When it comes to video cameras, some of us here at GD are old enough to remember when they were practically the size of shoulder-mount 3/4″ tape video cameras.

(Well, some of us are old enough to remember movie film cameras that you had to wind up with a key, but I digress.)

But we are in the 32-Gigabites-in-your-phone era, and so digital video cameras have been shrinking and shrinking.  While they’re not quite the size of hiding them in your shirt-buttons yet, Brickhouse Security has taken the idea a long way in that direction with their new Mega Mini Spy Camera Ultra.

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Today we are introducing a new series entitled “It’s The Next Best Thing To Being There”. In it we’ll share stories of ways in which tech lets of make and maintain connections with one another.

After reading Dan’s post yesterday, I wanted to share my own tech moment with everyone.

My grandparents are in their mid-80s.  Traveling isn’t exactly the easiest thing in the world for them to do anymore. Neither one of them can sit in a car for hours on end.  And airplane travel?  This is not even an option for my grandmother. Her health issues simply won’t allow for it and her doctor has pretty much forbidden her to do it.

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Even though many of us are already taking videos on our smartphones, the Creative Labs Vado HD comes in handy for both convenience and affordability. The pocked camcorder is on sale at Amazon in 4GB and 8GB models. It captures video in high-definition 720p HD quality. Available in either 8 GB (up to 2 hours HD recording and playback) or 4 GB model ($99 Creative Labs Vado HD White). The Vado features high-quality HDMI connectivity and an HDMI cable, which allow you to connect your camcorder into your HDTV and immediately enjoy your videos and pictures in full 720p HD quality. You don’t need any special software or downloads–just plug it in and play.

Creative Labs Vado – 8GB – $129 or
Creative Labs Vado – 4GB – $99 via Gearsponsor Logicbuy

We purchased the WiLife surveillance system about 2 years ago for extra security at the house.  In terms of a system, if it works for you, it is one of the least expensive and difficult to install ways to get real time video surveillance both as a traditional DVR as well as Internet Access.

On Halloween, we got more than we bargained for!  Read On…

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The digital transformation in the professional photographic world began around 10 years ago. D-SLRs began making their appearance on the scene as the “next big thing.” I myself was an early user of the now classic Nikon D-1 digital SLR camera. But the acceptance of digital by art directors worldwide was not so well taken. Availability of digital technology in the medium and large format spectrums came much slower and at greater cost. Fast forward to November, 2009, and Mamiya has an answer for those caught in this dilemma. Continue Reading

I love my FlipHD. Although I use my iPhone’s camera to grab video all the time, I still use the Flip numerous times each week. Why? Because it shoots better quality video than the iPhone, and the Flip software makes it so easy to edit clips, convert them into short, polished movies and share the finished product.

Now Flip has introduced the next generation Flip MinoHD. It has a sleek new design, offers up to two hours of recording time, and has a large high-resolution screen. Moreover, Flip has also introduced the latest version of their awesome pre-loaded FlipShare(TM) software. It now includes the ability to directly upload videos to Facebook.

The original Flip MinoHD offers on hour of recording time and retails for $199. The new Flip MinoHD is priced at $229. Details at the company website.

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Samson’s Q3 Handheld Video Recorder with HD Audio is now available at retailers. The Zoom Q3 captures audio at 24-bit/48 kHz adding tremendously to the quality of the video users can take and share. As Mark Wilder, Samson Director of Marketing explains,

“While it can be difficult to discern the difference between High Quality and High Definition videos on sites like YouTube, High Definition audio makes a big difference in the viewing experience,”

The Zoom Q3 is powered by 2 AA batteries, can record up to two hours in true stereo and clear 640 x 480 resolution refreshed at 30 frames per second. A 2.4-inch 320 x 240 resolution LCD that displays audio level meters, a battery indicator and time elapsed and the ability to accept up to a 32 GB SDHC card round out the package.

For more information visit www.samsontech.com.

New York-based BrickHouse Security is not only dedicated to assisting the public and government with their security, safety, protection, covert surveillance and counter-surveillance needs, but they also want to offer peace of mind for our mobile environments as well.

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This Kodak Zi8 (Black) is presently selling for $179 at Amazon. But if you scoot over to Kodak’s site you can score one for $138 shipped (price drops to $120 each if you buy two). Use coupon code KODAKGOLF09 at checkout. This is a 1080p, 30 fps, 16:9 aspect ratio hi-def video camera that offers expandable memory via your SD/SDHC memory card (up to 32 GB). In mid-August 2009 Wired Magazine called this model “The Best Pocket Cam We’ve Seen All Year”.

Kodak via FatWallet

There are adventures, and then there are great adventures, those usually described to friends and family as “trip of a lifetime” or the like.

And while you do your best to describe every detail, words rarely do an adequate job. Sights and sounds are needed at this point, and that is where VholdR steps in.

Video captured in high definition will bear witness to your tales and the folks at VholdR offer not only a choice of HD wearable camcorders but also a platform to share your adventures with the rest of the world.

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photo credit: s~revenge

You’ve got to hand it to pseudoscience. Why? Because how else could someone like me – a person without an MD – have a chance to speak with absolute authority about things of which I know absolutely nothing. And there are even cool gadgets that you can use while practicing pseudoscience, things that can help make you seem professional and knowledgeable, things like the Uxsight 1.3M Pixels Portable Digital USB Iriscope.

Allow me to digress for a moment…

Back in the fall of ‘86,  I went home from college with one of my sorority sisters for the weekend. Before we got there, Marcy told me to watch out for her step-father. Fearing that I might take it as he was some creepy old man that she should have warned me about before I agreed to come, Marcy explained that it wasn’t that he would do something to me that I might not like, it was that he might be able to tell me things about myself that I might not be ready to hear.

Excuse me?

Marcy said that I shouldn’t look him in the eye unless I wanted him to tell me everything that was going on in my body, and that he could do so just by checking out my irises.

“Oh really?!” I said, as my inner skeptic kicked into overdrive, “this I’ve got to see!”

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OK, so it took me a little longer than most to adopt the new iPhone into my life. Truth be told I preferred the video and still image functions of the Nokia over the Apple product.

It wasn’t until recently that I seriously began questioning my choice of cellphones.

The final convincer was a mention of some new software and iPhone app by onOne Software, Inc. that allowed the user to control one of many of the newer DSLR cameras remotely from their iPhone (or iPod Touch) device.  Sold.

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Picture this: You live two and a half miles from your front gate, and you want to know who is entering or leaving your property; or you own a half million dollar mobile home that is kept at a storage facility, and you want to check in on it daily without actually driving to the edge of your city; or you own a vacation home that is only visited a few times a year, and you want to make sure that no one is squatting there when you are gone. Those are just three examples of why someone might need the new Brickhouse Security cellular-enabled Global Watchman.

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Small video recorders are all the rage.  From the Flip Mini to the iPhone 3Gs.  Most of these cameras record mediocre video with even more mediocre sound capture.

Samson seeks to solve at least one of those issues with its Zoom camera.  The small video recorder features a large microphone built in the top to capture better sounding audio.

It also has an SD slot which allows for massive recording times and comes with video and audio editing software so you can share your videos on the web or with family and friends.

The Zoom sells for $250, and you can learn more about it here.

What is the best camera currently on the market? Gear Diary knows and we’re willing to let you in on the secret… The best camera currently available is… the iPhone 3GS.

“Huh?” You say, “It is just 3MP, doesn’t have a flash. Isn’t the fastest sensor around. And the list goes on and on and on. The iPhone 3GS is the best camera… you’ve got to be kidding.”

No we’re not and here’s why.

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