Creative readies the Vado HD: Is it better than the Flip Video Mino HD?
Amazon is selling the Vado HD for $200.
(Credit: Amazon)Things are heating up in the HD mini camcorder space as Creative gets set to release its new Vado HD next week. The camcorder retains many of the design traits of the original Vado but it doesn't share the exact same body. However, it does have something that neither the Kodak Zi6 nor the Flip Video Mino HD has: an HDMI connection (plus an included cable) for outputting 1080i video to your HDTV. And it comes with 8GB of built-in memory--all for around $200.
In our review of the Vado, we knocked it a bit for being pretty no frills, and Creative seems to have taken that to heart. Along with the HDMI cable, it's throwing in a protective case and a real software package for tweaking your videos after you shoot them. Like the Mino HD, it captures H.264 AVI videos at 30fps with a 1,280x720 CMOS sensor and gives you about 2 hours of battery life from its removable rechargeable battery. You can also shoot 640x480 VGA video if you want.
On paper, the Vado HD looks good, but the big question is, how will its video quality compare to that of the Mino HD and Zi6? We'll be getting a review sample shortly, so we'll hopefully have a full review up by early next week. The Vado HD lists for $229, but Amazon is taking preorders at $200 and we expect the price to stay there.
Comments anyone?
Hunkered down in New York City, Executive Editor David Carnoy covers the gamut of gadgets and writes his Fully Equipped column, which carries the tag line "The electronics you lust for." He's also the author of "Knife Music," a novel. E-mail David. Follow David on Twitter. 
See the following to confirm that:
http://us.creative.com/local/1/promo/findyourvado/welcome.asp?WT.cg_n=Campaigns&WT.mc_id=19167
One reason the Kodak is larger and heavier is because of the batteries. All DSLRs and all advanced digital cameras use lithium ion batteries. Lithium Ion batteries are used in Ipods etc. all for that same reason. The removable feature means that with the Creative Vado HD you can have a second battery ready to use when the first one is out of juice. You cannot do that with the Flip Mino HDD. Also a lithium ion battery, but not user interchangable.
Looks like I'm getting a Zi6.
The bottom connector was used in the older Creative Vado as well and I have seen no problems reported by anyone.
Seems a good enough reason not to buy it, unless I'm missing something.
MAC
The Vado uses h.264 for video encoding, and AAC for audio encoding, both of which are supported by OS X, QuickTime, and iMovie.
I actually called Creative yesterday and asked if the Vado HD works with a Man and the person said no it doesn't and that many people have called to ask the same question. Very strange. I hope the review of the Vado comes soon CNET! It will determine whether I buy one or not. It would be great if you could test it with a Mac before the review. Thank you
ha ha ha. Hopefully it works with a man. I meant maC.
It clearly does work with the MAC and in fact someone else posted a link to a site where they talked about how they used the Vado with their MAC.
It's Wednesday...Come on CNET...Post the comparison test...please...
I originally made the mistake of buying a FlipHD but luckily was able to return it and pick up the Aiptek unit. Don't get me wrong, Aiptek has their shortcomings too, but for $149 you get an optical zoom, actual 1080p video and 720p video at 60 frames per second! For $50-$70 bucks cheaper!
And the Aiptek has a component out so that you can hook it up to your HDTV! I think it's just stupid that you would make an HD camcorder that you CAN'T playback on an HDTV...
But it also should be convert shoted video to video common with Daniusoft Video to Creative Zen Converter.
I free download it at http://www.convert-video-dvd.com/video-to-creativezen-converter.html#115
- by chefwa August 11, 2009 7:42 AM PDT
- All I can say is VADO quality is not as great as people say.....the edit functions are terrible not allowing you to import video you recorded back into the program. Support is NOWHERE to be found at all, I personally have waited two days for an email back and there is no phone number at all.
- Like this Reply to this comment
-
(26 Comments)Finally you need to purchase additional MUVEE software to edit your clips but again there are no added features and no importing of your material once you save.....if they get any support I would try the product. I am technical and i cant figure it out so until then pass on this item