I have been holding out for a high definition pen camcorder that is “affordable”. Aiptek has just come out with one, for $170:
http://www.pencamhd.com
…but you can pre-order via Amazon for $20 less. Just search for “aiptek pencam hd”.
SPECIFICATIONS
– Image Sensor:
5 Mega-pixel CMOS (2592 x 1944) resolution
– Movie Mode: 1280 x 720 @ 30fps
– Advanced H.264 video compression
.MOV video format
– Still image: 5,038,848 (5 Mega) pixels
– MP3 Player
– Digital Zoom: 3x
– Display:
2.84 cm OLED (1.1″) with 160 degree reviewing angle
– Internal Memory: 4GB (2 hours video recording)
– TV out: HDMI out & composite AV out
– Inteface: USB 2.0
– Battery: built in rechargeable 950 mAh
Bring yours to next meeting!
I didn’t say I was actually gonna buy it…wanna see some reviews first. But I thought this info would be useful to share. It does look to be a breakthrough product.
Interesting, but will it work with Linux. I ask because the specs call for system requirements of DirectX 9.0c or above. I had an Aiptek still pencam a couple of years ago which didn’t play very well at all with Linux. It was also USB. So I’m a bit leery. But it would be nice to have something of this sort at this price.
Good point, Michael. I thought of that after posting the info. I already have an Aiptek mini-camcorder, and I have no problem using it in Linux. Uses a fat32 formatted SDHC card, which is cross platform. The windoze programs it came with, I just don’t use, of course. All you need to do is copy the images or videos over to your hard drive. The use whatever programs in LInxu, to edit or convert it. My hunch is that DirectX is required to run these extra programs, of which LInux has its own equivalents. The only concern therefore, is whether or not one can copy the files across the USB connector, since the pencam doesn’t use a removable card.
Acer is coming out with an Android phone in the iPhone form factor. I suggest things are going to get a little more interesting now. AT&T will be selling it and I do not know if anyone else will but maybe this portends the future no matter what. I suppose we shall see though. See the slide show at http://www.networkworld.com/slideshows/2009/100709-ultimate-smartphone.html#slide1