PreTec DV4200i MPEG-4 Camcorder with 2.1 Megapixel CCD, 1.8-inch Color LCD, 64MB SD, and AV input

by Pretec

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 4.4 x 2.6 x 1.8 inches ; 8 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00008RHA1
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #54,847 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: March 6, 2003

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The Pretec DV4200i is a revolutionary MPEG-4 digital camcorder with 2.1-megapixel digital still camera. This tapeless digital camcorder is capable of storing up to 3 hours of video--at VHS quality or better--with an optional 512 MB memory card. The included 64 MB Secure Digital (SD) memory card will hold approximately 20 minutes of video.

Still images can be taken at a resolution of 2.1 megapixels--for prints up to 8 x 10 inches--making the DV4200i one of the highest resolution camcorders with still image capability available as of March, 2003.

Using high-compression MPEG-4 technology with patented techniques of Advanced Simple Profile, including quarter-pel motion estimation, the DV4200i is the world's first camcorder to reach 30 frames-per-second using MPEG-4 encoding/decoding.

The DV4200i is practical for every office or family use, offering 30fps and AAC audio, which compresses much more efficiently than older formats such as MP3, yet delivers quality rivaling that of uncompressed CD audio.

With the AV-in feature of the DV4200i selected, you can transfer all your favorite movies or recordings from different media--VHS tape, VCD, DVD, etc.--to MPEG-4 video.

Other features include:

• 1.8-inch TFT (transreflective) color LCD screen
• USB 1.1 interface
• Rechargeable lithium-ion battery for up to 60 minutes of recording
• NTSC/PAL output
• 2x digital zoom
• Voice recording feature

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT CAMERA FOR PRICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, January 17, 2005

By 

Robert D. Schield (usa) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: PreTec DV4200i MPEG-4 Camcorder with 2.1 Megapixel CCD, 1.8-inch Color LCD, 64MB SD, and AV input (Electronics)

This is a review for the Pretec DV-4200i. I was looking for an SD camcorder and I can tell you that I got a LOT more with this camera! The camera shoots at 30fps (currently the ONLY one at this price at MPEG4 quality). It also will record your VHS and DVD tapes onto it so then you can transfer it to your computer! I've transfered and videotaped all kinds of things and sent them to friends. If you have old home movies....transfer them to your computer with the camera and then save them on disk! It also is a fairly good Digital still camera. It is also an mp3 recorder and audio recorder. THERE IS ONE REVIEW FLOATING AROUND OUT THERE THAT STATES THERE IS NO REPLACEMENT BATTERY FOR THIS CAMERA......THIS IS WRONG!!!!!! THEY DO HAVE REPLACEMENT BATTERIES AT WWW.PRETEC.COM!!!!!!
I use this all of the time and if you are looking for an awesome little video camera.....THIS IS IT!!!!!! The software that is included with it is AWESOME also. It lets you edit and transfer the videos OR still images. I cannot tell you how pleased I am with this camera. If you are looking for a camera that shoots DVD quality....THIS IS NOT THE ONE FOR YOU!!!!! So spend the money to get one. For the price, and what this little camera does (VHS quality) it is well worth it! Remember, MPEG4 is the NEW format file. Lets say you shoot a 6 min. video....It will save at MP4 @ 20 mb. Compared to the 800mb at the old AVI file. It compresses it very well and the video looks great!
Cudos to Pretec!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Also there is a new camera coming out from PRETEC that does shoot at DVD quality.

26 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Cheap piece of plastic!, October 8, 2003

By 

Albert Earle Settle (Ensenada, Mexico) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: PreTec DV4200i MPEG-4 Camcorder with 2.1 Megapixel CCD, 1.8-inch Color LCD, 64MB SD, and AV input (Electronics)

First of all I was highly unimpressed with the appearance and "feel" of the unit. Second, I went to load the supplied CD and it was either a blank, or a defective copy. I checked my CD Drive to be sure and it loaded other software with no problem. So, I guess I can't really comment on the performance of the unit, as I never got to the point of shooting anything with it. I have waited some time for the release of this Camcorder and was quite dissapointed with its "cheap construction". There was no written manual supplied with the unit, so I assumed that the instructions to be on the supplied CD, which as I said, would not load onto my computer. I drew a blank, I will now go back to the Mini DV technology, or wait for the Samsung unit to be released. I have returned the unit to Amazon.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars No Replacement Battery, September 11, 2004

By 

William Hollander - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: PreTec DV4200i MPEG-4 Camcorder with 2.1 Megapixel CCD, 1.8-inch Color LCD, 64MB SD, and AV input (Electronics)

I purchased the DV-4200i from Amazon as soon as it was available. It is a fine product. There are 2 major exceptions however.

1. You can not buy a replacement battery. I have been in contact with Pretec with no success. I have searched the internet and local stores. No one sells this battery. I suggest that amazon stop selling this product until batteries are available.

2. I had to buy my own software to combine clips taken with the camera. The company did not know where I could buy the program nor did they suggest a product name. I did the research and found that ACE is a fine program to combine the clips. I passed this info on to the company.

It is a shame that such a fine product should have such major shortcomings. I wonder if their purchasing Dept. gets the batteries from. The won't tell me.

The battery is a rechargeable Li-ion 7.4 700mAh. It is proprietary battery.
if anyone who is reading this knows where I may buy the batteries, please email me at
[e-mail]