Features

• Compact body; MPEG VX movie mode with audio recording; 1.5-inch LCD
• Includes 32 MB Memory Stick; compatible with Memory Stick Pro media
• Powered by lithium-ion InfoLithium NP-FC11 battery (included with charger); connects with PCs and Macs compatible with USB 2.0
• 5 megapixel sensor (2592 x 1944 pixels) for enlargements up to 20 x 30 inches
• 3x optical zoom plus 4x digital zoom (12x total)

Reviews (82)

Good while it lasted
Let me begin by saying that I have bought into Sony's proprietary technology for quite a while now.As an owner of a Vaio desktop, a Clie handheld and a Sony Digital HandyCam, it was obvious that when it came time to upgrade to a quality digital still camera, I was going to buy a Sony Cybershot.So after reviewing the options, which at the time consisted only of the P10, the V1 and the then-new U series of super compacts, I chose this model in the spring of 2004.Initially, my experience was good.I was upgrading from the 1MP camera that was part of my Sony Digital HandyCam so the image quality to me was astounding.
Other advantages were:
- Easy point & shoot right out of the box...it did not require my wife to read the manual in order to begin taking stills.
- Unlike my previous digital still experiences, this camera performs well in low-light situations.The integrated flash is capable of lighting small rooms.
- Battery capacity is ample and the features, although some difficult to use, are comprehensive.
Disadvantages:
- STARTUP TIME...don't expect this camera to be able to power-up and take a candid shot within 8-10 seconds.By the time you get this puppy ready to fire, the moment is gone.
- The menu tree is cumbersome and not altogether intuitive.Changing advanced settings is difficult unless all you want to do is switch modes (Program AE, etc.)
- As with most still cameras (Sony & the like), the included MemoryStick is way too small.So the purchase of an additional MS is obligatory.

My biggest beef with this camera, and the reason it earns only two stars is that it seems FRAGILE.After only 5-6 months of use, it began to occasionally have startup/shutdown problems.By the end of 2004 (~9 months of use) the auto focus was beginning to fail on a regular basis.Now, outside the 6-month warranty window, I am forced to pay $200 to $300 for LABOR ALONE to have the camera fixed, parts still covered under the original warranty.But still, this is a cost prohibitive solution.
So now I am at the crossroads with my Sony products.My PDA is approaching the end of its useful life and I find myself without a digital still camera that is capable of taking any pictures in focus -- remember the cyber-shots do not provide for manual focus.Perhaps it is time to consider a Canon product or other comparible vendor?

nice pictures but broken after 4 months
Right after the warranty expires, the camera will no longer charge the battery.
Of course I can ship the camera to Sony for repair, and ALL I have to pay is labor!

I recommend buying another camera or alternatively buy the extended warranty.

Features

• Includes 512MB SD memory card and remote control
• Rechargable battery provides up to an hour of video recording time
• Pocket-sized MPEG-2/MPEG-4 SD video camera and 2-megapixel still camera--weighs just .34 pounds
• 10:1 optical zoom lens with 25x digital zoom and super image stabilizer
• 2.5-inch LCD rotates a full, 270 degrees

Reviews (19)

So do SanDisk cards work or not?
I just purchased my SVAV100 and am looking forward to using it. Obviously it would be nice to have greater storage than the 512 MB card that is included.Previous reviews are contradictory. One person says the SanDisk Ultra II (with 10 mb speed) works fine for MPEG 2 recording while another says the SanDisk Extreme III (with 20 mb speed) does not work. Before I spend the money for a 2 GB SanDisk card, it would be nice to know if it really will work for MPEG 2 recording on the SVAV100.Can anyone confirm?Thanks.

Great Little Camcorder
I have 2 other MPEG4 camcorders but the SVAV100 beats them in MPEG4 recording.In MPEG2 recording, nothing comes close. This unit is really amazing. I could not believe the quality of the video!I bought this camera after reading all the posts in JackBrown's forum which, incidentally has been down for over a week now -- I started a website forum of my own at http://forums.merinotv.com to help those who may be thinking of purchasing this item.Please feel free to post anything like comments, help, etc.I did not find any difficulty other people have claimed regarding not being able to play the MPEG2 video.In fact I tested it in my 2 PC's, 2 laptops andPC tablet, never did I have to rename the .mod file to .mpg. MS Video Player, Elecard and QuickTime as well as other players were able to play the video.For editing, I only use Sony's Vegas and did not have any problems editing. So all you people who have been holding purchasing this product, you can now get the SVAV100 at very good discounts.I got mine for $499.00 plus tax with free shipping.

I am just adding this to my review.I just purchased a Sandisk Ultra II 2GB SD and I am able to get 45 minutes of recording in MPEG2.That is enough recording time for most.I heard 4GB SD's will be coming out too but will be in the $400-$500 range. You can find 2GB SD's priced between $179-$199.

Features

• DVD Format Video Recording
• Professional Quality Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar Lens
• 10X Optical/120X Digital Zoom
• Progressive Shutter System
• DVD-R/RW format plays back in most DVD players, Play Station 2 consoles and DVD-ROM drives

Reviews (5)

Comment on review by: A Customer from Maine
I was just commenting on the previous review, questioning why a reviewer would copy/paste info and submit it for three different cameras. What I found was that the reviewer was trying to explain the differences between the three cameras, so that the consumer can make an educated decision as to which camera suits them best comparing features and price. I found the reviews very helpful, and it actually helped me to decide which model I wanted to buy. I'm sure that is what makes this individual a reviewer in the top 100 at amazon.

Great camcorder
While the price is higher than other camcorders on the market, I think this product is worth it. It's easy to set up and use, the editing software for the computer is decent, and I'm able to get high quality footage and share it with family and friends.

One note of caution: the software really does require a higher speed computer and/or updated platforms like Windows XP. It ended up leading to the demise of our old computer (a Windows ME), but functions much better on our new one that has XP.

Great videocamera
This camera made it to Oprah's 2003 Favorite Things List. That prompted me to take a look at it, and I was really impressed! We ended up buying it, and we're so glad that we did. Wow, what a great video-camera! It's compact, quiet, and very easy to use. We were able to set it up & record without even opening the instruction manual. The playback quality on the LCD screen is amazing, and the sound quality is near-perfect. I'm so happy with this camera. I highly recommend it for its ease of use, light & comfortable size, and the simplicity of recording directly onto a dvd. No more copying from small tapes to larger VHS tapes for me! That was such a frustrating experience and the editing quality was horrible.

I'm really pleased that I'll be able to share video of my daughter with friends and family who have dvd players, or video viewing capability on their computers.

Features

• Records more than an hour of high-quality MPEG-4 movie clips as distinct files
• 10x optical zoom; 2-inch fold-out LCD screen
• Also functions as digital camera, stereo audio recorder, MP3 player, data storage, and media player with both NTSC and PAL TV compatibility
• Compatible with USB 2.0 for fast, easy transfers
• World's first hard disk drive (HDD) digital camcorder--save video clips on the 1.5 GB HDD or Memory stick

Reviews (2)

Any body Know what happen to this model?
It was preorder on Jan 2004. But soon it just disappears in the market without a trace. I was hoping to get 1, but nowhere could be found. Anybody know why Samsung abandon this cool garget?

Editorial Review

With a size that is 28 percent smaller and lighter than Sony's previous camcorders, the DCR-TRV22 does not compromise powerful optics and audio performance. The camcorder's features include a 10x optical zoom, a 1/4-inch CCD for clean imaging, a 2.5-inch LCD with touchscreen control, a color viewfinder, and an 8 MB Memory Stick for still image capture.

Step-up Value
Here's a Sony feature that adds value to this digital camcorder and differentiates it from other models in the Sony lineup.

MPEG Movie Mode: Originally found on step-up Sony Digital Still Cameras, Sony presents another camcorder first--MPEG Movie Mode for select Handycam Camcorders. Capture MPEG digital video and store it directly to your Memory Stick Media. Movie length ranges from 5 seconds to the length allowed by the capacity of your memory stick with MPEG Movie EX. Take the "Best Of" scene recorded on video tape, for example--the groom kissing the bride on the wedding day, convert it to an MPEG Movie and share it with family and friends via the Internet.

Image Stabilization
Sony's SteadyShot picture stabilization keeps your images smooth and steady without degrading picture quality. The technology uses motion sensors, which tend to be more accurate than most other systems used in the camcorder market.

Optics
The professional-quality Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar lens ensures light capture will be well-contrasted and clear. The 1/4-inch CCD sensor yields a gross 680,000 pixels and records images accurately in vibrant color and sharp resolution. The TRV22 has a robust 10x optical zoom that fits most purposes, but for extra distance the camera can reach 120x through the digital zoom. Several autoexposure modes allow for automatic operation while achieving ideal images for the situation.

More Features
You can record video in low- to no-light situations with Sony's NightShot system, which uses infrared light to capture images invisible to the human eye. With the function on, subjects up to 10 feet away can be seen in total darkness. You can also use the color slow shutter for color night shots instead of the regular green night-shot hue.

Sony's Stamina power management system and InfoLithium battery give the TRV22 a long operating time. To keep you informed of current battery life, Sony's AccuPower meter displays the number of minutes remaining right in the viewfinder.

The TRV22 features a 2.5-inch color LCD and a color viewfinder. The menu is accessed via a touchscreen display on the LCD, reducing the clutter of buttons on the camera. You can take digital stills and record small MPEG1 movies using the included 8 MB Memory Stick.

The USB streaming feature can turn the TRV22 into a video conferencing tool or a Webcam, and the standard IEEE 1394 connection can be used for digital video editing on a computer.

MiniDV Format
MiniDV is the preferred format for personal and broadcast-quality video, highly regarded for its high audio and image quality. With up to 540 lines of horizontal resolution and minimum color noise, MiniDV delivers a 20 percent clearer picture than analog camcorder formats. This is all delivered on a cassette that's 1/12th the size of a standard VHS tape. A MiniDV tape offers a digital recording time of 2 full hours--20 times the capacity of a CD.

Editorial Review

Although boasting a chassis that is 28 percent smaller and lighter than Sony's previous camcorders, the DCR-TRV19 does not compromise powerful optics and audio performance. The camcorder's features include a 10x optical zoom, 1/4-inch CCD for clean imaging, a 2.5-inch LCD with touchscreen control, and a color viewfinder.

Step-up Value
Here's a Sony feature that adds value to this digital camcorder and differentiates it from the competition.

SteadyShot: There's a world of difference between experiences that are moving and the ones that are simply shaky. To encourage the first and prevent the second, Sony invented SteadyShot picture stabilization. It smoothes and steadies your images without degrading picture quality. Sony does it with motion sensors--a more accurate system than many other camcorders on the market.

Image Stabilization
Sony's SteadyShot picture stabilization keeps your images smooth and steady without degrading picture quality. The technology uses motion sensors, which tend to be more accurate than most other systems used in the camcorder market.

Optics
The professional-quality Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar lens ensures images will be clear and with good contrast. The 1/4-inch CCD sensor records the images accurately in vibrant color and with sharp resolution. The TRV19 has a robust 10x optical zoom that fits most purposes, but for extra distance the camera can reach 120x through the digital zoom. Several autoexposure modes allow for automatic operation--while achieving ideal images for the situation.

More Features
You can also record video in low- to no-light situations with Sony's NightShot system, which uses infrared light to capture images invisible to the human eye. With the function on, subjects up to 10 feet away can be seen in total darkness.

Sony's Stamina power management system and InfoLithium battery give the TRV19 a long operating time. To keep you informed of current battery life, Sony's AccuPower meter displays the number of minutes remaining right in the viewfinder.

The TRV19 features a 2.5-inch color LCD and a color viewfinder. The menu is accessed via a touchscreen display on the LCD, reducing the clutter of buttons on the camera. The USB streaming feature can turn the TRV19 into a video-conferencing tool or a Webcam, and the standard IEEE 1394 connection can be used for digital video editing on a computer.

MiniDV Format
MiniDV is the preferred format for personal and broadcast-quality video, highly regarded for its high audio and image quality. With up to 540 lines of horizontal resolution and minimum color noise, MiniDV delivers a 20 percent clearer picture than analog camcorder formats. This is all delivered on a cassette that's 1/12th the size of a standard VHS tape. A MiniDV tape offers digital recording time of 2 full hours--20 times the capacity of a CD.

Editorial Review

The DCR-TRV33 is a spectacular option for those looking for great video and stills in a compact camcorder. Offering a 1.0 Megapixel CCD imager, this high quality camcorder delivers 10X Optical/120X Digital Zoom and Carl Zeiss optics for incredible picture clarity. Featuring1.0 Megapixel (Gross) Advanced HAD CCD Imager MiniDV Recording Ultra Compact Design Professional Quality Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar Lens 10X Optical/120X Precision Digital Zoom MPEG Movie EX Mode: Unlike earlier MPEG1 Movies, MPEG Movie EX will allow you to record uninterrupted to the full capacity of the Memory Stick media. For example a 128MB Memory Stick will record up to 85 minutes of non-stop MPEG1 video. USB Streaming: Stay connected with family and friends by broadcasting live video with audio, via the Internet with the USB interface.

You can even playback your favorite recorded scene stored on tape. It's like having your own web camera or video conferencing system. i.LINK(1) DV Interface (IEEE1394): A high-speed bi-directional digital video/audio communication between two compatible devices equipped with an IEEE1394 interface, including camcorders, digital VTRs, capture cards, and PCs. Progressive Shutter System: A mechanical shutter system that provides Progressive Scan performance while utilizing an interlaced scanning system, digital still images will be sharp and clear with excellent definition. InfoLithium Battery
When the action rolls, you need the power to capture it. Smarter batteries help you prepare.Sony InfoLithium Batteries communicate with your Handycam camcorder's AccuPower meter, telling you how much shooting time remains. And because they resist "memory effect," Sony InfoLithium Batteries do not prematurely reduce recording time. It's a smart way to be ready for action.

Megapixel Performance
Of all the world's consumer camcorders, Sony was the first to break the megapixel barrier. Working with high-resolution recording and high-precision Carl Zeiss or Sony custom optics, the benefits are dramatic. You'll see amazing detail on everything you shoot. Every blade of grass. Every strand of hair. The names on the back of player uniforms. And megapixel resolution is also a great benefit in Sony's Digital still camera function (Memory Mode).

Digital Still Memory Mode
Capture digital still images directly onto Memory Stick® media for easy transfer to e-mail, printing, or sharing with compatible Memory Stick devices. Digital still images can be captured while in Memory Mode, or images from the videotape can be captured onto Memory Stick media. This feature provides the Dual Function of having one camera for video and still images, and provides the user with a whole new world of imaging possibilities.

MPEG Movie Mode
Originally found on step-up Sony Digital Still Cameras, Sony presents another camcorder first -- MPEG Movie Mode for select Handycam Camcorders. Capture MPEG digital video and store it directly to your Memory Stick Media. Movie length ranges from 5 seconds to the length allowed by the capacity of your memory stick with MPEG Movie EX. Take the "Best Of" scene recorded on video tape, for example -- the groom kissing the bride on the wedding day, convert it to an MPEG Movie and share it with family and friends via the internet.

Super Nightshot 0 Lux System
Low light? No problem. Absolutely no light? No sweat! Now you can capture video even in total darkness (0 lux). Sony's NightShot system uses infrared light to capture images invisible to the human eye. You can shoot subjects like sleeping babies up to 10 feet away in total darkness.

SteadyShot Picture Stabilization
There's a world of difference between experiences that are moving and the ones that are simply shaky. To encourage the first and prevent the second, Sony invented SteadyShot picture stabilization. It smoothes and steadies your images without degrading picture quality. Sony does it with motion sensors --- a more accurate system than many other camcorders on the market.

Editorial Review

Think of Kodak's MC3 as the Swiss Army knife of electronic gadgets. This sleek handheld unit functions as a portable video camera, digital still camera, and MP3 player. We found the device to be well designed, easy to use, and, most importantly, a lot of fun.

As a video camera, the MC3 captures QuickTime format movies with sound at a resolution of 320 x 240 pixels. Users choose from two settings--a high-quality 20 frames per second (fps) mode captures more detail, but fills the CompactFlash memory card at a rate of 15 MB per minute. A more e-mail friendly mode shoots at 10 fps and uses greater compression. This mode makes movies a bit choppier, but still looks fine for most applications and only consumes around 2 MB of memory per minute.

A 1.6-inch color LCD screen on the back of the camera lets you see exactly what you're filming and can also play back footage you've recorded. While most manufacturers use illuminated LCDs, Kodak has opted to use a reflective display instead. In a reflective display, the traditional backlight is replaced with a mirror. This arrangement is thinner, uses less energy, and is less expensive. It's also easier to see when you're outdoors. Unfortunately, it's more difficult to see in low-light situations--seeing what you're shooting in a restaurant will be a challenge.

The videos you create aren't as detailed as those from a camcorder, but the MC3 isn't designed to replace those traditional tape-based devices. Although the movies can be viewed on your TV (with an optional connecting cable), they're really designed to be seen on a computer screen, saved on your hard drive or CD-R, and shared with friends via e-mail.

Though it's not designed primarily as an MP3 player, the MC3's musical abilities are quite good. You get the full set of standard controls (including cue and review within a song), plus several equalizer settings, shuffle mode, and repeat. In addition, the LCD shows artist and title information, plus system settings. The built-in speaker (included primarily for audio playback of your movies) can also be used to play music, though sound quality is much better with headphones. Standard MP3 song files are transferred from your computer to the MC3 via a USB cable, using included software. There's no copy protection, so if you have a dedicated CompactFlash card reader, you can even transfer files directly to and from the memory card.

As a still camera, the MC3 is just OK. Resolution is 640 x 480 (0.3 megapixels), which looks fine on a computer monitor but lacks enough detail to create photo-quality prints, even at snapshot sizes. Photo capabilities are simple to the point of crudeness--there's no flash, the lens is fixed focus, and everything is completely automatic. Still, it works fine for outdoor snapshots, which is where Kodak thinks you'll be using the device most often.

Kodak's software suite that comes with the MC3 adds a whole new dimension to your creativity. The simple-to-use VideoImpression program lets users blend footage and stills with their favorite songs, letting even absolute amateurs create professional-looking productions in a matter of minutes.

Instructions come with the MC3, but it's so well designed that they aren't really necessary. Using the device is as easy as sliding the four-position switch on the back to the appropriate mode (MP3, movie, still, or playback) and turning on the power. When you're ready to try the more advanced features, a screen-based menu system makes it easy to find your way around. Battery life was good, allowing us several hours of MP3 playback and lots of video recording and playback before we needed to replace the three AAA cells. The use of three batteries is a bit odd--most batteries and chargers are sold in twos or fours, so you'll either need to get your batteries 6 or 12 at a time, or use rechargeables and find a charger that lets you charge just three cells.

The MC3 uses standard Type I CompactFlash cards--the same type of cards used by many digital cameras and some PDAs and MP3 players. The device comes with either a 16 or 64 MB card, depending upon price, and cards are currently available from a number of manufacturers in capacities up to 256 MB. Our sample unit came with a 64 MB card, which gave us around 27 minutes of lower-quality video, 4 minutes of high-quality video, 65 minutes of high-quality MP3 music, 500 still pictures, or any combination in between. For our tests, 64 MB was ample, letting us store a dozen songs and leaving enough room for about 12 minutes of lower-quality video. When we started to run out of space for movies, we just deleted our least-favorite songs and started shooting again. Though the 16 MB card that comes with this model is enough to give you an idea of the MC3's potential, we think it's likely that most 16 MB MC3 purchasers will quickly upgrade to a larger card.

Public reaction to the MC3 has been incredible. Whenever we took it out for a test, strangers stopped us to find out more about it and try it for themselves. Something about the design--its sheer simplicity or its friendly design, perhaps--brings out users' creative sides. We found ourselves compensating for the lack of zoom by thrusting the camera closer to the action and shooting videos of scenes we'd never captured with a camcorder. Sure, the MC3 is more of a toy than a tool, but it's an extremely fun toy. It's not much more expensive than an ordinary MP3 player, but the added fun is immeasurable. Kodak has a hit on its hands.

Pros:

• For about the same price as an ordinary MP3 player, you also get a video camera and digital camera
• Well designed, with quality construction and simple controls
• Lots of fun to use

Cons:

• Reflective LCD panel hard to see in dimly lit areas
• Power choice of 3 AAA batteries is a bit awkward

Features

• 4x digital zoom
• Creates Internet-ready video
• Fits in a pocket or purse
• Records up to 1 hour on 32 MB SmartMedia card (4 MB included)
• Takes still images at 640 x 480 dpi

Reviews (14)

Language Selection
Sharp VNEZ1 MPEG-4 is a great little camera until the batteries fall out when the power is on, and then when you put them back in you find your menus are in Japanese.Then you get a Japanese person to look at it to change it back to English and they tell you there is no menu option to change the language selection - which rings a bell because I never saw an option to change the language selection when it was in English!!!

Works With my MAC
Yeah, the discription says for pc users, mac users are out of luck. Well I have a MAC, so I can break the rules! All you need to do is purchase a smartmedia flash card reader compatible with MAC and you will also have to download a free windows media player for MAC, thats it! I use a multi flash reader thats compatible wih my os9.2 . Unfortunately my reader does not work under osX.2, but, there are readers that will. I can still share my files with osX.2, or drag n drop into my Virtual PC, so whatever os I use, I can still view and send my visuals over the net!
MAC users, no need to worry, you have a MAC. And you know you cant stop THE MAC!

Editorial Review

The Nikon Coolpix 4300 packs a lot into its tiny frame: a 4-megapixel CCD, a 3x optical zoom (4x digital), and an excellent list of high-end features. It's also easy to grip and can be used entirely with one hand--for right-handers at least (as usual, southpaws will just have to get used to the design).

We were able to adjust the saturation, white balance, and noise reduction of our images even before taking a shot. The 1.5-inch LCD is smaller than average, but the bright and crisp panel was clearly visible in anything but direct sunlight.

The 4300's image quality duly impressed us--crisp, bright colors that stood up to 11-by-17-inch enlargements. You can also capture 40-second video clips, although they're silent movies. We appreciated the Best Shot Selector feature, which let us snap up to 10 quick pictures and then have the Nikon cull out the best one for us.

We were able to get over 90 minutes of use out of the rechargeable lithium-ion battery, although we had to remove it for recharging. This design works well for an optional backup battery; however, you'll need a fully-charged battery ready to go. Nikon includes a 16 MB CompactFlash card, but you'll want to upgrade early on--high-resolution images and video clips fill 16 MB rapidly.

One minor caveat: if we turned the camera on with the lens cap in place, the 4300 would flash a message telling us about it. Removing the lens cap didn't work, and we had to turn the camera off and back on to clear the message and get started.

For the price, the Coolpix 4300 delivers a lot of megapixels and excellent image quality. If you're planning on upgrading to a high-end digital camera, plan a stop right here. --J. Curtis

Pros:

• Bright, crisp images
• High-end features
• Easy-to-hold design

Cons:

• Have to remove battery to recharge
• Lens cap irritation

Features

• 640 x 480 video and photo resolution
• Built-in microphone
• USB 1.1 interface
• Includes Ulead Photo Express, Cool 360, VideoExplorer, and Microsoft NetMeeting software
• Compatible with Windows 98, 2000, Me, and XP

Reviews (4)

Don't waste your money
I purchased 2 of these for my sons for Christmas, they are not windows XP friendly. I emailed the Tech support with questions and they have not answered my questions after 7 days. I will be returning these.

Cheap
I was hoping too get some great pics with this cam I could not afford $3oo dollar ones so I tried it. It is a poor cam. you need perefect light , after you take pic stay still for best pic I took mabe 80 pics some in different lighe only mabe 8 we useable. I never used the video function but Im sure it would have been crap. my be a good Web cam but u well need lots of lights 300 whatts lol. Xp o my goodness so many problems with XP. any why later.

Features

• Record in JPEG or MPEG-4formats to SD or MMC memory cards and edited using one of the included software titles
• Rechargeable Li-ion battery can be charged through USB or outlet
• Ultra-compact multi-function 2.1-megapixel digital camera/camcorder, card reader, MP3 player, voice recorder, and Webcam
• Fixed lens with 4x digital zoom
• 1.5-inch LCD and easy-to-use controls

Reviews (70)

4 *'s FOR THE PRICE RANGE
I bought this camera in July 2004 and received it several days earlier than expected. It takes good pictures and short "movies" but doesn't offer a flash. The memory card was too small for my needs.This is not a camera for a serious photographer, but its compact design makes it perfect for taking along... wherever.Well worth the price.

Adorable but worth it?
I have to say that this model is just the cutest thing ever!It sounded like it had a lot of versitle features for such a small piece of equipment.I bought this item thinking it would be good for video taping my kids athletic tournaments (indoors sports), but soon discovered that the quality - similar to a camera phone -was just not up to the task I needed it to do.
If you were using this device outside on a sunny day, standing no more than 12 feet from your slowly moving subject, it would be fine.I guess I got what I paid for - and ended up sending it back the next day.
Moral: you won't get $350.00+ quality for $100 or less.

Features

• Comes with MusicMatch personal music management software
• Uses USB interface to connect to you computer
• 20 GB hard drive and digital multimedia player
• Plays MP3 formatted audio and is MP3pro ready
• Stores any file type, including word processing documents, presentations, spreadsheets, and more

Reviews (118)

Don't buy a Lyra AV Jukebox - it is a piece of junk
I reviewed my Lyra on this site a year ago after buying it.It has good functionality and was quite good at storing photos, the principal reason why I purchased it.However, during that year, I found much not to like about this product.It has a short battery life, only fair sound, is rather large and many of the small buttons, particularly the volume control, are hard to accurately press.None of these problems are that bad but what is bad about the Lyra is its unreliability.It has a flaky operating system and froze up repeatedly during the year that it worked.At times, it would not accept a download from a compact flash card until it was reset.One brand of compact flash card crashed the Lyra everytime I tried to use it.When I bought a new camera with an xD card, I purchased a CF adapter to download photos to the Lyra.Bad idea as this arrangement only worked 1 out of 10 times and on the other occasions also crashed the Lyra.Finally, after 13 months, my Lyra developed the well-known "USB Transfer Mode" failure where it stays in transfer mode and will no longer boot.RCA will exchange it for $100.Forget it, I have no desire to start over again with another Lyra that is certain to give me trouble and fail prematurely.I finaly did what I should have done originally: I bought an IPod photo and I am extremely happy with it.

A total waste of time
I bought this item to 1- use it to store my music library, 2- watch and record my favorite tv show, 3- store data on the go.

The "thing" failed on all the above!

-The music interface is slow and hard to manage.
-When playing mpeg4 movies, the sound is out of synch with the image.
-the data transfer takes HOURS!!!!

Don't even start me on the battery life.....

Just don't buy it.

Editorial Review

This is the world's first wrist PDA, delivering all the advanced features of the PALM OS. As the brain of most handheld devices and smart phones, PALM OS has enabled the mobile-minded to extend their life well beyond the desktop. Now, with the new Wrist PDA, you can take that life even further: The Wrist PDA represents the ultimate in personal data portability, delivering the power and functionality of the familiar PALM OS in a compact, stylish package. Also available in metal.

Features include:

• PALM OS 4.1
• Touch screen input, with a stylus integrated into the watch band for easy Graffiti input.
• 2 MB of flash memory for OS.
• Additional 2 MB for storing data and applications
• Customizable watch face: You can configure the time display of your choice when not in PDA mode.
• Intelligently designed buttons for easy navigation.
• Motorola DragonballVZ 33-MHz processor.
• An infrared port for beaming data.
• Compact, sporty, stylish design.
• 160 x 160, 1.4-inch diagonal, backlit, 16-level grayscale display.

What's in the box

• Wrist PDA
• HotSync Pod
• USB cable
• AC adapter
• Extra stylus
• Installation CD
• Getting Started Guide

Editorial Review

This is the world's first wrist PDA, delivering all the advanced features of the PALM OS. As the brain of most handheld devices and smart phones, PALM OS has enabled the mobile-minded to extend their life well beyond the desktop. Now, with the new Wrist PDA, you can take that life even further: The Wrist PDA represents the ultimate in personal data portability, delivering the power and functionality of the familiar PALM OS in a compact, stylish package. Also available in sport style.

Features include:

• PALM OS 4.1
• Touch screen input, with a stylus integrated into the watch band for easy Graffiti input.
• 2 MB of flash memory for OS.
• Additional 2 MB for storing data and applications
• Customizable watch face: You can configure the time display of your choice when not in PDA mode.
• Intelligently designed buttons for easy navigation.
• Motorola DragonballVZ 33-MHz processor.
• An infrared port for beaming data.
• Compact, stylish design.
• 160 x 160, 1.4-inch diagonal, backlit, 16-level grayscale display.

What's in the box

• Abacus Wrist PDA
• Palm OS Software 4.1
• Motorola DragonballVZ 33MHz
• 2MB RAM, 2MB Flash memory
• Built-in applications: Address Book, Date Book, To Do List, Memo Pad, Note Pad, Calculator, Time
• Internal Lithium-ion rechargeable battery

Editorial Review

Ultracool, compact, lightweight, and wearable, the SiPix StyleCam Blink II is the go-everywhere digital camera. Full-featured and convenient, the StyleCam Blink II is a digital camera, streaming snapshot camera, and video conferencing camera all in one package. With its built-in 8 MB memory, the StyleCam Blink II can store up to 300 photos. Included is a tilt base that easily stands on your desktop or attaches to your notebook computer.

Featuring SiPix's streaming snapshot feature, the StyleCam Blink II captures streaming images that will create up to 160 seconds of digital video. The SiPix picture manager automatically converts your streaming images into instant digital video. Send your video clips to friends and family via e-mail or share them on the Web. You can also use the StyleCam Blink II to have a live video conversation with your friends over the Internet. The StyleCam Blink II works with popular instant messaging applications such as Microsoft NetMeeting and Yahoo! Messenger.

The SiPix StyleCam Blink II offers image resolutions of 640 x 480 or 320 x 240 pixels. For video, you can choose between 320 x 240 (up to an 80-second length) or 160 x 120 (up to a 160-second length).

The StyleCam Blink II includes award-winning photo and video software. Use ArcSoft PhotoImpression to edit, retouch, enhance, and create fun projects with your photos. ArcSoft VideoImpression allows you to edit, add transitions, and share your video with your friends and family. The SiPix CamWizard provides easy transfer of your images to your computer. With just one click, you can view your photos or videos instantly.

The SiPix provides simple image editing (such as rotation, contrast, and cropping) before saving your images on your computer. Functioning as a mass storage device (via USB), the SiPix CamExplorer allows you to view, open, and save all files directly from the StyleCam Blink II.

Features

• Removable, high-capacity Li-ion battery -- up to 14 hrs continuous playback per charge
• Compatible with Microsoft Windows 98 SE, Me, 2000, and XP
• 60 GB storage lets you bring up to 16,000 WMA songs (80 kbps) or MP3 songs (128 kbps) everywhere you go
• Use AudioSync to synchronize your music on your player with your PC at work, school and home or on the road
• Load a song a second with ultra fast USB 2.0 port, compatible with USB 1.1 too

Reviews (78)

Go iPod...
This is the 6th month with (or was) my Nomad Xtra. I absolutely loved the product and it was totally worth it... until now. I remember correctly that I didn't drop it even once, and I went extra protection for my Nomad. The cover kept popping off but I didn't care, putting it back on wasn't much of a chore. But the headphone jack went awol and I was in the middle of a song when it went totally blank. I thought it ran out of battery until I realized that I left a few minutes ago fully charged and ready for my day. Then I went everywhere online to see what happened and saw countless ppl with the same problem. I was sad. I lost hope in the product, I even tried calling customer service who advised me to "stick my headphone end into the jack and wiggle it violently" or "bang the jack against the wall." it scratched and scraped my player but i just wanted it to play. After a month of grueling I pondered whether to pay 175 bux to fix a product that wasn't really reliable, or buy an iPod 20GB. I went with the 20GB and to say it still hasn't had any problems. Go iPod or Dell, iRiver at least. Save yourself while you can.

Heavily researched all of them, VERY happy with my choice.
I spent about 8 or so hours online researching all the mp3 players available.I was looking for a 20 or 40 GB player, but ended up getting the 60GB because it was only about $30 more than the 40GB.

Every mp3 player has its pros and cons, I can live with the 'cons' of this player, no problem.I chose the Zen Xtra because:
1-It has the most bang for its buck..

2-It comes with a battery that you can replace, Ipod doesn't and neither do some of the others.

3-It comes with volume normalization, others don't.I have obtained mp3's from all over the place, and some are way louder than the others, this will set them all at the same volume.

4-You can buy a car DC adapter, some others don't.

5-The sound is very crisp...I did buy some $30 headphones, and the sound is fantastic.But even with the earbuds that come with it, the sound is still very good and crisp.

I don't know why people complain about the software, I'm no computer person and I figured it out in no time.It's a bit bigger than the Ipod (and they say you can't run with it), but it's not crazy big at all and I don't run with music anyway.My carrying case (included) has a window for the screen and I've had absolutely no problems with the player.The battery life is about 8-10 hours, depends on how much fiddling you do with it.

Other than that, all I can say is that I'm very happy with this product, no question.I picked it up for $279 at buy.com I think.I would highly recommend this to anyone.

Editorial Review

The compact JVC GR-D30 is a stylish, go-anywhere digital video camcorder that incorporates all of JVC's key camcorder technologies. This entry-level MiniDV camcorder is 50 percent smaller than models from 2002 (the GR-DVL120) and features a 16x optical zoom, picture stabilization, and JVC's Night Alive feature.

Optics & Audio
The GR-D30 offers a 680,000 CCD with 520 lines of horizontal resolution. Combined with JVC's super hi-band processor, you'll be assured of capturing crisp, clear video. Equipped with a 16x optical zoom, the GR-D30 also features a 700x digital zoom that allows you to zoom in for incredible close-ups.

The GR-D30 also features PCM digital stereo sound in either 12-bit or 16-bit options. The 16-bit mode offers one set of stereo tracks and achieves the same quality as CD, while the 12-bit mode creates two sets of stereo tracks. Audio dub is possible when recorded in 12-bit mode.

More Features

• JVC's Night Alive feature boosts light sensitivity for a bright picture, even in situations with minimal illumination.
• A 2.5-inch tilting LCD screen for high-angle overhead shooting, low-angle shots, or even self portraits.
• The Picture Stabilizer system corrects camera shake instantly, giving you smooth and stable pictures.
• Record still images onto the video cassette with a "shutter" sound effect in full frame or pin-up mode.
• The Power Linked Operation feature prepares the camera to record simply by opening the LCD or pulling out the viewfinder.
• The IEEE 1394 (FireWire) connections provides fast, loss-less digital transfer to a computer, or dubbing from or to another DV unit.

MiniDV Format
MiniDV is the preferred format for personal and broadcast-quality video, highly regarded for its high audio and image quality. With up to 520 lines of horizontal resolution and minimum color noise, MiniDV delivers a 20 percent clearer picture than analog camcorder formats. This is all delivered on a cassette that's 1/12th the size of a standard VHS tape. A MiniDV tape offers digital recording time of 2 full hours--20 times the capacity of a CD.