Vidster digital video camera reviewed

BY TOMS M

21st September, 2005: So far not many devices have been in the electronic device market which could withstand external damages or careless abuse from kids. Most devices cannot withtand being drooled on, dropped, kicked or rolled around in the back of a minivan. 

Mattel's new Vidster digital video camera sounds like a great diversionary tactic for the little ones. The Vidster digital video camera costs only $80. The new digital camera comes as a great relief for the "value for money" cautious customer.

The digital camera is enclosed in a large gray-plastic housing, but it is molded to fit small hands. The company says they are conducting drop tests on it, which may be why the small thing looks damn sturdy. Since the Vidster digital camera uses SD Cards for recording, the restless parents can now sleep well, not worrying about their kids having fun with all the long tapes. 

The camera comes equipped with a 32MB starter card, which will hold about six to eight minutes of video, at 320-by-240 resolution at 15 frames per second. The camera can also capture 1.3-megapixel still shots. The Vidster has a microphone and a 2X digital zoom. The 1.1 inch colour view finder is real large but the camera does not have a swingout LCD. The digital camera runs on 4 AA batteries.

Making movies is really fun with the Vidster camera. We can use the included Muvee software to generate a finished movie. Several additional features like adding music of your choice, choosing one of 10 styles have been provided, and the software automatically inserts transitions to match the music and the style. 

Once the movie has been shot, you can write it back out to the SD Card, and then enjoy it on a television through the Vidster's composite-out port. Though the video quality of the Vidster digital camera is not very high the product is sure to meet ordinary customer expectations.

BY TOMS M