I Review Electronics

Pure Digital Camcorder Introduction
This revolutionary new video camcorder is the easiest way to capture and share your memories. This everyday camcorder runs on AA batteries and comes with enough internal memory to capture 30 minutes of video (512MB built in), eliminating the hassle of more expensive, cumbersome alternatives.

Pure Digital Camcorder Design
A compact, affordable, easy-to-use solution for creating and sharing high quality home movies. Pure Digital’s new camcorder allows anyone to easily record and share their memories with just the push of a button. It is the ideal easy-to-carry choice for capturing memories of family vacations, beach trips, weddings and much more. (4.1 x 1.3 x 2.3; 0.3 pounds).

Pure Digital Camcorder Features
Pure Digital Point and Shoot Camcorder features 2x digital zoom; 1.4 inch color playback screen Instant playback, review and delete features On-board software for simple viewing, sharing and archiving videos Video upload, sharing and free hosting options with Google Video and Grouper Networks Simple email functions and video greeting cards powered by Grouper Networks Home movies can be viewed instantly on TV or PC For DVD processin.

Pure Digital Camcorder Performance
The camcorder has a one-touch recording which you can easily playback or delete, has a zoom in and out feature and holds up to as long as 30 minutes. PSV-351 directly connects to any TV or PC where you can save and watch the videos to share to friends and families. It has a built-in software that allows you to send videos via e-mail. The DVD component of the camcorder also allows you to create personalized greetings in video form, which you can also email.

Whats included in the package
Pure Digital PSV-351 with built-in USB arm, manual, AA batteries, carrying case, and TV cable.

Conclusion
Its compact size, ease of use, and unique sharing features ensure you’ll never miss another special moment.

JVC Everio GZMG21 Introduction
Imagine putting a hard drive in a camcorder case that can record hours upon hours of video, no more need to switch out a tape or a DVD. Imagine that camcorder is small–really small, about the size of a large fist. It’s light, too, weighing less than 14 ounces with its battery. Well, the product is the JVC Everio GZMG21 20GB HDD Digital Media Camcorder.

JVC Everio GZMG21 Design
The Everio looks like any other camcorder, but smaller and easier to use. It has a strap handle on the right side, a flip-out LCD on the left side, the battery pack in the back. The bottom side of the camera holds a tripod mount and a Secure Digital card slot. Since the camcorder uses a hard drive rather than tapes or DVDs, the entire case is solid, with no pop-out door for video media as in most camcorders. 5.8 x 7.7 x 7.3 inches.

JVC Everio GZMG21 Features
With a high-capacity 1.8-inch hard disk drive built into a compact body that weighs-in at less than 1 pound, Everio G camcorders are the perfect companion to record your moving and still memories. Its onboard 20GB hard drive can record as much as 25 hours of video at the lowest quality or 4.5 hours of video at the highest setting. Its 680,000-pixel CCD works with an image-stabilized 32X optical zoom lens. The GZ-MG21 can shoot both standard 4:3 and wide-screen 16:9 video. The 2.5-inch LCD is nice and bright.

JVC Everio GZMG21 Performance
Once you record video to the camcorder’s hard drive, you can transfer it to a computer via a USB 2.0 connection. The video uses standard MPEG-2 encoding format, although you’ll have to rename the .mod file extensions to .mpg so that many players will recognize them.

Whats included in the package
GZ-MG21 Everio camcorder, AC power adapter, BN-VF707 rechargeable battery pack, AV cable, USB cable, remote control, shoulder strap, lens cap, and user’s manual.

Conclusion
Just keep on shooting, because the built-in large capacity hard drive easily stores hours and hours of your video inside a lightweight compact camcorder. Plus shoot thousands of digital still images. So whether you’re at home or on the go, you’ll always be ready to record or playback your memories.

Sony DCR-SR100 Camcorder Introduction

The compact Sony DCR-SR100 30 GB Handycam Camcorder represents a breakthrough in digital home recording. With a 30 gigabyte hard disk drive that stores hours of video and hundreds of high-quality stills, a 10x optical/120x digital zoom, a built-in microphone that allows you to record in Dolby Digital 5.1ch surround sound, and many other features you’d only expect to find in the hands of professionals, Sony’s DCR-SR100 will turn your home videos into instant classics ready for the big screen.

Sony DCR-SR100 Camcorder Design

The Sony Handycam DCR-SR100 is designed around the its long, wide 10X zoom lens and the 2.7-inch-wide touch-screen LCD; it’s horizontal, barrel-oriented camcorder, that’s odd looking but not unattractive. It is quite solid and comfortable to hold–not too heavy at 1.3 pounds–but it’s big enough to require a carrying case. (3.17 x 2.7 x 5.87 inches / 80.5 x 68.5 x 149 millimeters).

Sony DCR-SR100 Camcorder Features

It records directly to a hard drive! Its 30GB drive can store as much as 440 minutes of high-quality video, 1,250 minutes of low-quality video, or 10,000 3-megapixel still images. You can play the video directly on a TV via the bundled composite cable or copy the files to your PC; the camcorder mounts as a hard drive via a USB 2.0 connection.

Sony DCR-SR100 Camcorder Performance

At the heart to the DCR-SR100 is a 3.0-megapixel, 1/3-inch advanced Hole Accumulation Diode (HAD) CCD with a total of 2048 megapixels. Add to this the camcorder’s professional-quality Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar lenses with advanced optical multi-layer coating, and the result will be some of the finest video performance you’ll find in any camcorder device. The multi-coated lenses mean that your videos won’t suffer from unwanted glare and flare that lesser quality optics give you.

What’s included in the package

DCR-SR100 camcorder, power adapter/in-camera charger, InfoLithium rechargeable battery, remote commander remote control, AV cable (stereo), software, USB cable.

Conclusion

There’s a lot to like about the Sony’s DCR-SR100′, from its fast power-up, its responsive zoom operation, and generally zippy autofocus. The camcorder begins recording within a second of pressing record and imposes only minor shutter lag when shooting still photos. The autofocus and autoexposure adjust quickly to changes in subject, illumination, or zoom. It is one of the highest rated products from Sony.

Overall Rating
Design
Features
Performance

Now that Sony has perfected the art of DVD camcorders, Sony is now entering the hard-drive camcorder market with its Sony DCR SR100 digital video camera, its very first try at HD camcorders. The DCR-SR100 is the first competitor to JVC’s Everio models, the unrivaled leader in HD digital video cameras.

Sony DCR SR100 Design

Width 3.2 in
Depth 5.9 in
Height 2.7 in
Weight 1.3 lbs

Sony DCR SR100 Features

Camcorder Sensor Resolution: 3.3 Mpix
Camcorder Effective Video Resolution: 2 Mpix
Camcorder Effective Still Resolution: 3.0 Mpix
Optical Sensor Type: Advanced HAD CCD
Optical Sensor Size: 1/3″
Shooting Programs: Spotlight, sunset & moon, landscape, portrait mode, beach & ski, super night mode, sports lesson
Special Effects: Sepia, Mosaic, Pastel, Monotone, Old Movie, Luminance Key
Digital Scene Transition: Wipe fader, overlap fader, white fader, black fader
Image Stabilizer: Electronic (Super Steady Shot)
Digital Storage Media: Hard disk drive - 30 GB
Lens Type: Zoom lens - 5.1 mm - 51 mm - f/1.8-2.9

Sony DCR SR100 Performance

The most notable feature of the SR100 is the 30GB hard drive of course. But this device also features a large (1/3 in.) image sensor, a 2.7″ LCD display (widescreen, touch-panel) and does come with a built-in flash/accessory shoe. Lets not forget that digital video cameras can take pictures too, and this DCRSR100 can snap 3 megapixel stills. The lens is a professional quality Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T lens. The audio is Dolby 5.1, which is the same as high-end DVD digital video cameras. 10x optical and 120x digital zoom.

Whats included in the package

Sony Handycam DCR-SR100
A/V cable
USB cable
Power adapter
1 x Li-ion rechargeable battery

Conclusion

Considering this camera sells for just over a thousand, the 10x optical is weak, other cameras in this price range have 12x optical zoom. A good feature is the SR100’s integrated data buffering and shock-absorption technology to prevent video loss if the camera gets jolted. The SR100 also makes editing video easy, not leaving you with cumbersome tapes or unchangeable discs as a final product. The hard drive can hold between 400 and 1200 minutes of video, depending on the quality so there’s no need to keep buying MiniDV tapes.

Overall Rating
Design
Features
Performance

The PV-GS400 is a great camcorder which produces truly stunning video both in normal and low light. In addition to its excellent image, the PV-GS400 offers a great four-way hybrid ring for controlling focus, zoom, shutter and iris. When you throw in additional manual control, audio control, a great zoom controller and 4 Mega Pixel stills, the PV-GS400 offers better value than any other consumer camcorder on the market today.

Panasonic PV-GS400 Design

The Panasonic PV-GS400 has the classic Handycam-style layout and a high-quality metallic-silver finish. It measures 3 inches high, 3 inches wide, and 7 inches deep and weighs 1.5 pounds. The Panasonic PV-GS400 offers the usual assortment of ports: composite A/V and S-Video, USB, and FireWire. The external-mic jack is essential for recording high-quality audio, and it doubles as a jack for the included MagicWire wired remote, a clever handheld mic that includes buttons to stop and start recording and control the zoom. The A/V port also doubles as a headphone jack.

Panasonic PV-GS400 Features

12x optical zoom with optical stabalizer.
700x digital zoom
Allows manual controls over these features: Focus, exposure, shutter speed, aperture, white balance, mic sensitivity
Leica Dicomar lens
Tape Format: MiniDV
Still Photo Resolution: 2288 x 1728 pixels
LCD Features: The Panasonic PV-GS400 is equipped with a 3.5 inch LCD, larger than previous Panasonic GS models. The LCD screen can be rotated 180 degrees.
The GS-400’s viewfinder can also be extended and angled about 45 degrees. A dioptric adjustment slider is located on the underside of the viewfinder.

Panasonic PV-GS400 Performance

The heart of the Panasonic PV-GS400 is its three-chip imaging system. Each chip is 1/4.7 inch in size, relatively large for a consumer camera, and has a whopping megapixel of resolution, which accounts for the camera’s excellent wide-screen performance and decent still-picture capabilities.

What’s included in the package

* Panasonic PV-GS400 MiniDV camcorder
* CGA-DU14 li-ion battery
* AC Adapter / Battery charger
* Wired and wireless remote controls
* Lens cap w/retaining strap
* Shoulder strap
* A/V cable
* USB cable
* CD-ROMs with MotionDV Studio, SD Viewer, USB and Video Stream drivers, and ArcSoft PhotoSuite
* 101 page manual

Conclusion

This camera is great, the only negative feature found is it’s relatively short battery life. The small battery may only last about an hour of actual usage. The MSRP of this Panasonic PV GS400 is $1,499 however the street price is at about a thousand dollars at this moment.

Overall Rating
Design
Features
Performance

A new product that’s hot in the market right now is Linksys’ wireless-g IP camera. With its’ compact design and sleek look it’s no surprise this $100 IP camera is gaining popularity. The Linksys wireless-g camera sends high-quality live video to your network wirelessly - viewable from Windows PCs anywhere in the world. The security mode can be enabled which will automatically send email alerts with video clips upon motion detection and supports up to four simultaneous remote users.

Linksys Compact Wireless G Internet Video Camera Details

Product Weight: 2.0 pounds
Item model number: WVC54GC

Linksys Compact Wireless G Internet Video Camera Features

The Linksys Compact Wireless-G Internet Video Camera sends live video through the Internet to a web browser anywhere in the world. This compact, self-contained unit lets you keep track of your home, your kids or your workplace. Unlike standard web cams that require an attached PC, this Linksys IP Internet Video Camera contains its own web server, so it can connect directly to a network, either over Wireless-G (802.11g) networking, or over 10/100 Ethernet cable. The SoloLink domain service (trial sign-up included) lets you access your camera using an easy-to-remember “name”, even if your home Internet connection uses a dynamic IP address. You can also turn on Security Mode, which tells the camera to send a message with a short video attached to up to three email addresses whenever it detects motion in its field of view. You can then log onto the live video stream if the situation warrants. The included Viewer & Recorder utility lets you record the audio/video stream to your local hard drive, “live” or on a pre-determined schedule.

Linksys Compact Wireless G Internet Video Camera Performance

The advanced MPEG-4 video compression produces a high-quality, high-frame rate, up to 320×240 video stream. The Compact Internet Video Camera’s unique form-factor and wireless connectivity allows you to mount it on a wall nearly anywhere, or slip it into its included stand for desktop use. Once it’s connected to your home network, you can “see what it sees” from any Windows-based PC in the house, while the video stream is secured from the outside world, hidden behind your Router. If you want the video to be visible from outside your home network, you can open an appropriate port on the Router, and then create password protected accounts to manage access to the camera, or leave it wide open for the world to see.

What’s included in the package

Compact Wireless-G Internet Video Camera
Camera Stand/Wall Mount
Power Adapter
Ethernet Network Cable
Setup CD-ROM with User Guide
User Guide on CD

Conclusion

Several users of this security camera have complained about the dark resolution in low-light conditions. Other complaints are that the product gets extremely hot - so hiding it in a box wouldn’t be a good idea. Finally, some buyers of this product could not connect it to their WEP-enabled wireless network. For these reasons, I Review Electronics cannot recommend this Linksys Wireless-G Internet Video Camera.

Overall Rating
Design
Features
Performance

Canon’s ZR-300 MiniDV combines advanced technology and ease of use to ensure that videos and photos are preserved with spectacular color, clarity and detail. This camcorder doubles as a still camera, and with Microsoft Messenger, also works as a Web cam. Convert your analog video to digital by recording it onto a MiniDV tape, or connecting the camcorder to a PC with the USB or DV port.

Canon ZR300 MiniDV Camcorder Design

Device Type: Digital
Weight: 15.2 oz
Media Compatibility: Mini DV
Viewfinder: 0.33-in TFT Color
Optical Zoom: 22x
Digital Zoom: 440x
Focus Adjustment: Automatic, Manual
Microphone: Electret Condenser - Stereo
Display: 2.4-in Color TFT

Canon ZR300 MiniDV Camcorder Features

The ZR300 camcorder can record high-resolution 16:9 video. Unlike camcorders which only record a vertically stretched picture, Canon’s ZR300 uses the full width of the CCD, filling the entire screen with crisp, high-quality images. For added convenience, the LCD screen shows the image in letterbox style, so you know exactly how your image will appear on TV. The ZR300 22x optical zoom lens delivers superb definition and contrast, taking full advantage of the DV format. The camcorder has a 440x digital zoom, extending the camcorder’s magnification, which reveals details too small to see with the naked eye. The high quality image stabilization system corrects camera shake instantly, giving you smooth, stable pictures. It enables you to record shake-free images, even on long telephoto shots without a tripod.

Canon ZR300 MiniDV Camcorder Performance

Now you don’t have to miss out on capturing the perfect photo while shooting the perfect video. That’s because the ZR300 has the ability to take high-resolution XGA quality (1024 x 768 pixel) digital photos onto a memory card while recording video. The secret behind Canon’s renowned video and photo image quality is the DIGIC DV system. DIGIC DV utilizes two different color techniques to maximize video quality for viewing on TVs and still image quality for print or computer display.

Whats included in the package

ZR300 Camcorder, Battery Pack , Compact Power Adapter, Stereo Video Cable, Wide Angle Lens Attachment, Wireless Controller, 8MB SD Memory Card, USB Cable, DIGITAL VIDEO SOLUTION DISK for Windows, DIGITAL VIDEO SOLUTION DISK for Macintosh.

Conclusion

The ZR300 camcorder is the ideal choice for chronicling the many chapters of your life.

Overall Rating
Design
Features
Performance

What an innovative idea. Put a 30GB hard drive inside a digital video camera! No more worrying about running out of tape or filling up your flash memory card while capturing video or images! That’s exactly what JVC has done with their Everio GZ-MG70 digital media camera. With the ability to capture both still and video images.

JVC Everio GZ-MG70 Design

The GZ-MG70 has a 30 GB hard disk, is truly palm-sized, and weighs less than 14 ounces with the battery attached. Its design is similar to a MiniDV camcorders, which means that it’s comfortable to hold and operate, and it includes a large, 2.5-inch flip-out LCD monitor for easy recording. Playback is easy, too, with multiple connections allowing convenient TV playback; dubbing to a VCR or DVD recorder; transfer to a PC or Apple Macintosh for DVD creation, editing, or posting on the Internet; or even burning directly without a PC to a full-length movie DVD disc using an optional DVD burner.

JVC Everio GZ-MG70 Features

12 megapixel CCD for high-quality digital stills of up to uXGA (1600×1200) image size
Over 7 hours of recording with 30GB internal hard disk drive (ultra mode) at DVD movie quality
Up to 37 hours of recording with 30GB internal hard disk drive (eco mode)
High-quality MPEG-2-ps video recording
4 selectable digital still image sizes (1600×1200, 1280×960, 1024×768, 640×480)
Info button for one-touch confirmation of free hard disk drive space and remaining battery power.
10x optical zoom
200x digital zoom
2.5-inch amorphous silicon color LCD

JVC Everio GZ-MG70 Performance

When you are on the go, vacationing or at a family event, pack your lightweight Everio and go. Long recording time and easy to use features in a palm-sized device, plus no cassettes or discs to lose. The built-in hard disk drive allows you to easily delete unwanted scenes and rearrange your footage even on the go. This Everio’s multi-connectivity allows you to get connected and share all your memories.

Whats included in the package

Everio GZ-MG70, AC power adapter/battery charger, rechargeable battery pack (BN-VF707, 700mAh), AV cable, USB cable, remote control, shoulder strap, grip belt, lens cap, software CD-ROM (USB driver, Digital Photo Navigator: Windows, CyberLink DVD Solution: Windows, PIXELA Capty MPEG Edit EX: Mac).

Conclusion

The advantages of hard drive recording include long record time, no media costs, direct access to desired scenes, easy deletion of unwanted scenes, no risk of accidentally recording over (and erasing) a desired scene, and simple in-camera rearranging of scene sequence. In addition, the Everio GZ-MG70 camcorder is extremely light.