Wednesday, February 6, 2008

My Other Camcorder - Aiptek MPVR Digital Camcorder


In a previous blog I introduced you to my Primary camcorder, the Panasonic AG-DVC20. This article is about my secondary camera. My Aiptek MPVR Digital Camcorder. I carry this little pocket camera everywhere I go. You never know when you may need to shoot something quickly. It's not much bigger than a cell phone so I wear it in a pouch on my belt. The camera shoots 8 megapixal stills and SVHS quality video. It also plays mp3's and is a voice recorder. The Aiptek MPVR Digital Camcorder shoots ASF files and comes with a converter so you can convert to WMV or MP4. The battery life is very good and this is one tough camera. As I said, I wear it every day and it gets banged up some. The camera has a bright display and flash. I enjoy the swivel monitor because I can easily turn it toward myself or any talent I'm recording. The on board microphone is very good, but easily picks up extraneous noise. You cannot plug in an external mic, but you can listen with headphones or ear buds. The onscreen menu is easy to operate and allows you to scroll through selections displayed on the screen. It has a 4x digital zoom that works well for still shots but isn't very good for video. I seldom use it. You control the camera with the buttons on the back. The supplied cable allows you to upload your pictures into the computer or play them on a TV. It will take a 1GB or 2GB SD card. There are two settings for video, 320x240 low resolution and 640x480 high resolution. Use the low resolution setting for shooting for the web, and the high resolution for larger projects. When converted to DVD, the high resolution image is good quality. Of course my Pro AG-DVC20 is better but it works in a pinch. I don't always have my pro camcorder with me. This camera has saved me more than once when I needed an image and didn't have time to get and set up my pro camcorder. Here is a photo I took with the Aiptek MPVR Digital Camcorder while camping last Thanksgiving. {2007} You can click on the photo to see a larger view. This was an old tree that had fallen over near the lake we were camping at. Normally this part of the lake is under water, but the lake was very low last year.
Below is a write-up and m
ore photos of the Aiptek MPVR Digital Camcorder:

Aipteks MPVR is the first hand held multi-functional Media Player/
Video Recorder which allows you to connect to your TV/V
CR/DVD
player to record your favorite TV shows, Movies, video clips,
pictures, audio recordings, and playback on the huge built-in 2.4"
TFT color LCD or on your 60" TV for under $200! If that was not
enough, the MPVR also performs as your MPEG-4 DV Camcorder
recording Super VHS quality video (640 x 480 VGA resolution at 30
frames per second), 3 Mega Pixel Digital Camera with 6 Mega Pixel
enhancement, Voice Recorder, and SD Card Reader/Removable Hard
Disk! The most convenient personal entertainment solution with
exceptional value and features!
Includes MPVR Camera, Lithium Ion Battery, Battery Charger, USB/AV
Output Cable, AV Input Cable, Headset (Ear Buds), Wrist Strap,
User Guide.

* Personal Media Player & Recorder
Connect the camera to your TV/VCR/DVD Player to Record Video Clips,
Pictures, and Audio Recordings, and Playback Directly on the built-in
2.4" Color LCD. Record Video from DVDs, T
V, VHS, or from Any Device
that has RCA outputs for Entertainment on the go!

* Max. Resolution up to 6 Mega-Pixel (pro 8mega)
Equipped with 3 Mega-Pixel CMOS Sensor, the Still Image Resolution of
the MPVR is Enhanced to 6 Mega Pixels. Macro Lens enables High Quality
Close UPS. Print 4" x 6", 5" x 7", or even 8" x 10" photos!

* VGA @ 30 FPS/MPEG-4 for Recording Movies
MPEG-4 is the Ideal Way to Store Video Clips in a Highly Compact Format.
With the MPVR, not only can you Shoot More Pictures and Movies, but you
can also use it as a Portable Media Player for Downloaded MPEG-4 Movies.

* Digital Video Stabilization
Advanced Digital Image Stabilization Technology lets you get the most of your recordings. Compensates for slight movements so you get the best video every time.

* MP3 Player
Easily Load your Favorite MP3 Files and Playback the Music Directly or
Enjoy Stereo Quality Music Via the Headset!

* Huge Swivel-Reversible 2.4" TFT Color LCD Display
Review and Playback Video Clips and Pictures in Real Time. The TFT
Display combines striking Realism and Intuitive interface for the best
image every time.


* Night Mode
Shoot Video in Darker Environments with the new Night Mode feature. (This is not night vision or IR)

* Flash Strobe
Built-in Flash Strobe Allows You to Take Snapshots in Darker
Environments.

* Digital Zoom
4x Real Time Digital zoom Allows you to Zoom In/Out While Recording
Video!

* TV/VCR Output
Connect the MPVR to your TV/VCR to Display your Video Clips, Still

Pictures, and Audio Recordings sharing them with friends and family
members.

* Rechargeable Battery w/ Charger

Save on Batteries! The MPVR is powered by a Lithium Ion Battery that
easily charges via the included Battery Charger!

* Removable Hard Disk and SD/MMC Card Reader
In Addition to the Internal Memory, the MPVR also allows you to Expand the Memory Capacity up to 2 GB to Record, Snapshot, and Listen to More Songs. Store Any Type of Data on the Camera and Take it with you!
NOTE: My version is the MPVR PLUS with 8 megapixals. Photos and write-up are about the standard version. Both look the same.

Here is a video shot with the
Aiptek MPVR Digital Camcorder.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Features Specifications
General Information
Manufacturer Aiptek, Inc
Manufacturer Part Number MPVR
Manufacturer Website Address www.aiptek.com
www.aiptek.com
Display & Graphics
Display Screen 2.4" Active Matrix TFT Color LCD
Image Sensor 1 x CMOS
Effective Resolution 3 Megapixels Still Image
Image Resolution 2048 x 1536 JPEG
1280 x 960 JPEG
2848 x 2136 JPEG
2560 x 1920 JPEG
Video Resolution 640 x 480 @ 30 fps MPEG-4
320 x 240 @ 30 fps MPEG-4
Image Formats JPEG
Video Formats MPEG-4
# White Balance Modes Auto
# Sunny
# Cloudy
# Fluorescent
# Tungsten
Lens
Lens Type

Fixed Focal Length
Optical Zoom Not Applicable
Digital Zoom 4x
Focus Distance 98"Infinity Normal Mode
16" Macro Mode
Exposure
Exposure Control

Auto
Viewfinder
Viewfinder Type LCD
Video
Video Signals NTSC
PAL
Storage
Recording Media Flash Memory
Internal Memory 32MB
Storage Media 1 x Secure Digital (SD) Card Supported
1 x MultiMediaCard (MMC) Supported
Image Storage 25 x JPEG 2560 x 1920 - With 32MB Built in Memory
50 x JPEG 2048 x 1536 - With 32MB Built in Memory
Video Storage 7 Minute(s) MPEG-4 320 x 240 - 32MB
Controls/Indicators
Camera Modes

Still Image Effects:
# Normal
# Black & White
# Classic

Interfaces/Ports
Interfaces/Ports 1 x USB
1 x Audio/Video Output
1 x Headphone
Self Timer/Remote 10 Second(s) Self-timer
Battery Information
Batteries 1 x Li-Ion
Physical Characteristics
Dimensions 4.1" x 2.6" x 1.25"
Miscellaneous
# Package Contents MPVR Digital Camcorder
# Lithium Ion Battery
# Battery Charger
# USB Cable
# AV Output Cable
# Headset (Ear Buds)
# Wrist Strap
# User's Guide
# Software:

* Camera Manager
* CyberLink Power Director Pro
* ULead Photo Express SE
* ULead Photo Explorer

# Additional Information Built-in Flash Strobe
# Built-in Microphone
# Built-in Speaker
# Auto Power Off if Idle over 60 Seconds

Internal Memory:
# 512MB DDR for buffer
# 32MB Flash Memory (16MB for Storage)

System Requirements

PC:
# Microsoft Windows 98SE/Me/2000/XP
# Pentium III (or Equivalent)
# Direct X 8.0 or Above
# 128MB of RAM (256MB Recommended)
# Video Card with 32MB of RAM for minimum 24 bit (True Color) Display
# 4x Speed CD-ROM
# An Available USB Port

Platform Support PC
Mac
Warranty
Standard Warranty 1 Year(s)