Creative Labs Vado HD 720p Pocket Video Camcorder with 8 GB Video Storage and 2x Digital Zoom (Black) Review

The Creative Labs Vado HD is a very nice portable video recorder. This device is greatly improved over the original Creative Labs Vado, and I would probably say that this device is the best compact HD recording you can buy for the money. The list price is high, and the poor software and the fact that there is no optical zoom keeps it from being an absolute slam dunk.

The biggest shortcoming that the Creative Vado has is shared by most other compact video recorders. The included software is extremely slow when you have to actually use it to convert or combine videos. But you can definitely use this device for home movies, video blogs, YouTube or just about anything else. Just be prepared to use a different video software.

Before I got the Creative Vado, I had already spent a good amount of time with the Flip MinoHD Camcorder. I was happy with that device, but had heard plenty of hype that the Vado HD was going to be "better." I was naturally skeptical but the Vado HD has won me over. This device features a new improved lens that makes even standard definition videos look extremely good. The improved recording capacity is enough to capture a complete concert. And despite what the device specs say about having a 2 hour battery life, I have gotten more than 3 and 1/2 hours of continuous recording out of a single battery charge. Even better is that the stand-by charge lasts for more than a week. That means that you don't have to worry about recharging it every night if you want to have it by the ready. It will hold the charge so that when you need it, it's ready to go.

PROS:

+ Greatly improved lens produces much better quality video than the original Creative Vado; video quality is very good even when set to standard definition
+ Internal storage capacity of 8GB can capture 2 hours of HD+ video or 4 hours of standard definition (SD) video - Twice the HD recording time of the MinoHD, which gives you 1 hour
+ Li-ion battery holds a great charge while off and lasts longer than listed 2 hour battery life while recording
+ Rechargeable battery is easily swapped and replaced, while the MinoHD's internal battery requires factory replacement or warrantee-voiding hacks
+ Easy to use controls are simple to learn, and easy to teach to others
+ Microphone sensitivity produces good quality audio
+ Records high quality HD video in 720p (1280 x 720) displayed in 16:9 widescreen
+ 2 inch LCD versus the 1.5 inch LCD of the MinoHD makes it easier to see what you are shooting
+ Compact and light-weight so it's easy to transport in your purse or pocket
+ Flexible USB 2.0 connector, along with an extender, makes it easy to download videos to any computer or get a quick charge
+ Body seems to have improved durability versus the original Vado as well
+ Good light sensors are great for recording in low-light or changing light environments (think concerts)
+ Includes support for a decent set of formats, with standard H.264 AVI video
+ MP4 video compression allows you to keep files small and copy them faster
+ Software drivers install automatically; works with Mac OS X, Linux, Windows XP, Vista 32 bit and Vista 64 bit with no problems
+ Includes a decent set of accessories (HDMI cable, silicone case), a very nice change from most similar products
+ HDMI cable lets you play videos directly to your HDTV
+ Silicone cover provides a good comfortable rubberized grip
+ Good "low-battery" indicator gives you plenty of time to finish recording before the unit powers down

CONS:

- Included muvee software is SLOW if you have to edit, combine or render videos using the built-in software only (For example, when you are at a family get-together and you want to leave the video before you go home)
- Included software will also limit you to combining 3 clips and try to "up-sell" you to the pro version
- List price pits this unit against digital cameras that capture photos and video
- Lack of an SD memory card expansion slot limits total recording capacity
- Lack of optical zoom due to fixed lens with 2X digital zoom (internal zoom lenses are possible and some cameras like the Nikon S52 have them; Still the digital zoom works well enough that it might fool some people into thinking it's an optical zoom)
- Plastic threaded tripod connector not as durable as the metal threaded connector on the MinoHD
- The tab for the USB dongle on the bottom does make it harder to stand on its own (it's not always possible to carry a mini tri-pod)
- The power button on the side is the only button that isn't intuitive when training others how to use the device (barely sticks out and hard to see with the silicone case on)
- There doesn't seem to be a way to turn off the LCD while recording to increase battery life (if somebody has figured out how, please post a comment)

OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES:

~ Reasonably priced spare batteries that can be charged as a backup for extended recording on the go
~ Optional wall charger allows you to plug the USB cable into an outlet
~ Optional AV cable allows you to hook up the unit to non-HD TVs and receivers
~ Good collection of third-party cases, lanyards, and tri-pods available

SOFTWARE

While it's easy to copy videos from the device to your computer, as you can tell I really don't like the included software. While I have plenty of video editing software on some of my computers, I don't have it on all of them. Furthermore, sometimes when you are capturing a family video you want to quickly edit it to leave it with your family. I am too busy to be sure that I will remember to edit and send a video that I recorded a week after the fact. I tried to quickly edit 30 minutes of video to leave for a relative and doing everything took hours. By the end I wished I had brought my own laptop with me.

So if you have to do editing on the go, just try to record as few files as possible and then copy them to the machine rather than doing tons of editing with the software. Remember this software limits you to combining 3 clips. Any more than that and they try to sell you the "premium" version.

I was able to edit basic videos using Corel Ulead VideoStudio 11.5 Plus, though I have also used Pinnacle Studio Moviebox Ultimate and Sony Vegas Movie Studio 9 Platinum Pro Pack in the past. I primarily have been recording standard definition with this camera, but once I got the right software codecs loaded Ulead had no trouble with the HD Videos either. They now have Corel VideoStudio Pro X2 which is a newer version of the software which replaces Ulead. I had less luck with Microsoft Movie Maker, which worked but seemed equally as slow with large movies or multiple clips. Apple iMovie seems to handle everything you throw at it if you're a Mac user.

Video editing software is a very personal choice. I tried as best I could to come up with a recommendation, but I think the best strategy is to test out the free trials for the various options and choose the one that seems most intuitive for you. The short end of the story is that you should be prepared to use some other video-editing software because what is included here is really only useful for copying videos out of the device to your computer.

CONCLUSION

I really like this device. If I had gotten this before the MinoHD, I might not have upgraded to that model. You could do a lot worse than the Vado HD. The minor limitations this device faces are pretty standard for portable video recorders. The improved lens really makes a huge difference, and it's hard not to notice it: it literally sticks out from the profile of the player case. This unit is highly recommended. Just plan on downloading a bunch of trial video editing software so that you can pick one that works best for you.

Enjoy.

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