HD Mini Cams - Comments Page 1

Bob, What about this one by Sanyo I found on Amazon, it's also a digial camera and it's WATERPROOF a big bonus for boaters and people who travel on tropical vacations.

Sanyo Xacti VPC-E2 Digital Camcorder and 8 MP Digital Camera

EDITOR'S NOTE: That's a nice mini cam, but it does not record in HD, only standard 640x480 resolution.

Bob, one "must have" feature on any camcorder is a threaded tripod socket. Jerky videos are annoying and unpleasant to watch. Which of these new compact models have a tripod socket?

EDITOR'S NOTE: Derek, my daughter got a tripod with her Flip MinoHD. It says it's a standard metal tripod mount.

I have been using Aiptek Digi-cams since they came out. The newest one - with HD and 60fps and is under $130 should be absolutely terrific. Unfortunately it hasn't arrived in Europe yet.

What is the differance in quality between 60fps and 30fps?

EDITOR'S NOTE: 30fps. That, and the 60fps video will look smoother. But of course it also doubles the storage required.

What other sites beside YouTube do you recommend?

EDITOR'S NOTE: See http://askbobrankin.com/video_hosting.html

Just got back from a 3-day trip to NYC. It was the first real workout of my Kodak Zi6 since I purchased it right after New Years. Yes, it has a metal tripod mount, but I didn't get around to using it. The mini cam was easy to use even with gloves on, and even in bright sunlight I could see the screen and what I was recording. A lot of people didn't realize I was filming, not taking a photo, until I started moving it around. Can't wait to download and view the sequences on the big flat screen, esp the Waterford crystal Times Sq ball going through its light changes and the vistas of Manhattan from the Statue of Liberty.

I would periodically review what I had recorded and it was a snap to delete any crappy sequences. Carried a couple extra 2GB SD chips and it was easy to change out when the first one filled up. This was the first trip where I really filmed more than took photos with my Pentax Optio, even though both were snug in my coat pocket.

Bob, I decided to buy a Kodak v1273. It's a pocket sized (2.25" x 3.5" x .75")model you haven't yet mentioned. It sports 12 megapixel 3x optical photos plus HD video recording (1280 x 720 in H.264 format at 30 fps.) So far, I'm loving it! One con however - the large LCD display is a bit tough to see in bright sunlight.

A bargain too! $149 on sale at OfficeMax. And yes, it has a tripod mount as well as touch screen controls.

The biggest question I have: can any of these be used as a high-quality USB webcam...?

EDITOR'S NOTE: I'd guess no, but if anyone's tried it, please chime in.

Then I'd love to see an article sometime about really nice webcams -- something with high-resolution and/or optical zoom!

EDITOR'S NOTE: I did something like that... See http://askbobrankin.com/internet_security_cameras.html

Read it! And purchased one of those! But I need it to be USB for live webcast of an auditorium...

I need a mini cam with time & date tape that I can transfer to a DVD disk, I heard new cams do not do this without going through computer or secondary equipment. As a not that computer wise person, is there a HD cam model you can recommend under $ 500 good quality that puts time / date stamp on tape to transfer directly onto DVD disk? Need info ASAP.