I have a JVC GZ-HD7U camcorder and everything on it works perfectly except the record function. I can even take photos. what is wrong? Weird photo only mode? or the record button is just worn out.

Yes but, your best bet is to put it in a camera repair shop so you get a warranty.

hi togetgarett,

good day!

Rechargeable batteries don't last forever. When I searched Amazon for "JVC GZ-MG21EK battery", I found lots, from about 9 pounds sterling ($12).

It's JVC's choice whether to repair or replace the camera.
Possibly, for faster "turn-around", they will send you a replacement,
and _then_ "refurbish" the camera, and then try to sell it as a "refurbished" unit.

For you, that means that any recordings currently on the camera probably will be "lost",
because you'll get an "empty" 60 GB HDD inside the new camera.

Possibly, American Electronics can "archive" your recordings, before you send the camera away, and then "restore" your recordings onto the new HDD ????

It's definitely an internal problem in your camera and it sounds like you don't have any warranty after 5 years. I don't have a step-by-step help guide for you since I don't know about this camcorder but in my opinion, if the camcorder is really that good, it's worth the repairs. Though HD camcorders are getting cheaper these days...

You don't need the disc. Buy Corel's latest videostudio x2 for editing. To extract the video files from camera just plug into computer with USB cable and search the camera for files.

Hi, gliedt13.
Good news is that you have much chances to perform video recovery from JVC video camera. BUT the first thing you should do is STOP taking more videos with your JVC recorder.
The next step should be - take more recovery programs to rescue the videos. here are some that should help you out.
For Windows --> File Recovery Software
For Mac OS X --> Video Recovery for Mac
1. Connect your camera (memory card) to a PC or Mac which has installed the recovery program. 2. Scan for the lost video files. 3. Recover them easily.Remember - Do NOT try & write anything back to the recorder memory card until you can recover your files safely!

i recorded my video clip vertically! i need to rotate them from the camcorder! how do i do it????

You CAN NOT use the Firewire to capture your footage like DV or HDV camcorders. I too Have a macbook pro and use FCPS2 to edit my footage. If you want to get the footage off of the HD7u, you'll have to connect via USB2.0 and download the .TOD files and use a program to convert them. I use MPEGStreamclip. It will work with the .TOD files and convert them to a format that iMovie or FInal Cut will understand. If this is not for professional work you'll probably be fine converting the footage to the HDV standard or DV standard and not have to render in FCP to edit the footage. 
Caution... MPEG2 codec may be needed. If you have FCP or have Quicktime pro, you probably already have it other wise you can purchase it from apple for $29.99 or if you try real hard (not to hard) you can probably find it on a torrent for free.
I hope this helps your situation
Ciza

There currently are no updates for the camcorder, they discontinued the camcorder shortly after it hit stores.. seemed to have alot of issues.
To the other user with the similar issues. The camcorder isn't the same as a DV camcorder and you may not be able to capture live. My suggestion would be to mount the camera using the USB cable and copying the video files from the camcorders internal hard drive to your desired location.
You may need an application to convert the videos, I suggest MpegStream Clip. They have a version for PC and Mac.