JVC says a new top-end JVC HD Everio video camera is now available. The GZ-HM1 HD Everio (http://camcorder.jvc.com/product.jsp?modelId=MODL028649&pathId=171&page=10) purportedly offers a full slate of technologies to optimize picture quality and an array of manual controls for creative flexibility.

According to the folks at JVC, the GZ-HM1 offers performance improvements in three key areas — low light performance, camera-shake compensation and digital still quality. It sports 64GB of internal storage and an SD/SDHC card slot. When it comes to still images, the GZ-HM1 delivers real 10 megapixel stills for detailed images up to 3648 x 2736.

The GZ-HM1 offers an array of manual controls. These include a manual adjustment dial that, among other functions, allows precise manual focus. Other manual controls include selection of shutter or aperture priority shooting, and bracket shooting. In addition, there’s a user-programmable button for storing frequently used settings.

To ensure the best possible audio recording, there’s a microphone input, audio level control and headphone output. There’s also a top-mounted accessory shoe.

The GZ-HM1 also offers creative shooting functions, including time-lapse recording, available in all 2010 Everio cameras, to record in intervals ranging from one to 80 seconds. When played back, hours-long segments are reduced to seconds. Also available is high-speed recording at up to 600 frames per second, allowing ultra-slow motion playback for observation and analysis, such as a golf swing.

The JVC GZ-HM1 will be available in March for $1,199.95.