Pocket Video Camera

[tragic hero]

Thinking about picking up a pocket sized video camera for when I go out skiing and other simialr activites with friends. I was looking at the flip HD, but reviews said that the kodak zi8 was better, I think mostly due to having expandable memory. However while reading some reviews on the kodak I heardd about creative labs Vado HD, and it was usually in reference to the kodak only being good when the camera is very stable. Obviously if I am skiing down a slope it wont be stable. Now I dont expect it to be glass smooth video but I also dont want it to look like im in a horror movie running for my life.

So has anyone used or has input on the
Kodak zi8
Creative Labs Vado HD
or other pocket camera.



Ive done some more looking and it seems that maybe these two choices are only slightly smaller than my G9, so I guess I should just stick with that for videoing. Any ideas if the waterproof case offers any sort of shock protection, ie if I fell while skiing

[DEMDeepEllumMusic]

I have a flip (not the HD version) and it does pretty well, read an article where one photographer has installed one to the top of his dslr like a flash unit and he just turns it one when he shoots and does video at the same time as the still shoot. TARGET has a polaroid version today (nonHD) for like $40 for black friday sales. (looks like a flip except the case is red and says polaroid on it).

[tragic hero]

Is the video pretty stable when you move around, or would skiing just look like a huge motion blur?

[DEMDeepEllumMusic]

If you were sluicing on a double black diamond it probably wouldn't look that great but for straight downhill it should be fine. But heck even the best video camera out there (the 30K hi def ones) wouldn't look that great going on a downhill run since when they shoot those type of scenes they have these high dollar gyro stabilized rigs that the camera is mounted too that the skier wears. (plus $40 is less than a days lift ticket nowdays). The flip is not much bigger than a pack of cigarettes and is actually less wide.
Common Flip Video Camera Problems // BlogCatalog Topic // BlogCatalog
Flip Video Camcorder - Digital Camcorder | Flip Video

[tragic hero]

Originally Posted by DEMDeepEllumMusic

If you were sluicing on a double black diamond it probably wouldn't look that great but for straight downhill it should be fine. But heck even the best video camera out there (the 30K hi def ones) wouldn't look that great going on a downhill run since when they shoot those type of scenes they have these high dollar gyro stabilized rigs that the camera is mounted too that the skier wears. (plus $40 is less than a days lift ticket nowdays). The flip is not much bigger than a pack of cigarettes and is actually less wide.
Common Flip Video Camera Problems // BlogCatalog Topic // BlogCatalog
Flip Video Camcorder - Digital Camcorder | Flip Video

Thanks, I think i might jump on the creative labs, the wide angle lens entices me

[Daniel W.]

Take a look at the Canon FS200, it has a real lens (optical zoom, not just digital) and audio in / out, we're purchasing 7 for the school, our initial trial model works great, but need the new iLife to run it, not sure on PC but review say it's kosher. Plug it in, fire up iMovie and it starts importing (or you can select clips) from the SD card. Compared to the flip we had tested, the downgrade to SD is worth it for the lens - and it's good looking SD too. Better then the comparable miniDV cameras.

[Abel]

ive been on the fence about the Flip cameras but just might be picking one up very soon

[Jake]

You might look into the GoPro cameras. I know people that use them for motor-sports with great results.
GoPro Official Store: Wearable Digital Cameras for Sports

Pretty cool video on their website!

[JohnT]

I have friend who has a Flip HD. He uses it to shoot and upload video to his FB fan page. Very nice quality.

[klynam]

We have a FlipHD and really, really enjoy it. Point-n-shoot simplicity. Built-in software and USB connection. (Not very robust software at all, but it certainly gets you downloading and/or emailing vids pretty quick.) Image stabilization was quite good for hand held video. (Don't know about mounting on your helmet for X-games events.) And the image quality is pretty darn good for something 1/3 the size of a pack of cigs. The main drawback - and there has to be compromise somewhere - is limited zoom. Otherwise, we REALLY dig our FlipHD...

[kenw]

good info, Kevin. My wife is starting to look at something like this.

But first we need a grandkid to rationalize it, regardless of $$...

[jeffkohn]

Thinking about gifting one of these to my brother. They have an older mini-DV camcorder that they never used because getting the video to the computer and/or disc was too much trouble (they're not really computer-savvy).

With something like the FlipHD, I would assume the following tasks should be pretty simple using the included software?

1) Play direct to an HDTV from the device using HDMI cable (they have mini-HDMI connection, right?)

2) Copy videos to a pc/laptop and playing them in Windows?

3) Burning videos to video CD/DVD for playback in a regular DVD player?

[klynam]

1) Play direct to an HDTV from the device using HDMI cable (they have mini-HDMI connection, right?)

I can't find our FlipHD right now but I THINK it only has the built-in USB connector.

2) Copy videos to a pc/laptop and playing them in Windows?

Yes, via built-in software and flip-out USB (2.0) connector.

3) Burning videos to video CD/DVD for playback in a regular DVD player?

After transferring to computer, yes.