digital rebel user

Pocket DV cams

I have been in the market for a new digital video camcorder for about a year now, but when I decide to go for it, new technologies and form factors come out. HDV format video cameras were my first choice, but then I got to take a look at one of the new hard disk based camcorders. So that muddled the field. And then, AVCHD format camcorders came around, piquing my interest even further. With HDV models, I like the fact that you are still recording to tape, given my vast collection of some 40 or so miniDV tapes floating around my office, and that these can be used in an HDV camcorder. But then the notion of having a 30GB hard drive built into a JVC unit I tested out made things even more interesting. I haven't looked at an AVCHD model yet, which records to flash memory cards, so I am back to square one yet again. Do I go the HDV route and reuse my collection of miniDV tapes, or do I wait for the AVCHD models to come down in price? Or do I look at hard drive-based model when the price is right? But then I just looked at a $100 model from Pure Digital Technologies called the Flip Video, which records 640x480 resolution Divx AVI video to 512MB of built in flash memory for 30 mintues of capture. Now this video camera has been one of the funnest models I've looked at. About the size of a first gen iPod, it is so simple to use, and the video quality is totally acceptable. the review is here. Now there is a compressed video file displayed on the page, but you can download the full 44MB untouched (well the camera converts it to Divx AVI) file to make your own judgment. In my opinion, it is just a neat, fun little camera to have around. It fits into your shirt pocket and is so simple to use, just point and shoot.

Compressed version.

The cool thing with this camera is really the convenience of it. It takes two AA batteries to power, and it is so small that it is really unobtrusive. Now it won't have the functionality of a full fledged video camera, but it will work just fine for a lot of everyday situations that arise.

Posted at 09:12PM May 01, 2007 by John Virata in General  |  Comments[3]