video camcorders

1. Posted: Apr 20 2008

   The Archos Helmet Camcorder is good in the sense that it's extremely easy to use and setup. However, the lack of picture quality is enough for me to start looking for another bullet camera to replace the Archos. Here are the three things that rock with the Archos bullet cam... 1) Easy to setup... You take your Archos Helmet Camcorder and plug it directly into your Archos recording device, and you're good to go. 2) The Archos Helmet Camcorder is powered by the Archos recording device, (Archos 604 for example). For those of you that have never owned or have seen the other bullet cam systems, most of them require a separate power supply to power both the camcorder and the microphone. The Archos uses the battery power of the Archos 604 to power both the camcorder and the microphone. 3) Control of record start and record stop are at your fingertips. No need to purchase an extra control Lanc. device, or any other third party remote that may or may not work with your setup. The Archos Helmet Camcorder has the controls you need, in a place that's easy for you to get to. Now the downside... PICTURE QUALITY!!! Yes, 420 lines of resolution is good, and yes 640X480 is good, but it's just that... Good. If you're looking for great, you need to go for a bullet camera that has 520 lines of resolution or even splurge for the Sony 580 ExView bullet camera. The problem with these bullet cameras however, is the problem I mentioned above. These bullet cameras require extra power supplies. Now, you're probably thinking what's the big deal with an extra power supply? Let me say this. I ride dirt bikes with three other guys that own bullet cam systems, but they never use them because it's such a process to put them together. That's the difference between the Archos helmet cam, and all the others helmet cameras out there. The Archos unit is easy to use and setup... It's as simple as that. I gave the Archos Helmet Camcorder three stars because Archos is on the right track. They just need to come out with another helmet camcorder, just like this one, only next time with more resolution! Also, the DVR travel adapter that allows the helmet camcorder to attach to the Archos recording device (which is included) is a little rickety. Sometimes the DVR travel adapter will pop off of the recoding unit, making your video stop in the middle of its recoding. This is bad! One more thing... I had to purchase a helmet mounting kit from a third party, (Viosport). Why wouldn't Archos sell helmet mounts? They sell a helmet camcorder, but don't sell mounting kits... Whatever! If I had to put another helmet cam system together, I would buy the Archos 604 recording unit, and buy a higher quality bullet camera. Get yourself the proper Viosport mounting kit and you're good to go. Pass on the Archos Helmet Camcorder.

2. ( 5 of 6 found this review helpful ) Posted: Oct 15 2007

   The camera seemed to work ok and the picture looked good. I was just hopping something made to mount on a helmet would be much more durable. Sound was low and hard to hear. After reading the instructions I was afraid to use this on my dirt bike. It is not water resistant and it also said not to use in a dust or sand environment. Also the camera attaches to the Archos similar to how the docking station does. It just seems way to weak and easy to break. The mount strap might work ok for a bicycle helmet, but will not work at all for a motorcycle. If you plan to ride a bicycle on the road, this might be ok, but for a dirt bike, forget it! I ended up returning it because I do not think this would be suitable for a motorcycle. Chad

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1. Posted: Jul 21 2008

   Its the size of a pack of Pall Mall cigeretts, so don't expect pixels that of $300 to $800 camcorder. But for its size and ease of use I rate this product as very good. It makes sending video with emails simple. I keep it in my car all the time. Never know when news presents itself.

2. Posted: Jul 21 2008

   I had such high hopes for this camera! I purchased the Flip Video Ultra (60 minutes) right before Christmas 2007. I used it a few times and was extremely happy with it until about February, when suddenly the software stopped working on my Windows XP system. I tried to re-install but got a constant "Installation aborted" error message. Multiple phone calls were unhelpful. More than once the customer support person simply hung up on me. Other times, I was given an email address of a second-tier support level, but many of my emails went unanswered. Occasionally I'd get a reply but it was clear that the support staff were not really understanding (or reading?) what I'd written. Nearly every reply from Tech Support instructed me to install their updated software from the website, but I got the same error message every time and had already tried that option on my own. They seemed to disregard this fact when reading my emails, suggesting the same thing over and over. Every single email I wrote took at least 24 hours to receive a reply, drawing out what might have been a simple issue into a several-day-long nuisance. Communication was so difficult with the support techs that in the end, I gave up and sadly put the Flip Video away for good. If they'd had a phone number I could call for real support (rather than their existing system of people to refer me to an email address), I think things might have gone differently. As it is, I'm unbelievably frustrated after spending more than I should have on what is now completely useless. I'd been planning to purchase two more of these little cameras for my kids for Christmas this year, but there's no way I'd buy another one after this debacle.

3. Posted: Jul 21 2008

   What a great invention!! Perfect for taking with you anywhere and catching every great moment - Super item for mom's on the go (and which mom is not?!) Its not professional grade by any means - but captures the moment just as good as my big bulky Sony camcorder...and no tapes to deal with! I bought two of these - one for me and one for my sister-in-law, that's how cool this item is. HIGHLY recommend!!

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1. Posted: Jan 20 2008

   Camera works ok, although no bells and whistles. The add made no mention of needing corner store disposible non-recharging batteries, which was somewhat subjective since most would assume a video camera would have electric plug and or rechargeable batteries. Good gift for a small child only.

2. Posted: Dec 28 2007

   First off the only reason this got 2 stars instead of 1 was the fact that it has a flip out lcd screen. which is cool to me for this concept. anyway, I got this for Christmas. the concept seemed cool, and couldn't wait to try it. a day later when i actually opened the package. as soon as i did i knew the this thing was garbage by the feel and weight to it. all plastic and unexpectedly light and fragile. put the batteries in and the sd card in the camera. turned it on and learned that: 1- it will not zoom in video mode, AT ALL. 2- it zooms in still picture mode but very slowly. 3- YOU have to set the flash in still pic mode, it will not do it automatically in low light conditions. 4- there is no light for the video mode in low light conditions either you shoot the video in a room with lots of light or outside in the daytime. or have just a black video clip with sound. the last thing i found from playing with this thing for just 5 min, is that whatever way you flip the lcd screen before you start filming is they way it needs to stay for the duration of the clip. or you will have upside down video or be looking at an upside down lcd screen. i wouldn't recommended this thing to anyone. spend an extra $70 and get your self a decent name brand digital camera that takes mpeg movies. you will be a lot happier.

3. Posted: Dec 25 2007

   I purchased this as a gift for Xmas. The instructions say that you won't get sound (audio) unless you insert a SD disk. I inserted the SD disk and still it does not record with sound. In addition, the installation software that came with the product (the kid's imaging studio software) was infected with a virus which makes it unuseable. When I went to the product website [...] there was nothing listed for technical help. No frequently asked questions attached to the product or anything like that. It just provided email addresses and an 800 number. If this works out I'll come back to post an update.

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1. ( 2 of 2 found this review helpful ) Posted: Jul 31 2008

   This HDD camera is outstanding and wonderful when you are recording moments in your life. I have had this camera for over a year and used it to film two conventions and other events. I think this camera films beautifully, it is the converting that can drive you crazy. The software that comes with this camera stinks and you will end up buying other software to convert the footage you recorded. I decided to buy AVSmedia, which converts my footage to anything version I ask it to (MPEG, MPEG4, AVI, etc.) Panasonic is not to be fully blamed, though they could have included better software. Otherwise, you will love this camera to death!

2. ( 1 of 1 found this review helpful ) Posted: Jul 6 2008

   This was great for our recent vacation. The size is so convenient. We were also interested in automatic adjustment for the sun and it performed wonderfully. We have only used it for a short period but so far it is what we wanted.

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