With the third child here, it was time for a new imaging device. Before Benjamin arrived, we got a Canon DV camcorder. After Hannah arrived, we got a 7.2 (effective) megapixel Cybershot. The Cybershot could record VGA video in a codec iMovie didn't like very much. So I just have to re-encode these videos if I want to use them with iMovie. It was also limited in other ways. It takes great stills and the video is good enough in a pinch.
The old camcorder stopped working about a year ago. I think it might still play the tapes, but it can't capture video any longer. So it was time to buy a new video recorder. I looked at what Target had from Aiptek and the Mino Flip. But I settled on the Kodak Vi6.
First of all, this is really just for point-and-shoot. It is not a camcorder replacement. The main thing I like about it is that it records in HD. Specifically, it can shoot 720p@30 and 720p@60. If you're not familiar with that, it means "High Definition" in either 30 frames-per-second or 60 frames-per-second. It's what I wanted and that's about all you really need to know. If you want a more technical explanation on what the numbers really mean, just Google it.
The first complaint I have about this camera is the firmware. It doesn't allow you to set a default format. So if I intend to only ever record at 60 fps, I have to switch it each time I power it on. Second, sometimes the record button doesn't start recording, but I think that's probably pilot error.
Another slight problem is that there is no indication the unit is powered on when the USB is plugged in. Half the time I'm waiting for something to happen after realizing I need to turn it on after connecting it. The other half of the time, I'm pulling it off the USB port while it's still powered. The nice thing is that this camera has never dumped the data as result of pulling it off the USB port while it's still powered. I've had several cameras that will dump the data in that event, which is a real pain. Not so with this camera.
Last, the battery life indicator is incorrect. After about 15 minutes at 60 fps, the battery life indicator was red, which supposedly indicates the battery was almost dead. But the unit went on to record over 30 minutes more on a red indicator. I turned it off and back on to see the battery indicator back to 50%. So battery life seems quite antiquate but the indicator is wrong.
As far as complaints are concerned, that's about it. I think those are really mild complaints. One of the features I like is that it has a macro mode to allow focus on extremely close objects. I've had cameras with a macro feature that doesn't offer much of a difference.
Tip: I recommend either a) avoid putting this device in your pocket or b) get a rubber band to keep the USB from popping out. Even if you put the device in the felt bag that comes with it, if you put it in your pocket, the USB will pop out at some point.
Another Tip: Get the big, high quality SD card and get extra Kodak batteries. Kodak sells Ni-MH 2100mAh AA 1.2V. Don't use alkaline. Even though it looks like regular AA cells will work, I'm not sure it's such a good idea. I've been reading reviews of people who use regular AA and they seem to have nothing but problems. Some reviews say there are no problems. Kodak is not clear about it.
Here's a clip I shot in LAX before getting on the bus. It was originally recoded on April 29th, 2009 at 720p @ 60 FPS:
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