Creative Labs Vado HD 8 GB Pocket Video Camcorder, 2nd Generation (Black Gloss with Maroon Accents) - VF0580 BK-MR

Vado 1st Generation vs. 2nd

11/9/2009

Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R3N233LM4U9KKO Although many state the only difference between the 1st generation of Vado vs. this "new" 2nd generation Vado is only aesthetics (rubber feel vs. glossy finish), that is simply NOT true.

I shot with both cameras simultaneously in different situations and the way it handled the colors were consistently different between the two (see video at around 1:45 for comparison):

Vado 1st Generation footage has a more yellowish/tint lighter contrast look.
Vado 2nd Generation footage has a more red/bluish slightly more contrast look.

I think the 2nd Gen gives a slightly more natural look. However, if you already own the first Vado, is it worth the upgrade? I honestly don't think so. As far as sharpness goes, they are pretty much the same.

Some more test footage with the Vado 2nd Gen from 3:20 to 4:55 (mostly low light/night shots).

Low lighting is not great, but it's not the worst either. Despite this being 720p, I can say that this pocket size camera overall produces better image than the "full-size" HD camera Sanyo TH-1 claiming it to do 1080. The wide angle lens is definitely a plus.

- The menu is still the same.
- The silicon cover/case that comes with the 2nd Gen is much thicker than the one that came with the 1st Gen.
- There is still no option to disable the annoying start-up/shut-down sounds.
- There is no option to disable the red recording light.
- Time display is only available as 24H (no AM/PM); date display is only DATE/MONTH/YEAR (but I prefer MONTH/DATE/YEAR)
- 2x digital zoom is pretty useless.
- Will not playback on the PS3 (Vado uses their own codec; however, it does playback on Western Digital TV Live Media Player!)
- If you have the quick recording mode on (not shut off completely), it will eat up the battery quite a bit (and the unit gets pretty warm).
- Macro focus is still bad (but most pocket HD cameras are)
- The rubber(for USB) still sticks out on the bottom, which I've always disliked.

I was hoping Creative would release a 1080p or SD card support, since Kodak/competitors started releasing 1080p pocket cameras with those features, but it seems they'll try to milk the 720p Vado series as long as they can. I'm also hoping for an external mic, or for them to use a more common/flexible video codec (playback on the PS3). It would also be nice to have macro focus capability and a simple exposure lock.

Like I said in my previous review (for the 1st gen), if you expect 1080p quality from this pocket camera or plan on watching it on your 50"+ HDTV, and have unrealistic expectations, you will be disappointed. This camera is perfect to have around for capturing unexpecting moments and then sharing it on YouTube, Facebook, family, or other social networks.

Unless you want to wait an eternity (roughly 8 hours) for it fully charge, you'll want to just stick to the Fast Charge mode by pressing the "Play" button when it's charging (USB symbol) and the icon will change to a lightning bolt.

Overall, I still give a 3 1/2 stars like in my first review for the Vado 1st Generation.

THIRD ONE IS A CHARM

11/9/2009

This is the third camera of this type that I have tried. First I had a Flip Ultra and the Kodak zi8. I was not impressed with either. On a whim, I ordered this camera (I was so amused by the the reviewer who "judges his electronics by his mother"). It will never replace my expensive camcorder that I use for important stuff, but I will use it to throw in my purse and whip out when my kids are doing something cute. The picture is really very good. The design is great and I feel like I can hold the camera pretty steady and avoid the picture getting to shakey. You don't need instructions to operate--it has a button to turn on, one to record, one to play videos and one to delete. The software is very user friendly (the Kodak software was AWFUL). The audio is pretty decent. It works surprisingly well in low light. If I wasn't happy with this camera I was going to try the new FLIP Mino, but truthfully, this is $100 cheaper and I think it works great. Give it a shot, but remember, none of these pocket camcorders work like their bigger, more expensive counterparts. This is, however, a neat little gadget to have.

Good little HD camera but watch out, no HDMI cable included!

11/8/2009

Sold our DVD Camcorder for the portability that this brings + the image quality and easy uploading. Haven't fully tested all features but appears to be decent, HOWEVER, watch out... I purchased directly from Amazon.com and my sealed box came but only with a USB extension cord, and not a HDMI cable to be found. Dealing with Creative to get my HDMI cable is proving to be a hassle as well, so caveat emptor (buyer beware).

The camcorder SHOWDOWN: I've done the product comparisons for you

11/7/2009

If I'm going to spend more than a hundred bucks on an item or somewhere around there, I do extensive research first to know I got the best bang-for-the-buck and, consequently, dodge any potential future buyer's remorse.
I've realized that the time I spend doing my product comparisons is often time that others don't have so I may as well share what I can.

I'll start by saying that you'll see my "Verified Amazon Purchase" on the Flip HD Ultra Camcorder review because, obviously, that's the one I wound up buying and I'll share with you why. But what I like in a camcorder may not suit your own needs so I'll break it down and let you decide what's best for you via what I found out:

Here are the pocket camcorders I compared:

Flip UltraHD (will be referred to as "F")
Flip Mino HD 2nd generation (Will be referred to as "M")
Creative Labs Vado HD 8 GB 2nd generation (Will be referred to as "CL")
Kodak Zi6 Pocket HD (Will be referred to as "K")
*SONY DSCW220: note: I have since had people ask me about the Sony dsc w220. I did look into this one but ruled it out for a finalist in my shopping because it is mono not stereo, it is NOT a point and shoot camera.--You have to select different modes prior to filming rather than the camera figuring it out automatically for you, it was not rated as well by the experts compared to the Flip UltraHD ( The Sony was rated "very good" as compared to "excellent", While it does have a optical zoom in photo setting, this can't be used in video setting, and the sound wasn't as good. So, while I did look at this in the end, it never made the final cut.

Why HD cameras only? Brighter colors and better images, wider images

HD SHOOTING TIME:
F: 120 minutes.
M: 120 minutes
CL:120 minutes
K: 25 minutes with batteries they included, 120 minutes if you buy an SD card


HOW CNET's editors rated the cameras:
F Excellent
M Excellent
CL Very Good
K Very Good



MEMORY:
F: 8 GB
M:8 GB
CL: 8 GB
K: internally only 30 MB recording space but it has 32 GB expandable SD/SDHC card slot. Because it comes with such small recording space you really need to buy an SD or SDHC card to maximize its potential, but the potential is really good and this will increase your ability to shoot longer.
SW 8GB


RESOLUTION:
All are 720p which is excellent, just one step below the top 1080p format.

MICROPHONE:
F: Stereo
M: Mono
CL: Mono
K: Mono


SOUND:
F:Premier AAC audio. Best sound quality but still not great in winds
M:Good sound; not great in winds.
CL:Poor sound quality; had issues with sound and picture not being in sync.
K:Poor sound quality



ZOOM:
F: 2x
M:2x
CL:2x
K: poor quality zoom on the one I tried but I still think it's 2x. It has a great macro focus for very close-up objects if, for example, you see a bumble bee and want to shoot it on a leaf a few inches away! Kinda cool.


CAMERA SIZE AND WEIGHT:
F: 4.3x2.2x1.2 4 oz
M: 3.9x2x0.6 3. 3 oz
CL: 3.9x3x0.6 3.5 oz
K: 5.5x2.5.0.9 5.6 oz


SHIPPING SIZE AND WEIGHT:
F: 6.2 x 3.1 x 3.1 inches ; 11.2 ounces
M: 2 x 0.7 x 3.9 inches ; 1 pound
CL: 3.3 x 7.9 x 6.3 inches ; 11.2 ounces
K: 4x 5x 2.5" 2.4 lbs


TECHNICAL DETAILS:
F: USB cable pops out of the back so you don't need to keep up with a separate cable. Comes with Flip Video rechargeable AA battery pack (recharges when connected to USB); also supported by standard AA batteries. Note: Some sets come with the HDMi mini included and others come with the rechargeable battery pack on Amazon. Looks like one or the other but of course if you need both you can buy the other.
M: USB cable pops out of the back on this one as well. Has child safe button to prevent accidental deletion of videos. Internal lithium ion battery recharges through built-in USB arm
CL: USB in camcorder. Included in box are HDMI cable (nice), USB extension cable,(nice)silicon skin (cool) & rechargeable battery.
K: Included in box are HD and AV cables and wrist strap and rechargeable batteries and battery charger. Has built in USB arm.


SPEED:
F: 30 frames per second.
M: 30 frames per second
CL: 30 frames per second
K: choice of 30 frames per second or 60 frames per second.

VIEWING SCREEN: All 2" except the Kodak was the largest at 2.4"


IMPORTANT NOTES:
F: Best low-light performance for the mini cameras (though not perfect at all) and least amount of blurring and dropped frames in my opinion. Best color. Only one with stereo sound. You can get an underwater case for this one! Though that may sound crazy for a Texan, we use the camera non-stop on vacations and even when we aren't IN the water, we are around the water...on boats, in the sand with sea mist, etc. Then we can dive in and record the fish. Comes preloaded with flipshare software...just plug in to computer and it pops up.
M: Colors don't appear as good on the Mino as the other cameras. Thinnest camera. Make sure you get the one that only comes in the color aluminum or brushed metal. If it comes in any other colors it is the 1st generation MinoHD and they improved upon that one in the newer models. Great audio. Better shooting in low light than most mini cameras. Camera comes preloaded with FlipShare software. Can get still images through flipshare software.
CL: Decent filming in low light but not anywhere near as good as the Ultra or Mino; Software is preloaded in camcorder. This has an optional underwater case too!
K: This is the only camera that I compared without the built in image stabilizatin which corrects for shaky images. What appears to be metal in picture is actually a chrome colored plastic. That said, this had the largest viewing screen of all of them. 2.4" Very poor in low light and seemed to have far more shaking and blurring. It also takes still pictures but they are really really poor quality...same as a lesser-quality cell phone pictures but good in a pinch if you want a still shot and have no cell or camera I s'pose. Heaviest for a pocket camera. Software is not preloaded in camcorder but a cd comes with it.

And, finally, the reviews of the Flip from experts swayed me quite a bit:
Fast Company: "Flip Ultra HD is Pure Digital's "Best Pocket Camcorder Yet." 6-09

USA Today: "New Flip Ultra Video Cameras Might Flip Your Switch" 4-09

Business Week: How do you Invigorate a Recession? Look to i-phone, Flip, Kindle, and Zip Car For Answers

There were lootttts more I came across when researching the Flip Ultra HD but those are some of my favorites.


CONCLUSION: Clearest picture and sound was important to me, expert reviews that pointed to the Flip UltraHD as well and I liked the built in software and the case I can get to shoot underwater. It is the number one selling camcorder as well. So that was my personal decision-making process. However, keep in mind that if you need reading glasses none of that will matter if the 2" screen is too small for your viewing the shots easily for playback in which case you may wish to get the Kodak if that's important to you..

Also: No matter which one you get, you will probably want a mini tripod if you ever want to be in the shot yourself do don't forget those.

Also note: It's confusing because when these manufacturers make changes in the camcorders, they do not change the names on the new versions, nor do they change the names if it's an HD version or a non-HD version so be sure you look for the "HD" after the brand name and look for "2nd generation" or "newer version" on the Mino and Vado if you like one of those better so you don't get the older models.


Hope my obsessive comparing and contrasting for my own purchasing assistance helped you as well even if what you wanted in a camera was different from me. :-)

Great toy with a couple issues

11/5/2009

You first have to consider the size limitations when setting your performance expecations. The video quality is very good given sufficient light. In poor lighting the video quality understandably becomes grainey. The microphone/sound is surprisingly good even when the video is viewed through another media.

This brings me to my biggest issue with this item. Viewing or transfering your video to a TV or Computer is not as user friendly as it should be. (at least it hasnt been for me) When plugged into a computer's USB port, the device awkwardly installs its version of software to run the videos. Actually getting a video to play with this software or windows media player was a feat in itself.

Shooting video is fairly simple and user friendly. Keep in mind that the zoom is a bit limited. The buttons on a naked camera are easy to use and staight forward. If you put the glove like silicone cover on the camera the buttons of course become slightly more challanging but this will likely not be a problem for most users. As the slicone cover keeps the unit from being scratched or damaged.

Overall this is quite a niftey toy that would make you a hit parties or become a great for the youtube nut in your life. It is most useful for short video clips (though it allegedly takes 2 hours of HD video). But it is not really ideal for family movies or any production style videos.