Camcorder Stuff

Best Mini Camcorder Christmas Box Choices under £100 in 2010

Art Speck — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 18:36:37 +0000

As another Christmas shopping season approaches, we all turn our thoughts to buying a Christmas box for our loved ones, and of course the problem is about just what Christmas box to buy for each family member.

Over this past few years, most of us have used our mobile phones to take pictures of interesting things and sent them on to friends and family. Nowadays however, we’ve all seen in video camera reviews how the pocket video camera gets ever smaller, while at the same time the video and photo quality has gotten so good that it seems the norm to now carry a mini camcorder or pocket camcorder as well as the mobile phone.

As recently as last the Christmas shopping period, a pocket video camera was at best capable of recording in 720 HD, but this year the HD video camera manufacturers have all brought out 1920 x 1080p full HD and even refined this to record in progressive mode, which is what the tiny p stands for, where each video frame is displayed as 1 full picture rather than being made up of 2 half frames which is described as 1920 x 1080i. Sorry for going all high tech on you, but this stuff makes a big difference on how smoothly the picture looks when displayed on a TV set.

More innovations in the camcorder of today have been the enlarging of the LCD screen, and it’s even possible now to get a pocket video camera with a 3 inch screen such as you will get on the Toshiba Camileo S20 pocket camcorder.

Other innovations taken from today’s high quality full size HD video camera are:
Still picture capture. Expect from 5MP to 14MP still capture capability.
Zoom facility. Optical zoom is the preferred choice, sub-£100 only have digital zoom.

SD/SDHC card slot. Many mini camcorder models have internal flash memory, but you should seek a pocket cam with a card slot which will increase memory capacity dramatically.

A flash for stills and a light for video recording in dim light are included on some models of mini camcorder, and of course an HDMI digital AV output and built-in USB arm are now standard. The HDMI output allows you to view your video on the TV at the best resolution, and the USB arm let’s you upload to the social media sites and on a good pocket video camera, re-charge the battery directly from the computer.

So hopefully you know now how to identify a worthwhile mini camcorder which will be warmly received as a Christmas box by any family member.

After writing video camera reviews for so long now, I’ve identified a shortlist of 8 pocket video camera models all under £100 which any girl or boy will be proud to own, so by adding any one of these to their Christmas shopping list, you will not go wrong:

Top of my list as a Christmas box would be the Toshiba Camileo S20 pocket camcorder which as an extra bonus carries a 2 year warranty, quickly followed by the Toshiba Camileo BW10 Sportcam. Both very similar camcorders having most of the features listed above, with the Sportcam waterproof down to 2m.

Two Kodaks are next on my Christmas shopping list. The Kodak Playsport Zx3 Waterproof HD video camera and the Kodak Zi8 HD video camera both have smart face tracking technology, and the Zx3 is waterproofed to 3m.

The next choice of Christmas box would be the new Panasonic HM-TA1 pocket camcorder which has a good pedigree and is the most viewed HD video camera on my site of video camera reviews.

This is followed closely on my Christmas shopping list by the JVC PICSIO GC-FM1A mini camcorder with another good pedigree, and finally my choice of a great Christmas box would be between 2 Samsung pocket camcorders, the Samsung U10 pocket video camera with Super Slow Motion, or the Samsung HMX-U20RP/XEU mini camcorder, (what a mouthful) let’s call it the U20.

So, that’s my camcorder reviews of pocket cams, and yes, at the time of writing, every one of them is priced at under £100, but if any of these will be on your Christmas shopping list, buy early, for as you will know, all prices go up in the few weeks before Christmas. View 19 of these camcorder models now from the UK camcorder reviews site or US camcorder reviews site and secure that bargain pocket cam for your child now before the Christmas price rise.

Filed under: HD Camcorders

Flip Video 3rd Generation HD Video Camera for UK

Art Speck — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 12:21:31 +0000

Great news from Flip Video announcing the Flip UltraHD and Flip MinoHD pocket video camera upgrades to a 3rd Generation and the UK release on 15^th November.

For those who are not familiar with the Flip video camera range, there are 2 models, namely the 8 GB Flip UltraHD and the Flip MinoHD with a choice of 8GB or 4GB.

The Flip UltraHD has been the best selling digital video camera on Amazon UK for a while now, so possibly the new 3rd Generation models will consolidate that position by replacing the 2 AA batteries for 3 AAA batteries. Rechargeable batteries should recharge within 2 hours with a power adaptor or 3 hours via the USB computer port.

3rd Generation

The 3rd Generation Flip MinoHD digital video camera has a battery rechargeable via a USB port to a PC. Just plug the video camera in via the USB port to the USB port on the computer to start re-charging.

Image stabilisation and a new smooth 50fps recording speed has been added to all 3 new Flip Video 3rd Generation models. 50fps recording is high quality and with image stabilisation, video clips should be rock steady. The LCD screen has been enlarged to 2 inches.

A new FlipPort has been added on the base for a range of accessories such as external storage, extra battery pack, external mike and GPS sensor.

Flip Video Proprietary FlipShare software is pre-loaded, has been updated, and is compatible with the Mac as well as PC, and is stored within the new Flip HD digital video camera, allowing users to add titles, edit and preview clips before uploading to Social networks.

Magic Movie mode can automate the process for you as well as add a soundtrack.

These new 3rd Generation Flip HD models were released in the US in mid-September, and already the Flip UltraHD video camera- Black, 8 GB, 2 Hours (3rd Generation) NEWEST MODEL has 36 reviews on Amazon.com, giving an average score of 4 out of 5, with 18 of those customers giving a full 5 points out of 5. Already it ranks as the top bestseller in the US for High Definition Camcorders.

3rd Generation Flip

3rd Generation

Technical Details of the Flip UltraHD video camera as supplied by Amazon.co.uk:
* Captures 120 minutes of stunning HD video on 8 GB of built-in memory
* Large, 2” anti-glare colour display to play back and delete videos
* Smooth 50fps recording speed
* Mechanical Image Stabilisation
* Built-in wide-range, omni-directional (stereo) microphone

The new 3rd Generation Flip MinoHD pocket video cameras are available with a choice of 4GB, good for an hours recording, and 8GB internal flash memory, good for 2 hours worth of HD clips.

Read full details of all Flip Video models including the new 3rd Generation pocket video camera with discount pricing and pre-ordering before the UK release.

Pre-ordering is advisable because of the start of the Christmas shopping season and expected heavy demand. This will top the pocket camcorder reviews charts for 2010.

Filed under: HD Camcorders

The Christmas Box That Ladies Really Want

Art Speck — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 14:28:34 +0000

Christmas shopping for the ladies? That could be a frustrating task. The ladies have always been an enigma, and it’s hard to determine what they really want most times, not just as a Christmas gift idea. But this Christmas, you don’t have to be as clueless as you usually are.

Ladies are tired of receiving the usual. This year, you can get her a Christmas present she’ll love, and something she won’t expect! So what should you add to her Christmas list?

Why don’t you try the Samsung HMX-U20 Pocket HD Camcorder as a Christmas box with a difference? Yes, gadgets do have their way of getting to the ladies too. And since the pocket-sized HD camcorders are very popular these days, this is one Christmas present that won’t disappoint.

The Samsung U20 is a full HD Pocket Camcorder in a pocket sized package. It is a handy multi-purpose gadget ladies will surely have a lot of fun with, thanks to its HD video capture function, and its extra 10 megapixel digital still camera.

Instead of getting a digital camera, add this to their Christmas list instead. It even features a CMOS image sensor, 3x optical zoom, 2-inch LCD display, and an advanced Hyper Digital Image Stabilization technology.

Ladies love memories, and they’ll love capturing memories with the Samsung U20 Pocket HD Camcorder. So it’s also a good thing that the U20 can accommodate SD and SDHC cards and so able to store huge amounts of clips. And with its $145 price tag, it really is the perfect Christmas gift idea for the ladies.

A Christmas shopping idea for music lovers, the iPod Nano would surely please their fancy, especially the pink ones. The latest iPod Nano already comes with a video camera, FM radio, and a special Pedometer feature designed for ladies who have a knack for fitness. It’s the perfect companion for those who like going to the gym or ladies who are also into sports.

Aside from the pink model, there are also red, orange, yellow, green, and purple models so you can get one in her favorite color for a Christmas box. You can also choose between the 8gb and the 16gb models, with the 8gb storing up to 2000 songs and the 16gb storing up to 4000 songs. The 8gb can also accommodate up to 8 hours of video, while the 16gb can store up to 16 hours of video, so a really great Christmas gift idea for ladies.

For book and literature lovers, check out the Nook ebook reader as a Christmas present. The Book is manufactured by Barnes and Noble. It is dubbed as the world’s most advanced ebook reader. The Nook features a colored screen that puts other ebook readers to shame. It also comes with a built in wifi.

The Nook is available for only $220 and bestselling novels can be ordered for $9.99 each, another great Christmas list idea.

Or if you’re willing to shell out a bit more for her Christmas present, you can get the ultra fashionable HP Mini 210-1099SE, a 10.1-inch Vivienne Tam Edition netbook. This is available for $560. It comes with a classy butterfly print in front and is really light and small, it’s like a fashionable clutch. It comes with features built for the ladies such as a really cool compact mirror that appears on the desktop!

So there you have it, the best Christmas shopping gift ideas for ladies this holiday season.

Samsung U20 is a full HD Pocket Camcorder

iPod Nano

HP Mini 210-1099SE Vivienne Tam Edition netbook

Nook ebook reader

Filed under: HD Camcorders

Christmas Shopping for Men in 2010

Art Speck — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 14:28:01 +0000

When shopping for a Christmas box for men, keep to a single direction and you won’t go wrong, and that direction is headed straight towards gadgets and gizmos! Give a guy anything technical as a Christmas present and he will think it a great Christmas Gift idea.

Whatever kind of gadget or gizmo it may be, the fact is, guys love technology. Regardless of whether they need one particular gadget, they’ll love it on their Christmas list just because it’s a tech gadget.

Guys just love having those shiny new toys around; tech gizmos always have that “wow” factor in them whether it as a Christmas present or anything else. It’s been like this since ages past: little boys start their obsession with these gadgets early in life.

Today, guys love the gizmos because they’re cool, shout status in a big way, and make these big men feel like kids again. And when these gadgets are also practical and useful, the more the men will love you for giving them one as a Christmas box.

So which gadgets make the best Christmas gift idea this year?

1.   Samsung F44 Ultra Zoom Camcorder

The Samsung F44 Ultra Zoom camcorder will surprise any man once he opens that gift from your Christmas Shopping efforts, and in the best possible way! This is an impressive camcorder from Samsung as it boasts of an amazing 65x Intelli-zoom or 52x optical zoom. This means you can shoot distant images and make it seem like you are actually at the scene.

The F44 also uses energy sparingly so the battery lasts long. And with the 16gb built in SSD memory, that’s just as well since men will love shooting with this camcorder they wouldn’t be able to put it down.
Other impressive features include face detection, auto focus, time-lapse recording, and cool new interactive thumbnails.

The Samsung F44 Ultra Zoom camcorder comes with a 1/6” CCD sensor and ships with a free Intelli-Studio 2.0 software for your PC. And your pocket won’t complain about this shiny new item on your Christmas list either. The Samsung F44 Ultra Zoom camcorder is discounted and selling for about $195 just now.

2.   Apple iPad

No need to spend a long time Christmas shopping for men. The gadget of this year to give a guy as a Christmas present is definitely the iPad from Apple.
The Samsung F44 Ultra Zoom camcorder still tops this though since men who have an Apple laptop or other top laptop computers won’t really make much use of the iPad.

The iPad is also a bit expensive at $550. But if you are willing to go all out to please your guy this year while Christmas Shopping, this is one impressive gadget men won’t be disappointed with.

3.   Sony PSP 3000

If he doesn’t already have one, the Sony PSP 3000 is a real treat among guys and these days every man has to have one. Studies have shown that men’s love for video games is more than just a passing fancy.

Men are wired to love video games because of the rewarding feelings these games offer them, so what is better than this as a Christmas box. And when they can take these games anywhere, men will be as happy as they can be. So what better way to complete your Christmas list but with a Sony PSP 3000?

This cool new Sony gadget plays games, music, movies, and photos, and they can even surf the Web on it. This is also pocket-friendly for you, since it is priced at less than $170.

So when Christmas Shopping for men, one Christmas Gift idea is the Apple iPad, but that may be too good a Christmas present at $600.

Maybe the new Sony PSP 3000 will be better suited to your Christmas list budget at about $170,

or will he get a Samsung F44 Ultra Zoom Camcorder for his Christmas box this year at $225?

Filed under: HD Camcorders

Christmas List Toys for Boys

Art Speck — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 14:25:10 +0000

Wondering what the best Christmas gift idea for boys would be? It’s a bit challenging to look for a Christmas box for boys. Unlike girls, boys’ interests are more unpredictable. But if you keep to the toy section, there won’t be any wrong turns when choosing his Christmas present.

But times have changed, and this year, there’s something you should know about Christmas shopping for boys: toys today don’t refer to the robots and remote control cars of the past. There has been a massive technology shift in the recent years. And now, boys are more interested in gadgets for their Christmas list!

Take the FLIP MinoHD Camcorder 2ND GENERATION 120 Minutes for example. This is a breakthrough product: a camcorder packed into a really small size. This is now dubbed as the sleekest handiest video camera recorder in the world and would be suitable for anyone’s Christmas box. Despite its small size, it has a pretty big memory at 8gb.

The FLIP MinoHD Camcorder doesn’t have an extra slot for a memory card, which saves you from having to buy an additional card. Don’t worry, 8gb is enough to store 120 minutes of HD videos – that’s more than your boy can handle in one shoot.

If you buy this pocket cam while Christmas shopping, which sells for about $160, you also get the FlipShare software, which makes it easy for boys to e-mail, edit clips, and make movies with their recorded material. This is a great gadget to give boys as their Christmas present this year.

This is a good start in teaching them to cherish special moments and also to cultivate their creative and artistic sides. The FLIP MinoHD is great for teenage and even younger boys. You never know, you might just be getting him a Christmas gift idea that sets him on the path toward the film and multimedia industry.

You can also encourage boys to get into music by putting the Power Tour Electric Guitar onto that Christmas shopping list. The Power Tour Electric Guitar is an electric guitar designed to make it easy for the young boys to learn how to play the actual electric guitar. It also has volume controls so boys won’t play it so loud. This makes a Christmas gift idea because it’s inexpensive but is a great techie gift that can be very beneficial for boys.

But wait, are you Christmas shopping for a serious gamer? Boys who are serious gamers would prefer something like the Xbox 360 more than the Wii in their Christmas box. The newest Xbox 360 model is a mean 250gb model that will keep boys extremely busy.

Or perhaps he would prefer the PlayStation 3 as a Christmas present, the latest much slimmer model of the phenomenal gadget hit. This costs about $300 and offers 1080p output resolution for an amazing display. It is 33% lighter and 36% slimmer, making it more energy efficient and yet more powerful in terms of specs and features.

This won’t be just a Christmas list gift for boys but a gift for the household and for the environment. If your electricity bills have gone up since you got the previous PlayStation models, well it’s time to upgrade the boys’ favorite toy.

FLIP MinoHD Camcorder 2ND GENERATION 120 Minutes

Hasbro Power Tour Electric Guitar $90

Xbox 360 Console $300

PlayStation 3 $300

Filed under: HD Camcorders

Something Special for a Ladies Christmas Gift Idea

Art Speck — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 14:24:27 +0000

The ladies of our lives are like unsung heroes. Oftentimes, they get less appreciation than they deserve. The best time to express your appreciation for the special ladies is to get them a special Christmas box. And what could be more special than hot new gadgets that are designed for them?

Gadgets always have that wow factor in them, so you’ll surely please the ladies with these Christmas list idea. Aside from that, they’ll also have lots of fun using their cool new gadgetry from your Christmas shopping trip.

Here are some special gadgets for ladies you can give as a Christmas present this year.

1. Sony MHS-PM5 bloggie HD Video Camera (Violet) NEWEST MODEL

The Sony MHS-PM5 bloggie HD Video Camera (Violet) NEWEST MODEL is a handy camcorder that can record HD videos. It is sized smaller than the regular digital camera. If you want to make your Christmas box more special, get the newest model in a dazzling violet color on your Christmas list.

This way, this lady gadget will also make a strong fashion statement, which, at a weight of only 4.5 oz., women won’t have any problem carrying around.

The Sony MHS-PM5 bloggie HD Video Camera (Violet) NEWEST MODEL can record 1920x1080p HD videos and can take 5mp still images with 4x digital zoom. All photos and videos can be previewed using the 2.4-inch LCD.

This is extremely convenient to use, and a must to check out while Christmas shopping; to charge, you can just pull out the built in USB charger; no USB cables required. It’s also easy to upload videos and photos to the Internet with the built in PMB portable software included with the package.

And what’s even more amazing is that the lens can rotate up to 270 degrees, so ladies can even self-record their own videos with this as a Christmas present.

Other great features include the SteadyShot image stabilization technology, Face Detection, and additional slot for both SD cards and Memory Stick Pro Duo.

2. Flip UltraHD Camcorder
Another Christmas gift idea is a closely similar product, the Flip Ultra HD Camcorder. This also comes in a pink model, aside from green, white, or black. You can choose any of the other colors if you think pink is overrated, but the best way is to choose on what her favorite color is.

The release of the Flip super handy camcorder that can record high quality HD videos surprised and amazed a lot of people. It was even hailed as Pure Digital’s best pocket camcorder, mainly because it exhibited excellent video quality even in low light shoots.

This is also extremely affordable, making it a favorable Christmas gift idea not only for her but also for your pocket. It does have its downsides, though, like it only allows 2 hours of recording time, which is a bit limited compared to what other pocket camcorders can achieve.

It also uses AA batteries, so add some of these to your Christmas list. The good news is the batteries can charge when you sync the Flip with your PC.

With these handy camcorders in your Christmas box, you’re sure to give the ladies a gadget for a Christmas present they’ll love using, and you guys can even record memorable videos together.

The handy camcorder craze is about to come, and the ladies will be impressed with your foresight of getting them one for while Christmas shopping for her.

Sony MHS-PM5 bloggie

Flip UltraHD

Filed under: HD Camcorders

Something Pink for a Girls Christmas List

Art Speck — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 08:10:17 +0000

Christmas shopping for girls can be a challenging undertaking. Girls have more specific interests than boys. Gadgets make a great Christmas gift idea for girls, especially the tweens and teens. However, girls aren’t as easily satisfied with some flashy new toy for their Christmas box.

It doesn’t help that most flashy techie gadgets come in high-tech robotic looks, which do not appeal to girls at all. Girls also tend to be more practical; they prefer something that they can make use of as a Christmas present.

Thankfully, in Christmas shopping for girlie gadgets, you’ve got one clue to finding this great Christmas gift idea for girls: follow the pink light!

And it might take you straight to the DXG USA DXG-533VP HD Soho 720p High-Definition Camcorder Luxe Collection, Pink Argyle. This is one gift any girl wouldn’t be able to resist. Not only does it come in a pretty light pink package; it also has an argyle design that adds to the overall style of the device.

The DXG HD Soho 720p High-Definition Camcorder Luxe Collection, Pink Argyle is a handy girlie video camera that can record up to 720p HD videos in MOV file format. Aside from that, it can also take still photos with an 8mp camera. All videos and photos can be viewed on the large 3-inch LCD.

And to make the DXG HD Soho 720p High-Definition Camcorder Luxe Collection, Pink Argyle more exciting, it also comes with a built in digital voice recording function so girls can record their own voices and make narrated films of their experiences. They’ll surely love capturing special events such as trips and parties with their friends using the DXG USA DXG-533VP HD Soho 720p High-Definition Camcorder Luxe Collection, Pink Argyle.

The DXG USA DXG-533VP HD Soho 720p High-Definition Camcorder Luxe Collection, Pink Argyle is priced between $100 and $120, and the package includes a CD-rom for the PC software, an HDMI cable, a camera pouch, a USB/AV cable, and 4 AAA Alkaline batteries. No rechargeable battery for this, but you can get a pack of rechargeable batteries with charger and throw in into the Christmas box since you’ll save a lot considering the low price of this irresistibly girlie gadget.

While you’re at it, you can also throw in a 16GB SD card. The DXG USA DXG-533VP HD Soho 720p High-Definition Camcorder Luxe Collection, Pink Argyle has only 32MB Flash memory. This may not be enough for girls to record all their memories and the 16GB SD card will make this Christmas present even more special.

Similar pink gadgets for more Christmas list ideas you may also consider include the Aiptek DV-S ISDV32P digital camcorder and still camera and the Sanyo VPC-CG10 Flash memory camcorder, both great Christmas present ideas which also come in pink.

So if you’ve got something pink for girls listed on your Christmas shopping list, you won’t run out of options, and what better way to appeal to their practical nature but to get them a pink multi-purpose gadget as a Christmas box.

A camcorder and camera in one is the perfect combination as a Christmas gift idea, since girls love cherishing memories and sentiments by nature.

DXG USA DXG-533VP HD Soho HD Camcorder Luxe Collection, Pink Argyle.

Aiptek DV-S ISDV32P digital camcorder

Sanyo VPC-CG10 Flash memory camcorder

Filed under: HD Camcorders

Christmas Gift Idea – Gadgets and Gizmos for Boys

Art Speck — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 08:09:53 +0000

Christmas shopping for boys of various ages can be a challenge, especially since boys now have a much larger range of interest. As boys grow and as technology advances, the usual Christmas box toys are no longer exciting enough to make them happy with their Christmas present.

Now, boys are more and more interested in gadgets and gizmos to add to the Christmas list. That’s why they say, “boys will always be boys.” Men have an innate love for these flashy gadgets, and this is true even when they are young.

So when you’re short of a Christmas gift idea for boys, go straight to the gadgets and gizmos department for your Christmas shopping. The only problem is, that’s quite an industry. The market is overflowing with several gadgets you can choose from. Which ones will boys enjoy the most from their Christmas list.?

If you want to impress a boy with an innovative new gadget as a Christmas gift idea, check out the Kodak Zi8 Pocket Video Camera. This is something his friends won’t readily get as a Christmas box: his very own video camera.

The Kodak Zi8 Pocket Video Camera is a very handy video camera whose shape and size looks like an ordinary digital camera. It comes in black, pink, and aqua blue. The aqua blue would make a great Christmas present for boys. It sells for around $300. The Kodak Zi8 Pocket Video Camera package includes a rechargeable battery and all the necessary composite and HDMI cables.

The Kodak Zi8 Pocket Video Camera can capture videos of up to 1080p HD resolution and the image quality is surprisingly impressive for a video camera of this size. Even low light shooting produces good videos.

The Kodak Zi8 Pocket Video Camera also comes with a card slot for SD memory cards so you can add a memory card with larger capacity to his Christmas list so he can take more videos. Three key features include the 5-mp still camera capability, macro focus mode, and electronic image stabilization.

If you have ever thought about giving him a new digital camera as a Christmas box, he’ll love this two in one camera and camcorder even more!
You can also consider adding other gadgets and gizmos such as mp3 players to your Christmas gift idea list.

This is now a necessity for every teenage boy, after all. An iPod Touch would probably do the trick. iPod Touch comes in 8gb, 16gb, and 32gb models, so you can choose depending on your budget.

The latest version of the iPod Touch is the 3rd generation one. The 32gb of this series sells for $260. If he loves music, movies, and games, get him a larger memory. 32gb is enough to store up to 7 thousand songs,
40,000 photos, and 40 hours’ worth of video.

And of course, boys are crazy about the Sony PSP portable gaming console, so check this out too while Christmas shopping. This way, they can bring their favorite video games with them at all times.

The Sony PSP is definitely the most popular of its kind as a Christmas present. It comes with a widescreen display and excellent graphics. It’s the portable version of the Sony PlayStation. It is also more than just for games; it also has wifi and a web browser, music player, video viewer, and image storage.
So those are my suggestions for a boys Christmas shopping trip.

If he is into games, add the Apple iPod touch 32 GB (3rd Generation) NEWEST MODEL as a Christmas gift idea, or maybe add the Sony PSP 3000 portable gaming console to his Christmas list.

But if he is creative, give him a Christmas box which will help to develop his creative skills such as the Kodak Zi8 Pocket Video Camera and who knows, with that Christmas present you may have started a passion which one day may become his career.

Filed under: HD Camcorders

Christmas Shopping Techie Gifts for Boys

Art Speck — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 08:09:27 +0000

Even younger boys today are starting to develop an intrinsic curiosity about techie stuff. It’s a natural effect of being born in this generation where technology takes the front seat. Boys’ addiction to techie stuff can be exasperating sometimes, especially when the video games start interfering with their studies.

But you can’t exactly keep boys from technology; becoming technology adept is an important trait for all kids as it prepares them for an even more technologically advanced future ahead of them.

What you can do is exercise more control over what kinds of techie stuff they go crazy about. So on your Christmas list this year, instead of getting them video games, why don’t you get boys a techie Christmas present they’ll also love but that will also be beneficial for them in the long run.

One good example of such a perfect Christmas gift idea for boys is the Creative Lab’s third generation Vado HD Pocket Video Camera. No gaming, no obesity threats, no distractions from studies. Here’s a Christmas box gadget boys will enjoy and one that will get them started on developing creativity skills and enhancing their imagination.

The Creative Lab’s third generation Vado HD Pocket Video Camera is a full HD video camera disguised in a wittingly small package. What sets this pocket-sized camcorder apart from other competitors is its very cool techie-looking design as well as its impressive roster of features and capabilities.

It can record up to 720p HD quality videos and 4gb of memory, which can store up to 120 minutes of widescreen HD videos, equivalent to 7000 high resolution still photos. It’s also extremely easy to use; recording can be done with a single touch, and playback, sharing, and editing tools are all packed into the small device.

Other exciting features include touch-sensitive buttons, manual exposure adjustments, 2x digital zoom, and motion detection. It also boasts of the widest-angle lens in the pocket HD camcorder market. This is a great place to start for a techie Christmas present for boys, and it’s also affordable at less than $100. Christmas shopping done!

Next, take your Christmas list and add the Nintendo Wii. This is ideal for older boys as a Christmas present. The advantage of getting the Wii is that it’s something the whole family can enjoy together. It does not only play video games but also offers sports games and family-friendly games. This will also encourage boys to be physically active instead of just sitting in front of the computer all the time.

A Christmas gift idea for younger kids, check out the Boogie Board paperless writing tablet. This is an ingenious way to start younger boys on the path towards learning while also encouraging them to embrace technology. The Boogie Board lets boys make lists, doodles, drawings; they can write down all their ideas on it.

It includes a stylus but can also recognize fingernail handwriting. Then, one touch of a button will erase all the handwriting. This allows boys to express themselves without wasting pen and paper. This is one Christmas box techie gift for boys that will surprise them, so add it to the Christmas shopping list.

Creative Lab’s third generation Vado HD Pocket Video Camera

Nintendo Wii with Wii Sports Resort

Boogie Board Paperless LCD Writing Tablet

Filed under: HD Camcorders

Christmas Present Gadgets and Gizmos for a Mans Christmas List

Art Speck — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 08:09:01 +0000

Looking for the perfect Christmas present for your husband or perhaps your brother, your dad, or a special male friend? We have all heard it said, it’s hard to understand a guy’s mind when it comes to finding the right Christmas box.

But Christmas Shopping for the men doesn’t really have to be difficult. In fact, here are some excellent Christmas Gift idea you can use to complete that Christmas list.

The phenomenon of men loving gadgets and gizmos is not a mystery. Men will never complain about having one too many gadgets, so if you want a foolproof Christmas box for men, here are top three coolest gadgets and gizmos of this year that won’t disappoint.

1.   Sanyo VPC-CS1 High Definition Camcorder and 8 MP Camera

Here’s a great Christmas Gift idea. A digital camcorder is one of the extremely useful gadgets in today’s modern world. Although not as integral as the digital camera, the camcorder is definitely a favourite for most men as it allows them to capture special moments in a much better, more interactive way than photos ever can. But if the camcorder also comes with a digital camera, men are going to go crazy.

And that’s exactly the effect if you get him the Sanyo VPC-CS1 High Definition Camcorder and 8 MP Camera. This is one he would add to his own Christmas list.

The Sanyo CS1 High Definition Camcorder and 8 MP Camera is a full HD 1080, 60i video camera with resolution of up to 1920×1080. It is equipped with an 8 mp camera. Both the camcorder and the camera have optical zoom, 10x for the video and 9x for the camera.

You can check what you’re recording or taking photos of on the 2.7-inch LCD display. To help you get outstanding videos and photos, it also comes with image stabilizer and photo face detection. Christmas shopping done!

You can get the Sanyo VPC-CS1 High Definition Camcorder and 8 MP Camera with a good discount for about $240. This is a really cool two-in-one gadget that’ll surprise men when they open that Christmas box!

2.   GPS device: Garmin Handheld GPS

There’s something about GPS devices that fascinate men. Since cars are also shiny new toys for them, a GPS device adds to the wow factor of the car and of the driving experience. Unfortunately, a lot of guys are bad with directions so a GPS device is a perfect Christmas present for them. This is a great Christmas Gift idea because men of all ages will appreciate it.

One of the best you can find is the Garmin GPS devices, a very handy GPS device that provides moving digital maps. These maps do more than give you your precise location and directions to another location. It can read other helpful data as well such as topographic, elevations, and so on. That’s another Christmas Shopping problem solved.

3.   Cell Phone: Blackberry Smartphone

No man will complain of getting a new phone as a Christmas present, especially if it’s the new hottest mobile phone trend, a Blackberry. This is also a nice way of improving communication between you and your husband, partner, brother, or dad, especially if you also have a Blackberry.

The instant messaging applications, the celebrated e-mailing feature, and high-speed Internet browsing make the Blackberry a gadget most men will love. Add this to anyone’s Christmas list.

Summary: So if the ideal Christmas present for the man in your life is a Blackberry Smartphone, add it to his Christmas list now. Or maybe the Garmin Handheld GPS would be better to add to his Christmas Shopping list.

My personal best Christmas Gift idea for myself would be Sanyo CS1 High Definition Camcorder and 8 MP Camera.

Wife take note. This is the best Christmas box you could give me. Read more of my articles on a Christmas Shopping list for Men, Ladies, Boys and Girls.

Filed under: HD Camcorders