Aiptek A-HD 720P 8MP CMOS High Definition Camcorder (Silver)
by Aiptek Inc.
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List Price: Our Price: $83.99 You Save: $116.00 (58%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: Digital Camera See more product details |
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Customers in the UK,
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for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Aiptek A-HD 720P 8MP CMOS High Definition Camcorder (Silver)
Customer Review: Better than I expected - happy with purchase
Summary: 4 Stars
I bought this because it was all I could afford and I needed to record kid's cermonies and events. I was worried because reviews stated problems with low light and sound. But I am happy with results. I found it easy to operate. I am famous for recording feet and shaking the camera. I did forget to turn it off and recorded some feet but I did not have nearly as many problems with camera shaking as I had with our old camcorder. I think because it is so light and small I was better able to keep my hand steady. I bought 4 GB memory card and charged it overnight before using (as other reviwers suggested). I did a few trial recordings of several seconds each to adjust the light etc before the first use and used the settings recommended in other reviews. I did not have any problems with lighting when recording in a dark theatre with stage lights. I recorded a dance performance and did not have problems with tracking, all was smooth. It does take several seconds to zoom and focus. I did not have trouble with sound for dance performance which had loud sound system. Awards ceremony in school cafeteria was harder to hear. Had no problem playing back on TV. I have not yet tried to edit on computer or burn to computer disk. Will update review when I have a chance to try it out. If anyone has tips to edit the clips together using Windows I would appreciate it. I have many individual clips since I was only recording certain performances that I would like to link together into one smooth recording on computer disk for a grandmother.Customer Review: Good Camera - But No Editing Options for Windows
Summary: 4 Stars
The camera is exactly what I wanted. Its small - takes great video and the audio is not nearly as bad after the update AIPTEK made to it. The low light and sometimes fuzzy audio (on multiple conversations at once) is expected from a $100 camera - but for me I expected it and can live with it without a problem.
The only thing on this camera that you need to be forewarned about is there are zero (as far as I have found) paid/free video editing options for this camera. I have done trials on numerous paid video editing software packages and none have worked.
Pinnacle Studio 11 says they can handle it, but that is not the case so far for me. It will import the video and the first 2 or 3 frames play and than the video goes away. This has been the case on the last 7 or 8 clips I have tried to edit in the software.
Its my understanding (and I have not confirmed yet) that it works just fine on any of the Mac video editing programs (Final Cut Express, etc...) I am purchasing a Mac in the next couple of weeks and will be able to confirm this.
Outside of that small hangup for Windows, the camera is great.
**UPDATE 06-11-08**
It works with my MBP and iMovie08 flawlessly.
Customer Review: High quality video for low price
Summary: 4 Stars
Bought this camera on Black Friday for $120. Excellent buy! Video Quality is impressive for an entry level camcorder. Looks particularly good on an LCD TV with the components hooked up.Very easy to use and simple. View finder does a full 360 spin for recording yourself if need be and can close viewing side up still recording, which can be helpful if you wanted to mount it to say your helmet (which i have yet to do). SD card mem makes transfering to your computer a breeze. USB style charging ala Ipod but also equiped with a separate AC plug which is really a plus. Dont record anything really long so can't judge on the battery life.
Sound quality is medicore at best but acceptable for the price. Camera for still shot pictures a little delayed. Zoom feature useless but again for the price acceptable. Bottom of camera angled so makes mounting on a flat surface impossible.
Pros-Great quality for cheap camera
Super easy to use
Fully Flipable Viewfinder
Great for Utube!
Cons-Sound quality
Camera Delay
Cant mount on flat surface
...otherwise highly recommend!
Customer Review: Decent inexpensive video camera, good value for price.
Summary: 4 Stars
I was a little hesitant to purchase the "cheap $100 video camera" but was surprised how good it works. Its not going to replace those who have top of the line video cameras but for a casual usage, or "quick video usage" it fits in your pocked and is ready to film when opened--a truly video on the go experience.
My only regret is not purchasing the higher version for an extra $85+ but you get what you pay for--a good value and instant on video-graphing.
I only have two "slams" and they're relatively minor ones. The flash is pretty useless for picture taking, but then again I didn't buy it for a higher end photo taking--that's what I have my Canon for.. It takes far too long for the flash to charge up after each use.
The other complaint is that I dropped it (not major drop, but jarred it) and the battery has become loose and I thought the camera was dead. The battery doesn't move when using it so its only after it falls or is jarred greatly.. I assume its a product of it being such a lightweight camera.
Overall, well worth $100 and is great for those "YouTube" moments to be--which is why I bought it...
Customer Review: Beautiful Videos
Summary: 4 Stars
I got this locally right after Christmas from a big box store. I wanted to use the recorder to make videos for the purposes of internet upload. Unfortunately, the sites I post at cannot take high resolution recordings. Regardless, I've found that a laptop camera is better for me as it allows me to read off the screen without the burden of having to have notes in my hands. Yet the Aiptek was an excellent deal anyway. I really like the videos I've captured with it and the display screen is a wonderful feature. Further, the digital pictures are miles better than the ones I normally take with my 2006 Fuji camera.
I read that one reviewer said that he had a problem with this software. Frankly, I have not experienced any difficulties. I even saved the pictures I uploaded to a disc and gave them to a friend. She, in turn, didn't have any problems opening them up on her Apple so I'm not sure exactly why he had those sync obstacles. I ended up buying a 4 GB card which gives me all the memory I need to complete my minimalist endeavors. Overall, this is a very good buy in lieu of its low price.