Camcorders

Do we really need more pocket camcorders in the marketplace? Memorex seems to think so. They just announced the release of two new camcorders – the MyVideo and MyVideo HD.

The new Memorex MyVideo and Memorex MyVideo HD both feature a 2-inch LCD display, USB port, and digital zoom. With 2GB internal storage, the MyVideo captures up to 2hrs of VGA quality video, while the MyVideoHD has 4GB for up to 2 hours of VGA and up to 1 hour of HD video. Both pocket cams can also grab still shots and include onboard software to make uploading to Facebook, YouTube and other sites easy.

They are available in black or pearlized white and priced at $99.99 for the MyVideo and $129.99 for the HD model. Visit www.memorex.com for more info.

A new Flip Video pocket camcorder just store shelves, the "premium" Flip MinoHD. With a new design, larger screen and double the memory of its predecessor, this pocket cam can now record up to 2 hours of HD video.

Also, the new MinoHD includes the latest version of FlipShare software which can upload videos directly to Facebook. It has a bright two-inch transflective screen for no-glare viewing (even in direct sunlight), and features an HDMI jack.

The MinoHD is available with brushed metal finish, or you can choose from the tons of designs offered on their website. You can also custom design your own by visiting theflip.com.

The new 8GB Flip MinoHD is priced at $229. They have also lowered the price of the original Flip MinoHD (4GB - one hour of recording time) to $199. The standard Flip Mino sells for $149.

Sometimes you don't need camera (or camcorder) that shoots a gazillion megapixels. You just want a small, simple camera that you can carry around in your pocket for everyday shooting. JVC realized this and just announced the company's first pocket flash memory camera, the PICSIO GC-FM1.

Think small and simple means you get low quality? Think again. PICSIO has a two-inch LCD screen, shoots true eight-megapixel stills and 1080p Full HD video, has a 4X digital zoom and image stabilization. Videos are recorded in MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 format and stored as .MOV files that can be sent directly to YouTube and iTunes. The camera also has an HDMI connection for viewing videos on your HDTV, and an SD/SDHC slot for additional storage of up to 32GB. Read more

The DXG-125V is a new weather-proof HD camcorder, perfect for sports and outdoor enthusiasts. No larger than a candy bar, it is weather-resistant and features a rugged rubber handgrip to protect against bumps and drops while enjoying outdoor activities.

The camcorder has a 2-inch LCD screen and captures video in HD (720p), takes 3 megapixel still images, and supports SDHC up to 8GB for up to four hours of footage. It also includes a carabiner, compass and built-in MP3 player. And with its built-in HDMI slot, you can share your videos on your HDTV. All of this for just $139.99.

"The DXG-125V is a break-out product in the HD camcorder space. With its candy bar form factor that fits in the palm of your hand and rugged design, action sports lovers now have the ideal gadget that can withstand the rough outdoor conditions and capture their experiences in HD," said Paul Goldberg, senior vice president of sales and marketing at DXG USA. "We are excited to bring such an exciting product to market at such an affordable price, making the quality, compact HD camcorder accessible to all outdoor enthusiasts."

The DXG-125V is available now for $139.99.

JVC today announced the new HD Everio GZ-HM400, a video camera that features full HD, shoots 9 megapixel still images and plays back videos in slow motion as well.

The HD Everio GZ-HM400 has a 10.3-megapixel CMOS sensor that delivers nine-megapixel still images, records to an SD/SDHC card and also includes 32GB of internal memory. It offers 1080 TV lines of horizontal resolution for Full HD video. High-speed recording modes are available for slow-motion video playback: 600fps, 300fps and 120fps.

The GZ-HM400 features a KONICA MINOLTA HD LENS and a JVC-developed optical image stabilizer that uses two active prisms to correct camera shake at the lens entrance before the image even enters the lens. The two prisms work throughout the zoom range, from wide to telephoto. Read more

Creative yesterday announced the second generation Vado HD video camera with new Vado Central for Mac OS X, which will feature video transferring and direct to iMovie importing of Vado videos.

The new Vado HDs are available in two color combinations, a 4GB white with green accents, which holds up to 60 minutes of video and an 8GB black with red accents, which holds up to 120 minutes of video. Both are available for pre-order at www.creative.com for $179.99 and $199.99 respectively.

Vado Central for Mac OSX will be available for download in early September and is compatible with all previous Vado and Vado HD models. For updates and availability visit www.support.creative.com.

Not only did Canon announce six new PowerShot digital cameras today, they also unveiled their latest VIXIA HD Camcorder. The new VIXIA HF S11 Dual Flash Memory Camcorder features 64GB of internal flash memory, advanced HD features and professional-level manual controls.

The VIXIA HF S11 features a Genuine Canon HD Video Lens, an 8.59-megapixel Full HD CMOS Image Sensor, Canon DIGIC DV III Image Processor, Canon Face Detection, Instant AutoFocus, and the ability to record in 24p Cinema Mode or 30p Progressive Mode. Also, the VIXIA HF S11 has manual gain control limits and manual focus controls, usually only found in professional camcorders. The VIXIA HF S11 also takes 8.0 megapixel photos. And with its huge 64GB internal flash drive; you can record up to 24 hours of HD content. Another option is recording to a removable SDHC memory card (not included). Read more

The Q3 Handy Video Recorder brings professional audio to portable video recordings for musicians, videographers, educators, live music fans. The Q3 is ideal for anyone looking for great audio on their videos. The Q3 also includes HandyShare software for editing and uploading videos to YouTube.

Equipped with two condenser microphones, the Q3 uses the same X/Y pattern that gives recording pros the best stereo recording possible. You can record audio at 24-bit/48 kHz for "high-definition" quality audio on your video. And with the Q3's directional microphones, you can "focus" the mics on your sound source similar to an "audio zoom" function.Read more

The Panasonic HDC-SD10 and HDC-TM10 weigh just 0.5 LB, yet still features a 16x optical zoom, touch screen and can shoot an amazing 1920 x 1080 Full-HD video. The HDC-SD10 will record to SDHC/SD memory cards as recording media and the HDC-TM10 features Twin Memory, which records onto both an 8 GB built-in memory and an SDHC/SD memory card.

16x optical zoom of the HDC-SD10 and HDC-TM10 is supported by the Advanced O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer). The Advanced O.I.S. corrects hand movements 4,000 times per second! Also, both of these camcorders will feature the iA (Intelligent Auto) function, which automatically sets the most suitable Scene mode according to shooting conditions.

The suggested retail prices of the HDC-SD10 and HDC-TM10 are $549.95 and $599.95 respectively. The TM10 will be available in black and silver models, while the SD10 in black only. All models will be available in September 2009.