Aiptek PenCam Trio HD 4 GB Camcorder Value Pack (Blue)

by Aiptek

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 1.4 x 0.8 x 5 inches ; 2.9 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B002PK13B8
• Item model number: AMZ-PCH11B-WB
• Average Customer Review: 2.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #16,853 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: October 12, 2009

Product Description

Color: Blue

Aiptek’s PenCamHD is the World’s smallest HD camcorder. Roughly the size of a highlighter pen, you can slip it into your pocket and take it with you everywhere! The PenCamHD has a trio of functions, including a 720p High-Definition camcorder, a 5MP Digital Still Camera and an MP3 Player. With its integrated memory and built-in rechargeable battery, you can capture up to 2 hours of High-Definition footage! Sharing your memories with friends and family is simple too. You can plug the PenCamHD into a USB port on your PC or Mac and easily upload to sites like YouTube and Vimeo, or use the included HDMI cable to plug directly into your HDTV and playback right from the PenCam itself. No other High-Definition camcorder out there is as compact, convenient, or as simple to use as the new PenCamHD!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A lightweight, easy to use, multi-purpose gadget., November 24, 2009

By 

Heath L. Buckmaster "_heath_" (Sacramento, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Aiptek PenCam Trio HD 4 GB Camcorder Value Pack (Silver) (Electronics)

(What's this?)

Length:: 7:12 Mins

Here's a quick video review of the Aiptek PenCam Trio HD.

It's called "trio" because it's three gadgets in one: Video Camera at 720p 30fps (saves video in MOV format), MP3 Player (drag files to the device via USB), 5MP still camera.

Included in the package: AV cables, USB cable, HDMI cable, Wrist Strap, Headphones, Armband, Sunvisor/stand.

In this review I show you what's in the package, and an example of the video and still picture abilities of the device.

I am giving this device 4 stars. It takes a lot for me to give a gadget like this 5 stars, because there are inherent weaknesses in something of its size - namely size of screen, and a slight quality sacrifice. But overall, for what it is, it's a great gadget to play with and carry everywhere!

21 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words ... Not the best choice out there, November 26, 2009

By 

Roberta Karchner (United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 100 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Aiptek PenCam Trio HD 4 GB Camcorder Value Pack (Silver) (Electronics)

(What's this?)

Length:: 0:45 Mins

Quick Summary -
Pros: Light, easy to use and carry. Discrete Video Camera. Cords included for connection to HDTV.
Cons: Low Quality Video, Video stores as a .mov file (Quicktime), 100 minutes max, not 2 hours, Low Quality Photos.

A picture IS worth a thousand words. The attached short video shows only one thing - the comparison of video quality between my older Flip Video and the Aiptek using indoor lighting. I chose to compare these two because of the similarities in actual cost.

I held both cameras and shot both very short video clips at the same time for a true comparison. As you can see, there is a distinct quality loss with the Aiptek in the video. While the Aiptek picks up the sound better (it's louder), there is an edgy harshness to the sound.

The battery is a 2-hour battery under normal conditions. HOWEVER, this camera can only store 100 minutes of video, not the 2 hours mentioned in the description. And, this total of 100 minutes is based on having no pictures or music stored on the camera.

I used the camera to take still photos (Indoors). All of the photos were of small items (for E-bay) and needed to show detail. There was significant loss of detail when using this camera, and the color spectrum was off (whites showed as yellows). I have uploaded one of the photos (in the photo section of the silver Model) to demonstrate the lack of clarity and focus.

The buttons work more smoothly on the Aiptek than the Flip, and it is narrower (although a bit longer than the Flip). While it compares itself to a highlighter, I would suggest that it is closer to the size of two highlighters.

The arm band is well made and fits both my arm and my husband's arm (with room to spare). Since my husband takes a "large size" blood pressure cuff, I would say that it will fit most sizes! It is also nice to have a stand for a table so that I can take a video of myself for my parents.

The battery is rechargeable and needs to be charged using the USB cord. For 2 hours of use it takes up to 8 hours to charge.

Video stores as a .mov file and needs to be viewed in Quicktime. To even see the file on your Windows computer, you need Quicktime, either downloaded or copied from the included disk. Powerpoint and Windows Movie Maker do not accept .mov, so you need to download a .mov to .wmv converter (free online) if you want to convert movies for use.

Law Enforcement Officers: While the camera is obviously a camera, it is very lightweight for a pocket with a nice pocket clip. The recording light is on the back, which means that it is still a discreet method of recording. It is a 2-step recording process, Pen must be turned on (side button) and the recording started (red button on back.)

I would actually consider this a nice gift for a preteen or another individual who is looking for something handy (and relatively low cost) to carry with them that includes music, digital photography, and Video clips. But, if you want a decent camera or video camera, this is not your best choice.

A solid "OK" with three stars.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Mediocre performance, November 28, 2009

By 

Matthew K. Morgan (Ruther Glen, VA USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Aiptek PenCam Trio HD 4 GB Camcorder Value Pack (Silver) (Electronics)

(What's this?)

The AipTek PenCam Trio HD is a multi-purpose gadget that includes an HD video camera, a 5MP digital still camera and an MP3 player. After experimenting with this device, I came to the conclusion that it is a mediocre device for imagery but acceptable for audio. I will explain each feature separately, then I will discuss some other things about this device.

First and foremost, this is billed as a pen-sized video camera. It does indeed record video, at a reasonable resolution and frame rate, up to 100 minutes worth. It's easy to work with, just set the mode, turn on the power and start recording. The audio on the recorded video is loud and clear, but the video itself is very grainy and not of the best quality. Worse, zooming in and out is not smooth AT ALL, being very jumpy and erratic. There is a light that can be turned on to enhance the light balance when recording but it is not enough to rescue the otherwise poor quality. On the plus side, there seems to be some adjustment for jitter built-in so that video recording is not too susceptible to slight movements.

The 5MP camera is very limited in capability. You can turn the flash on and off, zoom in and out, and snap pictures. There are no other adjustments and settings that can be made to improve the picture quality and as a result it is easy to take bad pictures. In fact, my cell phone's 2MP camera is better at taking decent pictures, and that says quite a lot.

The one redeeming feature of this device is the MP3 player. It does a nice job of audio playback, with decent sound quality and volume control. With 4GB memory it can hold quite a bit of music and audio.

There is no documentation with this device, at all. The print on the box is as close as you will get to having documentation, which is a terrible oversight. It is not good enough to assume that users will automatically know how to use this device, even though it is relatively straightforward. Several things about this gadget are learned through trial and error for the less electronically inclined.

*** UPDATE 11-29-2009: I was told that a mini CD with the manual should come with the gadget. Mine did not. I hope I am an isolated exception...

The screen is actually the biggest complaint I have about this device. It is small in the interest of keeping the overall device small, but it is so small as to be hard to see for some people. I struggle with seeing the image on the screen, and that's a deterrent for using it.

Another unfortunate design decision is that, in order to hear audio at all, you have to use headphones (this device includes a pair of ear buds in the package). Every other video device I have ever used that allows playback has a speaker, but this one does not. If out and about and you need to review your recordings, take the ear buds with you.

The very best feature of this gadget is the included software that installs when you plug it into a USB port of your computer. Installation takes some time but once installed it is very intuitive, responsive and seems to have packed a lot of features for interacting with the device (sending and receiving). It also facilitates interacting with YouTube so uploads are made easy.

Included in the package are all of the cables needed to interact with the gadget.

The AipTek PenCam Trio HD is a small device trying to be a video camera, digital camera and MP3 player all rolled into one unit. Unfortunately it does not work so well when it comes to its visual functions and actually underperforms some cell phones in these areas. Though a useful tool when on the go and an interesting gift idea, this gadget should be viewed as a starter unit at best and a toy at worst.

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