Vado HD 3rd and 2nd Gen Side-By-Side Comparison

[MrExcellence10]

I got my 3rd Gen just today. Haven't charge it yet.Looking forward to use it. Love the side by side Comparison.

[lockdup]

Hi. Is there a limit to how long you can record a video with the 2nd gen Vado? Or does record until you've run out of space/battery? Thanks

[APrintezis]

@lockdup .. good question! i have found a limit at 2GB file size with other pocket cameras, this one went beyond it .. as such i believe that the answer is no, it records until it runs out of space (but i have not tested this with the entire 8GB!!)

[lockdup]

@APrintezis Thanks for the reply! I've going to buy this recorder then. Cheers!!! :)

[flimflabber777]

I can't choose which to get! I like the saturation of the 2nd gen but the 3rd has a more realistic look. I could easily edit the saturation in sony vegas I just can't choose...

[APrintezis]

@flimflabber777 .. well then, if it is all the same to you, then why not go for the most value? the 2nd gen is just $60-$70 new!

[deliciajenkins]

Thanks so much for the comparison. I just purchased the 3rd gen before watching this vid. So glad I did. Can't wait to get it :)

[APrintezis]

@deliciajenkins .. you are welcome and thanks for the positive note! when you get it, post some videos online and send us the link : )

[Terry5135]

The colours were more vibrant here in the 2nd gen, but I got the opposite impression in your other compare video - there, the 3rd gen colours were more muted, but generally better. In this one also, in some shots, the 3rd gen was much darker than the 2nd, which I really don't understand. Did you have manual brightness turned up all the way? Lastly, is it my imagination, or was there less shake apparent in the 3rd gen than in the 2nd? Great videos, btw. Very well done. Thank you!

[APrintezis]

@Terry5135: i usually see that the colors of the 2nd gen are more saturated (not really brighter). I see what you mean about the darker 3rd gen (@ 1:14) and i actually just noticed that !!! I have no explanation (!) i am guessing it was a random thing. I did not change the manual settings for the 3rd gen, it was on auto. Usually however, the 2nd gen tends to let the sky get over exposed, while the 3rd gen lets the sky be blue, as such some detail is left dark! Interesting observation!

[APrintezis]

@Terry5135: as for the shaking, no, that was just me holding them side-by-side (they are touching actually) and trying to keep them both as still as possible.

[Terry5135]

@APrintezis Well, interesting, because my impression was that there was slightly less shaking in the 3rd gen than the 2nd - I wondered if there was a little stabilization built into the 3rd gen, though I confess I'd be surprised in such an inexpensive camera. Still, if you were holding them together, I wonder. Thanks for the replies.

[ussprinceton2004]

I have windows 7, is the 2nd gen compatible? Can I use the editing software that came with the Vado HD (2nd gen.) to cut, add transitions, add music, etc.? Can I use Windows Movie Maker? If you didn't use the software that came with the Vado, what editing software did you use for this video? Your answers would be greatly appreciated.

[APrintezis]

@ussprinceton2004 .. yes it is, x64 and x86 on Windows 7 no problem (comes with codec built into the Vado Central that is stored in the camera memory). yes, Win Movie Maker works incl. music, transitions, etc. but you may need a better problem to really work on those HD videos ( i used cyberlink video director for this one but have used pinnacle studio and adobe premiere as well as WMM in the past) all work fine, depends on how fancy you can to get : )

[indefik]

I've been looking at some videos of the various pocket camcorders out there. Thanks also to this video I've decided to go for the 2nd generation Vado HD. Thanks!

I see you're using the 8gb black matte Vado HD 2nd gen which is is exactly the one I want. When looking at amazon or ebay, for example, I can find an 8gb black matte Vado HD, but how do you which is 1st gen or 2nd? The 3rd generation is easy to filter out.

Thanks in advance!

[APrintezis]

@indefik .. based on the Creative Vado website the 1st gen HD is the black matte 8GB, 2nd gen is the same in glossy finish, and 3rd gen is the 4GB glossy color one. There is no difference other than the finish in the 1st and so called 2nd gen. As such, i have the 1st gen (since i like the rubberized body and the 8GB), i also think it is the best of that line of cameras and you can get a great price online at the moment. so, basically if it is 8GB and matte you got the right now. enjoy .. ~ A

[indefik]

@APrintezis Hi, thanks for your response! I ended up getting the 2nd generation though, because it was the cheaper option. Can't wait for it to arrive!

[enzzopaiva]

I've ordered the 2nd gen. too .. when it arrive, i'll make a video testing it (:

[APrintezis]

@enzzopaiva .. ah great .. leave a video response here, will watch it : )

[APrintezis]

@enzzopaiva .. great! just leave a video response here .. looking fwd to watching it : ))

[enzzopaiva]

@APrintezis here :

i've forgotten to send such as a response..

watch?v=RNag05RJCpI

[neostar9]

Thank you for the video. Just ordered the 2nd generation version.

[APrintezis]

@neostar9 .. great, post a video response with your samples once you get it : )

[kmgdgtgwgwg]

Many, Many thanks for this comparison! I've seen the 2nd gen Vado on offer today but thought maybe I should spend money on the 'better' newer 3rd gen model.

However I can see the 2nd gen is miles ahead of the 3rd in terms of clarity and quality.

Thank you!

[APrintezis]

@kmgdgtgwgwg .. glad to read this comment!! this is one of the few times when you can actually spend less money and buy something better :)) take advantage!

[EscapeNewJersey]

Why did they make the 3rd generation worse?!?!?

[APrintezis]

@EscapeNewJersey .. oh well, only Creative Labs can answer this question (probably they will not like the wording however) LOL. The newest model comes with a mic-in, which is nice, but the new format killed the details and sharpness of the frames, the color also is now more accurate, but it lost some of its vividness. That all -may- be a matter of preference, but the 4GB on board (down from 8GB in the 2nd gen) is simply ridiculous! (no slot for a memory card either)

[TheCyberboyy]

2nd gen One is Better! am buying it :)

[qx773]

I find that the Vado HD 3rd generation camcorder is much sharper in up-close shots of a computer monitor than my Vado HD 2nd generation camcorder. The text of a computer monitor on a Vado HD 2nd generation always looks blurry.

[SolarEXtract]

Nice to see a comparison like this. 3rd gen looks a bit more natural, but I think I like the lighting better in the 2nd gen.

I have a 2nd gen Vado HD myself. The only thing I wish it had is a mic input. Other than that, I enjoy it very much.

[APrintezis]

@SolarEXtract .. true, the newest model looks more natural and the mic in is a plus for certain situations - i have a comparison posted of the Samsung and Vado and rotate the sound source back and forth. check it out. Vado's is low but not that bad.

The second gen's sharpness is unbeatable, i had to go Full HD to match it.

[ghskatersam]

hey again, just got my Vado HD and it's amazingly good. Check out my test video if your curious.

[APrintezis]

@ghskatersam that sure looks like a vado, nice first video .. cool pups too : ) enjoy it and keep posting : )

[ghskatersam]

@APrintezis hey you watched it, thanks and the pupies are german shepards my dad said the white kinds are kind of rare, but the are annoying like in the vid I kept telling them no because they where biting me maybe cause they are teething. Thanks again and yeah I dont see any resemblance to SD cause out here in Lancaster its like a desert and it was like 102 outside.

[APrintezis]

@ghskatersam .. how are those puppies doing? must be much larger by now! : )

[ghskatersam]

do u think the 2nd gen battery would last a whole day at disneyland? just 1 battery?

[APrintezis]

@ghskatersam A new battery lasts aprox. 2.5 hours of continuous filming which is a lot for a day (too much editing otherwise). If you stop and start the camera it lasts longer. So i would think that if you are not planning to film too much, and turn the camera off when not filming, no playback etc. then it -could- last. But a spare is only $15 so you should just get one. Alternatively, have a wall charger with you and use Vado's "quick charge" feature whenever you see a plug ..

[ghskatersam]

@APrintezis thanks for reply and yes I will be filming rides so thats like 5-10 minutes depending on the ride and turning it off. Also I will record the parade which is about an hour long I guess. So do u still think it will last because it's too late for me to buy an extra battery because im going tomorrow and even with 1 day shipping it wont come on time. plus I only had $100 to spend and the camera was $91.78.

[LeetG]

Yo bro I noticed you have all the Vado HD's.

Which one is better? The 2nd Gen or The 1st Gen?

Thanks.

[APrintezis]

@LeetG i personally prefer the 8GB, black matte, 2nd Gen HD, with the real buttons on the back (not the latest model with the mic input, the fancy colors and touch sensitive back)

[webcastbusinesses]

Thanks for the response.

I have been fishing around for alternatives that overcome all Vado problems and I believe the Kodak zi8 with an attachable wide-angle lens (can be put on and removed at will) ticks most of the boxes; however the total outlay on the zi8 and lens will be approx 30-40$ more. I also understand the latter does not fare too well in low light. Has anyone done a Vado 2 and zi8 comparison in low light?

[webcastbusinesses]

I have just bought Vado 3rd Generation and seeing this side by side comparison I can see that was a big mistake. The earlier model clearly produces far superior videos. OK that model does not have the mike jack but at least its buttons were clickable + it had a larger memory - the new model is a mistake - all Vado needed to have done was to stick in a external mike facility with a memory card to produce the best low price camcorder

[APrintezis]

@webcastbusinesses the 3rd gen is not too bad, but i totally agree with your point here, all they had to do was add that ext. mic, use the same lens (the 2nd gen is a bit more wide angle) and add an SD-card slot for expandable memory. at least they kept the removable battery. p.s. i also like the "clickable buttons" over any touch-sensitive surface on cameras at least.

[webcastbusinesses]

@webcastbusinesses

Thanks for the response.

I have been fishing around for alternatives that overcome all Vado problems and I believe the Kodak zi8 with an attachable wide-angle lens (can be put on and removed at will) ticks most of the boxes; however the total outlay on the zi8 plus lens will be approx 30-40$ more. Unfortunately I also understand the latter does not fare too well in low light. Has anyone done a Vado 2 versus zi8 comparison in low light?

[APrintezis]

@webcastbusinesses yes, there is .. DumbDuck44 posted a couple of video along those lines - i cannot post a link here but try searching for that channel.

[HostileHST]

Cross your eyes, ouch! It's not 3d, but I tried, cause that's how my eyes roll, haha.

[kppteam]

I think the second generation is better.

[dimllc]

...love watching your side by side vids...keep em coming.

I notice how people leave remarks about the color output of the cams, which really doesn't matter. The colors can be altered in post, with off the shelf video editors.

Color grading and sound...two of most essential and often least (understood, learned) aspects when it comes to filmmaking/videography...shame really.

[APrintezis]

A VERY GOOD POINT !

and i think that the color grading and the sound of the 3rd gen is a little better - but i still think that the level of detail captured by the 2nd gen is higher (to be more exact, the details lost due to mp4 compression in the 3rd gen is higher).

I have tried to adjust the colors and sharpness of the 3rd get to simply "match" the 2nd gen (not better / just match) and it is possible with a bit of fiddling in the settings (but it adds time both for editing and encoding).

[APrintezis]

@dimllc just posted one more using the samsung R10 full HD camcorder

[withnulc]

If you want to see some good examples of the 3rd generation's image quality.. go to ephotojournalist channel and watch a few of his Romania blogs.

Sound and picturewise.. the 3rd generation is the best of the Vado bunch so far.

[APrintezis]

there are many people that say that this-or that is the best camera (and more often than not, that's the camera they own).. however, i think that you can ONLY compare the video quality if you record the same thing / the same time / under the same conditions and then check the results with an unbiased eye.

If you watch footage from the Vado HD (2 or 3) the Kodak Zi8 or the Flip Mino HD not side-by-side they ALL look like the best pocket camera so far .. and it's true, they are all pretty good!

[withnulc]

Neither of our eyes or opinions are unbiased - we simply have different preferences. And, in my opinion, this newest model produces the best quality picture and sound of the *Vado cams*

Also, the exposure can be adjusted (4 ways up or down) on the 3rd generation, which is probably one of the reasons why the picture looks more washed out here.

[APrintezis]

i didn't say that the picture is "good" or "bad" .. i just think that the colors of 2nd are a bit amped with higher contrast, while the colors of the 3rd are not (those are actually closer to the real thing) - what you LIKE more is personal.

yes, the 3rd has EV adjustment, in this segment it is set to 0 (not + not - anything)

it is a FACT that the 2nd gen produces move vivid green color and it is a FACT that it's data bit rate is 8.4Mbps as opposed to 8.2Mbps with the 3rd.

[APrintezis]

it is also a FACT that the 2ng generation's white balance setting is waaay off under florescent light while the 3rd generation is always closer to the 'true' color of surfaces and skin tones.

it is also a fact that the 3rd gen is stereo at 177 kbps as opposed to 128 kbps and mono (as well as a bit muffled) sound of the 2nd.

what ever you like or prefer is one thing, and what the factual specifications are is another - separate the two.

[APrintezis]

P.S. i just found out one cool thing about the 3rd gen this week that is a big plus for me that the 2nd one does not have (and it is not mentioned in any manual as far as i know).

That is, if you plug in the 3rd gen to a USB-car-lighter or a USB-wall-plug (i.e. not a PC usb) then you can turn it on and record while the power comes from the usb (not the battery) - pretty nice feature while indoors or in a car and it saves battery. The 2nd gen cannot separate the PC USB from a power source only.

[APrintezis]

P.P.S. the 3rd gen uses a variable bit rate mp4 format (as opposed to constant bit rate of the 2nd gen avi files).. so the data bit rate for the frames (not including the sound) varies.. sometimes it is lower than the 2nd gen, sometimes it is the same - this saves memory space, but may lose some of the detail. Everything is a trade off but another fact is that the 3rd gen comes with only 4GB - as opposed to 8GB in the 2nd - so saving space is more important there, even if quality is compromised.

[westonband]

The 2nd gen looks to have a superior image...3rd appears kind of washed out.. Do you find this to be the case? I was almost ready to pick up the 3rd gen..

[APrintezis]

yes, i think that's the case, check my other side-by-side videos and read comments from other people - many seem to think so, yet, some prefer the less amped colors of the 3rd gen (which has some additional features as well).

[APrintezis]

on the other hand, some describe the same thing you call "washed out" as "true color" .. it is a personal preference ..