Quick Question
 

Hi, I am kinda a newbie with JVC's ProLine cameras. Do I need to buy the $250 tripod plate to mount it to a tripod? Or does it have built in screws.

You are going to have to buy the tripod plate.

But I saw a video with the camera mounted to a tripod in the center of the camera.

There IS a place to mount a tripod plate at the front of the JVC cameras BUT MOST of the weight would then hang behind the tripod mount and would then cause instability on the tripod AND an unnaturally forward panning centre. I HIGHLY recommend the use of a tripod plate.

Get the plate dude...you'll thank us later.

Also, being new to JVC, I don't really understand what comes with this camera. I mean they make you buy 500 dollar batteries. Can somebody give me a list of what comes with this stock camera with 14x lens. Cables, ect. please. Thanks

The camera comes with the camera, lens, viewfinder and mic. It can also be bought without the lens and with an optional SxS recorder. The reason for the $500 batteries is because it is a pro camera. It needs a battery that can supply it all the juice it needs and that can stand up to the rigours that you'll put it through. You'll notice that once your make the step to more professional gear that everything is going to go up in price.

Don't forget the charger...

Michael, it appears that you have not owned a camera of this caliber before and while I have felt your pain of having to purchase things like expensive batterys and a charger, tripod plate etc etc, I think you will find that the tripod plate will work not only with JVC but most Sony cameras so later on should you change camera the mounting plate will still work, and the same with the batterys. Hell I used Dionic90 batterys and the Sony tripod plate on various Sony cameras and a JVC camera. I bought the batterys once and bought the tripod plate once so over the years I saved money.
Going to a "full size" camera is a different beast. Hell even a bag costs more but again generally you buy it once and are able to use it until it falls apart and overall you do save money.

You can buy the Sony plate which is anout $70 cheaper. You'll need a decent tripod as well - although the JVC is lighter than many ENG cameras it is heavier than a handycam like the Z1 or EX1/3.

Yes the sony plate is cheaper. Will the VCT-U14 work.

That's what I used for Sony and JVC cameras-and I know a couple of guys that use on HD110s and 250s.

I use my camera-plate from my old JVC GY-DV5000, it works fine,
but the JVC-salesman said, it don't work - and so I showed him,
that it work.

Yes it is a standard V lock mount.

I tried using the normal tripod mount for a couple of weeks while I waited for the plate to arrive. You really, *really* want to get the plate, it makes everything so much nicer. I was a bit sticker-shocked at first, but I now consider it to be worth every cent.

Have Fun,
Jim.