New Fisher Pocket CameraCorder MPEG-4 Camcorder/Digital Camera

Subscribe to BestStuff using any reader

Nov. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Americans love to record family events, especially those once-in-a-lifetime moments as the baby's first steps, weddings, graduations and spontaneous moments at home or on vacation. So, in order to record it all, we've had to take along both a bulky camcorder for shooting video and a separate digital or film camera for still pictures. And, because it's inconvenient to lug around and keep track of multiple devices, we often choose to take one along and leave the other behind. Sometimes, it's a decision we regret.

The new Fisher FVD-C1 Pocket CameraCorder, from Fisher Multimedia, makes such compromises a thing of the past. Capable of superb, DVD-like video recording with CD-like audio quality, the unique Fisher CameraCorder can also take high-resolution, 3.2 megapixel still images. Compact enough to fit snugly in your hand or carry easily inside a pocket or small purse, it's the ideal, all-in-one device for capturing life's special moments whenever and wherever they occur.

At just 5.4 ounces, the Fisher CameraCorder is the world's lightest high-resolution MPEG-4 camcorder and digital camera with memory card storage. It incorporates advanced MPEG-4 digital recording technology and a proprietary, state-of-the-art MPEG-4 chip for richly detailed images and sound.

Storage is completely "tapeless," and comes in the form of an included, postage stamp-size 512 megabyte SD memory card, which lets users record up to 30 minutes of full-motion video at an industry standard 30-frames-per-second (VGA-size: 640x480). In still mode, the 512MB card can store up to 491 images (2048x1536), more than enough for crisp, sharp 11" x 14" color prints.

It has a suggested retail price of $899.99, and is now available at Sears stores nationwide, in time for the holiday shopping season.

"The Fisher Pocket CameraCorder," said Isaac Levy, vice president, sales and marketing for Sanyo Fisher Company's Audio Video Division, "offers a cost-effective, technology-driven, pocket-size solution for individuals and families wishing to have the best of both worlds -- digital still photography and full-motion digital video."

Since the CameraCorder records both video and still images as individual digital files, it's fast and easy to transfer them to your PC or Mac for playback or sharing via e-mail attachments with friends and family. The CameraCorder comes with a Multifunction Docking Station that connects to a computer via an included high-speed USB 2.0 connection cable. The Docking Station can be used as a battery charger or as an AC power source during playback. It can also be used to easily connect the CameraCorder to a TV or PC for convenient, instant playback of recently shot videos and images. A handy, ultra-thin infrared remote control is included for simplified menu browsing and playback.

The CameraCorder also comes equipped with a special PC Kit of high-performance moviemaking software. These tools build on the FVD-C1's impressive in-camera editing capability and help prepare your edited programs for transfer to DVD or creation of a Video CD disc. Supplied software includes:

Motion Director, the world's first image stabilizing software for the PC, reduces the effects of a shaking camera hand by detecting unwanted camera movement in video files. Statistical analysis helps ensure a stable and highly accurate image during playback.
Ulead Video Studio 7 SE DVD for editing and assembling MPEG-4 video files and translating files for burning in DVD, VCD or SVCD format.
Ulead Photo Explorer 8.0 SE Basic for quickly viewing and trimming video files, plus viewing and editing photo files.
Quick Time 6.3 for video playback in MPEG-4 format.

CameraCorder Key Features:

World's lightest high-resolution MPEG-4 camcorder/digital camera with memory card storage
Proprietary, low power consumption MPEG-4 chip enables recording at the 2Mbps bit needed to capture over half an hour of DVD-like full-motion, 30-frames-per-second video on the included 512MB SD memory card. Over one hour of high-resolution video recording time is possible with 1 gigabyte SD memory cards (not included), available soon
Tape-free design simplifies operation; memory card provides instant access to files
Fits snugly in the palm of a hand or inside a pocket
DVD-like quality video resolution (VGA: 640x480; full-motion 30fps)
True 3.2 Megapixel digital still images
Capability to capture still images, during video recording, with a simple shutter press
CD-quality stereo sound (AAC Audio)
Simplified on-screen menus
Up to 30 minutes of DVD-like quality recording or 80 Minutes of VHS-quality recording (with supplied 512MB SD memory card)
Up to 491 still pictures in 3.2 Megapixel mode (2048 x 1536) or up to 3931 pictures in 0.3 Megapixel mode (640 x 480) with supplied 512MB memory card
3-mode flash: auto, forced, off
3-mode auto focus for fine-tuning auto focus sensitivity
5.8X optical zoom lens; 10X digital zoom
Rotating, trans-reflective 1.5-inch TFT LCD color monitor with Mirror Mode makes it easy to shoot from virtually any angle
9-image display playback for up to nine thumbnail views at a time on the monitor screen
Direct dubbing allows copying directly from the FVD-C1 to a VHS VCR or DVD recorder with supplied AV cable
Multifunction Docking Station with handy infrared remote control
Included soft case
High-speed USB 2.0 connectivity
Lithium-Ion battery and AC operation
Dimensions: 2.7" (W) x 1.3" (D) x 4.3" (H) (approx. 9.1 cubic inches)
Weight: 5.4 oz.? approx. (main unit only); 6.1 oz. approx. (including battery and SD card)