Posts tagged hd pocket camcorders go head-to-head

Description

Heads up, adrenaline junkies. The KODAK PLAYSPORT has as much appetite for adventure as you do. And it’s not afraid to get wet. This audacious little camera can plunge up to 10 ft under water and capture the entire experience in full 1080p HD. And you don’t need to worry about blurry footage when things get a little shaky. With built-in image stabilization, the KODAK PLAYSPORT will stay steady as a rock. From the waves, to the slopes, to the mud-soaked trails, this baby was made for the extremes. Show them what you’re made ofin HDTake the plunge with the waterproof digital video camera capable of shooting up to 10 ft under water Go anywhere rugged design enables full 1080p HD video recording in just about any environment Start bragging with amazing 5 MP, 16:9 widescreen HD still pictures Make a colorful statement The KODAK PLAYSPORT Video Camera was designed with you in mind, right down to the colors it comes in. We took cues from the environment—from nature, to climate, to the adrenaline rush it provides—and transformed it into attention-grabbing colors that help you stand out from the crowd. Don’t let sun glare ruin your recordingSimply use your camera settings to turn on the LCD Glare Shield feature LCD Glare Shield feature gives you two filters to choose from that help you see your subject on the display screen in reflective outdoor situations These filters are only applied to your display screen, not your footage, so everything you record will look as great as the moment you shot it Smooth, stable, and always able Get sharper videos and less blur thanks to built-in electronic image stabilization Accidents happen luckily the PLAYSPORT isn’t afraid of a little fall, it can take it Capture your friends in all their glory with smart face tracking technology See more details and accurate colors with incredible low-light perform

Features

• Waterproof up to 10 ft. (3 m)
• Full 1080p HD video
• Electronic image stabilization
• Brilliant 2.0 in. color display
• Capture 5 megapixel HD stills (16:9)

Reviews

Kodak PlaySport

by Todd Stiles from Merced, CA, US on 2010-09-10
This is a great little unit but you have to get the SD card or you can’t take any video. W/a 8 gig SD card I can get 1.5+ hours of video. Only bad thing is that the camera does not have a flash so no good at night. who desinged it that way? a $150.00 camera without a flash ?

Love it! Prefer it over the Flip!

by The Toast Pirate from on 2010-09-10
I got this camera as a graduation gift this past May and have absolutely adored it! It got some pretty intense use over the past summer, including several all-day theme park trips, in which it went with me on both roller coasters and water rides. (I even dropped it on one of the rides and it survived no worse for the wear!) I’ve taken it swimming on multiple occasions, and it still works great! No leaking, no malfunctions. It charges quickly, and seems to stay charged for a decent amount of time, although, I bought an extra battery that I carry with me just in case. My only qualm with this camera is the speakers aren’t very loud when listening to play back. Other than that though, I LOVE this camera, and would DEFINTELY recommend it to anyone! I actually suggested it to one of my friends and he loves his also.

Great waterproof camera/video – but no flash!

by JMTRELLA from guilford, ct USA on 2010-09-09
We love this camera, but it needs a flash to replace our regular camera. We’ve used it several times since we purchased it in May (the Great Barrier Reef, Grand Turk and our friends used it in Hawaii). It took wonderful day-time videos and pictures, and better than disposables underwater pictures and video when we figured out the proper setting. We’ve been able to take a ton of pictures on 8gb with a decent battery life. Our underwater videos would’ve gone much longer than our snorkleing dives, but were enjoyable to watch (you can only hold your breath for so long!).
WELL WORTH THE PRICE! BUT, it needs a flash for most indoor pictures/videos!

Better than the Flip!

by m0ngr31 from on 2010-09-09
All of my sisters have a Flip, and I haven’t been that impressed, so I figured I’d try the PlaySport. I’ve loved this thing! The first place I used it was at a waterpark and it goes underwater just fine! HD looks good on my 46″ 1080p TV.

Pros:
-Build quality seems solid
-Waterproof!
-Uses SD cards for storage
-No USB switchblade that breaks easily like the Flips
-Good HD picture

Cons:
-Screen scratches fairly easily. I had it in my pockets for a few minutes with my keys and it got a few small scratches
-Picture quality isn’t the best. Only 5MP, but I have an older camera that takes much better pictures at 5MP than this does
-Doesn’t do really great in low-light situations, but I’ve seen worse.

Worth the money though. Best device on the market in this price range. Much better than the FlipVideo IMHO.

Perfect for On-The-Go!

by ChrisAnn4 from on 2010-09-08
This is the perfect camera for on-the go and is about the size of a cell phone. Fits perfectly in my purse! So easy to operate. My 4-year-old can even use it! HD video is amazing. Outdoor quality is FANTASTIC! Even the still shots are great outside. Only complaint would be the dark pics/video inside b/c there is no flash (I guess that is what my digital SLR is for!) For the price, and DURABILITY, it’s fantastic! Love that you can add your own memory and it’s not internal like the “Flip”. I’ve had two other friends buy one after seeing mine.

Description

The S20 fits in every pocket! At 2/3 thin and 3.5 oz this tiny video camera is about the same size as a Smartphone and can go wherever you do. Don’t sacrifice size for power! High Definition made easy. The Camileo S20 sports 1920×1080p Full High Definition Video, 4x digital zoom, and video stabilization in 720p mode. The S20 also doubles as a 5 Megapixel still digital camera. The S20 has 4 different recording modes: Macro mode for close up shots, motion detection mode for surveillance, slow motion for sports, and time elapse mode. Don’t be constrained by a device’s built in memory! The S20 takes SD/SDHC memory cards up to 32GB (not included) for extended recording time. Each 32GB card will record an estimated 5 hours at 1080p. The S20 can also charge with a standard USB 2.0 cable so you won’t need to bring extra cables or power adapters on your travels. Capture, Edit, Share. Previewing, watching and sharing your videos doesn’t get any easier. Camileo S20 is equipped with a large 3swiveling LCD for previewing and controlling your videos and pictures. Share your memories with your family and friends with the one-touch YouTube button or watch them directly on your screen with the included HDMI cable.

Features

• 1080p Full HD resolution video
• 4x digital zoom in 720p, 1x in 1080p
• HDMI digital AV output
• 3.0-Inch LCD Monitor
• Easy YouTube upload button

Reviews

Awesome Pocket Camcorder

by J. Reed from on 2010-09-04
I was considering purchasing either this Camileo S20 or the Flip 2nd Gen Brushed Metal model. Obviously I ended up choosing the Camileo S20, and here is why:

**I looked at the many reviews of the Flip model, and didn’t like what people had to say. Many reviews complained about the bulit-in USB connector not fitting any of their USB ports for uploading or charging to the PC. Eventually Flip finally responded to this major concern, after denying the issue for a long time, leaving their early customers out to dry according to the reviews. Not great customer service in my opinion, and others that had their FLip break down had much trouble with customer service in getting it fixed. Read the reviews for yourself. There are many complaints BEYOND the supposedly resolved USB issue. The Camileo doesn’t have many reviews, but the ones it has are good.

**Even if the Flip’s USB arm is truly fixed, I prefer connecting my camcorder with a USB WIRE. It sounds much better than expecting your Flip to float in the air while connected to your PC. Using a wired connection you can set the Camileo camera in the floor, on top of your PC tower, on your desk, ect.

**The Camileo can shoot in 1080p (without zoom or stabilization) or 720p with these features enabled. The Flip max resolution is 720p only. (And now that I have the Camileo for myself, both of the higher resolutions look absolutely brillant in bright outdoor environments. As others have stated, the low-light indoor video looks OK at best. This is how all pocket cams are apparently though, and reviews of the Flip’s low light video doesn’t sound any better.)

**Camileo has a 3-inch LCD screen, the Flip is only 2-inches.

**Camileo has a much greater value. As of this review, the Camileo is $50 dollars cheaper than the Flip. The Camileo does not have the built-in 8GB storage like the Flip. Once could buy a 8GB HDCP card for $15 dollars here on Amazon, equaling this Flips spec. Even better, you could expand the storage all the way to 32 GB if you want, while the Flip is locked-in at only 8GB forever. Let’s say you buy the 8GB card for the Camileo. You are still saving $35 dollars in comparison, and we haven’t even got to the other great things packed in the Camileo box….

**Superior Accessories. The Camileo comes packed with an AC adapter, perfect for when you don’t want to lug around your computer to charge up the power. The Flip not only does not come with an AC adapter, the official model costs $13 dollars, and multiple reviews of it say it is faulty, and causes the Flip to shut down because of overheating, defeating the point of this accessory altogether. The Camileo also comes with a free tripod. Flip owners have to pony up an extra $9 dollars for one. HDMI cables for direct HDTV viewing? Free with the Camileo, $14 dollars for the Flip. USB cables are also free with the Camileo, and $14 dollars for the Flip if you are like me and don’t like the idea of the built-in arm attatchment on the Flip. I am not sure if the Flip comes with a standard AV cord for older TVs, as it isn’t a listed accessory, but the Camileo DOES come with one free as well. You also get a free travel case with the Camileo, the FLip cases start at $7 dollars and up. Doing the math, the Flip costs $86 dollars more, and you are still stuck with a faulty AC adapter and may not even have standard AV cables.

**I cannot speak to the video files on the Flip, but the Camileo videos save to the PC in AVI files, which can be edited either with the included software, or better yet, Windows Movie Maker easily and immediately after upload with no conversion needed. Maybe the Flip does too, I don’t know. Both have instant Youtube uploads, so that one is a wash.

**CONCLUSION: The Camileo has better specs with the larger LCD screen, and higher 1080P video resolution.The Camileo is $86 dollars cheaper after considering the need to purchase an 8GB card for Camileo and purchasing a boatload of accessories for Flip.Camileo can be expanded to 32GB, the Flip is locked in at 8GB. The Camileo USB connection is superior and more accessible than the FLip IMO. Flip has a spotty customer service department, Toshiba has always been good to me in the past, and I haven’t even needed them with the Camileo. This Camileo model does not have the massive advertising campaign that the Flip does, so Toshiba is able to pass the saving on to consumers. Flip might have the “coolness” factor due to being all over television, but I would rather have a superior camera at a cheaper cost, so I went with the Camileo.

This camcorder is worth every penny!

by Hockeyman30 from on 2010-09-03
I just got this camcorder a few days ago and I am nothing but impressed at the quality. This camcorder has a reasonable low end price and is well worth it, not to mention everything is included like case, tripod ect. except for the memory card. I was skeptical about the size and shooting qualities when I orderd this but now I can definately see that toshiba has made a well made product. The camcorder is light weight and plastic which gives you a feeling that it is very cheaply made and will not perform well. However that thought completely flys out the window when you use it for the first time. The movie picture quality was outstanding and you can select between diffrent shooting qualities like 1080p, 720p, wvga, and vga, which is great for a unit this compact. It is very light weight and can easily fit in your pocket or on your belt loop with the included case. Battery life is about 2 hours which is kind of low opperating time but is still worth it. The stableazation mode does not work in full 1080p but works from 720p down, its not the best stableazation but it still helps and works well. You will only get better if you spend in the $400 range of camcorders. The built in light really helps in low light conditions and is very usefull. I really have nothing negative to say about this camcorder, except the digital zoom works well but would only be better if it had an optical zoom but thats somthing that I can live without. The camcorder also takes in movie mode still photos at 2 and 5 mp. which is great along with having just a picture mode so the camcorder also acts as your digital camera too. Overall this camera is a great value and I couldnt be happier with my purchace. Great job toshiba!

Love it!

by Ed & C from on 2010-08-25
I received my Camileo today! its exactly what i wanted. very compacked and easy to use. same size as my blackberry! its does what i need it to do!

Great camera

by V. Burke from on 2010-08-08
Great quality, great price. Careful taking pictures – it took a while to fine tune “expertise” at taking a picture because it is sensitive to movement, but it performs extremely well and the video is amazing. Easy to carry, easy to use, and comes with a tripod, case, etc. to make it an even better value.

Doesn’t work with Mac

by Beatriz S. Wronski from Michigan USA on 2010-08-07
I loved this little camera the moment I got to hold it. Went to a party, shot about 1 hr.of film, only to find out it doesn’t work with Mac (I have a MacBookPro). I had to ask a friend who has a PC to help me download the video to make a dvd. I never had that happen to cameras I had. (first time). Very dissapointed. It says right on the box: for windows7 or vista (I should have read it).

Description

The Kodak Playsport 1520287 Video Camera has as much appetite for adventure as you do. And it’s not afraid to get wet. with the Kodak Playsport 1520287 Video Camera, a audacious little camera that can plunge up to 10 ft under water and capture the entire experience in full 1080p HD. And you don’t need to worry about blurry footage when things get a little shaky. With built-in image stabilization, the Kodak Playsport 1520287 Video Camera will stay steady as a rock. From the waves, to the slopes, to the mud-soaked trails, this baby was made for the extremes. Order the Kodak Playsport 1520287 Video Camera today!

Features

• Waterproof up to 10 ft. (3 m)
• Full 1080p HD video
• Electronic image stabilization
• Brilliant 2.0 in. color display
• Capture 5 megapixel HD stills (16:9)

Reviews

Kodak PlaySport

by Todd Stiles from Merced, CA, US on 2010-09-10
This is a great little unit but you have to get the SD card or you can’t take any video. W/a 8 gig SD card I can get 1.5+ hours of video. Only bad thing is that the camera does not have a flash so no good at night. who desinged it that way? a $150.00 camera without a flash ?

Love it! Prefer it over the Flip!

by The Toast Pirate from on 2010-09-10
I got this camera as a graduation gift this past May and have absolutely adored it! It got some pretty intense use over the past summer, including several all-day theme park trips, in which it went with me on both roller coasters and water rides. (I even dropped it on one of the rides and it survived no worse for the wear!) I’ve taken it swimming on multiple occasions, and it still works great! No leaking, no malfunctions. It charges quickly, and seems to stay charged for a decent amount of time, although, I bought an extra battery that I carry with me just in case. My only qualm with this camera is the speakers aren’t very loud when listening to play back. Other than that though, I LOVE this camera, and would DEFINTELY recommend it to anyone! I actually suggested it to one of my friends and he loves his also.

Great waterproof camera/video – but no flash!

by JMTRELLA from guilford, ct USA on 2010-09-09
We love this camera, but it needs a flash to replace our regular camera. We’ve used it several times since we purchased it in May (the Great Barrier Reef, Grand Turk and our friends used it in Hawaii). It took wonderful day-time videos and pictures, and better than disposables underwater pictures and video when we figured out the proper setting. We’ve been able to take a ton of pictures on 8gb with a decent battery life. Our underwater videos would’ve gone much longer than our snorkleing dives, but were enjoyable to watch (you can only hold your breath for so long!).
WELL WORTH THE PRICE! BUT, it needs a flash for most indoor pictures/videos!

Better than the Flip!

by m0ngr31 from on 2010-09-09
All of my sisters have a Flip, and I haven’t been that impressed, so I figured I’d try the PlaySport. I’ve loved this thing! The first place I used it was at a waterpark and it goes underwater just fine! HD looks good on my 46″ 1080p TV.

Pros:
-Build quality seems solid
-Waterproof!
-Uses SD cards for storage
-No USB switchblade that breaks easily like the Flips
-Good HD picture

Cons:
-Screen scratches fairly easily. I had it in my pockets for a few minutes with my keys and it got a few small scratches
-Picture quality isn’t the best. Only 5MP, but I have an older camera that takes much better pictures at 5MP than this does
-Doesn’t do really great in low-light situations, but I’ve seen worse.

Worth the money though. Best device on the market in this price range. Much better than the FlipVideo IMHO.

Perfect for On-The-Go!

by ChrisAnn4 from on 2010-09-08
This is the perfect camera for on-the go and is about the size of a cell phone. Fits perfectly in my purse! So easy to operate. My 4-year-old can even use it! HD video is amazing. Outdoor quality is FANTASTIC! Even the still shots are great outside. Only complaint would be the dark pics/video inside b/c there is no flash (I guess that is what my digital SLR is for!) For the price, and DURABILITY, it’s fantastic! Love that you can add your own memory and it’s not internal like the “Flip”. I’ve had two other friends buy one after seeing mine.

Description

The Kodak PLAYSPORT has as much appetite for adventure as you do. And it’s not afraid to get wet. This audacious little camera can plunge up to 10 ft under water and capture the entire experience in full 1080p HD. And you don’t need to worry about blurry footage when things get a little shaky. With built-in image stabilization, the Kodak PLAYSPORT will stay steady as a rock. From the waves, to the slopes, to the mud-soaked trails, this baby was made for the extremes.

Features

• Waterproof up to 10 ft. (3 m)
• Full 1080p HD video
• Electronic image stabilization
• Brilliant 2.0 in. color display
• Capture 5 megapixel HD stills (16:9)

Reviews

Kodak PlaySport

by Todd Stiles from Merced, CA, US on 2010-09-10
This is a great little unit but you have to get the SD card or you can’t take any video. W/a 8 gig SD card I can get 1.5+ hours of video. Only bad thing is that the camera does not have a flash so no good at night. who desinged it that way? a $150.00 camera without a flash ?

Love it! Prefer it over the Flip!

by The Toast Pirate from on 2010-09-10
I got this camera as a graduation gift this past May and have absolutely adored it! It got some pretty intense use over the past summer, including several all-day theme park trips, in which it went with me on both roller coasters and water rides. (I even dropped it on one of the rides and it survived no worse for the wear!) I’ve taken it swimming on multiple occasions, and it still works great! No leaking, no malfunctions. It charges quickly, and seems to stay charged for a decent amount of time, although, I bought an extra battery that I carry with me just in case. My only qualm with this camera is the speakers aren’t very loud when listening to play back. Other than that though, I LOVE this camera, and would DEFINTELY recommend it to anyone! I actually suggested it to one of my friends and he loves his also.

Great waterproof camera/video – but no flash!

by JMTRELLA from guilford, ct USA on 2010-09-09
We love this camera, but it needs a flash to replace our regular camera. We’ve used it several times since we purchased it in May (the Great Barrier Reef, Grand Turk and our friends used it in Hawaii). It took wonderful day-time videos and pictures, and better than disposables underwater pictures and video when we figured out the proper setting. We’ve been able to take a ton of pictures on 8gb with a decent battery life. Our underwater videos would’ve gone much longer than our snorkleing dives, but were enjoyable to watch (you can only hold your breath for so long!).
WELL WORTH THE PRICE! BUT, it needs a flash for most indoor pictures/videos!

Better than the Flip!

by m0ngr31 from on 2010-09-09
All of my sisters have a Flip, and I haven’t been that impressed, so I figured I’d try the PlaySport. I’ve loved this thing! The first place I used it was at a waterpark and it goes underwater just fine! HD looks good on my 46″ 1080p TV.

Pros:
-Build quality seems solid
-Waterproof!
-Uses SD cards for storage
-No USB switchblade that breaks easily like the Flips
-Good HD picture

Cons:
-Screen scratches fairly easily. I had it in my pockets for a few minutes with my keys and it got a few small scratches
-Picture quality isn’t the best. Only 5MP, but I have an older camera that takes much better pictures at 5MP than this does
-Doesn’t do really great in low-light situations, but I’ve seen worse.

Worth the money though. Best device on the market in this price range. Much better than the FlipVideo IMHO.

Perfect for On-The-Go!

by ChrisAnn4 from on 2010-09-08
This is the perfect camera for on-the go and is about the size of a cell phone. Fits perfectly in my purse! So easy to operate. My 4-year-old can even use it! HD video is amazing. Outdoor quality is FANTASTIC! Even the still shots are great outside. Only complaint would be the dark pics/video inside b/c there is no flash (I guess that is what my digital SLR is for!) For the price, and DURABILITY, it’s fantastic! Love that you can add your own memory and it’s not internal like the “Flip”. I’ve had two other friends buy one after seeing mine.

Description

Kodak Zi8 Pocket Video Camera Black

Features

• Record High Definition video (1080p at 30 fps with 16:9 aspect ratio)
• Easily upload recorded footage to YouTube with built-in USB and software
• Expandable SD/SDHC card slot up to 32 GB; Rechargeable batteries and charger included
• Vibrant 2.5-inch viewfinder; Watch footage on HDTV with included cables
• Edit and share videos with included software

Reviews

Value for money.

by User from on 2010-09-10
This product is loaded with features and its very easy to use. Amazing picture and voice quality.

External Microphone jack came defective

by Alsina S. Jorge from Caracas, Venezuela on 2010-09-09
After a few days of testing the nice video features of the Zi8, I received an Amazon shipment with two microphones to be used with the Zi8, so I decided to test the external microphone sound.
The jack was defective and sound was not being recorded. Gain level remained at the 3rd or 4th line. Sometimes I was able to record, if I moved the 3.5mm plug about 1-1.5 mm out . I tested with four different microphones. Finally I decided to go for a RMA.

Video features of the Zi8 are very good, except in low-light conditions. The zoom is almost useless as the video at 3 or 4X becomes very grainy. On-board sound is not good either.
The problem is that while I expended $115 for this camcorder, I expended twice as much for accessories, some of them non-useful if I decide to buy another brand in the near future.

I never have problems with devices purchased and delivered from Amazon, but this camera was from Willoughbys. I thing there is some possibility that this camera was dispatched used or refurbished by Willoughbys. They should have made some functionality testing before shipping.

Kodak Zi8 Worth the money? Yes it is…..

by CheapGeek from on 2010-09-06
This is not a 4000.00 camcorder.
It’s a pocket camcorder.
Good points
Shoots in HD
Editing software comes preloaded in camera.
Has Macro mode.
Good color balance.
Has more controls than just one big red button.
Image stabilization.
Looks good, feels good in the hand.
Standard tripod screw hole. 1/4″ 20 thread pitch.
Digital zoom, which is better than nothing.
Works fantastic on a tripod.
Easy video upload to the internets. Yes I added an “S” to internet.
SD Card up to 32 GB.
Here’s the best feature- IT HAS AN EXTERNAL MICROPHONE JACK!
You could actually use this for more than just stupid movie clips.
Caveat-Kodak is releasing a newer version of this camera that is about 1/2 as thick and about 1/2 as small.
You Will carry that camera every where.
Bad Point
The video is not as good as a $4000.00 camera.
But it’s not a $4000.00 camera now is it?
It’s dam* good for the money.
I would recommend it.

Kodak IZ8

by eric Chun from AUBURN, CA, US on 2010-09-05
I like the Kodak IZ8. Its worked out great in the studio to be able to connect studio grade mics and pres for great audio… pictures clear
on both 720p and 1080.. and the flexability to connect with USB and HDMI and RCA out very nice… I use both a stand up tripod, a home manufactured pole for horizontal and vertical stand up and a spyder small tripod for field… For the price and flexability, a great buy. It is what it is… Im a little nervous using the mic input with the wear and tear on the small 1/8″ adapter. The mics we use are all studio industry level xlr out so care has to be used when connecting the adapters to the mic in jack…also be aware of using the zoom in when indoor shooting and lighting is an issue… the light can change with the zoom and affect the picture…. otherwise a great buy for the dollar !

THECHNICALLY, it’s a camcorder…

by Anna from on 2010-08-31
So technically this IS a camcorder, however, I was greatly disappointed on many fronts – which I will address.

Firstly, I am a stay-at-home mom and I think that the way in which I was hoping to use this camera is the way that 90% of consumers will be using it. I wanted something that I could carry around and use to take quick videos of the kids and occasional pictures so that I would NOT have to carry around a separate small digital camera. I wasn’t expecting it to be like an $800 camera or anything, just simple and easy. Here are my issues:

Camcorder – It is a camcorder in the sense that it CAN take videos. HOWEVER, you have VERY limited features in taking said videos (and even less in pictures). The actual picture quality on the VIDEOS is wonderful. I have no complaint there whatsoever. My complaint is with the stabilization of the picture. Unless you have the camera on a tripod, your picture is going to be shaky. On playback (especially on a television) it actually makes you quite dizzy. If you happen to be walking while shooting video, forget it. You have to be as still as possible. There is an image stabilization setting (it’s either “off” or “on”) which is useless.

Still photos – This is where I have the biggest problem with this device. Here is what I expected: To just be able to get a clean image that can be viewed on a computer. No big deal. I know that there is no flash, fine – I’ll take my pictures in well-lit areas; I know that I don’t have ANY options for the lens (save landscape and macro mode) – fine I don’t need a professional image, just a normal picture. The problem is that any photo you take between 2-5 feet away is BLURRY! Actually, a better description is probably fuzzy. I took dozens of photos of my children – all of which looked fine on the tiny camera screen, but when I uploaded them onto the computer, they were completely useless! They look exactly like a picture taken with a cell-phone. All I want is a clean, clear image – nothing fancy. When I contacted Kodak (on the phone for 1 1/2 hours) they told me to turn on the EIS (which was already on) and then they told me that they didn’t know WHAT to tell me! I even e-mailed them 4 separate examples of my photos and do you know what they said?? This:

“…unfortunately this cannot be corrected by a repair. The Zi8 is a pocket video camera and its capability to capture still images is just an added feature on this video camera that other pocket camcorders does not have. The lens type of the Zi8 is limited to fixed focus only while the CCD total pixels is only 5.3 MP.”

So basically, they say that the quality of the camera is crummy. It’s funny because Kodak brags in all their descriptions about the still images like this: “Start bragging with amazing 5 MP, 16:9 widescreen HD still pictures”. All Kodak said to me was, “sorry, but if you need help in the future, let us know.” I NEED HELP NOW!

It’s disappointing because the video quality is great, but you just can’t watch them afterwards because it’s so shaky and obnoxious. The sill photos are useless UNLESS it’s a wide shot from 10 feet away or more. The things I loved about this camera were the fact that you could plug it straight into the computer and it could even charge that way; I love that you can use memory cards instead of internal memory like the Flip camera; I liked the accessories that it came with (cables to hook it up to the TV). I know that Kodak is coming out with another camera in September, but the description says that the still pictures are just 5MP just like their current models. Too bad. Maybe the picture stabilization will be better.

By the way, I was able to return it to Amazon so I’ll keep looking for a better product. Thank you Amazon!!!!

Description

Catch the perfect snowboarding stunt, your baby’s first steps or your kid’s graduation, share it online and save it for a lifetime with Creative’s Vado HD Pocket Video Cam. The thin, lightweight Vado HD is small enough to fit easily in a pocket, purse or the palm of your hand, and it captures video in 720P high-definition quality with just the touch of a button. Sharing videos online is simple with built-in software that helps you post videos to YouTube, Photobucket or Box.net. The Vado HD is the only pocket video cam to feature true HDMI connectivity and an included HDMI cable for a superior viewing experience on an HDTV. Take the Vado HD Pocket Video Cam with you everywhere you go and never miss a moment. Product specs include 720p high-definition video, wide-angle glass lens, 2x digital zoom, 8GB of video storage capacity, up to two hours of recording and playback per charge, up to eight hours of recording time at 640×480 at 30 frames per second, HDMI and RCA connections for TV, HDMI cable included, A/V cable sold separately, removable and rechargeable lithium battery, Vado Central software for simple video editing and sharing. System requirements include Windows Xp Service Pack 2 or Vista, Intel Pentium III or higher, 512MB of memory, USB port, 500MB free hard disk space, and 16MB of Video Memory or above. Product ships with silicon skin, HDMI cable, and USB cable.

Features

• High definition 720P pocket video camcorder and 8GB of video storage capacity
• Fits easily in your pocket purse or the palm of your hand
• One touch recording with a spacious 2 inch display
• Record up to two hours of HD video footage or up to eight hours of video at VGA resolution
• Connect your Vado HD to any HDTV with included HDMI cable

Reviews

Was not impressed

by HostileHST from Oregon, USA on 2010-08-11
One we received was damaged, so we returned it for a refund and have never looked back. I might consider another if I find one around $50, about how much any of these are worth.

What a piece of Crap!!!

by sweetsam from on 2010-08-05
I have bad review of Vado HD 2nd Gen 8GB camera! I found out it is just a piece of CRAP! :( And I want my money & my important videos back! Here is my true story why I hated it.

I bought this Vado pocket camcorder after reading all the reviews. But those are all waste reviews I think maybe because they haven’t faced this kind of issue as mine. I bought it for my family trip and for important family event that’s wedding ceremony of my brother. I took wedding footage very nicely with fixing all the lighting using tripod. And all those hard works. After the event I tried to copy the videos/footage into my computer but unfortunately Vado HD drive is not showing in my MacBook Pro computer and I thought maybe the USB port is not good for it and tried changing other USB port still it didn’t worked So, I tried in using other computer with Windows 7 it didn’t worked neither and also tried on other computer which has Windows XP, Vista, Linux…nothing worked! Man, after all those attempt I gave up and called Creative Labs Customer support and mentioned about the problem. And they thought that its just a software firmware problem and asked to upgrade but it’s not connecting to computer how could I upgrade it! So, I asked them as I have just used for a month and I have warranty, can I get it repaired and get my important videos back? but they said there is no warranty on the footage!!! WTF??? I was totally pissed-off. However, luckily I had my friend working for Creative Labs I have approached her and explained about my problem and she said she will try to get it repaired sending to factory. And I thought that’s a good idea and gave it to her and sent to factory they said Singapore. And I was told that, they are repairing, so has to wait..I waited more than 6 months and contacted them again, then later they said it’s not yet repaired and sending it back to me! WTF?? this is their customer support and warranty use! So, why to buy this crap! Stay away from it. Just get other good quality HD camcorder which is reliable!

I have not yet received the camera, they said it’s on my way! Once I receive it I will try to repair it by myself opening the camera and take out the hard-drive or its storage device/chips. Will see how I could mange it to copy my urgent videos.

I know my review is long but that’s the true bad experience I have ever had with my electronic gadgets! Hence Creative Lab SUCKS! I will never buy their product in my life!

died way too quick

by michael from on 2010-07-29
Bought this in October 09.

Recorded about 30 minutes of video since then. Charged the battery four times.

The unit is now dead: wont take a charge, wont power on.

I am pursuing a refund. I consider this to be junk.

Michael

Built in Microphone?… Very low sound!…

by zafer demir from Istanbul on 2010-06-24
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/RGEEB10LQVXO4 Great camcorder except sound record!!!…No external microphone part….price was 111$ on 22 march 2010…Here it is short video taken at Rumelihisari (Rumelian Castle) is a fortress located in the Sariyer district of Istanbul, Turkey, on a hill at the European side of the Bosporus. Rumelihisari is situated at the narrowest point with 660 meters of the Bosporus strait..

Better than Zip….

by J. Font from Nutley, NJ USA on 2010-06-21
I’ve been using the Vado video camera for a few months now and I am very happy with it. The High Definition quality is excellent and the accompanying video editing software is adequate for my amateur needs. I highly recommend the product. I have a friend who uses the Zip and for the price and picture quality, the Vado wins hands down.

Description

Catch the perfect snowboarding stunt, your baby’s first steps or your kid’s graduation, share it online and save it for a lifetime with Creative’s Vado HD Pocket Video Cam. The thin, lightweight Vado HD is small enough to fit easily in a pocket, purse or the palm of your hand, and it captures video in 720P high-definition quality with just the touch of a button. Sharing videos online is simple with built-in software that helps you post videos to YouTube, Photobucket or Box.net. The Vado HD is the only pocket video cam to feature true HDMI connectivity and an included HDMI cable for a superior viewing experience on an HDTV. Take the Vado HD Pocket Video Cam with you everywhere you go and never miss a moment. Product specs include 720p high-definition video, wide-angle glass lens, 2x digital zoom, 8GB of video storage capacity, up to two hours of recording and playback per charge, up to eight hours of recording time at 640×480 at 30 frames per second, HDMI and RCA connections for TV, HDMI cable included, A/V cable sold separately, removable and rechargeable lithium battery, Vado Central software for simple video editing and sharing. System requirements include Windows Xp Service Pack 2 or Vista, Intel Pentium III or higher, 512MB of memory, USB port, 500MB free hard disk space, and 16MB of Video Memory or above. Product ships with silicon skin, HDMI cable, and USB cable.

Features

• High definition 720P pocket video camcorder with 8 GB of video storage capacity
• Fits easily in your pocket purse or the palm of your hand
• One touch recording with a spacious 2 inch display
• Record up to two hours of HD video footage or up to four hours of video at VGA resolution
• Connect your Vado HD to any HDTV with included HDMI cable

Reviews

creative vado hd matte finish

by kn08 from on 2010-08-27
I am traveling right now and this camera has come in handy quite a bit. It’s easy to carry around, simple to operate and plugs right into your computer for easy drop off. There is not an external memory option on this camera but it the amount of time you get with internal memory is plenty of room for short or long videos. It’s a good camera.

Software

by W. R. Nichols Sr. from on 2010-08-25
Nice little video camer, however to make large movies you have to purchase the software from VIDO for $19.95. Even then, software is
inadequate, hard to use and very slow when processin save movie to DVD.

Vado HD 720P pocket video

by Susan Ward from northern calif on 2010-08-19
I like the protability, battery life could be a little better, and it’s easy to use.

I love Vado!

by Tranceformer from NY on 2010-08-08
I bring this for vacation and special occasions… I love it so much I sometimes leave it to my pocket book :)
It’s very light, quality is good. I tried it charging using MAC and the vado start to act funny like it won’t turn on, it only happened one time though.

Quit working after a year

by Eesha from on 2010-07-03
We liked this product while it worked. We used it to record clips of our first child. However, after a year of light use it started freezing. It doesn’t work at all any more and won’t even turn on. We missed the warranty by one week. Obviously, this is not a quality product.

Sale Price: $169.95

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Features

• Full 1080P HD recording
• 8 MP HD stills
• iFrame recording format
• Skype audio and video enabled
• LED light for low light recording

Reviews

I guess my expectations were too high

by Chelsea from on 2010-09-09
I just want a camcorder that’s easy to use that will make decent videos that I can upload to YouTube. This takes good quality video I suppose, but when I play them and/or try to edit them, the sound gets completely out of sync with the video. This is perhaps a software problem, but the camera is not compatible with Windows Movie Maker. Perhaps I’m just not tech savvy enough for this, but it shouldn’t be hard to play videos on my computer with sound that’s in sync. My computer is only a year old, so that shouldn’t be the problem. Hopefully I can return this.

“First impression best impression” does not apply to this

by Vishnuvardhan Muralidharan from Oklahoma City, OK on 2010-08-23
Yes, the first impression is the best impression does not apply to Panasonic TA-1. Panasonic is known to make good quality product may not be great quality. They are reliable and easy to use. None of those is applicable to this product.
I own Flip Ultra HD and I love it. I am a new father and since the birth of baby, I have not used any other device more than Flip Ultra HD, Why? because it was just too easy for me and my family members to use it. I am a Semi pro photographer and have own some expensive gear and never used them to shoot my new born. Here is the reason why Flip was easy:
1. Simple to use, less number of buttons.
2. Software is extremely easy to use there is nothing to setup (Watch out when you update the software I did face some minor issues while updating the software).
3. It takes less than a minute for me to hook the device to my computer and e-mail or share it online with my family and friends.
4. Great picture quality.
5. Feels solid to hold.
6. Price point.
7. Even my grandma can use it in a fly.
8. Quick start up.
I am not trying to review the Flip Ultra HD or endorsing it, just providing few practical reasons why I like Flip over Panasonic TA-1. There are issues with Flip but the practical advantage points easily overshadow the issues.
Now coming to Panasonic TA-1. What will attract you about this product is its size and picture quality. It is very compact not bigger then Noika N8 mobile phone. The picture quality is also very good @ 1080P as compared to Flip @720P. The build quality is not good with plasticky and flimsy feel when you hold it. Given its candy bar size the grip is also not firm when you hold it unlike Flip Ultra HD. I like the nice LED light that does light up the subject well in dark is an advantage over the Flip.
Cons:
- Price
- Software issues and bad user interface (Took 10 minutes to figure out how to use it)
- Inability to e-mail unlike Flip’s application
- So far I have bee unsuccessful to publish anything to YoutTube as I get an Upload error after the 95% upload is complete (This could be just my issues, I am still figuring out why)
- Flimsy construction
- Pop out USB too flimsy and should be handled carefully. Can break easily.
- Battery price
Pros:

+ Picture quality
+ Picture mode features like Monochrome and Smooth skin tone etc.
+ Audio recording: Good reproduction when compared to Flip
+ Still image @ 8MP
+ Ability to expand memory but additional cost
+ Battery when compared to Flip
+ LED Light for low light shooting is GOOD
+ It’s like holding mobile phone, very light

This is not a detailed review of the product but a quick one with practical viewpoint. User experience does change and varies from person to person. I cannot give 5 star for this product but somewhere between 3 and 4. Since I cannot rate 3.5 due to limitations of staring system in Amazon, I have rated it 3.

Early Impressions

by Dino Papoutsis from Sunnyvale, CA on 2010-08-21
Arrived at Amazon August 17, arrived at my house August 19. Today is August 21, 2010.

Panasonic USA website still has this new camera on “Backorder” so Amazon seems to perhaps be the first place to have this! I placed a pre-order and have been waiting weeks for this . . .

What’s in the box:
*Camera
*USB “Extension Cord” About 40-inches long
*”AV” Cable about 4-feet long (composite Video-yellow connector, mono sound–white connector)
*Attachable hand strap
*Manual, misc. addenda, warranty/return survey

Stuff I wanted to know and could not find on web:
*(Real) Compatibility with IPAD–no direct support (the highly touted Apple iFrame capability means nothing as far as I can tell as to easily shooting video and directly bringing it into the IPAD). Of course moving any video into the IPAD is a big challenge. I own the Apple CCK Camera Connection Kit and was hoping this would allow me to plug the USB plug of the camera into this CCK adapter or the SD-card itself and import the video into the Apple photo app. I did easily get the still photos into the IPAD and it seems maybe the video too–but the video won’t play (so how good is that). I believe this is because the high def 1920×1080P I was using at 12 Mbps (VBR) over exceeds the Apple allowable spec. (And it did not work with the iFrame content I shot at 960×540/30fps (approx 24 Mbps) (VBR). Perhaps if I had used the 640×480/30fps (approx 3 Mbps) (VBR) it would have worked–but who wants to save their precious moments in low def? (I believe the IPAD max bit rate is limited to 5 Mbps in the published spec). But don’t dismay, here is the workaround: you can watch your videos on the IPAD (at the highest quality setting) by bringing them in through iTunes, directly into the GoodReader app (you can buy on iTunes). It’s a fairly hidden capability of GoodReader (probably not to upset Apple too much)–but GoodReader allows you to play videos AND at higher resolutions and bit speeds than the Apple specs . . . but shhhhh, don’t tell anyone, don’t think we are supposed to know this. I was also able to import the video into iMovie and FCP 7.

[Addition Aug 28, 2010: Been using the above GoodReader technique on my vacation. It works, but is not perfect. There is an occasional stutter. If you demand perfect, stutter-free video on the IPAD, you will need to transcode the 1080P content to an IPAD compatible resolution/bit rate, then bring it into the Video area of the IPAD.]

*How long can your really shoot–apparently the references to 29min 59 sec (startlingly low) are the “single clip” time. Once you click stop, you seem to be able to continue to shoot (perhaps a total of 45 minutes as described in the manual)

[Addition Aug 28, 2010: The battery MUST be charged in the camera hooked up to a PC. Purchased a USB car cigarette charger for my road trip and it does not work. Also purchased an iGo portable USB charger and it did not work. Confirmed with Panasonic Tech Support you MUST charge the battery connected to a computer. If you choose to experiment with other in-camera charging techniques and the battery starts showing weird amounts of power in the on-screen meter, you will need to pull the battery out of the camera and wait 1 minute for it to sorta reset--before trying again.]

*The AV out (I believe is called mini-USB connector) is only composite–no higher def cables or instructions on using it for higher def.

*There is no external microphone jack

*There is no external earphone jack

*Lens has no screw threads for attaching other lenses (see Flip Ultra HD lens wide/macro hacks on net)

*Manual does not reference any other accessories other than a spare battery and SD-type memory cards (what I still found today on the Panasonic website).

*UW Housing – I am still dying to know if Panasonic will offer a low cost underwater housing for scuba diving (100 ft.)–and as of today, there is no sign that this may be a future offering.

Pros:
*Video quality is awesome–what I’d expect from Panasonic (I own a Panasonic AG-HMC150–the AVCHD camera the Indie film makers love) and I am sorta a novice wanna-be indie video maker (it sometimes seems almost comparable in quality to images from this $4K-ish camera). Although this mostly automatic camera has few adjustment options, if you optimize lighting and other conditions it looks great. Certainly acceptable for point-and-shoot video kinda stuff. I am hoping I can use it for risky camera shots in future productions, where the camera might get damaged–then use the clips in “higher grade” productions.

*Still pics–seem good. Have not done extensive still pic study/comparison, but some quick looks confirmed they seem very adequate.

*Sound quality–seems good. Again note the sound is mono.

*Simplicity–more buttons that a FLIP, but they are logical/straight forward.

Cons:
*Design/build quality–disappointing for a Panasonic Camcorder. It has two user access doors: Battery/SD-card and USB connector ejector. Both are very “flimsy.” They have what appears to be a thin rubber “string-like-thing” holding the door on. Now as I told my buddy, in the past on many devices these would break in a few days. But I’ve been noticing on more modern electronics, these are more frequently being used–but now seem to be made of higher-tech materials so they seem to not break. Time will tell. This is my biggest concern over the longevity of this device.

*EXPENSIVE BATTERY–This camera (of course) seems to have a proprietary and very expensive battery–almost half the price of the camera ($74.95 list on the Panasonic website VW-VBJ10)–this is plainly price gouging. Shame on you Panasonic. And the manual scares the heck out of you, if you are even thinking about a clone/equivalent battery (threats of potential explosions, etc.). I searched and searched for the closest equivalent, but when it arrive the specs seemed like a 98% match, but I am not an electrical engineer and afraid if I use this $14 battery I’ll damage the camera.

[Addition August 28, 2010: According to Panasonic Tech Support you can purchase other equivalent batteries but they MUST be 3.6 V/940mAh. The charging time when connected to a PC is 4 h 10 min for "45 min actual recording time." If you plan to use it on a vacation where you shoot more than 45 minutes of video per day, you will probably need a second battery . . .]

*”Exposed” lens–The lens does not have any fancy barn doors to protect it, like many of the modern digital still cameras (wish it did). There may be some kind of protective glass over it–but this old fashion, perfectionist is nervous over this. I’d feel better if they would have at least had a protective lens cap.

*No lens hood capability(?)–I’d love to put some kind of lens hood over the lens to protect the lens from reflections/glare, but again, there does not seem to be provision to attach one. And yes I know this is a “low cost” camera.

*Software–Is preloaded into the Camera and is nothing impressive as far as facilitating the use of the video on mobile devices, etc. (transcoding/conversion, etc.)

Discussion:
The build quality of the Flip Ultra HD–far exceeds the quality of this device. The USB connector ejector slider should win the prize for “Best throwback to Plasticky Trash to come out of Japan since 1960.” I am embarrassed for Panasonic. This is definitely the Panasonics equivalent to the Toyota debacle of 2010. Sliding this “slider” to pop-out the USB connector, inspires me to prayer every time I go to use it–I am terrified the slider itself will break off at the almost microscopic stem/mount.

The anti-shake feature was another concern–since the few of these style camcorders which seem to have it, have not implemented it very well. This seems to work ok, but I need to shoot more video with it. I also just bought a camera stabilizer for this camera–since I want rock steady shots and want to achieve some Hollywood crane/action style movement . . . check this out . . . had to buy it from the UK and it ended up costing more than the camera, but WOW this is soooo fun “Mini Motion-Cam” [...]
(You also need a special adapter piece for ultra light cameras . . .) I would expect that future reviewers will complain about the shakiness of their video from a small camcorder like this–ATTENTION, all video cameras need tripods if you want to shoot rock steady video. No small hand-held camcorder to my knowledge shoots rock steady shots, becasue our arms/hands move! So calibrate your expectations accordingly. (If you surf the web, you may find video shot on a Flip Ultra HD camera using a tripod–that had the production value/quality of a Hollywood/Indie production . . . the FLIP I believe produces 720P video–this does 1080P and the image is even better.)

My dream camera for this genre would feature two user selectable resolutions/ qualities. High to allow you to watch on a big screen TV and low for today’s super small screen/mobile devices. They would both be shot in parallel, so the user would not have to convert/transcode for instant gratification on a mobile device. After all, isn’t this camera a mobile device? It is sorta implied that these quick, point, shoot and watch cameras are all about this. “Fast watching.”

Conclusion:
Would recommend this camera to friends and family without reservations. It does provide very high value and fun. Gave this 4 out of 5 stars due to the flimsy feeling doors/design/build quality and the outrageously expensive proprietary battery.

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Description

Shoot and Share Video Camera with 3-inch High Resolution Touchscreen

Features

• Record up to four hours of HD video
• 3-inch wide touchscreen to show your favorite videos instantly
• Store up to 12 hours of videos and photos in Space Saver format (using FlipShare software)
• Connect the built-in USB arm to your PC or Mac to launch pre-loaded FlipShare software to organize, create and share your videos
• Headphone jack (headphones not included) to enjoy your videos in any setting

Reviews

Great video camera for baby boomers

by Jean James from DEXTER, OR, US on 2010-08-29
My daughter bought this camera for me for my birthday. It is easy to use and fun to share my photos and video with my family and friends. I carry it around in my pocket all the time, so I don’t miss anything.

Interesting hybrid of camcorder and video player

by Jerry Saperstein from Evanston, IL USA on 2010-08-17
Flip pioneered the “instant camcorder” concept and has prospered by it.

Now that everybody else is piling in, Flip perceived a need to expand its space and came up with the SlideHD.

The basic Flip functionality is present: you can record up to 4 hours of truly gorgeous 720p HD video, Audio quality is acceptable if your subject is nearby and ambient noise isn’t too loud. Low-light performance isn’t great, but considering the physics involved, there is no surprise there. The minimum focal length of the lens is longer than I would like meaning you can’t sit across a typical restaurant table and capture two adorable grandchildren being – well – adorable. The minimum focus distance is also a bit on the long side.

Bottom line is that the Flip SlideHD is a very good instant camcorder that is ready to go on a moment’s notice. It is a lot faster to get a Flip into action than most dedicated camcorders, still cameras with a video capability and smartphones.

In terms of features and usage, the SlideHDis very different than other Flip models. It is the largest and heaviest of the entire line. Instead of a LCD screen and physical buttons on the back, there is a large LDC screen with graphical buttons. The onscreen buttons are very responsive. Speaker output is surprisingly loud, even if tinny. There’s an HDMI output (no cable supplied), a standard tripod socket and a headphone jack.

The big feature though is that you slide the back of the unit and it tilts up to reveal a 3″ touch sensitive screen and a capacitive slide panel below it. You can play back your videos or load up to 12 hours of video that has been converted with the included FlipShare software.

Is this useful or just a gimmick? I haven’t really decided yet. The 3″ screen is adequate for getting a better view of Little Junior playing soccer and, with some technically savvy manipulation on the conversion, can also be used to play back other video. Overall, I think the Slide feature is handy, but not vital.

The battery won’t give you a full 4 hours, but compiling 4 hours of video in a single run is pretty difficult. Typical of Flip camcorders, there is an arm that plugs into your USB port. But I really prefer to use short USB cables instead of putting that kind of load on the Flip or my computer’s USB ports.

Overall, I like the idea of the SlideHD, although I think the capability of using readily available AA batteries makes the UltraHD a more utilitarian camcorder, with half the capacity.

One thing is for sure: the Flip is still a leading contender in the niche they invented.

Jerry

Pretty good

by Roman Michael from KC, MO on 2010-08-16
I just got my flip slideHD last week and am still experimenting with it a bit so i’ll be updating this review as time goes by. I’m only giving it 3 stars for now because:

1. When you make videos at night all the lights have a large halo around them
2. The zoom function is easy enough to use but the zoom range is quite limited compared to other cameras
3. Although I knew that the flip would have simple / limited controls, I was surprised at just how limited they are. From that perspective you could almost think of this as a child’s camera (if it wasn’t for the price and the fact that it’s an HD camera).
4. When you email a video via the flip software to someone, they get a link with your video. The problem is that the quality of the image is so reduced that it pretty much defies the purposed of having an HD camera.

More updates to come…

BAD PLAYBACK

by offbroadway from on 2010-08-14
Unless you have the 3ghz+ processor in your computer DO NOT buy this product. The playback is jumpy and makes the video unviewable. There is NO fix, no repair, no downgrade, nothing. We are returning this.

Perfect for what I needed…

by Lauren H. Robison from Baltimore, MD USA on 2010-08-13
I race cars and I needed a very simple to use video camera to place in the race car for “in car” video. I am very happy with the purchase as it takes nice high quality video, stores 4 hours of data, the battery lasts fairly long for a digital device, and it has the flip screen to watch the play back in case it is needed in protests. What I didn’t expect is that I would find this so useful and fun for uses outside of the race car application. I soon found myself carrying this thing with me all the time especially on vacations. The other thing I really like is the software that came with it which makes it a snap to share out to YouTube and Facebook. Yes the software is a little cludgey as far as file maintenance of the videos but the sharing aspect and the fact that you can freeze a frame to create a snapshot make this icing on the cake. Make sure you buy the wall jack charger which charges the unit faster than being connected to a USB slot on a computer. There are far more AC outlets than USB slots when you are on vacation or away from home. This was a good buy…..

You can find a sample of the in car video produced here: [...]

Description

Catch the perfect snowboarding stunt, your baby’s first steps or your kid’s graduation, share it online and save it for a lifetime with Creative’s new Vado HD Pocket Video Cam. The third generation of Vado HD camcorders introduces a sleek new industrial design, the latest Vado Central software, improved light sensitivity, optional stereo microphone input, and availability in multiple colors. The thin, lightweight Vado HD is small enough to fit easily in a pocket, purse or the palm of your hand, and it captures video in 720P high-definition quality video at 30 frames per second with just the touch of a button. Sharing videos online is simple with built-in software that helps you post videos to YouTube, Facebook, Photobucket or Box.net. The Vado HD includes an HDMI output (cable not included) for a superior viewing experience on an HDTV. Take the Vado HD Pocket Video Cam with you everywhere you go and never miss a moment. Product specs include 720p high-definition video at 30fps, wide-angle glass lens, 2.0 inch LCD, still picture capture, touch buttons, 2x digital zoom, 4GB of video storage capacity, up to two hours of recording in HD, up to four hours of recording time at 640×480 at 30 frames per second, HDMI and RCA connections for TV, HDMI and A/V cable sold separately, removable and rechargeable lithium battery, Vado Central software for simple video editing and sharing. System requirements include Windows Xp Service Pack 2 or Vista, Intel Pentium III or higher, 512MB of memory, USB port, 500MB free hard disk space, and 16MB of Video Memory or above. Product ships with Vado camcorder and battery.

Features

• High definition 720P pocket video camcorder with 4GB of video storage capacity
• Fits easily in your pocket purse or the palm of your hand
• One touch recording with a spacious 2 inch display and touch capacitive buttons
• Record up to two hour of HD video footage at 30 fps
• Works with PC and Mac

Reviews

Great sound and great video quality

by Pete N. from on 2010-08-25
I’m an amateur photographer. This summer, I have been shooting local rock bands and I wanted a dedicated video camera to capture their live audio and stage show (loud sound and low lighting). Everyone who has seen my band videos is amazed with the audio quality and video quality, even in low light. Wish it had 8 gig instead of 4.

I’ll keep the 2d generation one instead of the 3d

by skysi from on 2010-08-23
I was ready to buy this one, and then found out it only has 4 GB on-board memory. Where’s the 8GB version? In my mind, until the 8-16GB versions come out, it’s not worth upgrading. Even better: a memory expansion option. Until then, I’m staying with my older 8GB Vado.

Better than expected

by Christopher from on 2010-08-15
after reading ALL the reviews I was so confused and ready to give up on any mini cam. I went ahead and bought it. To sum up my experience so far,,, all the bad reviews are just out of line. As far as no software for editing, most computers have software that functions fine with the VADO. There is also a ton of software available to buy on-line for about 30 dollars. The touch pad is NOT too sensitive. The photo quality was better than the reviewers. stated.

In Summary,, the bad reviews are just whiny from spoiled brats. It was an excellent product and very affordable!

Very Good Product

by Richard Lefebvre from Richford, Vermont, US on 2010-07-09
Very good product. Very handy and easy to manipulate. The option permitting to flip from photo to video is a great feature that my 1st generation VADO-HD doesn’t have.
Unfortunately, I bought it for $179 and it became $129 two days after without any possibility to get reimbursed for the difference from Amazon.

NIce, but with reservations

by Darrell J. Lew from Oakland, CA on 2010-07-06
First I tried a refurbished one; it had the same problem as a new one so I’m pretty sure it’s because of the firmware or something.

Positives: the video quality is one of the better ones out there (IMO), color balance is pretty good in both daylight and low light, nice wide screen lens to capture a lot, size and weight are nice, still pictures are good too.

NOT SO GOOD: no buttons so you don’t know you’re hitting them during playback or recording (having to hold strangely to avoid the flush “buttons”), even at its widest zoom you have to very careful of camera shake, case gets scratched super easy, when camera goes into standby you normally hit a button to wake it up – only sometimes it freezes and a power cycle is the only way to get it back.

The latter negatives made me return it. It’s really too bad, b/c I like would’ve kept it had it not been for those issues.