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Manifest Technology Making Sense of Digital Media Technology By Douglas Dixon |
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Articles: | PC Video | Web Media | DVD & CD | Portable Media | Digital Imaging | Wireless Media | Home Media | Tech & Society | Digital Imaging: | Digital Imaging Articles | Digital Cameras Gallery | Digital Camcorders Gallery | DXG HD Pocket Camcorders - Summer 2009 (8/2009)by Douglas Dixon
Pocket camcorders have become very popular in the past few years -- Pure Digital reported in June that Flip Video models (www.theflip.com) were the top two selling camcorders in U.S. for Q1 2009, according to The NPD Group. There's a nice selection of products available in this market, but now a newer name, DXG USA, has expanded its product line with new options to make these portable camcorders more fun, fashionable, and rugged for active use (www.dxgusa.com). These pocket camcorders are just so easy and fun to use, and relatively inexpensive at around $100. They slip comfortably into a pocket or bag and turn on instantly, so they are always ready. Yes, you do give up higher-quality zoom lenses and lots of features, and the video quality does not match even traditional consumer camcorders. But pocket camcorders just make it so easy to capture the moment, and the video is still quite reasonable, for sharing on the web or burning to DVD. And they are available to shoot both standard-def and HD video. Pocket camcorders share a common design approach, typically simplifying the options to make them easier to use:
And there are a growing number of these kinds of pocket camera lines available, to shoot standard-def and high-def video (see my Video Camcorders Gallery)::
DXG Pocket CamcordersDXG is not a well-known brand name, but its parent company is one of the world's leading OEM manufacturers and designers of digital cameras and camcorders for more than 20 years. DXG has become more visible in the market by developing a broad line of inexpensive and fun pocket camcorders, which are loaded with advanced features for this price range ($100 - $230).
The DXG cameras are not designed like the other pocket camcorders, held face-on with the screen on the back. Instead, they are designed more like traditional consumer camcorders, with several pairs of models offering your choice in design: the traditional horizontal orientation, held in your palm with the strap, or the vertical / upright orientation, with the lens on the side and a flip-out display.
DXG's HD camcorder line begins with products at the two HD resolutions: 720p (1280 x 720), and 1080p (1440/1920 x 1080), and one model with optical zoom:
But pocket camcorders are not expensive, delicate instruments -- at this size and these price points they are almost impulse purchases as fun portable devices. As with cell phones, consumers are looking for color and fashion and lifestyle options. As a result, the DXG camcorders are available in a fun array of colors, including silver, black, blue, red, and pink. And DXG is also introducing variants of these products for active lifestyle, with rugged and underwater cameras, and for more fun with fashion, with the new Luxe line introduced this week with quilted and argyle designs:
[ Top ] Advanced FeaturesThe DXG cameras also feature a variety of advanced features not typically found in pocket camcorders or at this price point. They typically support multiple video resolutions (HD, SD, Web), shoot still photos, provide shooting enhancement options, and have a LED light / flash. They are typically powered by 4 AAA batteries, or can use a removable custom Li-ion battery. And the products include ArcSoft TotalMedia Extreme software to edit and share standard and high-def video. This section summarizes features available among the DXG camcorders. Some cameras (particularly the horizontal designs) have more of these options. Multiple Video Resolutions - HD, SD, Web
Still Photo Mode - JPEG
Digital Voice Recorder
Fixed Lens
Expandable Storage - Internal + SD Card
Video Output Options - Display directly from camera on TV / monitor
LED Light - Video and photo
Shooting / Enhancement Options
[ Top ] DXG Lifestyle CamcordersThe DXG lifetyle camcorders include the Luxe Collection with fashionable designs, and more rugged weather-resistant camcorders for active and underwater use. DXG Luxe Collection - Fashion HD Camcorders
There are two models: Riviera (quilted) in white, black, pink, and Soho (argyle) in blue and pink. They weigh around 8 ounces (without battery). These are 720p camcorders like the DXG-580V, with internal 128 MB memory (90 MB available). These are just coming available, priced at $149. DXG-125V All-Weather HD Camcorder
It shoots 720p HD video, but with fewer options, a smaller 2" display, and lower-res photos at 3 MP (interpolated). It does have a 128 MB internal memory. It weighs around 3 ounces (without battery). It's due out around August, at $99. DXG-579VS Underwater Value Pack The case is rubberized to provide full access to the camera controls: Record, play, zoom,
shoot video or still photos, use the underwater light. The DXG-579V is a 720p
camera, priced at $149 bundled with the waterproof casing.
[ Top ] DXG HD CamcordersDXG's HD camcorder line offers both horizontal and vertical designs at the two HD resolutions, 720p and 1080p, plus a more expensive model with optical zoom. DXG-517V / 579V HD Camcorders - 720p
The horizontal 517V adds a few features like a 128 MB internal memory (vs. 32 MB) and HDMI out. Both are priced at $129 (around $99 street).
DXG-580V / 581V HD Camcorders - 1080p Both have a built-in 32 MB memory (15 MB for storage). The horizontal 580V has a larger 3" screen (vs. 2.5"). They weigh around 8 and 4.8 ounces respectively (without battery). They are priced at $169 (around $122 street).
DXG-595V HD Camcorder - 1080p - Optical Zoom
It also features a 3" flip-out display, 720p recording at 60 fps, component HD video out (not HDMI), and a stabilizer function. It has 32 MB of built-in memory, weighs around 10 1/2 ounces, and is priced
at $229 (around $173 street).
[ Top ]
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Kodak Zx1 - Sony Webbie
The company's
positioning shows how it has expanded beyond manufacturing products
for other companies to resell: "DXG USA, The Digital Camera Company,
is one of the fastest growing digital camera manufacturers in the U.S.,
providing intuitively designed digital cameras and camcorders for the youth and
mainstream markets. Compact, fashionable and affordably priced, DXG digital
camcorders are setting trends for high-quality, easy-to-use consumer
electronics."
Find the 
The DXG-580V (horizontal) and 581V (vertical) are 1080p
camcorders -- but with different resolutions. The 580V is 1440 x
1080 resolution, while the vertical 581V is full HD at 1920 x 1080
resolution, and has HDMI output.
The
DXG-595V is a more advanced full HD 1080p camcorder with 5X optical zoom (the other cameras have digital zoom only).