Aiptek GO-HD High Definition 720p Camcorder with 3x Optical Zoom
- Record at 1280 x 720 resolution in 16:9 aspect ratio
- Equipped with a 5-megapixel CMOS sensor for shooting high-quality digital photos
- Use HDTV component output to display your high-definition video clips and still pictures on your TV
- Conveniently recharge your battery via USB
- Removable hard disk and SD/MMC card reader
Rating: 4 of 5
Good one 4 the price
Rating: 4 of 5
awesome!
i love this thing. the video looks great when filmed outside with a steady hand. i don't use the zoom because digital zoom always looks like crap in my opinion. 4 the price the video quality is freaking amazing but the mic leaves a lot 2 be desired. boy what i wouldn't give 2 have one of these when i was in high school or travelling the world in the navy. the h.264 is a great format btw which is easy 2 edit in premiere elements but you must have a fast computer. i wish i could buy a $600 version of this type of camera 4 the extra build quality that price would offer. bottom line, this camera is great 4 quick shots & the video looks nice on an hdtv.
Rating: 3 of 5
Great Video but Noisey ZOOM!
I purchased one of these when they first came out in May. I loved the video! Much better than my Canon TX1 or my Sanyo CG6! The sound was ok. There was no noise from the auto focus/zoom motor.It was a very early production model. It kept locking though so I had t return it.
I then purchased another one thru amazon & noticed right away the there was a horible noise coming from the auto focus/zoom motor everytime it had 2 refocus or if you zoomed. You could feel it in your hand & during playback you hear a very-very noticable ratceting/clicking type noise. It just totally ruins the important moments I captured. I sent it back 2 amazon.
They sent me another replacement & I could not believe it but it was even worse! I have sent it back 2 & still waiting 4 a refund.
Amazon says that the problem must be more widespread than they had originally thought!
Well I have not totally given up on Aiptek. They have just come out with a new model called the Aiptek A-HD. It does not have a mechanical zoom so it cannot make noise. The price is also less at 169.00!!
UPDATE: The new Aiptek Action camera does not have the zoom motor noises but overall is still the same camera.
I just bought a new Kodak V1253 that blows every other camera I have purchased away in all areas except the Sanyo HD1000 has slightly better video but that's it so I am now using a very inexpensive Kodak V12530 over my 800.00 Sanyo HD1000
I then purchased another one thru amazon & noticed right away the there was a horible noise coming from the auto focus/zoom motor everytime it had 2 refocus or if you zoomed. You could feel it in your hand & during playback you hear a very-very noticable ratceting/clicking type noise. It just totally ruins the important moments I captured. I sent it back 2 amazon.
They sent me another replacement & I could not believe it but it was even worse! I have sent it back 2 & still waiting 4 a refund.
Amazon says that the problem must be more widespread than they had originally thought!
Well I have not totally given up on Aiptek. They have just come out with a new model called the Aiptek A-HD. It does not have a mechanical zoom so it cannot make noise. The price is also less at 169.00!!
UPDATE: The new Aiptek Action camera does not have the zoom motor noises but overall is still the same camera.
I just bought a new Kodak V1253 that blows every other camera I have purchased away in all areas except the Sanyo HD1000 has slightly better video but that's it so I am now using a very inexpensive Kodak V12530 over my 800.00 Sanyo HD1000
Rating: 1 of 5
Bad Audio; Bad video; Bad still picture
I have owned this camcorder 4 nearly six months. It has been a very disappointing purchase.
The audio gets very scratchy at times. I have seen this happening when recording musical programs where there is continuous loud audio. Video quality is so-so. In the name of HD, it creates huge video (.MOV) files, but the videos that I capture from my Sony MiniDV camcorder (in DV format) are much better in clarity & quality. The zoom is almost useless because of the absence of steady-shot feature. Even with a tripod, I have seen the video quality reduces with zooming, though it shouldn't happen with the optical zoom.
Still pictures: It is very easy 2 mess up a picture. Half of my still pictures come out 2 be out-of-focus or shaken.
If you are not in a hurry 2 go HD & if you are considering this camcorder because of the attractive price, WAIT... I can see that the Sonys & Canons are coming down on price.
The audio gets very scratchy at times. I have seen this happening when recording musical programs where there is continuous loud audio. Video quality is so-so. In the name of HD, it creates huge video (.MOV) files, but the videos that I capture from my Sony MiniDV camcorder (in DV format) are much better in clarity & quality. The zoom is almost useless because of the absence of steady-shot feature. Even with a tripod, I have seen the video quality reduces with zooming, though it shouldn't happen with the optical zoom.
Still pictures: It is very easy 2 mess up a picture. Half of my still pictures come out 2 be out-of-focus or shaken.
If you are not in a hurry 2 go HD & if you are considering this camcorder because of the attractive price, WAIT... I can see that the Sonys & Canons are coming down on price.
Rating: 4 of 5
A beginner's HD DV, what it is supposed 2 be
This is my first DV as I always hesitate if I need a DV or not. I know many people who own a DV but told me that they only use it twice a year after spending a few hundred bucks & then it is out of date. I decided 2 try one just 4 the reason that it is inexpensive, under $200 & found the video quality is so good.
Now I've used it 4 couple of months & I would give 4 star review 4 it. It is a perfect beginner's HD DV, as what it is supposed 2 be.
First, the video quality is so good in 720P, I put some screen capture online & one can hardly tell the difference with those still images captured with a digital camera. Even in low light conditions like indoor or at night, the noise is still very low. I'm surprised how they could do that with a CMOS sensor. I know some DC can capture videos in 640X480 or even 1024X768, but they use the sensor in fast exposure mode & use motion-jpeg compression, the video noise is very high.
It is an idiot proof consumer product, there's not much you need 2 set or control, just turn it on, start & stop recording, zoom in & out, review, turn on light.
It is so compact that you can put it into your purse or pocket.
It uses SD card, which is inexpensive now, buy a 4GB sdhc & you are all set(almost two hours recording time). Take the SD card out & put it into your computer, then you can play it with many software like quicktime. I never tried the software comes with the package but I recommend Kmplayer, which is free & you can download anywhere. Its decoder is the only one that plays the video clips on my 1.3G laptop smoothly.
The battery life is short, like 30-45 mins, but I found most of the clips I shot are no longer than 5 mins. & I do know this is common 4 most if not all HD consumer DV's. Try searching reviews 4 those sony & canon one. Fortunately it comes with two batteries in the package.
The biggest problem is it does not have anti-shake or image stabilization function, so you have 2 hold it very steady 2 get good shot. Unfortunately, 4 consumer DV, I found it is always a problem, even those who have IS function, they still have the problem. The CMOS camcorders use rolling shutter, which causes weird effect like smear. even 4 those expensive one. so my suggestion is: using a tripod, or don't move while shooting.
And audio, the most clear sound it can capture is the voice from the guy who is shooting. Outdoors, the wind will make a noise. But again, do some research you will find it is again a common problem 4 consumer DV. Fortunately this does not bother me, I only enjoy the image but not the sound most of the time. when I edit the clips, I simply replace the audio with music as background. If audio is important 4 you, try find one which can use external directional mic.
A minor issue is its plastic feeling & smell, which makes it felt cheap, very bad marketing in US. but don't be fooled by the outlook, it is worth every penny.
so I would highly recommend this one if you are planning buying a DV & don't want 2 spend a lot money. Canon HF100 is another option, which will drop below $[...] soon. or Samsung at $[...]. you can review HD clips at www.vimeo.com before making your decision.
Now I've used it 4 couple of months & I would give 4 star review 4 it. It is a perfect beginner's HD DV, as what it is supposed 2 be.
First, the video quality is so good in 720P, I put some screen capture online & one can hardly tell the difference with those still images captured with a digital camera. Even in low light conditions like indoor or at night, the noise is still very low. I'm surprised how they could do that with a CMOS sensor. I know some DC can capture videos in 640X480 or even 1024X768, but they use the sensor in fast exposure mode & use motion-jpeg compression, the video noise is very high.
It is an idiot proof consumer product, there's not much you need 2 set or control, just turn it on, start & stop recording, zoom in & out, review, turn on light.
It is so compact that you can put it into your purse or pocket.
It uses SD card, which is inexpensive now, buy a 4GB sdhc & you are all set(almost two hours recording time). Take the SD card out & put it into your computer, then you can play it with many software like quicktime. I never tried the software comes with the package but I recommend Kmplayer, which is free & you can download anywhere. Its decoder is the only one that plays the video clips on my 1.3G laptop smoothly.
The battery life is short, like 30-45 mins, but I found most of the clips I shot are no longer than 5 mins. & I do know this is common 4 most if not all HD consumer DV's. Try searching reviews 4 those sony & canon one. Fortunately it comes with two batteries in the package.
The biggest problem is it does not have anti-shake or image stabilization function, so you have 2 hold it very steady 2 get good shot. Unfortunately, 4 consumer DV, I found it is always a problem, even those who have IS function, they still have the problem. The CMOS camcorders use rolling shutter, which causes weird effect like smear. even 4 those expensive one. so my suggestion is: using a tripod, or don't move while shooting.
And audio, the most clear sound it can capture is the voice from the guy who is shooting. Outdoors, the wind will make a noise. But again, do some research you will find it is again a common problem 4 consumer DV. Fortunately this does not bother me, I only enjoy the image but not the sound most of the time. when I edit the clips, I simply replace the audio with music as background. If audio is important 4 you, try find one which can use external directional mic.
A minor issue is its plastic feeling & smell, which makes it felt cheap, very bad marketing in US. but don't be fooled by the outlook, it is worth every penny.
so I would highly recommend this one if you are planning buying a DV & don't want 2 spend a lot money. Canon HF100 is another option, which will drop below $[...] soon. or Samsung at $[...]. you can review HD clips at www.vimeo.com before making your decision.
($124.99)
Buy Aiptek GO-HD High Definition 720p Camcorder with 3x Optical Zoom Now!
overall it is a good buy 4 the price.