Creative Vado HD 3rd Generation Video Camera Review

[Rossdrum97]

Could i ask, if i bought a external mic for this to record my drums, would the sound/video lag at all? :)

[pcfix411]

Overall the vado looks like a winner.

[EmilyStitches]

Just got mine today, have yet to try it out, though, the batter was turned around through most of the charging, so upon getting frustrated, I finally fixed that problem, now actually charging it and eager to try it out! Lol.

[JinjaB123]

wat happened to your finger bro?!?

[Ibringthetruth1]

speaker is a cheese grader.

[Actionfilms279]

Hey my Creative Vado HD 3rd Generation Video Camera wont charge can anyone plz help and i see the charger with red wire kind of sticking out is that a problem plz help and help me fix Thxs PLZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

[HC32KING]

Why is your hand soo fuking white??!!

[K3MiCALGaming]

3RD?!

[YourNumberOneSource]

Thumbs up for 5/5

-,-'

[ImTheDaveman]

I sold my 1st gen Vado so I could buy the 3rd Gen I like the new features BUT as you spelled out my main problem is the HYPER SENSITIVE Touch Pad controls - it makes me nuts. I can get used to it in time. Actually on the audio quality - I think the Audio on the 3rd gen has more volume than the 1st gen. I dont have to amp up the volume in the video editor. Im wondering of a person glued something over the touch pad controls, maybe duct tape (would look crappy) if it would reduce the sensitivity?

[drumgroovy]

@ImTheDaveman If you press the power button once, it will actually lock all the buttons. I normally just lock the buttons once I start recording, so I can just hold it naturally. Before I discovered that, I just held the camera where the speaker is.

[ImTheDaveman]

@drumgroovy - Oh cool! I didnt know about that feature. I appreciate you filling me in. That should save me future hassles. You Rock!

[drumgroovy]

@ImTheDaveman No problem... happy to help :D

[eyariah]

i just noticed this.. if you press the cc button (beside the speach bubble icon) then click transcribe audio then skip to 6:32 you will read something funny! like this if you saw it:)

[longshot75]

Bit unfair to drop half a star just because you eat your lunch too close to the speaker.. I recommend buying the vado 3rd gen and a plate..

[Jcr196]

you do know if you press the power button once and don't hold it it locks all the buttons so you don't do anything accidently.

[Terry5135]

It was good of you to mention the response to the gift giving so people could see a video shot with the 3rd gen Vado, but, uh... well, Chris, you have over 3,000 videos. Could you perhaps provide a link? Or even the exact title of the video response you posted?

[MrEGOTting]

will this camera autofocus while recording please reply

[xxJamaicanhunnixx]

i was wondering if u know how to change the settings for the cam! My date is incorrect an i dont kno how to change it

[burgandyblood]

I don't care if it gets smudgy no one is gonna be watching your camera, they are watching the VIDEOS.

[skillgrunt8]

maby you need to wash your hands somethime!! i got one to and it's owesome!!

[djallusive]

it is taking me so long to figure out if your wearing gloves or ur hands are the palest mothafuckas ive ever seen.

[sarkazzII]

i love this cam!

[Myslot2]

Does the vado 3rd gen record in AVI files also? or does it just record in MP4 files only??

[oribali1]

It's got SD card?

[JamesMullins100]

get some blue-tac and dab the speaker, that will get all the crap out of ther :-)

[Mankind081]

Don't blame the glossy finish for you being a greasy fingered dirty bastard.

[mrpower328]

@Mankind081 lol



[MrDuffdude]

Very thorough review. I think I will by a vado but which one is best? 2nd and 1st have almost the same price on amazon!

[mrpower328]

@MrDuffdude buy, not by

[JoJ0z]

@mrpower328 stop whining!

[track0145]

I just bought the second generation because I heard it does better picture then the 3rd and it has an amazing price on amazon. So I bought it, my question is when I view these "tests" on youtube is that the actually quality of the the Vado HD? Or does youtube dumb down the picture? Because when I put it in full screen on youtube it gets kinda blurry. And I am going to film my track events and I was hoping to watch the videos on my laptop full screen with out the blur

[VremGO]

@track0145 view it straight off the camera, without re-rendering it or uploading it to any video sharing sites. That's how you can compare the quality.

Rendering usually reduces quality, sites like YouTube usually reduce quality, via converting for faster loading times, from what I understand.

[MultiDarius100]

cm5 is beast. i like vid cams that flip like that and then the screen twist

[anewllife]

fingerprints are no big deal to me, and yes we must get used to high tech features... I actually bought one of these 2 mos ago after doing serious homework, and I love it. Never had a camcorder before, but I love the fact that I can re charge the battery on my computer. I had a Dell coupon at renewal, so it didnt cost me much. Thanks for your input

[musicgrls2]

does it have auto focus?

[DANnJORDAN]

is this good for drum recording

does it lag?

[TheDirtyVasko1]

lol if i was extreminle careful i gonna buy this

[wrzlbrmpft7]

Thanks for the detailed explanations. I film with a Kodak Zx1 already, and I've now ordered the Creative Vado 3rd generation in black. In other colors, they cost twice the price in Germany. The wide-angle lens and the microphone jack is my decision.

Greetings from GERMANY.

[joensab]

Amen, you finally zipped it.  Great product, better with an available skin put on it for those with greasy roaming hands. My guess it's potato chips in the speaker. Fantastic w/aux microphones and a wide variety available. Super for price.

[brojam83]

dude, why dont u try washing them greasy hands!

[CrimsonTrivium]

Thinking about getting it off Amazon, seems like a 4 out of 5 to me. Smuges on the gloss isnt that bad.

[rickis96]

@CrimsonTrivium Yeah. And the smudges can easily be prevented with a 1-2 dollar silicone case. :)

[JamesMullins100]

stop shouting at me..

[stumbleine20]

are your able to place the videos you make on DVDR's?

[10selinnia]

can you use this as a web cam?

[thesuperwhizkid]

clean your hands if it gets dirty xD

[fenwayphil]

You're filthy!!

[OMGitsWinobi]

does it work on mac?

[CrimsonTrivium]

@OMGitsWinobi Yes it does work on the Mac.

[MrKeys57]

good review!

[Fo0dStamps]

they just released those in cool new colors!!! the blue or - Cyan Color is so awesome!

[eddiemunstur]

do you use things for looks or quality...you fuk'n mamas dick sucking boy

[dan122189]

if its smudgy, clean it

[kpjVideo]

its anoying how nerdy you are lol.

[MKF30]

Yeah, the speaker thing and side buttons means nothing to me personally but I'm deciding which to get between FlipHD Ultra vs. Vado 2nd gen vs. Vado 3rd gen...hmmmm

[IRyzoI]

When you get annoyed you remind me of Professor Frink from the Simpsons.

[footyfool100]

@IRyzoI EXTREMELY-CAREFUL CLAVEN!! lolllllll i can so hear it

[dungchau]

@IRyzoI lol he does"...you have to be EXTREMELY CAREFUL!...when your recording..." hahaha

[gpensky]

is it 1080p or is it still 720p?

[1jack369]

@gpensky 702p

[jumpcrew020]

in which file do you get the vids if u put them on ur computer?? someone who knows?

[pinkcat2010]

Hi i got the vado 3rd when you charge it is the display supposed to be on for a second then turn off while charging?

[mobspeak]

silly that they put the mic input on the top of the camera.. they should have put it on the bottom .. this way the wire wont hang over the screen or the camera lens .. but some designers are morons

[ThePdxwill]

@mobspeak It's easy to say something like that when you have absolutely ZERO idea what goes into the design of something like this, and what kind of limitations they are up against because of the small size. Do you honestly think they didn't think about putting that jack on the bottom? It most likely couldn't be done at the time with what they had to work with, maybe gen 4. It is still the ONLY pocket handheld HD camera like this with ANY kind of external mic jack.

[mobspeak]

@ThePdxwill oh yeah I have no idea.. you have no idea what I am capable of.. I could put that device together the way I just described.. it's not difficult to do.. you are just a moron like the designer..

[ThePdxwill]

@mobspeak You really think that the engineers who designed it never once at considered the possibility that putting the jack on the bottom would be preferable and ruled it out? And yes, I'm a great big ol' moron. Hurr durr.

[MrGadgetDude]

....so touchscreen controls are bad idea on these pocket video cameras? I was looking forward on getting the "Kodak Playtouch" I guess Ill stick to the my Kodak Zi8. Your review mentioning about the touchscceen helps a lot!!! thanks dude!

[britex3186]

The video recording is good, but the audio is really bad, not understood considering the company creates great sound cards.

[Sw3tMitow]

Is this better than the kodak zi8?

[johntsingis]

@lockergnome What external mic would you recommend for this Vado HD 3rd gen?

[iNSANiiTiiES]

Same camera.

But mine has no files & only has 2 minutes to record. Mine is screwed up no matter what I do! Can you help me????

[PlatinumParkour]

your fingers are just tooo fat

[Sinfull702x602]

the shiny finish looks way better than the matt finish. even with all the fingerprint smudges.

[Rdcruzer]

can you put a fisheye o it?

[ms2Tech]

What an idiot. Changes from 4/5 to 3.5/5 because he's sloppy and got dirt/food in the speaker. How does he have so much of a following. IDIOT.

[KingPhact]

2nd gen rocks >:D

[rawwrxlizz]

well stop rubbing your greasy fingers all over it.

[MultiVladimir12]

yeah your finger?

[jazz12293]

go fuck yourself you mama boys no pussy for you.

[YankeeStacker25]

1st Gen is so much better

[Spyroyahoo]

does this come with a silicone case like the first gen one?

[r4mzi]

My brother is getting a 1st gen for 50 euro. 

[KidzLegendKiller]

i got a vado that record 1080p newer verzon n thiner

[Myslot2]

@KidzLegendKiller

You said you got a vado that records in 1080p, which version is that one??

[allenronis]

please answer: do i have to convert to a different file on windows vista??

[MatttyLee]

I don't really find the finger prints a problem...

[GreatUnboxer]

I have the Creative Vado (non HD)

[devan12100]

chris, on newegg, for the same price, you get this, a tripod, and a mesh case...SAME PRICE...just saying.

[roIcVky]

Do you have a cupboard full of cameras?

[TheHipMunks]

"Colors more true to life than 1st gen and 2nd gen.."

Are you sure about that? youtube.com/watch?v=hB-sLW0hW4­A&feature=related

I find the colors on 2nd gen to look really good. 3rd Gen looks like the new iPhone 4 LOL.

[Chaoskid981]

0:53 yay

[thruthem]

Isn't there a lock on the side somewhere?

[v1o]

Its not the Vado's fault that you went and got dirt inside its speaker.

[bassdass]

@v1o Actually it is. That's just a bad design decision.

[krisykaro]

@v1o you completely missed the point.... what he is implying to those of us who understand is that the speaker holes are placed in an area where it could easily get dirt or other things caught in it,, not the best placement

[v1o]

@krisykaro @bassdass I disagree the speaker hole is in the most logical place it could be. I've had mine for well over a year now, its taken lots of abuse but I've never had dirt get in the speaker. And I only use use it outdoors.That's why I keep it in its silicon case/skin. In fact if you use the case that comes it the chances of getting dirt in the speaker are very narrow.

[YouSeeMeTV]

flip ultra hd or vado 3rd gen

[TemptationPaintball]

@YouSeeMeTV kodak playsport

[swaztikadancecompany]

what camera did you used to record this video?

[dj4monie]

Silly Question - Instead of a mic, can I plug in the output of my dj mixer into the I/O port? I want to capture DJ Sessions with this, thanks.

[elkolodj1]

hi, I have the 1st gen. but I recorded a video in low light, i mean at night, but vado just focus lights and you can see the rest of image.....just the lights.....there was light ON a group of people and you only can see the light people gets dark and you have to leave out of focus the part of light to be able to see that people...awful....does it happen with this new model 3rd....? I'll upload a video soon and I hope you can see what i mean (sorry for a long message)

[elkolodj1]

hi, I have the 1st gen. but I recorded a video in low light, i mean at night, but vado just focus lights and you can see the rest of image.....just the lights.....there was light ON a group of people and you only can see the light people gets dark and you have to leave out of focus the part of light to be able to see that people...awful....does it happen with this new model 3rd....? I'll upload a video soon and I hope you can see what i mean (sorry for a long message)

[YouSeeMeTV]

youtube "vado matthew" and look at how crisp the video is..... i think its way better than kodak zi8.... click the first video when u search vado matthew for 3rd gen footage

[YouSeeMeTV]

has anybody ever bought this refurb from creative website for 129 the new is 179

[haydenz13]

2:44

[apennie1]

You helped me out a lot. I have the 1st GEN Vado HD. I won't be buying the new one. Great review!!!

[winkipinky]

THAT is the 2nd GEN Vado, NOT the 1st... look it up, I did..

[maddog12396]

is it good for app reviews????

[st3phz1]

i really want it so bad.

but the shipping is not available outside the U.S. T_T

(i live Canada)

[kennysandra1]

What a laugh, you should be in the comedy game as I laughed so much at your highly explosive voice. Good on you ,I will stay with my 2nd generation vado. were you drunk when you recorded the review.

[thewhitebrazilian]

Wow. I have a creative vado 2nd gen (NOT HD) and it wsas very cheap so i thought thaat the mino, and ultra have better quality but i guess im wrong!

[skhully]

damm you bleach!!!!! i thought yhu had on a glove

[SteeveeStrange]

Glossy surfaces are easier to quickly clean and sterilize with a quick wipe from a micro cloth!

A matte surface may not show fingerprints, but they accumulate tons more oil and bacteria from your fingertips because a matte surface is pitted and holds more dirt!

[LiechtensteinGuy]

I don't see where I could attach a strap to secure the camera. :-/

[CheriMo]

@LiechtensteinGuy You can attach a lanyard but you have to take the front cover off to do it. As you're looking at the front of the camera if you look on the left hand side toward the bottom there's a little hole below the HDMI connection. If you take the front cover off you'll see that you can thread a lanyard in that hole and afix it to a little post that inside under the cover.

[LiechtensteinGuy]

@CheriMo Thank you so much! :o)

[crazyboy91502]

can i have it

[CheriMo]

In your review you talk about brushing against the touch buttons when you're recording. Did you know there's a "lock" function? Once you start recording press the On/Off button and you will see a little lock appear on the screen below the battery level display in the upper right of the screen. This lock deactivates all the buttons until you take the lock off. Nice undocumented feature.

Also I have a red one and you don't see the fingerprints on the case at all.

[Marinj2003]

Hello @CheriMo, I have this camera and I really like it. I want to thank you for the information about the ON/OFF button. I am really happy. Now I'll be able to enjoy my camera without worrring about the touch panel. Thanks a lot.

PS. I love my HD VADO.

[GreatUnboxer]

I have the Vado nonHD version (bought it for 24,50 bucks!)

[ngvgnDOTcom]

Vado 2 gen the video is better. Check this videos on youtube. The AVI files from the 2 sec gen uses a higher bitrate.

[mesobestest]

Can you take a photo directly with it or do you have to edit a video??

[Maikacir]

@mesobestest 4:37 - "Have the ability to take snapshots" so I guess it does? (:

[BlackSupraC2]

thats why i didnt get it in black

[martygangsta625]

Does it take great pictures?

[eversolulu]

omg you sound like the annoying orange...are you the annoying orange??

[MetroidFreakPrime]

are you able to make it stand upright?

[TheCheese30]

Ive done a bit of video on my page with this camera and im having the same problem with the sound a pic sync as Mslady44 had down the page, seems a shame i payed 100 pounds for the camera and now i have to buy a new computer proberly 300 to what ever pounds to use it :(

[Cybrggame]

*drooling*

[APrintezis]

yes, i agree about the fingerprints (esp. since the previous model was not glossy and as such there was no problem) ..

BUT you focus so much on something that can be solved by wipping it on your shirt and say nothing about the fact that they cut the memory in HALF!! .. only 4GB available in the 3rd gen .. and not SD card .. ridiculous !!!

[salvatrucho650]

Thanks very helpfull!

[GeraldProductions80]

who cares about fingerprints?? as long as the lens stays clean.

[cowboybob993]

prob, smudgy? solution , clean.

[MauroBautista2]

Should I get a 1st, 2nd, or 3rd Gen Vado?...I don't mind the fingerprints on the gloss, but the touch thing been brushed easily makes me uneasy...Either from that, no problem. Which is best?

[Mslady41]

I've purchase this camcorder and I love the size of it. Can you please help me out? When I record in HD+ and play back my video, my voice doesn't match my video. My mouth moves a lot slower then the video. Can you tell me what I'm doing wrong?

[spadastunter]

@Mslady41 Your computer cant process the infomation quick enough. You might need to update the drivers. OR you have a sound card problem.

[APrintezis]

u r not doing anything wrong .. either the your processor is slow or your graphics card does not have enough memory (is it more than 256MB?) .. this problem occurs when the pc is having a hard time with the HD video (takes more time than the sound to de-compress)

try the same video on a faster/newer pc and see what happens :)

[virusnitro84]

I need to say you are 100% I also hate glossy devices its big mistake for all type of gadgets...Had HTC TOUCH DIAMOND an never ever again... Thinking about HD pocket recorder on the budget and the Creative Vado HD 2nd gen is WINNER 4me....

[NGT2O6]

I love the vado, but really have to agree with what he is saying, that touch controls is just stupid, so is the gloss :/

[APrintezis]

no mention to the fact that some crazy person in the R&D or marketing department forgot to add the rest of the 4 GB of memory that my 2nd gen. has ?!?! .. yes, i realize it's a different encoding yada yada .. but still, how do you go from 8GB to 4GB?!?!? and WHY ?!?! it's not like 4GB of flash memory are that expensive .. that's BS creative .. i was going to buy this, but now .. well, samsung and kodak offer more : (

[GTAXLLive]

Flip Ultra HD! Is what I like. Do a review Vado HD vs Flip HD!!!

[dankish]

He already did,and the Vado HD wins hands down!

Check out his video review he did recording all at the same time with the Flip,Kodak Zi6,and the Vado HD.

It's here on his youtube,or you can search on his website for the article review with the 3 videos on top of one another.

Vado owns!

[MauroBautista2]

@GTAXLLive he already did one a long time ago, check his videos..Vado owns...

[dagwodzz]

Yes pushing the "lock" button it locks everything.

Latest tip. Install a skin from the 2nd Gen It fixes everything. You just need to trim it to fit. Hides all them damn fingerprints too!

[MrNago]

Damn gloss.

Actually good review if you agree with chris' likings.

[JustShawnify]

why is there still no 1080p?

[lovelydiva06]

i hate all the glossy finish on mostt stuff now a days too, the fingerprints and smudges drive me crazy, they need to go back to brushed aluminum finish or something

[cantrellakate]

can you do a review on the new sony bloggie? it's also a pocket camcorder...comes in 4 different colours! HD as well...

[stoneddemonicpirate]

excellent, thanks for the review. I had been planning to get a 2nd gen, then i heard about 3rd gen. I was excited about the external mic (i record loud concerts), but i'm not going to sacrifice 4GB of memory as well as deal with stupid glossy black finish and non-tactile touch buttons. Between not wanting to smudge the thing up and being afraid of bumping a button during recording, i dont think i would really enjoy using this as much as a 2nd gen, thanks again for helping me make up my mind.

[Figilswif]

I FFFFFF****INNNGG HATE TOUCH SENSITIVE BUTTONS! WHY?! Why do they insist on putting touch sensitive buttons on EVERYTHING? They are SO bad!

[MattEatsVideos]

you have a very annoying voice.

[dagwodzz]

just so you know by pushing the power button for a quick sec it will lock the pesky damn buttons.

A lock symbol will show up under the battery icon.

[interista7878]

Wont it lock the tactile buttons too?

[Mariovp3]

what happned to your finger? =P

[AltarCallTV]

kodak zi8 ...is the BEST !!!!!

[thebritishbloke]

Hmph. The old one had 8GB Memory. This has 4GB memory? LOL so the new model doesn't really offer any increase in performance..

[FHBfighters]

About the finger prints... I guess it would be good if they had a silicone skin available to buy. That'd protect it and avoid finger prints....

[FHBfighters]

What's the story with the bi-directional external microphone which allows to record in stereo I believe. It seems to be ideal for reporting or maybe to shoot concerts. Have you tried it?

[escasheep97]

Personaly i like the vado 1st gen compared to the 3rd

[ghskatersam]

@escasheep97 the 2nd gen is the best of both worlds.

[punkrules45]

Chris do you not like ipod touches or iphones by chance i agree about the glossy messiness with the fingerprints

[MarilynManson55]

@punkrules45 he has an iphone

[punkrules45]

ah cool odd question to ask i guess but the fingerprints on that device reminded me of how the iphone/ipod touch gets haha

[paintballguy113]

the ultra HD has a wide angle lense. I think he is just being sponsored as usual.

[Hidd3nLeaf]

how many megapixels is it?

[poptheman1]

900 Megapixels (I doubt it)

Only if 1024 pixels are in one megapixel.

[512beep]

Jeez, how about some soap for your hands O_O

Just kidding, you're doing an excellent review my friend :)

[patsybob]

why do people always complain about things that are glossy show fingermarks thats so stupid it happens with every product with a glossy finish if you dont like dont buy it!

[Phantasma71]

./Agree. Gogo glossy!^^

[chippie025]

What happend to your finger?

[Pawnanii187]

@chippie025 wanking to hard :P

[ATLAZIONE]

WTH, he do a review on a video recorder without talking about the quality of the video !!!!

[jgurbisz]

The fact that you got food in the speaker is your fault, and you shouldn't rate the product down because of that.

[styrubaor]

what are you filming this in a cabin out in the woods somewhere?

[lowspeed]

Have you compared video quality between gen2 and gen3 ?