Aiptek IS-DV2 6 Megapixel MPEG4 Image Stabilization Digital Camcorder

by Aiptek

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 8 x 3.5 x 10 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000EHKWKM
• Item model number: IS-DV2
• Batteries: 2 AA batteries required. (included)
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,542 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: August 30, 2006

Product Description

The IS-DV2 camcorder from Aiptek is built on the success of the IS-DV. It pays close attention to detail, and lets you do the same with a maximum resolution of 6 megapixels and a swivel-reversible 1.8-inch color LCD screen. The image stabilizer and red-eye reduction make it ideal for the first-time videographer. Record videos at 30 frames per second in MPEG-4 Super VHS quality (640x480 VGA resolution) with sound. On top of all this, it's an MP3 player, voice recorder, and web cam. It also comes with 16MB of internal memory, and has a built-in SD card slot that can hold up to 1GB of additional information (card not included). It includes 2 AA batteries, USB cable, A/V output cable, camera bag, and ear bud headphones. OS requirements: Microsoft Windows 98SE/ME/2000 /XP; Direct X8.0 or above, 128MB of RAM, 64MB video card, 4x CD-ROM.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

87 of 87 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good clear video but LED video light of little use, July 16, 2006

By 

Hockford (Brownsville, Texas USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Aiptek IS-DV2 6 Megapixel MPEG4 Image Stabilization Digital Camcorder (Electronics)

One of the problems with devices like this, is the lack of reviews by professional camera/camcorder review sites. In the rare case that they do a review, they will be given a poor score because the reviewers seem to always look down at them from a prosumers point of view rather than as a consumer. Consumers quite often are simply looking for a fun device that provides convenience, is inexpensive in case of loss, and does the job rather than something that produces output fit for a movie theatre with a price to match! Therefore customers like you and I either have to take a chance and make sure the store has a good return poilcy or hope that another customer has already done so and written a basic review, and here is mine.

The video quality in it's high quality mode of 640x480/30fps is very good and clear for the price of the device. It is very easy to use and you can get it up and running without much reference to it's manual. You can record up to 80 minutes of video in high quality mode per 1GB and considering it can take a 2GB card, this should easily be more than enough for most people.

One thing you have to remember though, is that these devices are very poor in low light such as indoors in the evening unless you have very good lighting. If you intend to use it mainly outdoors you won't be bothered by this.

The device has a small non swivelling 1.5 inch LCD which makes it a little more awkward to use than those equipped with the swivelling type. The SD/MMC card slot is at the rear under a rubber flap and there is a tripod socket on the bottom.

This is one of the first devices of this type to incorporate an LED video light to help with the low light but unfortunately it seems to be little more than a gimmick. It is not that the LED's are not bright enough (They are almost blinding!) or that they don't illuminate a close subject enough. It just seems that the devices sensor is only sensitive enough to pick out the very brightest center portion giving you a tunnel effect. If used to film someone in low light or darkness for example, you get a similar effect to a flash light being held up to their face in that it is only a their face and little else that is visible. I don't expect miracles with a cheap device like this, but I would've thought it would've have been at least better than this so it would pick up their shoulders for instance.

The summary is that this camera seems like it would take a few knocks and is very compact ie a true palmcorder. If you ignore the useless LED video light and only intend to use it during daylight hours outside, then this would make a great beach camera for instance as you wouldn't be as worried dropping this in the sand or water given its price!

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars For Still Life only (or web-cast), December 25, 2006

By 

E. Richardson (Columbus, Oh) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Aiptek IS-DV2 6 Megapixel MPEG4 Image Stabilization Digital Camcorder (Electronics)

This is a great camcorder if you are filming sloths with a tripod. If anything moves, it blurs. The video is noticeably choppy, the stills are blurry. The sound is questionable. You can't fill up a 1 GB memory card on one set of batteries (about 40 minutes). From the time you hit the button to take a picture until it actually takes it is at least 3 seconds. It does not remember settings from power off to power on, I had to set the flash to auto repeatedly.

It is small, it is light, it will fit in you pocket. It is actually quite amazing for so small a device.

If you are filming for your website, this is cost effective, buy rechargeable batteries. If you are filming for posterity or a DVD to give grandma, don't bother.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Simple, January 9, 2007

By 

Michel Saikalis "Msaikalis" (Waterford, Michigan) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Aiptek IS-DV2 6 Megapixel MPEG4 Image Stabilization Digital Camcorder (Electronics)

My 10 year old daughter just love it. Very easy to use. My computer inderstood the camcorder right away. Perfect for youngster. Not the best pictures.