Customer Reviews: Read 10 more reviews...
 Great for a full HD resolution, second-unit camera May 28, 2008
H. Paul Moon (Washington, DC)
36 out of 37 found this review helpful
I bought this not expecting much and not having seen any reviews on the Web or in print. The product is a couple of months old to market. There's some misinformation floating around out there -- here are a few clarifications and highlights of the product from my week's worth of testing. First, it does indeed shoot at a 16:9 aspect ratio even as the video resolution is 1440x1080p -- you just need to be sure and apply an "anamorphic" pixel ratio (i.e., not square/1:1). Also, it is a fixed focus camera: The benefit is that there's no noisy/slow auto-focusing mechanism, but the con (as with all fixed focus camcorders) is that low light performance suffers somewhat, while close-in subjects go out of focus (though there is a manual macro switch on this product). Big pluses include the fact that it's charged via a super-standard mini-USB connector, and accepts up to a 32gb SDHC card. There is a tripod mounting hole but no electronic or mechanical image stabilization, no optical zoom, and no external microphone/audio in port.
In short, this makes for a great "second-unit" camcorder in cases where you don't want to rough around with your primary HD camcorder, or where you want to strap this onto a skateboard and the like without worrying about lost investment. It's wise to take the native H.264 files that are wrapped in .mov format and convert them to .avi or MPEG-2 .mpg files for further processing/editing/burning, as most systems will stutter trying to decode the native video files at 1080p/30 fps on-the-fly (i.e., even high-end video cards do not necessarily include hardware acceleration for files in this specific format). Although users appear to be especially enamored of the product's 1440x720p/60 fps non-interlaced mode, I'm not convinced that their bias is based on the benefit of double the frames-per-second, instead of the mere shortcomings of their system's hardware playback at 1080p/30 fps.
UPDATE: The following wide-angle lens attachment works perfectly with this camcorder, and I'm tempted to use it full-time as it not only widens your field of view, but in the process mildly reduces the inherent shake of your footage by "pulling back" a little farther.
Sunpak CAM-2110 MagMount 0.5x Wide-Angle Conversion Lens (Large)
Wow this can't be this good! June 1, 2008
Danny K (Middletown, New Jersey)
22 out of 25 found this review helpful
Just got this camera today and after charging the battery, I have been in the back yard taking HD movies! I can tell you that this camera is better than my Hitachi DVD camcorder that cost me $475 dollars a few years ago. The Aiptek video quality is excellent. I can't believe this sells for $150. I hook the camera to my Windows XP computer using the included USB cable and drag the files to my desk top and put them in a program called ConvertXtoDVD. Convert X takes the .mov files from my computer and converts them to .vob files and automatically burns them to DVD! I like the 720@60 frames per second setting on the Aiptek A-HD+ Camcorder. The picture on my pioneer plasma is the best I have had to date in home movies, totally 16:9 wide screen and fills the screen. Still much experiementing with this camera. I did much research before I bought, Amazon feedback is always a great way to research and the $130 dollar model (HD-720) has audio problems. I have detected no audio problems with this model. I'm selling my hitachi DVD camcorder on Ebay! Burning the movie files to DVD is a snap using ConvertX to DVD. I just have to find a program that will cleaning play the files on my computer. The Nero 7 I am using to play the movies on my computer is a bit shakey. NO problem, I'm sure since they are recorded as .mov files, Quicktime player should work fine. I will also experiement with VLC player. By the way, Aiptek recommends a Pentium 4 to work the movie files. I'm using a 1.5mhz laptop and burning them to DVD with no problems, I also can convert them to .VOB files and edit them with all sorts of programs. I'm using a 1 GB SD card , which fits neatly in the camera handle and I'm getting 22 minutes of video at 720/60fps. So I will upgrade to a 2gb and almost get a hour of video, which is plenty for me. Another thought, the battery is slightly loose in the handle, not serious, but I read on youtube that you should place a thin piece of velcro or tape at the bottom of the battery to push it closer to the battery contacts. Speaking of youtube, I would suggest you go there and search the Aiptek A-HD+ to see all the great videos this great camera can take. Since the camera doesn't have video stablization and its so light, you must take caution to hold it steady. No big deal for me.. And one last comment, the pictures that this camcorder takes are not bad! I'm stil testing but compared to my old Hitachi DVD camcorder the still pics are much better. You have a selection of a 3meg, 5meg or 8meg still picture. Still experiementing and loving it. I will add more on this review as I learn more tricks...sorry to ramble on...love this camcorder!
 AIPTEK A-HD+1080p Review - HD for the Masses June 30, 2008
Angel_Pen
19 out of 22 found this review helpful
This is only a preliminary review. I am a pro-editor and I do not work for Aiptek so you will get an accurate review from me. Keep in mind that it is a well know fact that Aiptek has earned a questionable reputation for false advertising non-existent features in their cameras, Aiptek has produced a plethora of camera models with similar confusing names...some have been plagued with defects (loose batteries, distorted sound), so avoid those older models. This reviews applies only to the AIPTEK A-HD+1080p which so far appears to be their best model. This is what I know based on my brief experience:
Pros: Small and portable fits on your shirt pocket; uses memory cards (no tapes); movies are fully compatible with Macintosh computers (.MOV) however they still need to be transcoded for iMovie and Final Cut Pro editing. The camera lens has a macro mode. The so called 1080p resolution is surprisingly sharp and not available in any other camera in this price range (so far). It is possible to flip the camera LCD to record yourself. It takes nice stills (see the Cons). And finally, it makes for an unusual recording device (you can record from DVD or TV to the camera Memory Card and later transfer and play the files on your computer (they will not play on your PSP or iPod unless you convert to their respective codecs. You can also record voice memos.
There are certain advantages to owning such a small camera: you are more likely to carry it everywhere and record HD of something unexpected. Also, you can insert the device in unusual places and obtain otherwise impossible footage in HD.
Cons:
Be warned that video footage files created by this camera are not friendly to Windows users. (Mac users are okay). The files are H.264 Quicktime Movies which is a video format popularized by Apple. If you want to edit in true High Definition it is best to use iMovie or FCP on an Intel Mac. The sound is typical of built-in mikes, it records typical omnidirectional audio. There is no volume control except for playback audio. Not surprisingly it has no microphone input for an external mike. This camera is useless for productions which require a lavaliere or a shotgun, such as interviews in crowded or noisy environments (i.e. Conventions)
Beware of the deceptive advertising: the 8 megapixel photos are interpolated and a waste of memory space. What Aiptek calls a "zoom" is actually a useless "electronic enlarging" effect, you shouldn't videotape while zooming in and out using this jerky electronic effect. The zoom button is positioned in such an awkward place that you can not hold the camera steady while zooming anyway. However, you can pause then zoom then record. Which brings me to the most important issue, the lack of an image stabilizer, this is hardly a feature I expected to find on this type of camera, nevertheless, it will drive you insane. An Aiptek will only produce a decent stable image while mounted on a hard surface or a tripod.
To counter their misleading advertising, you should know that AIPTEK video files are no more YouTube compatible than any other video, you still have to convert the codec during the uploading process like everyone else.
Conclusion:
This is not the camera to take on your vacation to Hawaii, nor a concert or to video a wedding, for that, you need to get yourself a real camera, else you may run into some serious problems. You may:
1) Run out of memory (AIPTEK claims you can use a maximum memory card of 32GB but most people will probably use 2-8gb)
2) You may accidentally deplete the battery which in turn can not be recharged without a laptop because it works like an iPod (or you can expend more money on an extra battery or a charger).
3) You may discover your sound is not good after your vacation/wedding is over.
4) Poor quality in dim light , like the interior of a Museum or at dusk.
5) You may discover your footage is too shaky because you didn't have a tripod. It looks worse on your HD TV than it does on the camera while recording.
6) You may set the camera accidentally on Macro and everything is out of focus. (Very easy to do)
I was going to buy the hyped "Flip" camera but because the Flips uses the .avi format and I have a Mac, I choose to try this one first. This Aiptek model, seems to be a good deal as a back-up camera in case the real camera craps out on you and until you get a replacement. It is also, a good choice for short impromptu videos, video blogs, youTube, etc. I would also recommend it for informal scientific research, and maybe even to shoot a Music Video if you plan to add a fresh music track later. I am not sure that is is good for recording serious interviews, and this is not the cameras fault but the memory card. SD memory cards can suffer terminal unexpected corruption and there is no way you can recover the footage from them. This does not happen with videotape because the camcorder will warn you if something goes wrong with the tape mechanism.
Normally, I would have given this product a rating of one star simply for their unnecessary attempt to use deceptive advertisement but since there is some value to having such a small format HD camera, I will hold my critique until I have used it a while longer, then I will come back to write a more accurate review. On the other hand, it seems everything else that is claimed about this camera appears to be true and if that is the case, then it is a good deal for $150 or less.
So, those are my first impressions so far from the point of view of a professional editor, I give this product a "guarded" 3 stars recommendation. There are other issues such a "durability" and "costumer support" which no one here can attest to because the product is so new. In the meantime, as always I recommend you ignore the 5 stars ratings (nothing deserves five stars, because nothing is completely flawless). I attribute most positive reviews here to first timers who are justifiably excited to see High Definition for the first time on their computers and at a price they can afford. So, if you are an HD rookie, this is a nice buy for you. One could say the AIPTEK HD is HiDef for the masses.
Update: After some testing it seems that the Aiptek chip records HiDef video at less than 30fps (maybe as few as 24 fps or less) which then gets converted by the internal software to 30fps. The resulting HD video is a bit like watching a old Charlie Chaplin movie or Super 8mm. This does not seem to happen at lower resolutions. Further test is required to confirm this hypothesis.
Excellent Device For The Price June 21, 2008
tomwiles (West Fork, AR USA)
9 out of 12 found this review helpful
I purchased the A-HD+1080p camcorder at Best Buy when I was passing through Lincoln, Nebraska about a week ago for $169 dollars plus tax. To be honest, I purchased it with relatively low expectations. I already have a Sony HC3 HDV camcorder I've had for about a year that produces excellent video so I figured there was no way this Aiptek product could even come close.
To my surprise the video quality is actually quite amazing. It's possible to get great video out of this unit, provided you know the device's main limitation, i.e. the fixed-focus plastic lens. Cell phone cameras can have multiple megapixels but the optics are almost always limited to a cheesy plastic lens, yet if you know the device's limitations it's possible to take good and sometimes even great pictures with them.
To get great video out of the Aiptek, follow a few rules. (1) NEVER use the digital zoom function -- always keep it zoomed out. Move closer to your subject if you want it to fill more of the frame. (2) Remember to use the manual focus switch -- macro for around 20 inch away close-ups, the medium postion for a bit farther away, and the full infinity position for anything more than about 6 to 8 feet or so away from the lens. (3) Hold the camera as steady as possible if it's a hand-held shot, and if possible use a tripod. (4) Use the white balance feature as necessary depending on your light source. (5) Pay attention to the basic prinicples of good photography, i.e. the "rule of thirds" -- if you don't know what that means, look it up on Wikipedia.
I've posted a video I put together entirely with the Aiptek from Riverside Park in West Fork, Arkansas. The HD 720p Apple TV format file is located at http://m.podshow.com/media/131/episodes/116107/truckertom-116107-06-19-2008.mp4.
 can beat it for the money July 18, 2008
The Count (Raleigh, NC, USA)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
OK, here is the low down on these sub $200 digital camcorders, ie flip mino and aiptek. the flip wins in the size and ease of use department, the aiptek in picture quality and features.
the aiptek looks like other camcorders like the sanyo exacti line, but the aiptek is an all plastic deal. yes, you get what you pay for! however, for the price (the a-hd 1080p price varies between 149-170) you do get amazing hd video quality. no, it does not compare to a $1000 sony hd camcorder, but when used in broad daylight the quality is really pretty impressive. worth the purchase price for sure.
where all cheap camcorders fail is in the low light (indoors, evening) department, video will look graiiny und ugly. the aiptek only has a digital zoom. my advice, do not use it, especially while filming, as the device does not have image stabilization. also, better to avoid panning as some tv's will show a combing effect.
but within these limitations the ability to shoot 1080, 720p and dv quality at this price point is amazing !
|
