Aiptek Pocket DV4500 multipurpose MPEG4 video camera
By Dan Wu 
posted November 9th 2004 2:26PM
posted November 9th 2004 2:26PM
Maybe the name Aiptek doesn't exactly equal quality, but it does equal inexpensive, and their
latest is the Pocket DV4500, a low-cost $150 multipurpose video camera that encodes video in MPEG-4 format, while also
doubling as a 2 megapixel digital camera (which interpolates up to 4 megapixels). This small handheld unit utilizes SD
memory cards for storage (up to 512MB), doubles as an MP3 player, has a 1.5-inch LCD screen, and is powered by just 2
AA batteries.
[Thanks, James]
Very, very nice model!
Limited to 512 max. cards, what is the point of that? There are 2 gig cards coming out soon. Why limit a video recorder to less than a cd's worth of data?
Did u'r website crash today????? looks like its been under heavy load today.
What's up with where it says it can be used as a removable hard disk with SD/MMC reader? Does it have a builtin hard drive because I couldn't seem to find that anywhere. Odd feature if it doesnt...
yeah, methinks weblogsinc.com is being hit hard.
You can use larger than 512mb cards. I read an article by someone who used a 1gb in theirs, and it worked just fine.
Can anyone tell me if these mpeg4 cameras are useful on OS X? Are they recognized as a USB mass storage device, so I could just drag the movies off, or do you have to use the Windows-only software?
This is a great product only if you want to use it during the day. It does not work will during low light conditions.
Gateway had a model that had very similar if not exactly the same specs. It kinda sucked. . .
It behaves like a portable, USB hard drive through the SD Card. You plug it in, and it is detected as a removeable hard drive. In OSX, it gets read as a storage device. Drag and dropability all through the OS, no proprietary hardware.
Would be perfect for a kid, reminds me of a modern version of the Fisher Price camcorder that came out the in 80s.
A possible answer to the OS X question: We have a similar camera, the Mustek DV4000 (http://www.mustek.com/html/prod_camra/dv4000.html). It connects via USB to our Mac just fine, and we can drag the files off (native format is MPEG-2 in an .asf file). However they are not playable or convertable to another format on our Mac; they won't even play in Windows Media Player. The specs for our camera list Direct X as a requirement to play the files, and I notice the same thing for this Aiptek model. That to me is the caveat; Windows Media Player for OS X doesn't like files that require Direct X. Our current method is to use 3rd party software to convert the file to .avi on a PC, then we can open it in QuickTime on our Mac.
Please verify on www.rimax.net
They have same product from 1 year, and new one with 3 Mpixeli.
And this product works with this http://www.rimax.net/products.asp?id=67
Ok I really want one of these but my life is on the mac and I want a direct way to drag the files and be able to edit them in quicktime but it sound like I'm going to have to use windows as a work around whic I dont want. And for the same price as a 512 card and camera for the same price as a used minidv. But I want the pocketability and spontaneous pics and clips. Is there a conversion tool for the video for the mac?
This cameras excellent (I upgraded from the pocket cam X)with all its features and for what I do (Im freshman in college), this thing rocks. I have alot of my songs on the 512mb mmc, and the fit and finish is suprising for the price. Pictures are very good (even at 4MP interp) Video quality is outstanding for email or sending clips to friends. It seems that alot of ppl expect industry professionalism from low priced products they buy (no matter what it is) and then are dissapointed and upset when its not. For the price this little cam/corder cant be beat (and it looks the best out of all the cams that resemble it in its price bracket). As far as macs go..I have a G5 along with an alienware PC, and it is drag and drop whatever files on both machines. It is recognized as a removable disk and will actually show 2 drives if you have a mem card in there (onboard mem., plus removable mem.). And a word of advice: Use Energizer e2 Lithium batteries. They last forever in this camera, as opposed to like 45 min. with normal alkalines. Thats my 2cents..enjoy a great camera.
This cameras excellent (I upgraded from the pocket cam X)with all its features and for what I do (Im freshman in college), this thing rocks. I have alot of my songs on the 512mb mmc, and the fit and finish is suprising for the price. Pictures are very good (even at 4MP interp) Video quality is outstanding for email or sending clips to friends. It seems that alot of ppl expect industry professionalism from low priced products they buy (no matter what it is) and then are dissapointed and upset when its not. For the price this little cam/corder cant be beat (and it looks the best out of all the cams that resemble it in its price bracket). As far as macs go..I have a G5 along with an alienware PC, and it is drag and drop whatever files on both machines. It is recognized as a removable disk and will actually show 2 drives if you have a mem card in there (onboard mem., plus removable mem.). And a word of advice: Use Energizer e2 Lithium batteries. They last forever in this camera, as opposed to like 45 min. with normal alkalines. Thats my 2cents..enjoy a great camera.
I bought one (actually 3, 2 for gifts) this morning and very happy with it so far. Even more impressive is that Target is selling them in their $88 range. It was a bargain before, but at $88, how could you not?
does anyone know if this camera can plug into your laptop and record things onto your laptop while you are actually in the process of recording?
Yes, if you intstall the "DV 2500" software that comes with the camera. Allows you to hook the camera to a laptop via USB, then you can do live "previews" and make .avi's directly on the laptop. You can even make .bmp "snapshots", using this same software. But you lose control of the camera itself while connected, no zooming etc. BTW I just bought mine yesterday at Target for $88. A fantastic little toy, which I plan to take to the Canadian Rockies for recording my skiing adventures. No worries if it accidently gets smashed :-)
OK, my wife HATES any techno stuff. She sees this camera and MP3 player at Target for $88.00, gets it for my 14yr old, opens it to look at it and now she is going to keep it!! She loves that fact that she can swap SDs with anyone, keep files on the thing and take pics anytime she wants. OK, the pictures nothing fancy but she found that with a little focus ring tweaking and putting it on a table when shooting in delay... great pics!
It may be a toy, but now I want one and I have a pro-sumer Fugi s3 pro!
Santa has a question!
"Those elves just don't make very good quality cameras - something about all that glue and singing. So this year I bought one of these at Target for a special teen-ager... Santa needs to know what kind of card do I get for it? will any "SD" work?"
Hello Everyone,
My comments about this pocket DV-camra is:
For the price & the extras its great!
I like the little tri-pod my self.
I'll be using it for my Web-pages.
Hello Everyone,
My comments about this pocket DV-camra is:
For the price & the extras its great!
I like the little tri-pod my self.
I'll be using it for my Web-pages.
I've used the pocketcamX for almost a year now with my Macintosh Powerbook. Getting the pictures or video dowloaded to the Mac via USB is NO problem. (because MACINTOSHs' RULE!!!) However, AIPTEK are a bunch of BOZOS because they haven't made drivers FOR the MAC. LOSERS! So, one cannot utilize all of the features ,particularly, the web cam. WEAK! I've repeatedly emailed for support ,too no avail.
Does anyone know a work around for this??? email: whalenmajor@yahoo.com if so. AIPTEK! Get WITH IT!
Dear Santa, (Dec. 06) Any "SD" card will work on it if it takes "SD". The new SDs even are available in Gigabytes. For most people thats alot so don't feel too bad if you can only afford the smaller ones. The 128's will hold enough pictures to do the job. Surprisingly, the 128s will do alot of the video as well. The 256's or 512's would definitely suffice. For a novice anything bigger might make organizing a mess. (too many pictures/ video stored and somehow they get erased/lost)
I am interested in buying a portable digital audio recorder, something I can take with me to record ideas for stories (I'm a writer), interviews or just conversations with friends. This says it doubles as an audio recorder and I like the fact that it can also takes video and pictures. Can anyone tell me how they liked using the audio part of this device?
To view the video from the camera on the Mac OS X you can download VideoLan (www.videolan.org) but there is still no way to convert it with a mac. So anyone intrested in a Mac way to get all the features from this camera? Maybe Aiptek will listen.
I am anxiouse to recieve one of these for christmas from my girlfreind. She showed me what she was going to get and I thought that it was nice to ask instead of getting crap. Though, not to hurt anyone, she sleeps as I reasearch. I haven't found much, but this site was the most indepth review I have yet located. I am concerned about the picture quality, I mean 4 meg means that it should be comparible to at least a 5x7 35mm print right? I like the idea that it has a focus ring! Well, I will definately add my two cents when it comes in. I shall also put photo's on my webpage for all to see the quality, for I know there are those who are as curiouse as I am, especially for the price.
Hey everybody I got this camera for christmas and it rocks! The pictures are great but this camera is only a 3.1 megapixel camera, Aiptek lied. The video is ok if you play on a little screen and don't zoom in because then it gets really blurry. The voice recorder is great. The mp3 player is the only problem. I've tried to put mp3 files on my camera and it works and shows up but all of a sudden it locks up and you can't do anything, not even turn it off! You have to remove the batteries! Look it's a great camera for the cheap price but if anybody can help me or has the same problem send me an email at Guitar22891@hotmail.com
I got this camera for Christmas, its great. Just one problem I have with it, in dark environments, the strobe washes everything out. Is there a setting?
Hey this camera is great but I have a problem. The Mp3 player locks up and doesn't play my mp3 files. Does someone know what to do?
Hi, Everyone. I got a problem with my DV4500. Whenever I listen to the music using MP3 player through earphones, I got lots of background noise, very annoying. But its own speaker is fine, without so much noise.I tried different earphones, it is still there. Did anyone get the same problem before? What is your suggestion. Thanks in advance.
one thing to say, peice of crap
All you mac heads get with it. Any company that changes their operating system every couple of years such that all software needs to be completely redeveloped doesn't deserve to have any developed for it - and they won't. These devices provide excellent value for the price. I own three (now on the PVDR - 3MP native w/ VGA video recorder, MP3, digital video zoom, image stabilization). I abuse them (helmet cam mountain biking Moab) and they keep on ticking. They get a bit rough and I yearn for the new features so I buy the next version and use the old one for the most severe applications (put it in a ziplock for the fish cam). GREAT PRODUCTS.
for the noise when using mp3's have u tried downloading new ones?? i'v made a playlist on my computer which i think have better quality sound than ur average mp3's (without the noises and all).. so if i were u, i would try choosing better mp3 files before actually putting it in ur device comprendey???!!
Alright I'm young and looking for a kool present for christmas....my friend has one of these and i like the quality of his videos...so I'm just wondering if this is something that is worth it...I mean like..does it break easily?Well my main purpose is to film skate videos...so please tell me if this is worth buying and using it as an outdoor camera?
I'm really excited to get this camera, but I have some questions. My friend has a Aiptek Pocket 3100 and I think it's really tight. I like the design of this one better than the 3100 but I like the look of the Fidelity 3100 too. Which one should I get? Is the resolution of the pictures really that much better on the 4500, or are they charging more just for the mp3 player capabilty? One more thing, I'm a mac user... will the vids I record be compatible?
Some answers of interest to Mac users:
I have a DV4100 rather than a DV4500 but I think the info will be equally helpful.
You can indeed get access to the device through the included USB cable. You can, of course also just take the card out and put it in a card reader.
VLC Media Player will play the clips. This is an excellent open source freeware application and is, in some ways, better than Quicktime.
I haven't tried it yet but you can probably convert the videos to other formats using Ffmpeg.