24 (GZ-HD6) or 12 (GZ-HD5) hours in the 1440 LP mode. Recordings are stored on either the built-in hard disk drive or on an inserted microSD card (optional). Both models also offer a microphone input and a wide range of manual controls. The black GZ-HD6 also features a lens hood and headphone jack. The smaller silver GZ-HD5 weighs just 1 lb 3.9 oz with battery.

The GZ-HD6/HD5 also come supplied with a full set of Windows applications for editing and authoring to DVD and Blu-ray disc, as well as plug-in software to facilitate data import into various Macintosh applications. JVC will also continue to offer the CU-VD40 Everio SHARE STATION for HD which enables one-button burning of video data to DVD.

The JVC GZ-HD6, offered in black, and the GZ-HD5, offered in silver, will be available in March for $1,399.99 and $1,199.99, respectively.