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Pure Digital PSV-352 60 Minute Point-and-Shoot Camcorder
By: Pure Digital Average Rating: 4.5 Total Reviews: 173
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 On: 2008-05-31
The camera seems to work as advertised. For the price, the picture quality is excellent. Autofocus and brightness auto-adjustment does an excellent job. The only problem I had with it was that the program that it had installed on its internal memory which was supposed to let me view my videos on a computer contained a virus and the Puredigital technologies website (not to be confused with a similar one for PureDigital of the UK which seems to apply only to small radios) was pretty useless in getting me a replacement for that program. There is no mention of the PSV-351 anywhere on their website that I could find. I still havent located a replacement and the 888 tech support number only works from US locations.
 On: 2008-02-13
All that needs to be said is, pure simplicity & brilliant product.
Honestly since this product is so cheap I thought it would only last a couple of months.
I personally have had mine for almost two years & I purchased a bunch more as gifts....
Everyone I purchased tis for loves it..
Highly recommend.
On: 2007-10-22
The first time that I used this camcorder, I could not believe how easy it was to use. I first used my brothers and decided right then that I had to have one to take on my Hawaiian cruise in mid-September 2007.
On: 2007-10-20
Awesome camera, no fuss, easy to use and the DVDs Ive gotten back are very good quality. Im very happy with this purchase. I love that its so small too...truly is a go anywhere size.
 On: 2007-09-15
This camera worked a few times on two different Windows XP computers then stopped working. The computers would recognize the camera when attached to the usb port but then only error messages from the camera would follow. Computer also froze once when connected. The cameras website troubleshooting page led to the evaluation that the problem was with the cameras usb arm. This would have been a nice little camera at a good price if not for this big problem.
On: 2007-08-30
I saw this little camera on Martha Stewart and could not believe what its capabilities were, so I ordered one for myself. It did everything she said and more! We took it on a summer trip and used it everywhere. We sent movies to friends and family and have enjoyed seeing them again, now that we are home. I am planning on giving one to my granddaughter for Christmas--she showed me how to use it!!
 On: 2007-08-26
My pre-teen and teenage kids wanted to shoot videos. I did not want them to use my expensive Canon camcorder or any standard tape-based or DVD-based camcorder because I knew these camcorders would not hold up to the rigors of my kids. These camcorders have no moving parts (other than the buttons). Even the zoom is electronic so the lens does not move. This fact makes these camcorders a cheap solution for a simple-enough-for-kids, and rugged little camcorder they can use to do their video creating. Just remember these camcorders have no image stabilization so the videos will have more jiggling than usual, and their low light capability is rather poor. These camcorders are mostly useful for close up situations.
On: 2007-08-18
I purchased this item (I think it was one of the first - model 225) many months ago when I saw it on sale at a local discount store. It really fit all my expectations! 1)Something about the size of a cell phone to carry in my purse, 2)instantly able to record memorable moments, 3)easy to use, and 4)easy to save files to my computer and share over email and the web. Within 10 minutes after I opened the box, I had recorded a video and shared it via email without having to read any instructions! I consider myself somewhat technology savvy, but I always dread a new piece of electronic equipment due to trying to learn about all the little bells and whistles. The Flip has simple buttons and functions that dont require lugging around an instructional manual. I read one review that said the USB connection wouldnt fit any USB port on any computer and that it was necessary to buy a cable extension. In contrast, I found that it works on my desktop tower with front USB ports. The weight of the camera sometimes pulls it down slightly, causing the connection to fail, but if Im careful, it works just fine. I do intend however to get a cable in the future so that I dont have to baby it. The only other thing that I consider a drawback is the lack of a memory card slot. But all in all, I love the camera...its a keeper!
On: 2007-08-14
Ive been looking for something like this to fill two needs, one professional, the other personal.
Professionally, Ive been looking for a video camera that could be used to capture a short clip of 3-5 minutes of student teaching to include in an electronic portfolio. Since I teach the technology course, all of the tranferring, editing, etc. would fall to me without a solution like the one offered by the Point-and-Shoot. With the built-in USB port and software, students can process their vidoes themsleves. I think the videographer will have to get fairly close for the audio but the picture is certainly sharp enough for the web. Great solution for us!
Personally, I wanted something light and small to capture those unexpected funny and cute things that our grandchildren do, especially when all 7 of them are bouncing off of each other. This camera does the trick.
On: 2007-08-06
I have had this camera for about 6 months now, and have never had any trouble with it. It is small enough to carry in your purse or pocket, and the video quality is better than I expected for the low-priced camera that it is. The software works fine with WindowsXP, but it is NOT COMPATIBLE WITH VISTA! And there will not be any upgrade available to enable it to work with Vista, per customer support. So, let the buyer beware! It is possible to upload videos to a Vista computer, but it is a little tricky. And it makes Windows Media Player crash...
On: 2007-08-04
Do not let the price or simplicity fool you. This product is awesome. Videos and sound are crisp and clear. Same quality with less fluff as more expensive video camcorders. You will find they make excellent presents.
On: 2007-07-27
The camera is extremely easy to use. Uploading (AVI) video is simple. The camera takes a good picture for the price. Zoom is short and clicking noise from the zooming is audible when you record. Would be great if you are creating YouTube type vidoes or short interviews, not for recording cherished family home videos.
 On: 2007-07-13
Its easy to use but I wasnt aware that it wouldnt run on WinME until I tried. Also havent been able to run the videos on any TV I have. I have taken the camera to CVS Pharmacy, the only place that burns them to DVD and they dont know how to do it without help from me. The cost is $12.99 plus tax for one video. Also the video doesnt match the audio. Compact size, ease of use and clear pictures are the positives.
by: foldingkayaks On: 2007-07-10
If youre still thinking about getting a video camera for home movies or amateur filmmaking, and are still confused about the various formats, and concerned about the cost, heres a simple solution. Its simple to use, rugged, and so cheap that its almost (but not quite) disposable. It even loads its software for you on your home computer. Shoot some scenes, plug it in to the computer, and a few minutes later youre editing and overdubbing.
This little camera may not have the highest resolution around, but for viewing on the average computer display- or even a moderate-sized TV- its perfectly satisfactory. For web-based movies, its more than good enough. And its small enough and cheap enough to take with you everywhere.
I bought mine at Costco (at a significant discount) on impulse, and since then Ive never been without it. It travels in my short pocket, on my bicycle handlebar bag, in a pocket in a larger camera bag, even in the case I keep my iPpod in. And when you do have it with you at all times, its surprising how often you find yourself reaching for it.
A half-hour doesnt seem like a lot, but if you were raised on 3-minute rolls of 8mm film, well, its 10 rolls of film- more than enough for a vacation trip. And if you have your laptop nearby, you can download the contents, and start fresh again.
Best of all, at the price you can hand these out to film-minded kids for their own projects without worrying about them damaging the familys expensive video camera. A friend bought one for her 10 year old daughter after seeing how much fun she had playing with mine. And given the ruggedness and low cost, I didnt mind letting a child play with it, either.
As others have noted, the flip-out USB connector is clever but ungainly. It works well with laptops, but is difficult to insert in some desktop front panels, and puts too much load on USB connectors in some positions. The solution is simple, of course- get a USB extension cable.
In summary, a handy and fun toy at a very reasonable price.
On: 2007-07-05
I test RCA and Flip, although they are very similar, pure digital PSV-351 is the BEST, easy to use, record and download, colors perfect, sound very good (not RCA)price OK, I recommend it to everybody from kids to seniors.
On: 2007-07-05
I would give this a 5 star had I not had a problem initially. At first I tested it before giving it to my girlfriends 9 yr. old son. I did a 7 minute video and later noticed that when deleting, it only showed 23 rather than the 30 minutes as it should have.
I had great customer service though. Pure Video offered to send me a new unit overnight at no cost. Before it got here I was sent instruction on how to clear the memory which worked perfectly. I therefore did not accept the new recorder which arrived the next day.
There have been no additional problems in the month it has been in use since.
On: 2007-06-27
My daughter was very pleased after receiving the Pure Digital PSV-351 Camcorder for her birthday. We were very pleased with the results. She and her cousins have made music videos and done plays and we can watch their creations on the TV or the computer very easily. I was surprised by the picture and sound quality. Very impressive for such a small, inexpensive camcorder. The only downside is that it really doesnt "zoom" very well. But, I cant complain too much given the price, and my daughter hasnt complained about any of the features...which is what matters the most.
On: 2007-06-11
I bought the point and shoot video cam to capture some family moments and possibly do some funky stuff on youtube. So far weve used it as a family and its great. Really simple. I havent tied to load anything onto the internet with it yet but Id be surprised if its a problem. Im going to film some uk property (as Im an estate agent). To catch the footage go to [...]
On: 2007-05-29
I bought the flip to replace my Vivitar digital camera and my JVC VHS-C camcoder. The flips picture quality is great, better than the VHS-C and better than the Vivitar. It also has better focus. I can take a picture 1 foot away and its still not blurry. The light sensitivity is fantastic. You can take video in a dark room and it comes out fine. With my Vivitar camera, I would always have to do post processing on the image to lighten it up.
On the down side is zoom, its not worth much but then again I would not expect a camera of this size and price to have a zoom that competes with the JVC full size camera.
Its so easy to operate and download videos that I use it alot more. With my other cameras it was always a matter of asking myself if I wanted the hassle for a picture of the moment or not - or the moment passed before I could get ready. I paid $99.00 for this at BestBuy.
On: 2007-05-24
Heres a gadget that is convenient to carry in the pocket or mount on the dashboard. Extremely easy to use. Very few of those mysterious choices to make--just point and shoot. It takes adequate pictures and sound, despite a recent New York Times review that I felt was unduly lukewarm. The movies look really good on our bigscreen TV.
I wish I had the 60-minute version instead of the 30-min.
On: 2007-05-18
Point, action and shot! Easy to download and save. However, it does not allow easy editing - that you got to get a sophisticated editors program. For a low cost camera, the images are pretty clear and the sound quality is o.k.
On: 2007-05-14
This recorder with 1 gig memory has great volume and uses battery sparingly. The integrated USB is very handy. The software pops up upon insertion of the USB, and the ability to share videos with the partinered website is very convenient.
On: 2007-05-14
This little camcorder is the best deal around. It is quick, compact and convenient too use for capturing priceless memories. And the picture quality rivals cameras costing four or five times as much. It even shoots well in low lighting. Just be sure to get a DVD burner(they have the at wallmart for around sevnety dollars), and rechargeable AA bateries(around thiry dollars). You might need to upgrade memory to 512MB on older computers for burnig DVDs
On: 2007-05-14
I bought this to record 1-hour presentations simply, that could also be easily downloaded to my computer. It is very simple to use, what you see is what you get. I love it, no extra buttons, everythings right up there, simple to figure out, intuitive, easy to use, and EXCEPTIONAL BUY!
This is made in a 30-minute version, but I got the 60-minute camera for a 1-hour presentation. I love the tiny purse size too, and the USB that folds out--no separate attachment or cord we have to have.
Excellent value and product. One of the easiest electronic items Ive ever used. Thank you!
On: 2007-05-07
I brought this with me to visit family in state of Wa.Everyone loved it. It was a lot of fun and easy to do. I learned more from reading the reviews then the instructions. For instance, when I saved my videos I didnt know where to find them. Via the reviews found out they were in My documents under my albums. My son-in-law showed me how to save them on cds. quite a value!!
On: 2007-04-24
I owned one of the previous models that was originally sold through
Wallgreens as a returnable "one-time use" video camera.
The theory was that you didnt actually "own" the camera.
You would pay $30 for it; shoot some videos;
then return it to the store and get a DVD of your videos.
But of course, people figured out how to hack the camera
to add a USB cable and download the videos, so you didnt need
to return the camera to get the videos.
So this new PSV-351 looks like the "legit" model that Pure Digital
came out with to satisfy the demand of all the people buying the
older models and never returning them. Smart move! Instead of complaining,
give pople what they want. If you cant beat em join em.
Even at three times the price of what I paid for my hacked version
I would easily buy another legit one.
I loved my hacked PSV. I kept telling people that "Pure Digital
should sell these!" Its a very simple camera. It doesnt try
to pretend to be more than it is. It has very few features.
But what it does do it does well. You push the big red button and it records good quality video (quality is impressive for the price).
Im a big fan of simple products that work well -- like a Nintendo or an iPod.
This camera looks a bit like a toy, but its durable.
This would actually make a good toy for a kid or an adult.
The ergonomics are nice. Its comfortable to hold.
The quality of construction is very good.
I like the fact that it runs on two ordinary AA batteries, so
you dont need a charger.
I would buy another one of these -- or maybe even a few of them.
Buy a bunch of them and pass them out at a wedding.
Duct tape one to your motorcycle helmet. Tie one to a kite.
On: 2007-04-15
I bought this on a lark, it just seemed like such fun and though I bought it back in Dec, I finally really used it today at a wedding, and I was shocked! It took great video inside the church where my (low end) digital camera could not. I wasnt sure how the video would actually turn out, but it was GREAT considering by the time things were done I paid $[...] for it. The built in software is wonderful (though i wish I could download it to the computer) and I made a "movie mix" of the wedding with the camcorders software and how fun is that! Shoot, for the $[...] if all I got was the wedding video it was worth it. I really couldnt believe how clear the video was with this little "toy!" I dont understand any negative reviews, its cheap, its fun and it does a heck of a lot for [...] bucks. Pure Digital Inc. has a $[...] rebate on their website. Buy it, use it, have fun!
On: 2007-04-14
First off, this camera is simple to use, and is a very convenient size (about the size of a fat ipod). The video quality is pretty decent, i use it to upload to youtube and myspace videos. I would recommend it for just that, if youre looking to uploading videos to the internet. Videos can be saved really easily (and the usb port being directly on the unit is so handy) and can be edited/spliced with microsoft movie maker. (using this program also cuts the MB size considerably!)
My only complaint is the so-called 30 minute recording capability. I had a 3 minute video on my card and it said i only had 21 minutes left of recording. After i filled the card i noticed i did not have a full 30 minutes, maybe 18-20.
Oh, and the audio is a bit on the funky side, mainly because it tends to give a lisp to any ch and s sounds. Look this camera up on youtube to see examples!
On: 2007-04-12
As a Mac user who favors still photography, I do like to take bits of video here and there, and this fits the bill perfectly. Have only taken video indoors so far and Ive found the video quality to be perfectly adequate (no faces hidden in the shadows). Sound is fine, too. The software included functions fine on my Mac (although I think you have to have the camera plugged in to see video youve stored on your computer). Have also imported the AVI files into iMovie easily.
On: 2007-04-12
The easiest video recorder Ive ever seen. However, I would certainly like to know how I can burn my own dvds with the clips!
On: 2007-04-11
The camera works fine and I record performances of the various bands I play with. The sound is ok (just remember to keep your fingers away from the mike), and it records fairly well in most nightclub situations, but if its dark, the video will be dark as well. The USB connection is a great thing, but remember that it needs to be disconnected via the software before you jerk the camera away from the computer. I damaged the hard drive with my very first use, and now I can only record 16min. of video before Im full. It was MY fault.
On: 2007-04-10
Because of its shirt-pocket size, this digital camcorder is easy to bring along on family outings and such. I originally bought it because I plan on attending my sisters graduation and didnt want to bring on the plane both my very large semi-pro Canon digital camcorder and my digital still camera with all its lenses. I took the Pure Digital on a business trip by plane just to check it out and it was great fun. Simple to operate, and the results were surprisingly sharp. The only two drawbacks: 1) like any small device, could be easy to drop it, and 2) it seemed like the batteries were getting kind of low, and boot-up time was getting longer and longer, after about 40 or so minutes of recording. I recorded about 55 minutes, and it was still working. but, if you need to be quick about capturing precious/important moments, might want to carry a spare set of batteries
On: 2007-04-09
We love this camcorder! We bought it because our other bulky, digital video that uses tapes, which we would have to copy onto VHS/DVD, stopped working. We didnt want to spend a lot of money. We loved the idea that it was easier to carry in my purse and you could download it straight to the computer or burn it (which is very simple to do, and you do not have to download any software.) I have to admit I was a little reluctant that the quality of the picture would be less than great, and only 60 minutes concerned me, but the pictures is great and I havent ran out of time yet. We have used this indoors, outdoors and have no problems. We have recorded our sons basketball games and it worked great. We read where the batteries didnt last very long, but we have been using rechargeable batteries and have been impressed with lifetime they have. This is a must for those who have children or grandchildren.
On: 2007-04-05
I was tired of trying to keep up with the tapes, charging, carrying, etc. of my old (2001) video camera. Whenever we wanted to use our old video camera, it was such a hassle and it was heavy!
A friend showed me her PSV-352 and I was instantly hooked. It is soooooooo easy and tiny that I just throw it in my purse or backpack for the kids and were off. We keep it in a basket on the counter so its accessible at a moments notice. Downloading the 60 minutes of video onto a CD is easy because the software is on the camera itself and it automatically loads. The video quality is amazing, plus, it runs on 2 AA batteries so no charging!!!! Its been great to tape the kids singing Happy Birthday to Grandma and Grandpa and send it to them via an email birthday card. You just scroll through each video to view and the kids love seeing themselves instantly and are more eager to "perform." As a busy working mother of two, this has been a joy to use and I highly recommend it. :)
On: 2007-04-05
Like others mentioned, this is a really easy to use device. No manual, no software CD. Open the box and you know how to use it right there. The quality is OK. I was watching it on TV and computer, It is like the Hi8 kind of quality. On computer, cant use the whole screen. It didnt look good. (BTW, I only got yesterday, so only shot in a lower light condition)
Downloading to PC can take a while. 5 mins video is about 100MB. To me, probably makes more sense using video funtion in a digital camera. At leasat, you can take both still picture and video chip.
[...]
On: 2007-04-05
The Point & Shoot records a decent image. It is amazingly simple to shoot and download video clips. I use our camera with my students - to create Moviemaker movies -- we can use any laptop/desktop -- since you just plug in the camcorder via USB to any machine. We dont have to use a specific computer, loaded with specific software. What a relief!! As this product is developed -- since its only 2Xoptical -- maybe this aspect will be improved.
The Point & Shoot performs as promised! Would be great for everyone - kids, grandparents, parents-on-the-go at sports events, recitals, graduations, etc.
On: 2007-04-04
...is that its cheapness, tiny size, very reasonable battery usage, and ease of compatibility with my MAC G4 have all taken the pressure of of "getting my moneys worth" out of this incredible device. Didnt break it out today? Who cares? At this price I dont have to feel guilty about using it non-stop, and I LOVE that. The ironic thing is it makes me use it all the more (especially as its small enough that Ive always got it). I captured some crazy footage of the fire in Burbank a couple days ago, a mad cop weaving across several lanes of highway traffic, and all sorts of other goodies. Im almost in disbelief that I didnt have this capability before. The digitizing onto iMovies takes a bit of time as you might expect, but saving footage onto the included software just takes a minute, so you dont need to worry about carrying around a bunch of footage at all times. Sure the zoom is weak and the footage is not the best resolution, but who on earth would get this camera for that reason anyway? Want a dependable, self-contained device that wont make you weep like a collicky baby if it is lost or damaged? I recommend this one.
On: 2007-04-03
I bought this point&shoot cam not expecting much but WOW i was one surprised buyer. It performed well and sending images to friends is a snap - i like this little camcorder anyway who shoots movies longer than 30 minutes at a time - it is a 5 star item -
On: 2007-03-31
This digital video cam is easy to use and take nice video for a small cam. I was pleasantly surprised at how well it worked in low lighting. The video is brighter then what I expect from low light situations although a little on the noisy side. But I will take a little noisy over being too dark any day. It is easy to upload the video to my Mac. I had no problems making iMovies from the video. This little easy to carry and use video camera was money well spent. Thanks Pure Digital for a produce that works as you advertised.
On: 2007-03-30
Good cool video camera despite the batteries run out quickly. I am enjoying very much. It if fun to shoot with and make you tube videos.
On: 2007-03-30
Fantasticly designed camera. Incredibly easy to use even for the novice. Small enough to carry along with me everywhere I go and family members are loving it, since I can now send them video clips of my kids so easily. Also, I LOVE not having to download even more software for another product. The software is built into the device and I have used it without any trouble on various friends computers already. Just pop out the USB arm and youre done. I wish other device developers would take note, its a fantastic feature. Truly a mobile camera.
If I had to add anything to it, I would love to see them make one of these with the ability to take point and shoot pictures on it as well.
This was a great all around buy and well worth the money.
On: 2007-03-29
I have the latest and greatest digital camcorders and cameras but they all require charge time. Waiting for scheduled or planned moments to be captured is fine, but what about those unplaned moments. I have four poodles and two cats. Many times my husband and I have wished that the camera or camcorder were available to capture a special moment as it was occuring. Through lots of research over the last month, I found this camcorder.
Its easy to use, just hit the on button and the big red button in the center, and youre recording that moment you so desperately wanted to capture. Because it runs on 2 AA batteries (included and pre-loaded for convenience) you can start capturing those moments the second you get it out of the package. Its so easy to operate that my non-electronic minded husband was able to understand and use it in seconds.
Only a few minor drawbacks-the on/off button is small and hard to hit for people with large clumsy fingers, the zoom isnt so great, you are the shake control, and if you speak loudly while recording-your voice will be clearly be heard.
But! these drawbacks are nothing. This camcorder fills the bill for everything we wanted and will be used more than any other digital device will own.
Its always ready to go, easy to use, and the power source is readily available making down time nill. We love it. With it we were able to capture a moment that could never be seen again - the interaction of our animals the first time they were introduced to their new little brother!
This is a must have for all pet owners, new parents or grandparents. Dont miss those precious moments again.
It comes pre-loaded with its own software so you can easily downlownd it to your computer and it comes with a/v tv cables for instantous viewing.
Truely a must have!
On: 2007-03-29
Having been a Canuck for more than a half a century, Im pretty used to having troubles ordering anything from the US. Today, when I learned about this neat little camcorder, I immediately came here to Amazon, and tried to buy same. Been a member here for more than 5 years and NEVER had troubles before -- but this item it seems can NOT be shipped to Canada.
Huh?
Boy was I pissed. So I immediately went to Ebay, found it for $30 US cheaper and ordered it, paid for it using PayPal and am told I should expect it next week.
THATs online customer service!
Shame on you Amazon - us canucks are worth selling to...
Jim
On: 2007-03-29
This product met my expectations, and then some. My daughter loved its small size, easy use, and quick download capabilities. It has sufficient internal memory for lots of video, and the picture quality is great. If youre looking for a great zoom, this is not the camcorder, but for fun video, indoors and out, its a great buy.
On: 2007-03-26
I want to add my support to the many reviews already praising this gadget. Its a video camera that is meant for online, rather than TV monitor, viewing. I did try it out using the television, and it was not great, but on the computer its just fine. In conjunction with Windows Movie Maker, Ive been able to put together some nice little movies. The batteries that came with it were just about DOA, but Ive recorded about 90 minutes with the new ones I put in, and they havent died yet. So I have no complaints on that score. Ive downloaded videos onto several Windows computers, with no problems at all. I agree with those whove said that a USB extension cord is useful, but it can generally be done without one--but youll want to hold it in place as you transfer the clips, so as not to damage the connector or the port. But since this transfer process only takes a minute or so, its no big deal.
The main thing is the combination of simplicity, portability, and inexpensiveness, all of which make it more likely that youll have this camera with you when theres something to record. And thats what its all about.
On: 2007-03-23
Love the camcorder, but with a warning. It has been hard to find downloading to DVD support in the stores the company lists as of yet -- especially in more rural areas. Not all stores I tried even knew about the camcorder yet, and this was at Christmastime 2006. I had to go to at least three Rite Aids and three Longs Drugs to find somewhere to download my content. And at locations that did do the downloads, many of the employees had not been properly trained.
On: 2007-03-23
This is wonderful. I can take mini-movies of my grandchildren and my cats, and load then onto my Palm to show off or just to enjoy when I feel homesick. It fits in the palm,and is easy to learn and use. I devised a lens cover with adhesive Velcro sheets cut to size, an easy cheap and convenient solution. I will take it to Japan this summer to record special moments as a back-up to my SLR with zoom. A full-size cam-corder in addition would be way too much, but there are always those times when a movie says a lot more than a still picture. Im ready!
On: 2007-03-21
This camera is perfect for me. I can take as litle as a one second videos to a whole hour of fun and then view them on my TV or better yet, load the video(s) into my computer, e-mail them to everyone I know, or make a dvd to share. The play, delete, and record buttons are easy to use and editing can be done on your computer. Its small size fits into a pocket or purse for easy access. And the price is right. Of course its only power source is batteries, and that may be a drawback for people. I orignally purchased the 30 minute Pure Digital Point-and-Shoot video camera about a year ago, and when the 60 minute one came along, I scooped it up. Love these cameras!
On: 2007-03-19
This little camera does everything it claims to do. It uses regular AAA batteries, and produces a nice picture. I dont know anything about higher end products so I am not comparing this camera with others. It reproduces exactly what I viewed and the quality is fine. The one thing that it doesnt do, or I dont know how to do, is in relation to Power Point. When I try to insert a video into a slide it goes in as a picture and does not "move". The video does not play. Otherwise I would recommend this little camcorder whole heartedly.
On: 2007-03-19
I had my doubts when I first ordered this product, and I actually waited for the 60 minute version instead of the 30 minute one tht was available previously. I have to agree with the other reviewers that this product is really easy to use. I have no complaints whatsoever. I use a Mac Computer and the files were easy to import and convert into DVD format . I use this camcorder primarily for work where I facilitate a challenge course and I have my co-facilitator record the activities. Afterwards I convert the captured files into a dvd and give them out to the kids who participate so they can share with their parents and friends. THis camcorder is really amazing for the combination of price and ease of use
On: 2007-03-16
You have to see the quality to believe it. And when played back on your television, the image is as good as any camcorder Ive seen for under $700. Absolutely great!
On: 2007-03-16
This camera is great in many respects. I bought it for my kids to use and it is small and easy to operate. Downloading through the USB is easy but involves reaching around the back of the computer since my USB splitter doesnt work with this device.
My only problem is that the software didnt install. I can still retrieve the .avi files and view them through WinAmp so it is not the end of the world but I sent an email to Pure Digital and never got a reply back. Since this product is aimed at people who arent necessarily knowledgeable about how to download viewing software and work with video files I thought this was not very satisfactory.
On: 2007-03-16
The camera takes clear high quality video. It downloads easily onto any computer with a USB. There is nothing confusing about how to use the camera, anybody could use it. Its a great alternative to higher priced video cameras. The TV attachment lets you easily watch the videos on your TV. The only thing I wish it did was take stills and it would be nice if it were rechargable.
On: 2007-03-12
What I like best about the Pure Digital video camera is the fact that it is so easy to use. You can figure out everything in a few minutes. It has only the basic features that you need - record, zoom in & out, view the videos, and delete them. Its small enough to carry in your pocket. It doesnt look like a video camera, so some people wont realize you are recording video.
This camera has two bad features. The first one is the zoom in & out button has a loud click to it. You get the click in the sound of the video when you are recording. Actually it is a double-click. Zoom in CLICK-CLICK. Zoom out CLICK-CLICK. I found it so distracting to the sound of the video that I zoom in or out before I start recording and leave it at that.
The other bad feature is the fact that it is so small and light, that it is easy to get shaky videos. I have to concentrate on keeping my hand steady to get a good picture, otherwise it looks like the shaking in the Blair Witch Project. If you arent familiar with that, it basically gives you a headache when viewing the video. I actually had a headache the first two days I had this camera while watching the videos that I took. Keeping it steady in your hand solves this problem, and I am now able to do this quite easily.
The quality of the video is good. The camera has a built-in USB connector, so I was able to upload the videos to my PC, and then put one on YouTube, no problems at all. Super simple. That is why I bought it, and it works great for capturing simple videos to view on your computer or to put the videos online. I recommend this camera for this purpose.
On: 2007-03-12
I first heard of this camcorder through interviews with a Pure Digital rep last fall on the radio. Due to the terrific price point and reported ease of use I made a mental note of it.
In February my 9 year old son made a request for a camcorder for his birthday so he could make movies like his cousin. I checked Amazon and found that a newer 60 minute version was available and it was an easy choice. At this price you wont feel like slitting your wrists if it falls into the ocean or something.
My son has been making movie clips like crazy and I can now say, with confidence, that a 10 year old can use the PSV-352. Ease of use is as reported with only a few buttons to learn.
Also, this is a very portable camera. Very light, powered by two AA batteries (Duracels are provided, a nice touch) and as small as a digital still camera. Youll be able to carry it all day and barely notice it. I tried it in the case I bought for my Canon A540 but its a tad too long. Somebody needs to make a case like this so its handily located on your belt while trekking about. Maybe Amazon could match it with an existing camera case?
A few tips:
Clips are pretty good quality but remember that this is a budget camera. The optics and processor are not the best so picture quality degrades quickly at lower light levels and as you zoom in with less light. It works best out of doors or, inside, with lots of lights on.
Im not sure how directional the microphone is. While it picks up sounds from the subjects as well as can be expected (remember the budget price), narration by the shooter can be overwhelming. Practice a little to find the right voice level if you plan to talk while you shoot, remember that YOU are the volume control.
The camera comes with software that I immediately discarded. It works fine and has some good features but Mac users may find it easier to just download to a folder to work with later using iMovie and iDVD. If you dont want to mess with editing at all one great feature is the ability to take the camera to a Pure Digital dealer to plug in for direct download to a DVD.
Hope this helps!
On: 2007-03-11
This is an amazing tool for capturing family events. The sound quality is great; the imagery works very well and the price is right.
On: 2007-03-03
I like this. I dont use it as much as I thought I was going to but its great. I need to get out there and video something.
On: 2007-03-01
First of all one of the biggest reasons I bought this camcorder is because it says it works with Macintosh. Well this is very true but they do not mention that you need Quicktime 7.0 or later to play your movies.
This means you must be running a newer version of Mac OS X (i believe later than at least 10.3) to download this Quicktime version. I was able to find a work around by using a Media playthat played AVI movies, but er the quility was not as good and the sound was delayed and echoed.
Eventually I was able to find a converter that changed the AVI format to a Quicktime movie format and it worked great. It was a bit time consuming, but considering the cost of the camcorder and the quality of the pictures I would defenitly recommend this for you!
On: 2007-02-27
What a neat piece of technology. Very easy to use, download, edit and share. Keep the camera for stills, this is great for the movies. Would recommend the 60 minute recorder as best!
On: 2007-02-27
I came from using a (rather disappointing) JVC model that failed to adjust to light, so I was a little apprehensive when I saw another digital video camera model. I couldnt have been more surprised when I got the package open how sharp and well-lit the picture was. It really is a fabulous little deal for anyone that wants to chronicle their lives.
On: 2007-02-21
The first point-and-shoot camcorder we received was defective. We lost lost a good portion of the video from our vacation and could not download the remaining video to our computer. Obviously, we were very disappointed and completed Amazons return from to exchange this camcorder for a new one. I was very impressed how quickly Amazon.com responded to our return and sent us a new camcorder before they even could have received the unit we were returning! Outstanding customer service by Amazon.com!!!!
The new camcorder we received works fine. It is very lightweight, small and easy to use so it enables you to bring it and capture video you might otherwise miss. Video quality and sound are good for such a small and inexpensive video recorder. The buttons are a little to small, but functional.
On: 2007-02-21
I read all those positive reviews and I was sold.
I plan on letting my very young grandkids use to make movies!
and I took Xmas program pics with it.
Its GREAT! simple, but for the money, GREAT!
I couldnt get my dell to cooperate with it to download my movies to computer yet. I will buy a cable to fit into the tight locations of my usb ports. I havent had a chance to consider editting yet. I have heard of a couple pieces of software. But for beginners, just to carry in the car to catch those UFOs, this little thing is GREAT!
On: 2007-02-20
People have compared this to the ipod, but ipods are techie and complicated contrasted to this thing. This camera has two settings: on and off, making it more akin to a calculator than an ipod. It has some zoom function, but nothing fancy. Ive found it to be very moderate in battery usage, especially when compared to my digital camera. Sure, you can only film 30 minutes of videos for having to unload it. I thought this might be a problem, but it turns out that 30 minutes is way more time than you need, especially for capturing little snippets of your kids when they do something cool. Rarely do our individual videos last more than 2 minutes; more than that and even the best moments become deadly boring. For our daughers dance recital, we needed only 3 minutes to capture her number--we had no plans to film the whole 2 hours. We have 4 small kids, and this camcorder has enabled us to capture tons of little wonderful non-events that we never bothered to haul our pricey real camcorder out for. We leave this thing on our kitchen counter for just this purpose. We now have tons of little memories of our youngest kids that I wish we had been able to capture when our oldest kids were babies. We let the older ones use it, and theyre yet to kill it (and theyve tried). My 7 year old says he wants to be a filmmaker thanks to this camcorder.
As for unloading the camera, its so easy you gotta wonder what the heck every other manufacturer of every other electronic device is thinking. The software is stored ON the camcorder, so when you plug it in (usb pops out the side, no cords!) it feeds off itself to unload the videos. After years of loading god awful individualized software on various computers for different electronic devices, then having to do it again when I get a new machine, this is the best thing ever. You can stick in into anyones computer and off it goes. The WSJ review I read that convinced me to buy this thing said it was the only digital camcorder in ANY price range that was as easy to use and download as it promised. This is true, and Id argue that its actually easier than it promises.
All in all, if you have kids, or are looking for a good baby gift, buy this camcorder. An expensive fancy one is nice for weddings and big holidays, but this is the one that you will toss in your bag or leave on the counter so you get all the real, everyday, cool stuff that life is all about.
On: 2007-02-19
This camcorder is better than my larger camcorder and, since it is the size of a small digital camera, I can carry it in my purse! I bought my original one after seeing it on the Today Show and have bought 2 more as gifts. It will even make decent videos at night with less than perfect lighting conditions. There are absolutely no negatives to this product!
On: 2007-02-19
The hardest thing about dealing with this camcorder is getting it out of its packaging. Truly, it is the most intuitive gadget Ive come across. Its sturdy too.
If I had to complain, it would be that:
1. its zooming capabilities are limited -- you can even hear the clicking on your recording when you zoom in and out (but when you bear in mind how much it costs, you cant really ask for much)
2. you have to have free space around your computers USB port to plug this in
3. youre limited to 99 clips (this is a problem for me bec. I often take short clips 20 seconds in length; but this wont be an issue to most people who shoot video over several minutes)
The batteries that came with it didnt last long, but that must be because theyve been in the packaging for a long time. I replaced them with my own fully charged batteries, and its still going after several hours of shooting.
If you want to see it in action, search "pure digital digicam" at YouTube.
Dont forget to send the form to get your rbte!
On: 2007-02-18
This camcorder is really easy to use, makes great 30 minutes videos which can be downloaded onto your computer and copied on a CD. Its compact fits in a purse and is very lightweight.
On: 2007-02-18
This is a great little camcorder to have in your purse when you are out and about without a regular video camera. It doesnt last a long time, but it is enough for trips to the park or a special school assembly without all the hassle of a huge video camera to deal with. It does go through the batteries though, so make sure you get rechargeable batteries!!
On: 2007-02-14
Got this for a trip to send clips to friends as we traveled. Not a good idea unless you carry a laptop also. The video sharing program must install on the host computer. Not possible on hotel or internet cafe computers.
Also expect only about 20-30 minutes use from the batteries.
The most disappointing part was that it only held about 35 minutes of video and with no way to send them home we had to delete good clips to save what we hoped were better clips. The manual says that if your clips are "complex" then it wont hold 60 minutes. Maybe they think youre going to shoot video of white walls.
It takes 30 seconds to turn on so dont expect to get those fast candid shots.
On: 2007-02-08
All the reviews cant be wrong, and theyre not: this is the iPod of portable camcorders. Incredibly well-designed, simple to use, relatively inexpensive, and perfect for capturing once-in-a-lifetime moments. However, at first, I couldnt figure out why playback with the integrated software was so bad: kept "pixelating" like a very bad video download. I tried it on a Dell with Windows 2000 and a Gateway with Windows XP with the same disappointing results. I tried reading the AVI file directly from the PSV-352 with Windows Media Player and some freeware such as VLC Media Player. Nothing worked until I tried the GOM Media Player (another free download). Despite starting off this way, I think the AVI file itself is in excellent shape and I cant think of any device better than the PSV-352 for people with kids and without photographic memory.
On: 2007-02-07
This is like an iPod. It just works. No fooling around. No instruction manuals. You just open the package, turn it on, record a video, flip out the USB plug, insert into your PC, and boom, you can save the video to your hard drive or send it to a friend.
Although Im a techie, I love simple, well-thought-out, easy-to-use products. This is one. Worth every penny.
The Luddites in your family will appreciate it too.
On: 2007-02-06
We got this camera because my son just turned 3, and we could never be bothered to record his little moments with the video camera that we had. This is perfect; I just pop it into my purse wherever we go, and whip it out to record just a couple of minutes of video when something cute happens. I found that the video quality is great when using it outdoors. Indoors is not so good because of the lighting. Sound quality is suprisingly good from a built-in mic. Downloading to your PC is soo easy; just pop out the USB, plus it in and go. All the software needed to manipulate the images is loaded onto the device itself, so no extraneous software to load onto your PC. Batteries not so great, as on most devices. I got about 45 minutes worth of video before they needed replacing, but I just make sure I have a spare set of batteries stored in the cameras pouch at any one time.
The only thing that could be done to improve this camera is to have just one more button for capturing still images. Then, in my opinion, it would be perfect.
On: 2007-02-04
Memories you would never capture if you used a traditional video camera. So small it goes everywhere with us. It takes double As so we dont worry about keeping it charged. No tapes or disks to keep track of, purchase or queue up to the correct spot. Push two buttons and your recording, and when youre done pop it back where it came from until you want to capture an instant moment again. When we are ready we connect it to the usb port of the laptop and save the videos onto the computer, ready for emailing or burning on to DVD. Man, it cant get easier then that. Delete and do again. Thats it. We have a regular DV tape camera and we break it out for birthday parties and holidays but the Pure Digital is for everything in between. You wont be sorry unless you expect traditional camera quality. Im buying another so I can carry one and my wife can carry the one Im reviewing.
On: 2007-01-31
I recently had a chance to use this camcorder and found that it works wonderfully! I did get to see how the lack of image-stabilization can hurt videos, but I would never have expected stabilization on such an inexpensive camcorder. I will be more aware (and steady) when using it again. Id buy it again, and strongly encourage anyone looking in this price range to consider purchasing one.
On: 2007-01-31
I am very happy with this purchase. This thing exceeds expectations.
It is dead simple to use. It is small enough to tuck into my pocket everytime I leave the house. I have only owned it a month and have used it a few dozen times for business and personal reasons.
The quality is very good for PC and internet applications. Dont expect to use this on HD TV.
I do not understand why it is not more popular. Every one that I showed it to, did not realize that a product like this exists. Two of my friends plan to purchase one after seeing mine, though.
On: 2007-01-28
This is the epitome of simplicity for home movies. Easy enough for spouses and children. Point and shoot. Use built-in USB port to plug into computer. You do not have to install the software on the computer because it runs from the camera. The files are saved in a "My Albums" subdirectory in "My Documents". The files are saved in an .avi format which can be run by other software, including, for example, Windows Media Player and Windows Movie Maker. Everything should be this perfect. Im going to be buying the 60-minute version for other members of the family.
On: 2007-01-25
I have to say I was a bit skeptical of all the glowing reviews of this camcorder. But after using it myself for a week and then seeing how my wife has taken to using it I have to say Im glad I bought this. I own a number of gadgets (see my reviews) and this has to be one of the best thought out designs Ive come across.
The fact that you dont have to mess with tape or dvds and simply plug the camcorder into the laptop without having to capture video off the camcorder just makes the whole process simple. Posting to YouTube could not get any easier! And the quality is far better than I was expecting due to all the posts. You really will not go wrong buying this camcorder for yourself, a kid or parent.
On: 2007-01-24
Fits in your pocket, can take it everywhere, so easy to use. At this price, its amazing!
On: 2007-01-23
Good product, but has some drawbacks. Viewing screen can be difficult to see in bright sunlight. Picture quality is good, however it would be nice to see a larger piture when viewing movies on the computer. Otherwise it is a very nice product and is easy to carry around and use. I have encountered no problems in operating it. Sound quality is also good.
On: 2007-01-22
I love this little camcorder. It was well worth the money, and is so easy to use. It makes sharing videos with friends and family a snap...just plug it into a usb port and its uploaded to your computer. No software to install, and its small enough to carry around in a shirt pocket or purse. I am so happy I bought this!
On: 2007-01-22
This is single handedly the baddest little camcorder out there.The resolution is good and when your done just plug directly in the computer for editing even comes with its own software built in...simply amazing...
On: 2007-01-20
the pure digital is a tool that is excellent for my children , it is not complicated less buttons ,no memory card, no films just plug in the computer and start saving.
On: 2007-01-19
Everything about this video camera is great, safe of one thing. (Ill get to that later) The picture is good enough for most applications although it isnt HD quality or anything. The audio quality is fine for most. (Although I wouldnt record the Philadelphia Orchestra with it) The ease of use is great! My "older" office mate figured out how record and playback movies in less than a minute!
The software onboard isnt the greatest stuff for making movies and such but there is enough other movie making software in the world to make up for it. On my Mac, I found that the drag and drop file system is amazingly easy to use. (And Fast!) And yes, there is built in conversion software. The camera shoots native .AVI files but the free, included, onboard software will convert it to .MOV for quicktime, iMovie, oDVD, etc... On the PC I tried it on, it too was great. (Although I just dont like PCs to begin with... sorry for the aside)
My Only complaint is that there isnt an AC power adapter option for it. BUT I did find that my 2 rechargeable AA batteries last several hours during playback and recording.
Buy this camera, you will love its ease of use and affordability!
Cheers,
On: 2007-01-19
I bought 2 of these little video cameras at Christmas time, one 30 minute one and 1 60 minute one--1 for my niece and 1 for myself. I just love the little thing! It is so easy to use and small enough to carry around in ones purse or pocket. My niece, who lives in another state, and I have been emailing videos back and forth. The emails sent through Grouper are not as clear as what is originally filmed, but they are okay. Directly attaching the video to an email also works for those people (receipient of the email w/ attached file) who have a computer and email program that will accept a large file. The video is much clearer when one does it this way. One thing I do wish that the camera had is a pause button. Once one stops filming, starting again starts a new video. While filming, it is important that the camera is held still, just like with any video camera. Slowly and smoothly is the way to film. Sure cannot beat the price for this little gem!
On: 2007-01-19
My 14 year old daughter got one of these for Xmas and we are incredibly happy with it.
Essentially this is the throwaway video camera repackaged to make it re-usable. Not perfect for everyone and every situation but just the thing given the size and price.
First, out of the box you have everything you need. The built in USB jack and the software on the camera for both Windopws and the Mac. On a Mac the installer also puts a codec for the file type into Quicktime so iMovie will edit and title your movies if you want.
Second, it is incredibly easy to use. Both taking movies and shifting them to your computer is a trivial task.
Third, I discovered that a pair of rechargable AA batteries are more than enough to power the camera for the 30 minutes of video shooting and a lot of in camera previewing.
Finally, nothing to lose. The USB jack is built in. It doesnt recharge so no AC cable to lose. Batteries are standard AA so easily found (and running out of power while on a trip is not a huge hassle - if you cant find two AA batteries in a few minutes you must be somewhere truly remote).
OK, the videos are not high resolution and sometimes (but not often) suffer from compression noise - fast moving parts of the image make this more likely. If you want quality video then this is not for you, spend another $100 (or more) and buy a better camera. If, on the other hand, you want something to take a bit of video with while on holidays or at a party to share with friends and family over YouTube or Google Video then this is just the thing. Its also the perfect camera to throw in the glovebox or briefcase next to your point and click still camera.
Im so happy with the one my daughter has that Im buying another for myself.
On: 2007-01-19
I can truly say that this is a great little camcorder. I have had a ball with this since getting it for Christmas. My grandson is now wanting one for himself. For the cost of this camcorder, one could not get a better product. Try one and see if you will not be very satisfied.
On: 2007-01-19
Great toy for Christmas 2006! Santa delivered 3 at our house! Hopefully we can e-mail fun clips from house to house....however, I have yet to make that feature work for me.
Quality of the takes are really great , as is the sound.
Love our new toy !
On: 2007-01-19
I read the reviews on Amazon and decided that this was the perfect camcorder for my wife. We had given a camcorder to our son and daughter-in-law to takes pics of the grandkids and send them to us.....but alas, they would say the camcorder was never charged or it was just too much extra to carry to events. So, my wife wanted her own. It runs on 2 AA batteries, doesnt require a flashcard and plugs right into the computer without the need for software. The controls are incredibly simple, the picture quality very good (its only shortcoming was when we tried to show videos on a very large screen, high def TV---but what do you expect for this price?). We did have to by extension cables to the USB port because the extension wasnt long enought to fit into the recessed ports of our CPU. My wife can throw this in her purse (along with extra batteries for backup) and take it anywhere. We were greatful to have it Christmas morning to get those great shots of the grandkids opening their gifts from Santa! I have already recommended this camcorder to several people and showed at a meeting of our local camera club. For us, its ideal.
On: 2007-01-18
This is a great little camcorder. Easy to use & takes great pictures.
Send your videos in email without a problem. My wife has a 30 min. version
then we decided to get another one, so here is where the 60 min.
came in. Size is a plus just slips into a shirt pocket. Great that you
dont need to download software, its all right in the camera. You wont
be disppointed if you buy one.
On: 2007-01-18
Perfect for the high school student. My daughter loves hers. Extremely easy to use! Just plug into your computers USB port to download video clips.
On: 2007-01-18
This camcorder is very easy to use and download. The picture is so perfectly clear. this is a perfect gift for a new camera person.
On: 2007-01-18
This thing is incredibly easy to use and very cheap. I would recommend it for people who dont mind poor image and sound quality. The 640x480 images are very, very pixelated, with occaisional bursts of extreme pixelation/noise, and the sound is as bad as it gets. The low light abilities and poor contrast make the camera virtually useless for stage performances. My daughters face was nothing more than a big white blob on the video for the entire play. Our old analog tape camcorder would have produced a MUCH better image. So I cant recommend it for your kids concerts/plays.
The device works best outdoors or under brightly lit conditions, and is great for a kid to use.
On: 2007-01-18
I ordered this camcorder for my 8 year old daughter and we both love it! Its so easy to use (even for someone like me whos electronically challenenged!). You can easily plug it into the TV to watch the video back or save the file to your computer. My dad is an engineer and he even ordered one after he saw it to use on his job sites. He has to look at sites then go back to the office and write up a proposal so its perfect for him to put in his pocket, video, then play back to make sure he remembers everything. Excellent little camcorder for the price!
On: 2007-01-17
This camera is exactly what I hoped that it would be. It is a VERY inexpensive camera and is perfect for carrying around in my purse and filming my kids at a moments notice, rather than only on special occasions when I lug around the big expensive one. The video has turned out great! It does not work well for school performances (I would still use my expensive camera for that) because you cannot zoom in very far, but for playing in the snow or with their friends, it is perfect! I LOVE IT! It is also very easy to download to my computer. I have a Macintosh and it works fine with that too!
On: 2007-01-16
I took the 60 minute Pure Digital camera on vacation and absolutely loved it. It is just small enough to fit in my front jeans pocket so it was always handy when I wanted to record something. Using it is so simple you dont need any instructions, just push the red button and youre recording. Uploading the videos to my computer was also a no-brainer. The videos are the perfect size for sharing with your friends on You Tube. Id definitely recommend the 60 minute version, 30 minutes just isnt enough for a long trip. The one improvement Id make in the next version is faster start-up time. It takes a little planning to make sure you dont miss the perfect shot while waiting for the camcorder to start-up. At this price point, the Pure Digital Camcorder is a fantastic deal. I highly recommend it.
On: 2007-01-16
This high-quality, pocket-sized video camera is so easy to use. My 10-year-old loves it. Kids have fun instantly replaying the videos they record. Its also convenient for grownups who want to easily videotape something to show the family later.
On: 2007-01-16
This is a second camera for our family. It is so compact and fits in my purse. I take it every day so I can capture the kids throughout the day. We will take our larger camera when we go on long trips. The price is great and the quality is awesome. The DVD we had made at the store exceeded my expectations (although it took a while to get). The DVD even has a feature that plays a summary to music. This was a wonderful Christmas gift! Only one downside - zoom isnt great. I would recommend this to everyone.
On: 2007-01-16
I got exactly what I paid for. This little camera is convenient and easy to use. The video quality is not as good as our regular JVC digital-8 camcorder; however, I was pleasently surprised how well this works in less than optimum lighting. My advice is practice using it before a big event. I found the more I used it, the better my video was. It has limitations - limited zoom, and slower auto-focus means you cant move it around too fast. Also, the on button is took easy to hit. Therefore, I have to reverse a battery when it is stored in my purse.
People are less intimidated with this little thing around. People just assume you are taking stills and you can catch some great clips.
I took my video clips and made a DVD at home using Sonics MyDVD software that came with my Dell computer. I upgraded to Roxios Easy Media 8. However, I havent mastered this software yet.
Dont expect high quality video; but for the price and size, this thing is great.
On: 2007-01-16
For the price, its hard to beat the convenience of this little gadget. Uploading videos to the Grouper web site is easy, operation of the camera is a snap. I have found it very handy for sharing holiday messages with family and friends, showing the guy at the hardware store why Im having trouble hooking up my dryer exhaust hose, documenting new home purchases for insurance purposes, etc. Easy to drop files into iMovie. Image quality is fine for most everyday uses, but nothing fancy. The only big gripe I have with the unit is that when you click to zoom in or out, the click is majorly audible in the film. Otherwise, all technology should be this simple.
On: 2007-01-15
There are many great features to this camera but the best is its size. Its small enough to put in your pocket so that you have it with you all the time while on vacation. I have a new, regular-sized digital mini-cam and took it along with my Point & Shoot camera to Greece recently and found that I didnt even take the larger camera out of the bag the whole time I was there, it was so much easier to use my Point & Shoot. While the 30 minute version of the camera is sufficient for most people, I find the 60 minute model perfect for me.
On: 2007-01-14
My husband and I bought one for each of our kids and then my husband bought one for me. It is so simple to use and so small I can carry around in my purse. My daughter carries hers around in her diaper bag so she wont miss any special moments with her toddler. So simple to connect to the television to review or the computer to email video clips. Unbelievable how uncomplicated these are to use and still have great picture quality!
On: 2007-01-14
This camcorder is surprisingly good. For under $100, you have a pocket camcorder that takes very good quality video and is exceptionally easy to use.
When I first purchased the camera, I was afraid that the quality of the video would be poor. I was surprised that the video was crisp and clear--even in low light situations. My Canon SD400 4 Megapixel camera can take short videos, but I found that the Pure Digital camcorder takes better quality video than the Canon! What a surprise!
Another pleasant experience is getting the video OFF the camera and onto your PC. You plug the camera into the USB port of your PC, and you can either choose to run the built-in viewer software on the camera, or you can use the Windows utilities to transfer the files. The camera takes video in .AVI format, so you can immediately play the vidoes using any standard players, or again, use the built in Pure Digital software.
The Pure Digital software allows you to rename your video to be more descriptive, play it, etc. You can also save the videos to your computer, combine multiple videos to make movie mixes, create mixes/save videos to create DVDs, delete videos, send videos to others, etc.
All in all, this product provides a smooth, easy-to-use interface and great video quality in a very low price and exceptional form factor. Oh--and the use of AA batteries rather than proprietary battery technology and charging cables makes it even more attractive. The one small detractor is that the noise from the zoom buttons are recorded in the sound track of the video. But if this is the only bad thing about this camera, its insignificant to your overall enjoyment!
On: 2007-01-13
When I saw a segment on Martha Stewarts show showcasing this pure digital camcorder, I was immediately hooked. Not ten minutes after the program aired, I had purchased it online.
And I am sure glad I did! Small in size but big in performance, this compact camcorder took only minutes to set up. I just love the pop-up USB connector that plugs into your computer. There are no cds to worry about - all the programs you need are downloaded the first time you connect the camcorder to your computer.
It runs on two AA batteries and you can shoot 30 minutes of video at one time. If you want to save your videos you just plug the camcorder into your computer and it saves the videos in separate files automatically. You can also watch your videos on any television by plugging in the included RCA cables.
The picture and sound quality are amazing! Ive been praising this camcorder to anyone who will listen. I highly recommend this dynamo!
On: 2007-01-12
My fourteen year old son asked for a camcorder for Christmas. Our budget and the fact that I didnt expect any camera to last more than a few months in his possession held me at the under -$200 category. Although I actually found a few older or lower end "standard" models right around that price, the simplicity of this camera and its pop-out USB attachment made it very attractive. He was looking for something that would allow him to shoot skateboard tricks and edit them on computer, and the original attraction was that this was the only Mac-compatible of this type that I could find. The video and sound quality are certainly acceptable, Id say even surprisingly good, Id say somewhat better what I was getting when shooting clips with my digital still camera. There is no on-camera lighting, though, so this is not the camera to purchase if you want to shoot a lot of indoor, low-light situations, but the outdoor shots are impressive. The compact design and lack of fold-out viewscreen make this a lot sturdier and more pocket-portable than anything else Ive seen on the market so far. Hes already dropped the thing on the street once and its no worse for the wear so far. The controls are super simple and intuitive, and frankly, I didnt think he could do so much with just a 3x zoom. With respect to download (or upload, depending on your perspective), it doesnt get any simpler, at least for Mac users. Just unfold the tidy little USB connector and plug it into your Mac, then open the folder that contains the .AVI files and drag them onto your computer. There is download and editing software that comes with the thing, but apparently you have to leave the camera plugged in to your computer while editing ( therefore running down batteries) to use it. Since my son already has some experience with Macs iMovie, the software is unnecessary for us. Hes quite happy with the performance and the fact that he doesnt have to keep track of extra cables. Some may say that I could have just bought a digital still camera, but they are generally more fragile and require the purchase of a memory card, and I think Im getting slightly better video quality for the price with the Pure Digital. By the way, I recommend that you go ahead and get the 1G Internal memory so you dont have to worry about having to frequently upload to your computer. In conclusion, this is a great "kids" camcorder and would also be nice for moms who like to keep one in a purse for serendipitous occasions. Id also recommend it for campers and outdoorsy types who want to travel light.
On: 2007-01-12
This was a Christmas present for our daughter. It was a hit and used constantly all day long. Battery life seemed good considering it was played back and deleted numerous times. I cant wait to take it on vacation. It takes very good video with good sound and lighting. I cant believe quality for the price.
On: 2007-01-12
The nice thing about this camera, is that it is so small and easy to use. Because of its ease of use, we have finally made more videos of our kids. Our camcorder was such a hastle to charge and find tapes for, that we hardly ever used it. I just wish we had found this earlier. I do recommend that if you try to share your videos with family or friends, that you do so through Google or someone other than the company that Pure Digital uses. The quality is much better on Google, for instance. Also, as a previous reviewer mentioned, it does go through a lot of batteries, so make sure you have a good supply of AA batteries on hand.
You can hear the click of the zoom too, but my kids make so much noise when they know theyre being filmed, that the clicks arent even noticeable. The movies play really well on my computer too. I havent tried copying the file to dvd yet. Hopefully, the quality wont suffer.
All in all, I think its a great camera for the price, and its convenience will encourage more people like us to capture more memories of our families and friends.
On: 2007-01-11
This is exactly what I was looking for. It takes better videos than my digi-cam. It is a favorable trade-off between quality and ease of use. It does a better than average job in low light but as you probably know low-light is a challenge for digital cameras.
Here are a few things I havent seen mentioned. First, there is no tripod mount at the bottom. It has a wrist strap for carrying but you will have rig to something if you want a stable mount for the cam. Another thing, it takes still photos--when you look at the folder containing the avi files there is a jpg which (I believe) corresponds with the first frame. The still photo is usable but low-res and probably not suitable for printing. The still photo also has exposure info (exif) though it is mostly technical. But, I like that in a pinch you can take a video and the first frame is a still. The software is kind of blackbox like. For one thing, it does not appear to let the user configure where he/she wants to save the video files. Instead, the files are saved under the Documents and Settings. But the software is easy to use. Also, you will probably want to use a USB extension cable.
The cam is elegant in its simplicity and like everyone says you can take a video within a couple of minutes of cutting thru the hard plastic wrap. It appears that they beat their competition to the market--no one else offers this winning combination. I am curious to see if there are some interesting hacks for this camera in the near future.
On: 2007-01-11
Bought the camcorder as a gift for the wife as she is always taking pictures of our young grand daughter. To say she is happy with the camcorder is an understatement. The device works great under all lighting conditions. Down loading the files is a snap, no CD to load or mess with. Easy to carry, use, and download. I think its a keeper.
On: 2007-01-11
I bought this camera for my 9 year old niece this christmas. I was surprised at how easy it was for her to manipulate. I think it is a great little basic camera for a child or an adult that is looking for a camera that is easy to operate and doesnt require a manual 10 inches thick in order to learn to operate it. Im thinking about buying an additional one for myself. Great value for the money!
On: 2007-01-11
I like this camcorder simply for its simplicity. Very easy to use and self-explanatory. The only reason I gave it a 4 is because I found out I can only use one brand of battery in it. Didnt make sense to me, but that doesnt matter. I tried a different brand, but had the same problem of it wanting to go out on me while recording. The brand is Duracell. Not sure if it will do that to anyone else, but it did to me. Other than that I love it.
On: 2007-01-11
This camcorder is fun and easy to use. I bought this one for a young teenager and the price is great so you dont worry about it being lost or stolen.
On: 2007-01-11
This digital camcorder is a good buy. It is simple to use (if you have smaller fingers than I do) and has a good clear picture, of course depending on the operator. The only problem I have is getting the right tilt in sunlight in order to see the images on the screen when recording.
On: 2007-01-10
This is a great little camera to carry for travel etc. About the size of a pack of cigarettes it fits easily into backpack, or just to carry. Dont expect Spielberg type video, but its great just to capture quick things that youd like to have. I travel quite extensively and take it with me now to document trips. Most recently I was in Japan and took all 45 minutes of sights and sounds in downtown Tokyo, the Ginza, and the "Big Egg" Tokyo Dome baseball stadium.
Downloading is very easy, and the software to download can be put on several computers. Sending the files is equally as easy in an email attachment.
As long as you dont expect high quality video or lots of capabilities of a full size camera, you wont be disappointed.
On: 2007-01-10
I bought this for my 11 year old daughter to basically play around with. Now I want to buy the model with the 60 min. memory for myself. It is easy to shoot video & easy to download & save. We use it to video horse riding lessons for training purposes in a "hard to photo in" arena & the videos are very good. It uses AA batteries quite quickly but I can easily carry a pocket full of fresh ones. This is much better than my old camcorder which was impossible to maintain a charged battery.
by: Anonymous On: 2007-01-10
I have to say I was suprised how easily operated this camcorder was.Normaly theres something I dont understand. Although theres one thing I dont like.For me the camara uses a lot batteries it should come with a charger. But over all I think its a good and easily used product.
On: 2007-01-10
I gave this camera to my daughter-in-law for Christmas. She has a 9 month old baby and is having a wonderful time with the camera. Its small enough to take anywhere and pictures can be put on the computer or on disks. She loves it.
On: 2007-01-10
I purchased this product based on the recommentation of others in my office. I purchased this as a Christmas gift for a family member. It is amazingly easy to operate and provides instant gratification. It is so incredibly easy to use - too bad remote controls arent this easy.
On: 2007-01-09
We resisted getting a video recorder until now. The Point-and-Shoot was the first one that attracted us because of its ease of use. It does a miraculous job of getting video AND audio under trying circumstances, even at night. [New Years Eve was especially fun.] The TV cable makes for instant fun and we have already made DVDs from our recordings. Durable and simple - - and FUN!
On: 2007-01-09
As easy to use as promised. No fancy features. I took it right out of the box, inserted the included batteries and started recording. Practiced by videotaping horses being ridden in a covered arena with heavy shadows and spots of bright sunshine. Despite no ability to change white balance or manually focus, the camera performed adequately. Had to shade the display with my hand to see what I was recording because bright sun was coming over my shoulder.
Zoomed to the max, the pictures were not crystal sharp, but still adequate to record moments to share with others. With less zoom, the picture improved tremendously. Also used it indoors under florescent lighting to video a dog & handler performing an obedience routine. Again it was a bit fuzzy with the zoom wide open, but more than adequate for the person the study their performance.
It was hard to see much detail on playback when watching the small screen on the camera. However, hookup to a portable TV was easy with the included cables. Everyone watching was impressed with how well it performed, given the ease of use and price. Every time you stop the camera and restart it, it counts it as a "new video". You can easily scroll through these snippets and delete those as desired. When you start recording again it immediately puts the new video at the end of the previously recorded ones.
Integrated USB port allows easy hookup to computer for viewing. Have not yet tried saving on DVD. One hour of recording turns out to be a lot of time and the AA batteries seem to last a long time.
Dont expect miracles compared to what you get with more expensive cameras with full features, but its a great tool for capturing little moments for review or for sharing with friends and family.
On: 2007-01-09
I bought this camera for my nine year old daughter who wanted a video camera for Christmas. Not wanting to spend hundreds of dollars on a "real" cam corder, I stumbled across a review of this product in PC World magazine. I purchased it for her and she has had a blast playing with it ever since. For a small handheld device, the quality is outstanding. Its ease of operation is also a plus. I would recommend this to anyone in a similar situation.
On: 2007-01-04
Takes a good picture in low lighting.....I am impressed. Very simple to operate. Small enough to pop in a purse. Shows nice quality on the t.v. Only negative is that you hear the clicking of the zoom in and out, which is not awful for an inexpensive camera.
Downloaded easily to the computer. Just having a hard time copying to a disc, which we fear we may not be able to do....it might be only thru a retail dealer.....we are awaiting word from the PURE company. The instructions come with a coupon to have it put on a disc at a participating dealer.
On: 2006-12-31
This is great. Small, easy, quick. I have owned three camcorders since they first came out. 5 out of 10 times when I went to record, something went wrong. As a grandmother of two this is perfect. It truly is point and shoot.
On: 2006-12-30
Ive only had this thing for a day and find it to be great fun. It does exactly what it claims and is so easy to use. The picture quality on my monitor is excellent. The audio is good but not excellent. But then one shouldnt expect 5.1 surround sound from a built in mike on any device. But as for the picture quality, I have two desktops and a laptop and all three provide excellent quality. I have not tried to view videos on TV so I cannot comment on the quality when blown up. Initially I couldnt get the Point and Shoot to start automatically or find the icon in "My Computer" after having pluged in the USB connector. But after turning off Norton anti-virus, it came right up. (It may require a restart) This happens from time to time with some software, and this is one that may get blocked. If turning Norton or whatever antivirus you are using makes you nervous, unplug your network connection and then turn it off. Norton actually provides a timer which will turn itself back on after a specified amount of time.. in the event you forget. You can find this feature under "Options". Its a bit of a hassle but well worth the effort. I was in the market for a voice recorder for recording notes while in the car when I found this item. Having video capability as well as audio offers so much more for only a small increase in cost over a voice recorder. For example, if youre looking for an apartment, a car or even a computer, taking videos as you go will help you make a decision later after reviewing all of your options and, of course help eliminate guesswork later if you forget which car had which opition; which monitor goes with which computer, etc. The cost difference between this and a voice recorder turns out to minimal for what you get. For the money, I think this is a terrific product and would highly recommend it.
On: 2006-12-30
This is a minimal function video camera with MPEG-4 compression (good). The video quality is acceptable (good for price), and the microphone picks up fairly well but distorts in some instances. Internal memory only - no add-on cards, but 512Mb is quite sufficient. I dont like the built-in software but like to download the images to My Videos files and make movies with Windows Movie Maker adding sound, etc. We did this for Christmas and really enjoy the results. I doubt we would have made any videos with the old analog Sony. This device was so enjoyable, we didnt use our digicam enough. The diminutive size allowed us to take some candid shots of the grandkids, because it wasnt obvious to them that we were taking videos during conversations and in tight spaces. At this point, I would say that the Pure Digital camcorder is probably the best "snap-shot" video camera available. Just remember, youre taking spontaneous clips of events and not producing footage for the motion picture industry...and youre not overspending in the process.
PS Grandma is the cinematographer. I just put the clips together.
On: 2006-12-29
We just came back from our 2nd Christmas, our day after Christmas extended family gathering. We had so much fun taking and watching videos on our new little Pure Digital Camcorder that we didnt take any "powershots" with our Canon. Its not just fun and easy to take videos under any lighting conditions, playback is great, too! You can scroll through thumbnails of all the videos stored on your camera and either press play or delete. There are no interface cables and no software CD/Drivers because the software and USB interface is BUILT-IN! Simply pop-out the USB and plug it into any computer. The Pure Digital software automatically loads! Instead of wading through hours of tapes to try to find a special memory, videos are displayed in thumbnails. Just click on the video you want much like choosing the chapter you want on a DVD menu. You can watch, share (send to any email address) or make a DVD of your videos directly from your selections.
What other camcorder fits in your pocket?! What other device have you ever seen plug directly into your computer without the need of an interface cable?! What other device has the software built-in?! What other camcorder is this easy and fun to use?! NONE. Video playback on a standard definition TV is great. Lower light videos are grainier than those shot in daylight, just as with any camcorder. The video quality is 640x480 which is better than the quality on an iPod Video or a Microsoft Zune. Were thrilled.
On: 2006-12-29
My six-year-old got this for Christmas, and its amazing. Its easy to use, just point and shoot, with simple buttons for zooming in and out. Theres no waiting to charge up batteries, as it uses two regular AAs, which are easy to install. Playback is simple, and it only takes one cord to hook up to the TV. Hooking it up to the computer is a snap as well. Theres no software to download, you basically take it out of the box and go. I keep expecting some hassle to appear, but so far, its been great.
The quality of the picture is okay. If you are looking for high-quality, high-tech stuff, look elsewhere. But for something super simple that captures your memories at the spur of the moment, this pocket-size camera is the best!
On: 2006-12-29
First off, no the visual quality is not the best, but you should know that going in. Youre not going to spend 99-200 bucks and expect a great video quality, when Canon, Sony, etc are selling digital video cameras for 3 times that. However, what you may not expect is how well this product works, or how fun it is using it! I got it for Christmas and immediately started shooting video. 30 minutes, while it doesnt sound like a lot, is a great amount for capturing those little moments and being able to share them with friends and family. I mean lets be honest, were not making the 4th "Lord of the Rings" with this guy, right?
Expect it to be good quality - not excellent- but expect it to be easy to use, fun to use, and very reliable. Have fun!
On: 2006-12-29
My kids got this camera for Christmas, and I think I have had more fun with it than they have. It is as small as a pocket still picture camera. The videos are arrached in "chapters" each time you sto pand start, so going backward and forward to find the one you want is very easy. This is an AWESOME item for the price. The USB port is so easy to use. Great job!
On: 2006-12-27
Finally a simple video camera. No menus to worry about, no extra software to download. Works right out of the box, batteries included.
I own a Sony miniDV camera and its a pain to tranfer the videos using firewire to my PC so I can create DVDs. So I started shooting videos using my Canon SD 450 which is 30fps at 640x480. The pure digital is comparable in specs to the Canon minus the optical zoom (I wouldnt use digital zoom anyway). Plug into the USB port and it treats it like an external HD or you can run the software off the video camera. By having each file individually (vs miniDV transfer which the PC treats as one large file) you can create chapters when you make DVDs without having to separate the original file.
The quality of the video is very good when played back on the PC but when used with the included cable on a 32in Panasonic LCD TV it is not as clear which maybe because of the 640x480 resolution being enlarged (it does the same thing when played on PC with 1280x760 display at full screen. This is probably the best/cheapest point and shoot video camera on the market today. Highly recommended if you dont want to lug around a regular video camera and dont have the time/hardware to import it to the PC.
Cons: no optical zoom, 2xAAs wont last long so remember to bring extras, cant set date and time (was off by a few hours - no big deal)
On: 2006-12-27
Several years ago, our son began asking for the "Spiderman Video Camera", and he was given one that Christmas. The day after, we returned it for a full refund because it was so awful. He still asked constantly for one and this Point and Shoot came up in my Gold Box on Amazon. I bit my tongue and bought it. It was the best purchase I made this year, and we have 5 kids! I only wish that bigger, higher pixel video cams were this easy. This thing is fantastic. If you want something simple, good quaiity and HANDY, this beats all Ive ever seen. Even the sound recording is good. Im waiting for a 60 minute one to turn up in my Gold Box so I can get one for we grown-ups to use. If it broke today, we would have gotten our moneys worth. Computer/TV hookup is a breeze. Emailing video clips is a breeze. You gotta love it.
On: 2006-12-27
I bought this cute device for my 12 yr. old and he loves it. We have taken this to family gatherings and they are amazed about how small and ease of use. "Where did you get it and how much?" questions. We didnt have any problems at all downloading, videos were excellent. This beats toting around other v-cameras and for the price you will not have any regrets.We are buying one for ourselves. Besides who records more than 30 min. anyway.
On: 2006-12-26
I love the ease of use of this little camcorder. But is there something wrong with mine or do they all have that loud zoom sound upon playback? So when I use the zoom (in or out) while recording, the sound of the zoom upon playback dominates. So much so, I dont want to use the zoom at all while recording.
On: 2006-12-26
This item seems too good to be true, and it is. The resolution is awful on anything other that the built-in monitor. The USB hookup is short and rigid. It wont line up with the port on my macbook, and it hangs from the back of my imac. Something flexible would make a lot more sense for versatility and be less fragile. The shape is also completely non-ergonomic.
Youd think by the reviews that this was a miracle machine. Maybe Im less motivated to rate it highly as it was a gift. Be warned, its useful only if you dig watching video on a <2 inch monitor. Id return it if it werent a gift.
On: 2006-12-25
After reading the reviews of this camcorder, I decided to buy 2 of them for my grandchildrens Xmas present. They opened them tonight and had a great time playing with them. They are both 8 years old and it took them 10 seconds to learn how to use it. My grandson told me it was the BEST present hes ever gotten! Its amazing how simple the camera is to use and to view on the computer. I was so impressed tonight, that Ive just ordered one for ME! I am actually excited and cant wait to get it! The camera is so small and light, I plan on keeping it in my pocketbook so its always handy.
On: 2006-12-24
I got the camcorder today and I love it. Its really just as simple as the Amazon description says it is. Push the power button, push record and youre there. Push play and you can watch the video or delete and delete it. Thats it. The zoom isnt anything special but it works. The quality is REALLY surprising. Ive seen $4-500 camcorders have worse quality. Im very satisfied with this product. I just need to go buy some rechargeable AAs and Im good to go. I highly suggest buying this camcorder. Perfect for a teen in the house.
On: 2006-12-24
This is the easiest electronic device I have ever used in my life. The picture quality and sound is really good too. Before I bought this camcorder I never recorded anything because it was too much fuss. Now I record everything!
by: Anonymous On: 2006-12-22
Without looking at the instructions, Im able to record with this device immediately out of the box! The videos are clear and sharp and the sound quality is excellent! Even under a lamp I can make a nice video recording.
Plugging the Point-and-Shoot Camcorder into a computer (Windows XP) is easy. My computer recognizes the device as another harddrive so I simply drag and drop all my video recordings onto my laptop.
All the reviews are true. Its so simple even a kid can use it!!!
On: 2006-12-21
I got my Pure Digital camera today, and Ive already started shooting videos and posting them to an online video sharing site. It was super simple to do, and I really liked the user interface on the camera, as well as in the software that automatically launches when you plug the camera into your laptop. Im also impressed by the picture quality, even when I blew up the video to full size on my laptop. My 1GB camera holds an hour of video, its easy to use, and you get good quality image quality. What else can you ask for?
On: 2006-12-21
I love this little thing. Price point is so low that you can carry it everywhere without worry. It works flawlessly exactly as advertised. The little color screen is VERY bright, and very sharp. Software built-onto it makes it idiot proof; for novices its a no brainer; for tech junkies its tremendous fun, as simplistic and perfect a working gadget as you will ever find. If youve a little more skill, it lets you open up just like any flash memory drive, to just copy the avi files over to your computer. Quality is 640 x 480 and it really is very nice. Its auto-adjust circuitry for lighting conditions "on the fly" (while filming) actually works very well and adjusts quite rapidly while filming, and this includes relatively low lighting (in-home, at night, standard household lighting) as well as regular lighting, outdoors, day time. Sound quality is maybe a little tinny (mono) but really not bad at all, again, decent, better than decent; just not stereo hi-fi quality. Its small, easy to carry, 1-button operation to start and stop video; no special set up or accoutrements to carry around; works 10 seconds after you open the box (batteries pre-installed on mine - good alkaline no less, from Costco Dec. 06 purchase). So inexpensive it could be a high-end toy for a deserving kid; but any regular consumer can use it and love it and it is just great. Cant say enough about this thing, and Im a real tech junkie, ready to be tough on nuances and flaws that could be better. This just does not have any for what its meant to be.
On: 2006-12-21
I bought this camera after being very impressed with what appeared to be a very cool product: a lens attached to a 512 MB flash drive. Three buttons (on/off, play and record) and a zoom rocker; a USB connector flies out of the side... very clean design and a nice looking i-Pod-y shiny plastic housing. However, all four computers in my home would not recognize this device when attached (all 4 are Windows XP machines with at least 512 MB). I visited the website of the manufacturer but found nothing to help me in the way of drivers; all the FAQs referred to icons and elements that did not come up on any of my computers. I emailed their tech support on Sunday, immediately received an auto-generated reply, saying I would hear from someone within 24 hours of the next business day but have still heard nothing (this is Wednesday evening). So Im stuck with a brick that I can record 30 minute digital videos on and erase - maybe I could put them on VHS but as you can tell, Im not very happy (esp. with customer support).
Live and learn: if you buy one, I hope you have better luck than me!!!
I would have given it zero stars, but Amazon doesnt allow that - it really doesnt deserve one star.
On: 2006-12-20
*** Why choose this small gadget?
For the past couple of years, I took a lot of videos and produce quite some family DVDs. I have two camcorders, one with 1-CCD and one with 3-CCD. I have two seperate video lights to add light when taking video at low light conditions. I have two digital cameras that both can take video also. One of it can even zoom in/out during video taking mode (very few digital cameras support this feature). But this PSV-351 point-and-shoot camcorder still adds value to my collections.
For serious events, I use my 3-CCD camcorder with vidoe light (but, as you can see, its quite hassles.). But for daily life, I could use this PSV-351 point-and-shoot camcorder. This PSV-351 is so light and so easy-to-carry-around and very easy-to-use. I just bring it with me all the time. In terms of video quality, I tried it with various light conditions, with subject in various distances. Here are my assessments. (1) It tends to produce videos with more saturated colors. So, the vidoes looks more vivid and colorful. (2) It produces decent videos even in lower light conditions (compared with my other camcorders). Base on my experience, most of camera-based videos show better low-light performance. Not sure why. (3) Since the focus is fixed, its for sure the video image wont be sharp enough. But after couple of trials, you can figure out the best distance between you and the subject to create a more sharp vidoe images. My experience is around 5 feet. (4) The saved video is in AVI form, so virtuall any viode application software can take it.
These days, digital cameras price comes down faster than you believe. But for a digital camera with compact size, with the capability to take both video, audio together at 480x640 @ 30frame/sec, the price is still higher than this PSV-351. I got mine with $86 (Amazons daily special), after $20 rebate, my final cost is $66. For this price, I still could not find a competative digital camera. Good value. For the price that I paid and for the value that it provides, I give it 5 starts.
*** Costco endorsement ***
Costco store in my local area starts to carry this simple point-and-shoot camcorder also. Cocstos price is $89.99. Costco has a very very generous return policy (this is very important issue for people buying computer, camera, camcorder, and other electronic stuff). They carry prodcuts with decent quality and good value to prevent overwhelming returns. I am pleased with this little camcorder.
*** Low-light video performance ***
I did an apple-to-apple video comparison between this simple point-and-shoot PSV-351 camcorder and my 3CCD Panasonic camcorder under low-light condition (inside my living room with a 300W floor lamp). I am very impressed that the PSV-351 produces far more better vidoe than my Panasonic 3CCD camcorder. As I pointed out in my previous review, camera-based camcorder (like this PSV-351) tends to produces better videos for low-light conditions. But I am just surprised to see this PSV-351 such a good performance in low-light conditon.
*** Video editing ***
This PSV-351 stores the video in mpeg-4 form. Most Video editing software can handle the mpeg-4 format video. If you like to edit the mpeg-4 video but your PC is not that powerful, you may want to convert the mepg-4 vidoe into DV-format first (against, most video editing software can do this).
On: 2006-12-18
This camera is the most useful video camera for ease of use and sharing with family and friends. I have a high dollar JVC mini-DV that I never use now, because it is too much of a pain to upload a clip to share. You can even group several small clips to make a movie set to music. The best part is all the movies are stored easily on any digital media for years of safekeeping without worry heat or magnetic damage to a tape.
Well done to Pure Digital for creating a camera that will actually get its use.
On: 2006-12-14
I got this camera a few months ago and cant stop using it. I have a $1,000 camera from JVC and now only use this camera. It is the best camera I have ever used in my life.
I love how simple it is. I can carry it around whereever I go and use it with the kids or out and about. I LOVE IT!!!
If you are thinking of getting a video camera, this is what you should get. The quality is great and it is small enough to carry around. And if for some reason you lose it, it is only $100!
Get one now!!! I love it!
On: 2006-12-10
I never bought a camcorder before because they were big and bulky and I | | |
