Aiptek released the A-HD 720p (1280×720) SD based camcorder for $170. Wow. I thought their GO-HD was cheap since you can find them for around $230 these days.
I’ve been a fan of Aiptek since I bought the MPVR a while back for $80. I know, the quality isn’t all that great.. but for that price, it was a steal. A really small, flash based, no-moving parts, beat up camera you can take anywhere is super handy. When going surf fishing, the only device I take with me is the Aiptek since I really don’t care if it gets thrashed. I don’t how many times I’ve dropped it with no sign of damage.
The design if this new model looks very similar to the Sanyo SD camcorders. It definitely looks more compact and slimmer than the MPVR or GO-HD.
I don’t think you can call these new Aiptek HD camcorders hybrids anymore though. The MPVR is a camera, digital camera, webcam, video recorder, video player, and MP3 player. The A-HD and GO-HD are just digital cameras and camcorders now.
Here are the specs taken from Amazon Aiptek. (EDIT: Amazon’s specs are for the GO-HD) The main difference from the GO-HD is the removal of optical zoom and LED light. It encodes to h.264 at around 4Mbps. With an 8GB card, you should be able to record around 4 hours of footage. I hope the battery life is better than GO-HD’s 30 minutes.
| Product Features |
| • |
1280 x 720 - 16:9 Ratio @ 30 FPS for Recording Movies:
The A-HD performs 720P high definition video quality to provide a whole new high quality DV experience. One-touch recording allows you to capture stunning HD (1280 x 720 - 16:9 aspect ratio) video clips at 30 frames per second with advanced H.264 technology. |
| • |
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 DVD’s, TV, VHS, or from Any Device that has RCA outputs for entertainment on the go! |
| • |
Max. Resolution up to 8 Mega-Pixel:
Equipped with 5 mega pixel CMOS sensor, the still image resolution of the A-HD is enhanced to 8 mega pixels. Auto-Focus helps you get the best pictures every time! |
| • |
Digital Zoom:
2x real time digital zoom allows you to Zoom In/Out while recording video!
|
| • |
Swivel-Reversible 2.4″ TFT Color LCD Display:
Review and playback you HD video clips and hi-res pictures in real time. LCD swivels 270° for unlimited video and photo taking. |
| • |
Night Shot:
Enhance image quality while capturing photos in darker environments with your A-HD. |
| • |
Recharge Battery via USB:
Conveniently charge your new A-HD via the USB cable when connected to your PC or use the AC Charger cable included. No need to remove battery from camera. |
| • |
HDTV Component Output:
Connect your A-HD to your HDTV Component input ports to display your high definition video clips and still pictures, sharing them with friends and family. |
| • |
Removable Hard Disk and SD/MMC Card Reader:
The A-HD allows you to use up to 8GB of SD card storage to record longer video before having to upload to your PC. |
| |
 
Bring HD Video to your MAC! |
|
| Specifications |
|
Image Sensor
|
5 Mega-Pixel CMOS (2592 x 1944) |
|
Still Image
|
3200 x 2400 Pixels (8 Mega Pixel)
2560 x 1920 Pixels (5 Mega Pixel)
2048 x 1536 Pixels (3 Mega Pixel) |
|
Movie Mode
|
1280 x 720 Pixels (H.264) up to 30 fps
720 x 480 Pixels (D1) up to 30 fps
352 x 240 Pixels (CIF) up to 30 fps |
|
Video Format
|
.MOV |
|
Macro Mode
|
Macro Mode: 30 ~ 50cm
Normal Mode: 50cm ~ infinity |
|
Digital Zoom
|
4x 2x
|
|
LCD Display
|
2.4” TFT Panel with 270° Rotation |
|
Internal Memory
|
6MB for Storage |
|
External Memory
|
SD Card Slot (256MB - 8GB) |
|
AV-IN
|
YES |
|
TV Out
|
HDTV (Component Out)
NTSC/PAL Color System Supported |
|
Interface
|
USB2.0 |
|
Battery
|
NP-60 1000mA Li-Ion battery |
| |
|
| Reference Table |
|
Memory
|
Digital Video (Min.) |
Still Image (Pic.) |
HD
1280 x 720 |
D1
720 x 480 |
8 MP
(3200 x 2400) |
5 MP
(2560 x 1920) |
|
512MB SD Card
|
15 min. |
36 min. |
190 |
290 |
|
1GB SD Card
|
30 min. |
72 min. |
380 |
580 |
|
2GB SD Card
|
60 min. |
144 min. |
770 |
1160 |
|
4GB SD Card
|
120 min. |
288 min. |
1540 |
2320 |
|
8GB SD Card
|
240 min. |
576 min. |
3080 |
4640 |
|
Note: The actual number of pictures stored may vary by 30% depending on the resolution and color saturation. The table above is for reference only.
|
Via Engadget
Review by fishycomics @ Steve’s Digicams Hybrid Digicams forum
Amazon.com product page
Aiptek product page
UPDATE: $149.99 @
Circuit City
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iptek A-Hd Information that needs to be addressed, and correctly given to the people who read your site, should be:
1 2x digital Zoom
2 Fixed lens
3 night shot mode no leds
4 5 meg , interpolated to 8 meg.
The Info we’re reading would be for the Go, and Amazon blows the info out of proportion?
What caught my eye, shock proof, I guess we do not need to wory bout carpet shocks then, it will be damaged apon a fall for sure, the casing, and posably the joystick if sticking out?
As you may not noticed the firmware is in perfect order, and the camerahas a sound issue in a car?
Otherwise another low light camera that cannot grab video at night, only if headlights are on, and light on the object? the MPVr ofyesterday was very hard to get the night timevideo going, but still filmed good, in fair conditions, today the A-HD does a better job, whilethe GO, does a greater job at night.
The a–hd uses a fixed lens, not because they wanted to lesser the price of a hybrid out there, yes a hybrid camera camcorder and voice recorder as well as a recorder or capturing device for wmm (win moviemaker).
They found the AF (auto focus) was not the best in the world, anddecided to go back to a fixed lens. they’r listening, butstill not getting that lower lux working?
Keeping the cost down for as low as 159.99 at your local Electronic stores , like Circuitcity you may pick one up.
It is a bargain for a H264 codec 1280×720 res unit? for me OWNING this device i can recommend this for sure, but do not expect to get everything you read on a box? or a site? what one tells you?
if yoyu decide apon this do a research? 32gig sdhc cards are coming out m and we do not know if this will accept them but are prepared for the future in a text on the manual and box 8 gigare allowed, and atest must bedone , if one can aford a 32 gig card? you’ll need a few batterys to keep to the 9 gig card imagine a 2 gig card.
battery life is at 2.5 hour recharge and 90 minute record time. gotta love the np-60 1000mah, get a IS-Dv port charger if needed to charge spares?
We hear the software is thebest. you can load it and see your mac quicktime on a pc change to Windows players icon, that’s it do not expect to edit with the Aiptek use SUPER or .mov programs?
the quality of the video is outstanding for tht iam sold, it beats my more expensive model at 858×480 16:9 ratio h264 the casio ex-v7.
cannot wait for the sanyo hd1000 at 800.00 I think I’ll pass. thank you for allowing a post……..
Thanks fishy. You’re doing a great job over at Steve’s forums. Remember me? I’m the one who caught the Striped Bass.
That’s great about the battery life. That’s one thing I was worried about.
The fixed lens may be a plus since it’s more rugged. No moving parts. Better for mounting on a bike for instance.
Shock proof probably means like dropping it. Or bumpy situation like when mounting on a bike.
That’s too bad about the low light performance.
Rod.
Always a pleasure?
Shock proof it is not. no where is it mentioned?
aud vid issues there are none?
Low light is not like the GO-Hd
at around 150 it is worth the steal of the deal?
if hte GO-HD drops back down to 190 I say you have a choice, ripping the hair out between what to get?
Av input batery life and fixed lens
720p wil a better model come out for a lot less , it is a real decision we need to know X-max is around the corner , and most sure something is coming?
The Sanyo Xacti HD1000 looks like a beast to be dealt with soon. $799.
1920×1080 (1080i). h.264 encoding. 10x Optical zoom. HDMI output. Image Stabiization. Docking station.
it is not in a good price range for me yet Amazon is a lil steep at times but lowers to a better price no haggeling there Ebay you’ll pay way over in shipping LMAO
Well, I bought the A-HD. Went to the local Circuit City and they had one for $150.
It works so far. I noticed one glitch in the short time I’ve used it.
* If you record in CIF 320×240 mode and have night shot on, the video ends up
corrupted.
I’ll play around with it more and post my thoughts later on.
I still recommend using blip.tv to upload videos to. You can send the full video at 1280×720 and it’ll be available download in its original format.