Creative Labs Vado HD
The Vado HD by Creative Labs is an incredible gadget to have. With dimensions similar to an iPhone, the Vado’s an HD camcorder that is easy to slip into a pocket and take anywhere, always ready to take high-res videos wherever I go. I do carry an iPhone, too, though I rarely use it for video, as the quality is decidedly less than stellar. The Vado records twice the amount of video as its main competitor, the Flip MinoHD, for about the same price. And the Vado’s screen is 2 inches where the Flip’s is only 1.5.
With a slightly rubberized plastic housing the Vado feels grippy. It’s light, but the build is solid. Upon pressing the power switch, it’s ready to record video in less than a second and a half. The interface is simple, too. After powering the unit on, just press the button in the center of the control pad to start recording, and once again to stop.
The unit comes with 8GB of on-board flash memory, storing approximately 2 hours of 720p footage. Grabbing videos off the Vado is a breeze, too: just pop out the built-in USB dongle concealed in the bottom of the unit, plug it into a PC or Mac, and drag the files across. Video is recorded in H.264, and there is software preloaded on the unit itself that you can run directly off the camcorder when it is plugged into your computer to view, edit and create movies.
Creative Labs also offers some decent accessories, such as a waterproof pouch that will let you record up to 15 feet underwater, spare batteries and an external battery charger. They also include a silicon sleeve, which gives a little extra grip for the hands or some extra bounce if it’s dropped.
The only minor complaints I have are that the rocker buttons in the main keypad are a tad too sensitive, and the lack of optical zoom is disappointing. I’ve always messed around with helmet cams and such for filming road biking, mountain biking and snowboarding, and the Vado HD has me very excited about the upcoming snow season.
Available from Amazon
Manufactured by Creative Labs
Favorite (15)
christopher
My only complaint about its inclusion as a Cool Tool, and it's a minor ding, is that the Panasonic Lumix TZ-5 is available for around $200, but it records HD video, takes great pictures, has 10x optical zoom courtesy a Leica lens system, and uses SDHC cards. Given the choice of which gadget to carry, I'd choose the TZ5.
Greg
Christopher, where is the Lumix TZ-5 available for $200? A quick check on Amazon.com show prices about $300.
Joe
I considered getting a vado or flip, but for the price I too chose the TZ-5. great camera, great video quality. Got mine brand new in Feb 09 on ebay for $165 including a 4gig sdhc card. Even though the TZ-5 is discontinued, they seem to be getting more popular as the average price is now close to $200 (they were going for < $150 several months ago).
The only problem with video is that the file size is limited to 2 gigs which means about 22min of 640x480 video, less of HD (8 min I think). The other issue is that the video is in quicktime format, so you need to convert it to AVI if you want to edit it with virtualdub.
Other than the video issues, I love the camera. I'm so glad I didn't waste money on a flip or vado.
Exhilaration
I read about the Kodak Zi8 last month - it's 1080p and it has an external mic jack! Not sure if this link will work: http://gadgets.boingboing.net/2009/08/18/kodak-zi8-much-to-lo.html
Rick
TZ5 $209.95 here: http://www.wegotbetterdeals.com/panasonic-lumix-dmctz5k-90-megapixel-digital-camera-10x-wideangle-leica-zoom-lens-30inch-intelligent-lcd-display-black--p-1288.html
elon
@Exhilaration:
That post was by none other than former CT editor Steven Leckart, who sent me this regarding the Vado:
"Overall, I consistently recommend Kodak's handicams -- especially the new Zi8 -- since the image quality/color contrast you get from the Kodak lens/sensor is quite impressive:
http://www.wired.com/reviews/product/pr_kodak_zi8
$180 is a little pricier than the Vado, sure, but the Kodak comes with an SD slot. Thus, you can not only carry much more than 8GB, but you can swap in new memory cards while on vacation, meaning there's no need to transfer footage to clear space. You just shoot and shoot, put in a new card, shoot and shoot... and worry about the file transfers later.
In addition to the Vado's 720p, the Kodak offers 1080p and 60fps, not just 30fps. The average CT reader or non-videohead prob wouldn't be able to tell the difference, but for those who can -- read: shooting their kids at soccer practice and want to capture the action "just right," for instance -- that subtle difference is worth it.
I haven't done a side by side of the Vado HD and Kodak,
but reviews I've read suggest the Kodak lens/sensor is better."
Gabe
Re: #1, 2, & 5-
When the price appears too good to be true... it often is...
I would likely avoid that web retailer, were I shopping.
http://www.resellerratings.com/store/WeGotBetterDeals
http://www.epinions.com/pr-Online_Stores_Services-Wegotbetterdeals_com/display_~reviews
http://www.la.bbb.org/Business-Report/WeGotBetterDeals-100049988
Peter
Beware the retailer listed above: WeGotBetterDeals
http://www.resellerratings.com/store/WeGotBetterDeals
I'm immediately suspicious of any site selling for so much less than all others.
Davey
I don't understand the comments claiming the TZ5 is a better choice than the Vado. TZ5: 22 or 8 minutes of video. Vado: 2 hours of video. The TZ5 sounds like a great camera, but it's a still camera that also does a little video. The Vado is a video camera at a great price. It's like comparing a swiss army knife with a chainsaw.
Mark
A newer Vado is coming out in a week or so, I pre-ordered one through Amazon. Details: http://www.electronista.com/articles/09/09/01/creative.vado.hd.2nd.gen/
I have the Lumix ZS3 which I've shot 720p video with, however, I wanted to have a dedicated small HD camcorder for video. The reviews of the Kodak don't seem to be very good, after researching the Flip and Kodak, I think the Vado still comes out on top. They also now support the camera for Mac users.
DJ
Why is nothing being said about the quality of the sound of these video recording devices?
Josh Cain
After submitting my post on the Vado HD, it has since gone through the washer and dryer and come out unscathed.
I have also had the opportunity to to some very low level light recording, and got surprising results. The blacks were actually black, and the camera didn't insert any visual noise in the dark spots like you see with a lot of digital cameras.
Audio on the device is good, not stunning, but good considering you have a small mic built into the camera housing. The silicone case that comes packaged with the Vado HD does a good job of blocking the majority of wind noise. And even without the silicone sleeve noises from the camera body aren't picked up, due to the sturdy build. I've taken video while on a boat cruising around with the sleeve on, with minimal wind noise, and video on the golf course with more noticeable wind noise when the sleeve wasn't used.
I also have a Canon Vixia HF10 and hearing myself handle the camera when playing back recorded video was irritating to say the least.
There is a Creative update utility that allows you to update the Vado software, And I'll have to double check, but I believe when I updated mine last weekend the Mac support was included with the update.
Richard
The lack of zoom is a legitimate problem. The flip doesn't have much of one, but 2x is better than nothing.
Richard
Woops, should have read the link for the 2nd Gen b/f posting; it now has 2x optical zoom.
Ryan Davis
Please don't become a gadget blog. Stick to tools. There are plenty of gadget blogs and very few tool blogs.
christopher
1) The price is closer to $200 than $300. It's discontinued so NiB is probably not likely, but an excellent condition used one is certainly viable. If you like, we can bring the later Panasonic Lumix models into the mix.
2) Speaking of "the mix", yes, it's an excellent camera that does video. I wouldn't consider 11 minutes of HD video "a little" since I don't intend to film a feature-length film in one take -- I challenge you to find me a majority population that does. Most of us take clips of video action. If you need 2hrs of uninterrupted video capture, by all means, this falls down. If you need 5-10min of HD video capture with 10x optical zoom, maybe this is for you.
3) Knocks on the 2Gb file limit are fair, but the fact that I can take 8 11min HD clips on a single 16Gb SDHC card is nothing to laugh at.
--#
FlyBoy
I have used this camera for a number of applications and have been very happy with the video AND sound quality. It's a pretty tough unit too. I have flown it many times on my 1-meter RC sailplane, which speaks to its size and weight. My only complaints are that (1) it tends to overheat and lock up during long playbacks, and (2) fast-forwarding and reversing is not easily done during playback.
FlyBoy
Um, 2-meter sailplane -- not 1-meter. :-)