Hands-on shots of Creative's Vado HD 720p pocket camcorder

Creative's recently unleashed Vado HD 720p pocket camcorder isn't dramatically different (design wise, anyway) than its predecessor, but it's obviously what's tucked inside that counts. Still, we have to admire the subtle but meaningful updates that Creative has applied here, and while beauty will strike everyone differently, we personally like the direction the Vado HD has taken. For a few more looks, saunter on down to the read link.

[E. Leigh @ Dec 9th 2008 10:36AM]

I like how citizen journalism is going high-def - everyone's embarrassment should be high-def!

[Andad @ Dec 9th 2008 11:50AM]

Does this mean I have to put up with another funniest home videos series..... Whats better than man hit in the junk with wiffle ball bat by 5 yr old son? Man in the junk with wiffle ball bat by 5 yr old son in HD!!!

[pito189 @ Dec 9th 2008 2:22PM]

You have to put up with more of "Hey Jim watch this!".... pain....

[Kris120890 @ Dec 9th 2008 10:39AM]

Still too pricey.

[lpppppl @ Dec 9th 2008 10:42AM]

The lens is still too... streamlined.

Should hire an apple designer

[Ray @ Dec 9th 2008 10:50AM]

Now stuff a cellular radio in that bad boy and we're talking!

[Ralph @ Dec 9th 2008 10:53AM]

Very Fartworthy, I have picked one up.

[StalematE @ Dec 9th 2008 1:07PM]

but what if you can't fart like that guy bill?

[Salman R @ Dec 9th 2008 10:56AM]

I hate to say this, but that looks like a KIRF.

[Ethan @ Dec 9th 2008 11:02AM]

At least it won't turn into a megapixel war like with still cameras. One manufacturer will do the whole "Full HD" thing and then they'll run out of gimmicks to plunder and will have to focus on quality again.

[RemDX @ Dec 9th 2008 12:24PM]

I need a full review. Right now I'm either buying a return ticket from San Diego or a vado hd and taking a road trip instead. Wanna know what I'm buying and if it'll be worth it!

[Han Choi @ Dec 9th 2008 12:48PM]

Its probably not better than a full-featured 1080p camcorder that I got for $1000. Also video quality of this pocket camcorder is questionable.

[RemDX @ Dec 9th 2008 1:22PM]

Yeah, but you can't get one for $200 can you now?

[Dan @ Dec 9th 2008 1:27PM]

Translated: "its probably not better than my camera that cost 800 dollars more"

filed under: duh

[jalapeno @ Dec 9th 2008 1:03PM]

I found a bunch of videos on vimeo taken with the Vado, looks nice!

http://www.vimeo.com/videos/search:vado

[Danny @ Dec 9th 2008 1:20PM]

Could you please post a picture before it was blended?

[Jason @ Dec 9th 2008 3:00PM]

I don't know exactly what people are expecting for $200. 10X optical zoom lens as good as on a $600 full blown HD camcorder? 32GB RAM and 8 hour battery life so your lazy ass never has to charge it or offload the vids?

And some of you clowns want this thing to do all of the above and sell for $50.

This unit should produce some very good video but I am waiting on a full review to see how well the onboard software, etc, works before ordering it. Obviously it's not going to perform as well as a full blown HD camcorder but this costs less than 1/2 as much, and is small enough to take everywhere.

[Wwhat @ Dec 9th 2008 3:30PM]

I like how they boast it has especially good low-light capabilities, and they even give numbers, I'm reeally curious how that turns out when the tests come out.

[Information Central @ Dec 10th 2008 1:20AM]

"10X optical zoom lens"

Zoom generally isn't worth a rat's ass; the marketing success of this function has to be one of the more depressing examples of consumer stupidity. The main problem with all these cameras, both still and motion, is the lack of WIDE ANGLE. Most of the time, you're shooting indoors or in your back yard, or in some other relatively close quarters trying to get the entire scene or group in. You're not out there birdwatching with a hand-held camcorder; and if you were, you'd need a tripod anyway to make use of 10X zoom. Multiply the number of people buying these things by the percentage of people carrying a tripod around and then by the percentage of people who are filming distant objects... and you get an extreme minority.

Insist on decent WIDE ANGLE.

[Information Central @ Dec 10th 2008 1:23AM]

Thanks, but those are all recompressed, and thus don't really prove much.

All we need are a few sample files right out of the camera. It would have taken less time to shoot half a minute of video and post it than write up this lame "hands on", and would have been immensely more useful.

[Don @ Dec 14th 2008 7:08PM]

The Creative Vado HD has a number of advantages over the Flip Mino HD.
I. Twice the memory for 2 hours of HD video.
2. An HDMI (and RCA as well) connector with an included standard HDMI cable.
3. A user replaceable battery so you can charge 2 (or more).
4. A 2" LCD as compared to a 1.5"LCD on the Flip Mino HD.
5. Included skin case.

[Clayton @ Dec 21st 2008 11:03PM]

What do you guys think of the Aiptek Action? I just got one a couple of weeks ago and have liked it so far. It has it's flaws, but for $149 you can't complain too much.

It has the optical zoom lens and it shoots 1080p and 720p 60 frames per second.
And it uses a component out cable to plug into your HDTV.
You can plug in a 32 GB SD card too (what about the Flip and the Vado?)
Also has a user replaceable battery.
2.4 inch LCD

I like that it has an AV-in function too, so I can download videos directly from my DVD player.

Here it is at Walmart.com: http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=9208238