Creative Labs Vado HD 720p Pocket Video Camcorder with 8 GB Video Storage and 2x Digital Zoom (Black) OLD MODEL by Creative Labs
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Digital camera reviews of Creative Labs Vado HD 720p Pocket Video Camcorder with 8 GB Video Storage and 2x Digital Zoom (Black) OLD MODEL
Digital camera Review: Amazingly tiny and a great thing to have in your pocket
Summary: 5 Stars
Okay, the video quality will probably not blow your mind or anything. It's not a Canon hv20... but I got an open-box Vado HD from Amazon for $160 and it's more than good enough for $160. The sound quality is... functional. It's mono and pretty rough sounding. If having high-quality sound is important, you might consider getting a stereo portable recorder anyway. But it works.
The video quality is as good as can be expected for the price. It looks pretty good, but since it's pretty compressed, it doesn't stand up well to extreme color grading.
However, there is a lot to like about this camera:
1. Wide-angle lens - the Vado has the widest lens of all the cheap pocket HD cameras, which leaves everything in more or less in focus.
2. Wide-angle lens - since all of the pocket cameras lack image stabilization, the wider lens causes moves and shakes to appear less noticeable than on the other pocket cams (especially the Mino).
3. Interface - it features a very simple and intuitive interface.
4. Feel - it's tiny, light, and the rubbery mat finish feels good, seems reasonably tough and doesn't show fingerprints.
5. Features - 8GB of built in memory and replaceable rechargeable battery. Having the option of inserting a spare battery is nice.
These are not dealbreakers, but here are the things that are not awesome about the Vado HD:
1. Annoying on/off chime - there is no way to disable the ringtone that chimes when you turn the unit on or off. I'm assuming this is to discourage upskirt cam people or something, but I think it's kind of obnoxious for the rest of us who might like to shoot in a quiet place without disturbing others.
2. USB thingy - the USB plug is located on the bottom of the unit off to the side, which makes it impossible to prop the unit up against something without holding it. It's not everyday that I'd want to do that, but I just don't see why they couldn't have made the bottom level.
3. weird AVI codec - a lot of programs have difficulty reading the format that the Vado HD records. It's an AVI with a fairly non-standard codec. I would definitely prefer that it recorded to Quicktime files, as they seem to play better with more software suites. Final Cut will import them, but than makes you render for playback in the timeline. As a workaround, I batch convert all of the .avi files to Apple Intermediate Codec files for working within Final Cut, so that I don't have to render every time I make an edit. It's not a huge deal, but it's not really ideal either. Premier on the Mac won't even import the files... and this is after downloading the special .avi codec. I'm not sure if it's possible to get the files working on Premier on the Mac without converting them via Quicktime first.
UPDATE: I have since begun editing on Premiere on the PC, and it works great. I have also finally watched the videos on my 32" LCD and the picture looks pretty amazing - way better than you would expect from something that costs under $200 and fits in your pocket.
Okay, that was longer than I meant for it to be.
In summary, it's a pretty amazing little camera. Don't expect the same video quality as a $500 HD camcorder and you won't be disappointed. But for less than $200, it rules. Even if you have a fancy camera, you might end up using this more, because you really can easily fit it in your pocket. It's smaller and lighter than most current cell phones.
Digital camera Review: Amazon deceptive promo
Summary: 1 Stars
Have no idea how this product works. Amazon sent me a $100 off promo for this product, but cannot use promo code for some reason. Looked thru the terms of the promo on Amazon help & did not get an answer to why when emailed Amazon. I have a $100 gift card on my account so i guess i am not allowed to use $100 gift card with promo? I have no idea. Makes no sense since someone had to spend $100 in the first place to give me a gift card. Go figure!!!Digital camera Review: An Easy No-Brainer
Summary: 5 Stars
It's tough to believe a product this small would perform so well, but it does!! The portability is a huge plus, and the simplicity is what every non-geek dreams of. Nothing to download into your computor as the program to operate it is built into the camera itself! Although the playback screen is small,(as is the whole unit)and the speaker just allows you to hear what you've recorded, don't be discouraged. Once you download onto your computor through the ultra-simple USB hook-up, the picture is excellent (especially on HD+) and the sound is excellent because the microphone is actually quite sensitive in what it picks up. This camera is like a cellphone in size. It can always be with you w/out taking up too much space.I've never put music to a video before , yet with this unit I was doing just that in about 3 minutes. Definetely check out [...] for more good advice and instructions on this unit. It's great to keep a high quality videocamera on yourself for those unexpected moments in life. The accessories are a good idea. I'd suggest a protective cover,an AC charger(or a USB charger that plugs into a wall.) If you are going on vacation check out the underwater plastic pouch that lets you snorkel up to 15' deep to get underwater pictures. If you do long segments of recording(weddings etc) think about an extra battery, otherwise 1 is enough. For the price this is a great unit that is alot of fun!! The practical and fun applications are endless. Remember.....the Gen3 unit has less memory 4gig than this unit (Vado HD) which has 8gig. The memory is worth it!!Digital camera Review: Audio & Video out of sync - tech service went home
Summary: 1 Stars
I was one of the first to have mine delivered and it didn't work.
The Audio and Video were out of sync.
I tried several recordings.
I tried playing back on three different computers with different operating systems.
After an hour I was completely frustrated and called tech support.
I called their tech dept AT MY EXPENSE and they were closed after 6pm CST which stunned me given FIRST - CREATIVE JUST LAUNCHED THE PRODUCT THIS WEEK AND SECOND. - IT'S NINE DAYS until Christmas. Why are they hiding?
I called the "order" line at Creative to see if they could help me and a woman named Flaxn was very rude. When I asked to speak to a manager she said there wasn't one on duty. How is this comapny still in business?
I should have known. When I pre-ordered it they said it would ship on Monday, then I received an email on Monday saying it was back ordered. After I called them they told me they would ship it on Tuesday for a Thursday delivery. Thursday it didn't arrive. I called again on Friday and they said it would be delivered on Saturday. It didn't arrive again and finally came today (Monday). What terrible customer service!!!
I was completely frustrated and not happy. Then I finally got the product and it didn't work!
So now I have to pay for the long distance call Again to fix it with tech support or I pay for the postage to return it. What kind of company is this?
I have the regular flip (not HD) but wanted more memory than the current flip HD has thus the reason to try the Vado. What a mistake.
Try a flip or Kodak before frustrating yourself for endless hours with Creative.
I'm sure if it's this bad in the beginning then it will only get worse in the future especially if the economy declines more and Creative will shed people.
Trust me on this one. Sorry Creative but you failed miserably and I wasted too much of my time on your lousy product.
I hope you learn from this that you can't rush a product out right before Christmas that is incomplete just to take advantage of people.
Digital camera Review: Awesome
Summary: 5 Stars
This an awesome product ! easy to use, and the quality of the video is super.