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

Product only worked for 2 days

2/1/2010

This product only worked for 2 days and then it would not power up at all. I am returning this product

it works well

1/30/2010

I bought this as a gift, so this is mostly a second-hand review. I did get to use the device a little bit on my own. It's got a good size and it's pretty simple to use. But I would say that some of the navigation and buttons are not intuitive. The device is not quite as simple as the Flip UltraHD, which I own. But this camcorder allows you to show HD and SD and I think that's a nice option.

My giftee just got back from a vacation with the camera. The camera worked well for them. Unfortunately, like most mini-camcorders, the only charging option is via USB cable and the unit does not ship with a wall-mount charging cable or adapter. And one that we purchased didn't seem to work on the trip. The camera's battery went dead early in the trip and there was no way to charge it. If you're gonna carry a laptop around or be near a computer, that won't be a problem. But otherwise, you'll need to invest in a charger that you know will work for a car or a wall outlet.

For what it is -- pretty amazing.

1/29/2010

We look at our broken old Hi-8 and mini-DV camcorders and laugh. This camera delivers an incredibly high quality image and is so much more portable and easier to use. In very low-light conditions indoors, the image quality can be too dark. But in a well-lit room and outdoors -- incredible. We highly recommend it and would purchase it again.

Vado HD 8gb is impressive

1/26/2010

As a professional videographer, I spend most of my day in a live truck. Having a new granddaughter that stays with us during the day, I wanted my wife to have an easy way to capture video of her quickly and easily when I'm not there. The Vado HD has made that process as simple as it gets. Turn it on, press one button, and you get a high definition clip that can be easily moved to your desktop or laptop. Most any decent editing software will handle these files and the quality is actually quite good at 720P. As with all video cameras, the more light you have on your subject, the better your video will look so I believe it serves no purpose to complain about "graininess" in really low light conditions. Move your subject closer to a stronger light source putting that source behind you and you will have a much better product. I like the wide angle lense as well as the HDMI cable that's included when other brands of pocket video cameras don't give you one. All in all, I think the Vada HD is a solid little camera and would recommend it to anyone who needs to shoot high quality home and travel videos on the fly.

Put away that mini DV recorder

1/25/2010

Time to put away the old mini DV tape recorders. This is the fastest and easiest way to record now. All files saved in AVI for easy upload to web. Images are bright in low light. I made a 4x6 print from the snap shot function of Vado's movie maker and it compares to a 2mp or more print. I had plenty of battery life and although the first Vado I ordered needed returned due to pixel drops , Amazon shipped me out a new one in less than 2 days time. Definitely recommend it to anyone with a website that constantly needs new video. I also love the quality from a DVD burned movie. Lot better than my Mini DV recorder , although I do miss the 20x zoom from that camera.