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

convenience combined with a minimal learning curve

1/21/2010

Let's say I'm visiting with my daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter, and my granddaughter starts doing something that I'd like to capture on video for posterity (which at this point is just about anything). I slide my Vado HD out of the Case Logic "Universal Pocket" (model UP-2, available at Amazon) that I bought to carry it in (a perfect fit, padded for protection, and it comes in colors), press the on/off button, wait a second for a chime that tells me the Vado's ready to record, then I press the record button and capture the moment. Assuming the camera is within arm's reach and the pouch is open so that I can slide the camera out without first opening the pouch, without rushing this takes about six seconds. Assuming that the lighting is good - daylight or a well-lit room - the resulting video quality is excellent. As the lighting conditions decrease, so does the quality of the video, and this is of course to be expected. I have, however, used it outdoors at dusk in rural areas where there is no ambient manmade light, and the results have been considerably better than I anticipated.

Thank goodness that Creative Labs, unlike some pocket camcorder manufacturers, make the Vado with a user-replaceable rechargeable battery. I have a PDA that I used for several years until it could no longer hold a charge. It does not use a battery that is made to be replaced by the consumer. It is apparently possible for consumers to replace the battery, but it means buying an off-brand battery and opening up an electronic unit (the PDA) that is not made to be opened by non-technical consumers like myself. So the PDA is now useless to me. It may be years before my Vado needs a new rechargeable battery, but it's good to know that when it does, replacing it will be as easy as replacing the battery for a battery-powered clock.

Because the Vado's USB connector has a tab sticking out of the bottom of the camera, the camera cannot be made to stand on its own on a flat surface, so for hands-free operation a tripod is handy if not essential. I own two mini-tripods, both of which are a perfect fit for the Vado but only one of which I would recommend, and that's the flexible Joby model GP-1. (The one I don't like is the Dolica Mini-Tripod.)

While I've experimented with the Vado's digital zoom function, I rarely use it for the same reason I usually don't use digital zoom on any of the digital still and video cameras I own. That is because digital zoom - which strictly speaking is not really zoom but instead simulates zoom - is accomplished at a loss of image quality. On my digital cameras, all of which are relatively inexpensive, the loss of image quality is almost always noticeable to the naked eye. This of course doesn't matter if one is recording something for a reason where image quality is not of primary concern, such as when making a digital video record of one's possessions for insurance purposes (a task the Vado is ideally suited for).

I prefer the look of the second generation Vado HD to the look of the first generation, which has a matte, monochromatic finish as opposed to the second generation's glossy with colored accents finish. But I have several friends who tell me they prefer the look of the first generation Vado.

The sound is good, and in my experience the microphone is sensitive without being oversensitive. I once owned a pocket camcorder (an RCA non-HD model) with a microphone so sensitive it picked up the sound of my fingers on the camcorder whenever I moved them.

I think this camcorder would make a great gift, including for those who might be technologically challenged, as it is so easy to use and there is virtually no learning curve. I appreciate how convenient it is to use. As I say above, as long as it's within arm's reach and the lighting conditions are adequate, in about six seconds I can be recording.

GODAWFUL SOFTWARE AND TECH SUPPORT

1/18/2010

Unlike others, I was impressed with the Vado's sound, and the wide-angle picture is excellent, even on a 50" plasma. But good lord, Creative has simply no interest in fixing all the bugs and glitches and engineering sloppiness that makes it virtually impossible to edit or even upload with any ease. I HAVE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO EDIT OR BURN TO A CD or DVD, DESPITE A DOZEN QUERIES TO CREATIVE'S TECH SUPPORT. I'm told each time to download/buy another 3rd party software. They're not even trying. AVOID THIS PRODUCT.

Creative Labe Vado HD 8 GB Camcorder 2nd Gen

1/7/2010

Item was used on Hiking trips by daughter and son used it when he goes mudding and they enjoy how easy it is to use and the great picture you get. Sound is muffled if you try to record with gel cover on item.

Vado hd a steal at this price,Excellent product for what it is!

1/3/2010

I really like this mini hd camcorder and the 8gb is a steal at this price . First off NONE of these cameras in this class of camcorders have optical zooms/stabilization at this size or similar price points ($90 to $200+) , if your looking for a camera to shoot you back yard Oscar winning short picture please look elsewhere and dont not complain about the results vado hd or any similar flash camcorder puts out. LOL. The Vado HD excels at being a Light compact easy to use flash camcorder that produces very nice 720p hd video. The Vado hd video output (non zoomed, all digital zooms are KaKa) easy beats my old samsung mx 20 silly , yes the mx 20 audio is better (vado audio is good) but in terms of video quality the Vado hd wins. Easy of use the vado hd 2nd gen beats flip mino hd silly too. I bought and returned flip mino hd the touch "sensitive" keys drove me nutty varying needing a hammer smash to activate them, too accidental feather touch, causing popping up the garbage can in the middle of recording a video , I got big hands with big fingers and the Vado HD 2nd gen large tackle keys are a huge plus for me and is a major reason why I got the vado hd 2nd gen over the 3rd gen vado hd. The large 2" lcd on the back is also superior to Flip mino's hds and makes composimg your shots easier, nice for us eyeglass wearers. Now this might should strange be I like it over all size and light weight make it easy to hand hold fairly steady for decent periods of time and find it easier to hold steady over the Flip ultra HD which is bulker ,heavier and less pocketable than the vado hd, yes the Ultra hd can swap aa bateries (rechargeable, lithium, etc...), but if you need to you can get a second vado Hd battery for about 16.00 so if like recording for four hours in VGA mode you can (only god knows why and again you using the wrong camcorder). This camera is a nice design engineering compromise for what it is, that is a small compact high quality flash camcorder that can fit in almost any pocket or purse ,extremely easy to use , to take videos of drunken friends at partys, snow/skate boarding disasters, viedo reviews on you tube, or sweet and silly things that the new born baby, the family pet does or to document the damage to the cars in the traffic accident your were just in etc, etc..... . This is a great TAKE EVERYWHERE YOU GO camcorder that will produce two hours a good 720p hd video. If you understand the uses and limitations of the Vado Hd you be very happy with the camera especially the second gen HD 8gb at this insanely good price . Oh btw for windows users it took a 1 minute google search to find the codec to make all the vado hd videos play with Windows media player also vado hd videos the work with VLC media player if you having issues with the on board video program that comes with the vado, windows see's the vado hd as a mass storage device and you can explore it like any flash drive and cut/copy and paste as you like. Again I love the vado hd it a great take everywhere pocket camcorder.

Very Satisfied With My Purchase

1/2/2010

For those interested I'm a photographer and that's the perspective my review comes from. First I love the widescreen. You want find yourself backing up to get everything/body in the frame (sometimes there is no room to back up). Its like going from an small aps-c sensor to a full frame sensor on a SLR camera. The included HDMI cable and HDMI port on the Vado are bonuses too. Some only have an RCA output (Vado has one too), so you can't hook it up to that nice big HDTV or widescreen monitor on your computer. And nobody is including an HDMI cable as of this date in my research(approx.value $5-$15). The also included silicone skin helps with drops and bumps.

But most of all it's the quality of the video. It has a great picture. The colors are more "true" than others. They use glass for the lens, and I'm sure that has a lot to do with it.

I am adding this to my gear bag to incorporate video into my media. HD quality in the palm of your hands... the possibilities are endless!