Aiptek quietly snuck in what looks like an entry-level version of the Aiptek GO-HD, and, you guessed it, that means the price floor for HD camcorders has dropped even lower. Though in most respects the Aiptek A-HD camcorder is the same as its sibling, it does differ in a few key areas.
The Aiptek A-HD still features the same 5 megapixel CMOS sensor, 2.4″ LCD, and memory slot good for up to 8GB of storage. Footage is recorded as .MOV files in the H.264 codec. Your video can be displayed on your HDTV via component outputs.
As for differences, the manufacturer opted for a 4x digital zoom instead of a 3x optical zoom on the Aiptek A-HD. It only comes with one battery (versus two on the GO-HD), and also lacks a remote and included pouch.
So how much less will this cost you? The Aiptek A-HD is listed at an amazingly low $169.99, and is available now directly from Aiptek.
Now here is my standard “cheap camcorder” disclaimer: do not buy this camcorder for recording your precious memories. You will most likely be sorely disappointed. However, if you need a crash camera, or are looking for a good buy for the kids, pick a couple up for cheap and watch them have some good clean fun watching themselves on your HDTV and uploading videos to YouTube.
2x digital zoom
led lights removed from site
32 sdhc future capability
fixed lens
it seems you do not own this camcorder. go out and buy one then mak an aquasation that will help thesite out thank you
FishyComics, you are correct that I do not own this camcorder, and I do not plan to go out and buy one to determine whether or not the manufacturer is posting the correct information about their own product.
Nowhere that I can find does it say the Aiptek A-HD is compatible with SDHC cards, only SD/MMC. So a 32GB card is not possible if that is the case. I am not sure where you got that information.
The Aiptek site actually lists both 4x digital zoom and 2x digital zoom on the same page, so I am not sure which is true.
There’s a rather comprehensive ‘field test’ of this camera by a New Yorker on MetaCafe.
Click here to see the video (10 minutes video)
He goes into a lot of detail with the camera. From the packaging, to the contents, to the functionality of the camera. The flash (for photography) worked well. Nicely designed. Sound’s not too impressive if you speak quietly, but it’s sub-$200. Video’s great, even in low-light conditions. And he questions the 4x zoom (you get to see it …it looks 2x).
Reply to Jackpot777,
That video review was made by none other than the first commenter, Fishycomics. And after extensively researching (and eventually buying this camera), I can say that Fishycomics is the definitive go-to guy on the A-HD.
I DON’T KNOW WHAT YOU MEAN BY YOUR STANDARD “CHEAP CAMCORDER” DISCLAIMER, BUT THIS PRODUCT KICKS THE CRAP OUT OF MORE EXPENSIVE VERSIONS OF HD CAMCORDERS AND THE FEATURES HOLD UP WELL AGAINST HIGH END CAMCORDERS!
THE ONLY PROBLEMS I HAVE WITH IT, IS THAT THE STOCK SOUND QUALITY ISN’T VERY GOOD AND THE PLACEMENT OF THE BUTTONS TAKES SOME GETTING USED TO.
I ACCIDENTALLY DROPPED THIS CAMCORDER FROM APPROXIMATELY 4 FEET. IT HIT A CEMENT SURFACE PRETTY HARD AND SUSTAINED NO INTERNAL DAMAGE! I DARE YOU TO TRY THAT WITH MOST OF THE OVER PRICED TOP OF THE LINE BRAND NAME MODELS!
OVER ALL, I’VE FOUND THIS TO BE AN OUTSTANDING PRODUCT FOR $135.00 - $180.00! YOU JUST CAN’T BEAT IT!
Anybody there knows for SURE if Aiptec A-HD is compatable with new SD-HC cards??? Amazon sells those cards as a bundle deal with the camera but nowhere it’s said that it is actually compatabe with it.
And another question how good is .mov format for digital video editing??? Does simple software like Adobe Premiere Elements 3.0 ??? support this format???
Got this camera and took it on a trip. The stills are fine and the movies are OK, but I haven’t figured out how to splice all the separate .mov files together and if I can get it to a DVD to use on a DVD player.
Takes the SDHC card, I got a 4gb and it worked fine.
On page 19 of the user’s manual it cleary states that this camera can use a SD/MMC up to 32GB. So, SDHC (HC) meaning Hight Capacity is an option for this camcorder/camera.
i bought the aiptek a-hd and it crashed 50% of the time when i took 5mp stills. it had 1600 firmware. if anybody knows PLEASE tell me. thank you
If I recall the specs for the GO and the A-HD, the most likely reason for including two batteries with the Go is that noisy autofocus. The need to refocus constantly (under no control of the operator, as I understand) probably drains the battery quicker. I saw a message posted on a site yesterday where a user claimed about a half hour of life out of a battery in the GO, while an A-HD user claimed an hour, hour and a half or so out of his battery. The A-HD has, like most of Aiptek’s cameras, a fixed focus with two settings: macro and infinity. Therefore, no motor to drain the battery more quickly. Not rocket science, people.
how in the world do i put video clips on windows movie maker!!!??????????
Dear friends,
I am audio/visual producer in Philadelphia, PA. I have used MANY cameras/camcorders under the sun. I’ve used the CANON series faithfully for years. (XL1, GL2, XL2). We were about to upgrade to HD (I.E. XLH1). I decided to give the Aiptek HD a drive and let me tell you. This camera is awesome. So awesome, I shot a commercial recently with it. The images are so great, we fell on the floor! I paid only $160.00 versus the about $20,000 we were about to invest.
True, the stock audio is awful. But I’ll bet Aiptek will fix this.
Camera also lacks an onboard light and/or fixture. No prob if you know a little about lighting when you shoot.
I also wish that the camera had say an adapter to hook up XLR audio inputs.
The cameras 30fps rate is true. Right from the door you can shoot quality video.
When I shot the commercial, my client was like,” WHAT THE %$#& IS THAT?” because they are used to me lugging along my XL1S. When the saw the editing footage that this little monster puts out….they were pleasingly stunned.
It’s official. With this camera, HD is here. Picture it. HD camera, no tape, no hard drive, small footprint (This camera is about a little bigger than a hefty Blackberry Phone), companies better watch out for Aiptek. What would happen when Aiptek makes a larger model. WOW!!!
Can you also imagine if Aiptek came out with their own versions of interchangeable lenses? I love it when a company provides an invention to shake the industry.
I’ve noticed the one reviewer shunned this camera as not to use for your precious memories. HE’S DEAD WRONG! It should be a crime to make a camera like this at this price with all of it’s multiple uses. Camcorder, 8MP camera, data archiver, voice recorder, video recorder and did I say all for $160? Please….I’m buying three more.
And for the professional users. There are NO camcorders on the market in the prosumer range that let you shoot takes and allow you to instantly view your takes right on the spot. Try that with any HD camcorder that use tape. Or if they use a FIRESTORE hard drive.
I will post my test commercial on my youtube site…www.youtube.com/FREESPACEBOY
Take care friends, I love you all as you all are my inpirsation. Keep filming
Glenn Bruce
FREESPACE PRODUCTIONS
This may be a dumb question, but is there a date time stamp on this camcorder? I cannot find the answer. Thanks.
I got the Aiptek a-hd 760 p for x-mas and i haven’t found a date/time stamp on the camera or mentioned in the manual.
How do i put clips of vids on to windows movie maker it says that i have to put a supporting file or something please help me
I purchased the Aiptek HD-720 camcorder and faced the problem of converting the video format for importing into windows movie maker.
The freeware product Any Video Converter worked great for this purpose, and I was easily able to convert the NSMOV
aiptek file for importing in windows movie maker. This allowed editing which included addition of audio tracks, still pictures, and use of screen transistions, effects, ect… You can then save the file as a .WMV and burn this to a DVD.
The only thing I would like to find now, is a way to edit the files while they exist on the camcorder. This would be great because I could disply them on my HD TV.
-Mike