Hands-on with Aiptek's GO-HD Camcorder

Thu Jul 19, 2007 11:38PM EDT

See Comments (30)

I've been trying out Aiptek's GO HD high definition 720p Camcorder for a few reasons, but mostly these two: price and size.

The 4.5-inch by 2.8-inch video camera shoots in high definition and standard video in a compact package with easy-to-use controls. You can find it for between $237 and $250, and that's a price that appeals to me because I'd have no problem letting my kids pick it up anytime to make videos. It's probably one of the only HD cameras on the market that I'd be be able to say that about. It's terribly affordable.

Of course, there's got to be some kind of trade-off if most HD camcorders are closer to $700 to $1,000 in price. The picture quality is very good but not spectacularly sharp. Still, it does a fine job, and its size makes it easy to slip in a bag and take anywhere.

The 3X optical zoom camera can record 1280- by 720-pixel video at 30 frames per second. There's a 2.4-inch LCD screen, which turns on the camera when you swivel it open, and a night mode for low-light shooting. It is simple to use and a good camera for amateur filmmakers.

Related: Aiptek's Compact HD Camera: Just $300

 

Top 5 Posts

Comments on Hands-on with Aiptek's GO-HD Camcorder

Post a Comment

Join in the discussion. Here you'll see the comments in the order they were posted.

  • 6 Posted by mdbowers on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:14PM EDT Report Abuse

    What a terrible 'review' of this cam... no specifics at all to make me believe that this person ever actually had their hands on this cam!

  • 7 Posted by smashitrebuildit on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:28PM EDT Report Abuse

    that camera IS a peice of crap like michael states, AND the review is bad as well because saying "its a cheap way to get hd, but then including "the picture isn't great" sort of negates any usefulness to anyone.

  • 9 Posted by a1nerd on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:43PM EDT Report Abuse

    What about night shooting is there a light? Photo310.com

  • 10 Posted by fishycomics on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:00PM EDT Report Abuse

    Mz.Dory Devlin; how much do you get paid to write up an artical, and Did you pay for the hybrid, or did Aiptek give you one to test out? 1 Aiptek is a great company. They sell a exconomy product, and according to them they do their own testing. not needing others to help them out (cough,cough) We're those Beta-testers! the Consumer 2 The hybrid states in their manual it will get hot apon using caution? 3 The Hybrid has a new chip, that will allow a better low light situation (hip,Hip) 4 excluding Av input, mp, stabilization, and hmm night mode (forgetting)if remember correctly if it has it, deffently got l.e.d.s as a flash light 5 software bundle, windows mediap quicktime ( no editing tools) 6 They include all th extras except a tripod. 7 The additional, soon to be optional MP3/ battery charger docking station is included, not telling you it "DOES NOT WORK" with the go, but other mpvr,pvr mpvr+ pvr+ models? 8 certain hybrids have multiple formats this onedoes not? this list can go on and on? Please, do your homework before you address a model that is well known to us? The firmware is not available from AiptekUSA, but of Aiptek.DE? Aiptek.inc claimes the hybrid is perfect, while others claim some sort of issues? We love the economy model, hope the competitors will follow soon.

  • 12 Posted by justamit2501 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:44PM EDT Report Abuse

    sweet, i really need a HD camcorder to go w/ my new production premium, but i spent all my money it. now i can have both!

  • 13 Posted by lavendje on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:57PM EDT Report Abuse

    I have had this camera for a year now. I got it when it first came out to take on vacation to Florida. It took a little getting use to on the operation, like not putting it in stability mode when you are walking. The video just seems to be unsteady. I leave it in normal mode for everything. The 8mg camera works fine if you don’t accidentally put it in close up range by accidentally flipping the switch. That has happened more times than I would like. Yes it is a cheap camera. I got mine for 147.00 when it first came out. There needs to be more functionality like cameras and video require. Such as shutter speed. If someone is running their arms and legs blur with the motion. I have taken pictures that haven’t blurred but there has to be a lot of light. The night shot doesn’t work that great for video either. When it is played back it seems as if it is in some bad movie when everything slows down. Although I still like the camera, I would rather have paid a little more and got one with a little more functionality. P.S. if you make a comment whether negative or positive, explain your complaint so we all can relate.

  • 14 Posted by i_likepies2003 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:26PM EDT Report Abuse

    The Sanyo compact HD camera was over twice the price of this and that was crap (I've seen footage) so this must be even worse.

  • 15 Posted by lavendje on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:57PM EDT Report Abuse

    Like I said given the best conditions it does what you would expect of a video camera at this price. They need to be working on the stability of the camera video so it doesnt get the shakes or the slow motion effect. That is unless you like this kind of performance. Me I like Canon they have a better stability even when running with it the video doesnt look destorted.

  • 16 Posted by radonzz on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:26PM EDT Report Abuse

    15 sec recording time in HD mode? wtf???

  • 17 Posted by matrix_20us on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:11PM EDT Report Abuse

    I think we should first see its function, then judge about the brand. Anyway, the name is not famous. Where does it produce(in which country)?

  • 18 Posted by kalpendu on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:46PM EDT Report Abuse

    i suggest buy branded HD Camcorder... Do not go for it.

  • 19 Posted by kalpendu on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:46PM EDT Report Abuse

    i suggest buy branded HD camcorder... dont go for it

  • 20 Posted by penguino8165 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:06PM EDT Report Abuse

    We've gotten a couple of Aiptek cameras, and have not been disappointed. I might consider getting this one, if I thought it would actually do what it promises to do. And I too, thought Aiptek was going to be totally garbage, but hey.... my daughter and mother-in-law love theirs, and my husband got one to take to DC on his next business trip. (He won't worry if it gets lost or stolen, like he would if the our other one would/could be lol)

  • 21 Posted by kgfults on Thu Jul 26, 2007 1:22AM EDT Report Abuse

    1st lavendje if you paid $147 the camera you bought is not the GO-Hd but the none HD Aiptek from a while ago,or you got the best deal ever, good enough cam for the price. 2nd I have a Go-HD and I paid just over $225 for it and another 40 for the 4g memory card, and for a camera that cheap that I carry around in my pocket and snap off pretty darn good pictures and record video that although its not as good as some HD cams it is good enough for anyone not planning to make a Pro movie with it, but its more than a enough for family videos or catching your drunk friends doing things they will regret you have this camera for lol. I have had it lock up to where I had to remove the battery to get it to turn off, but it was when I was changing setting and never when I was recording or taking stills. I have used it to make some silly videos while I learned the FXHOME software and adobe after effects just for fun and they look a lot better than my Mini DV canon vids. anyway hope this helps anyone considering it.

  • 22 Posted by kuyagil357 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:54PM EDT Report Abuse

    ordinary people never mind this unit whether it works or not. if you have $200 to buy it.... think about it, but if you have more than $200 to spend - do the right thing.

  • 23 Posted by fishycomics on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:00PM EDT Report Abuse

    lavender get your facts straight the go was at a show in germany in march. and talked about , released in the usa at may 25th in hands by may 28th. the very 1st models never and will not have stabilization and mp3 functions, as well as a av input? now economy is just that if you want a hybrid that cost big buck by one but you want something that will work for th pc this is the one, it is catered to the mac rather the pc this time around

  • 24 Posted by heups1629 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:18PM EDT Report Abuse

    I’ve had the GO-HD for about a month, and I really like it. Previously I had an old VHS-C video camera, and another 5MP camera, so this was a big improvement. The videos & photos look sharp on my laptop – I haven’t tried them on an HD TV yet. PROS: -Small Size -Cheap Price (I got it for $225 after discount - If you have an AAA membership, their site has a 10% off coupon at Circuit City) -High quality video (relative to similarly priced cameras). -Two batteries included CONS (some of these are minor): -No stabilization feature – you’ll need a fairly steady hand, especially on close ups. -No lens cap included (I don’t understand that one) -No memory card included (you have to buy one to use it) -Grip is a bit awkward, as the sensor is at the top of the grip. -Records in QuickTime, which means you’ll need separate editing software. I ended up downloading a free video converter so I could edit in MPG. Regarding comment #13 – this camera has only been available since May, so your camera isn’t the GO-HD, it must be an earlier model. Even though I have more “cons” than “pros”, I still think it’s a good buy. I use it mostly to film my kids, and for that it's perfect. As of last week, these still weren’t available in stores – they had to be purchased on-line.

  • 25 Posted by redskys on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:34PM EDT Report Abuse

    Ha, I have the Go-hd and it's awesome! You'd be surprised what video this puts out..but you need a fast pc!

More Posts: First Prev 1 2 3 Next Last

Post a Comment

Sign In to Post a Comment

My Tech

Please enable your browser's cookies to activate the My Tech column.

Also on Yahoo! Tech

Computers Home Office Wi-Fi & Networking Phones & PDAs Cameras & Camcorders TV & Home Theater Portable Audio
 

Site Map | Tour | Subscribe to Yahoo! Tech

Question and Answer content at Yahoo! Tech is written by Yahoo! users at Yahoo! Answers. Yahoo! does not evaluate or guarantee the accuracy of any Yahoo! Answers content. For more information, read the Full Disclaimer.

Opinions expressed by the Advisors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Yahoo! Inc. Yahoo! receives no compensation from any manufacturer or distributor nor does it compensate any Advisor for the coverage of any product or service in any Advisor's content.