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Aiptek A-HD 720p

The Aiptek A-HD is a hybrid video and still camera and is one of the cheapest devices that records HD video at a 720p resolution. This camera costs even less than the already value-priced Aiptek Go-HD. To achieve the lower price with the A-HD Aiptek replaced the lense capable of optical zoom with a plastic lens that limits the camera to digital zoom. Footage can be recorded to an SD card in a variety of modes that affects storage requirements and video quality. The highest quality settings are the 720p resolution mode at 30 frames per second, with the lowest quality being the webcam mode at a decidedly lower resolution. Still camera features include a 5MP sensor, and a burst flash. The packaging rates the camera at 8MP however the real resolution is 5MP with software upscaling the image internally.

Where to Buy

Aiptek A-HD 720p
MSRP $129.00
Release date August, 2007
Brand Aiptek
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Pros & Cons8
Reviews4
Details
Buy It
Competitors8
Comments2
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Pros & Cons

ProSCORE
4 reviews
62
negative
mixed
positive
2 positive
2 mixed
0 negative

[i] How is the ProSCORE calculated?

show me!

Pros:
Do you agree?
•
Hundreds of dollars less than competition
+3agreedisagree

•
Strong flash
+3agreedisagree

•
Video capture is actually pretty decent
+2agreedisagree

•
Good low light performance
+2agreedisagree

Cons:
Do you agree?
•
No optical zoom
+2agreedisagree

•
Annoying placement of record button
+2agreedisagree

•
Records at 30 fps
+1agreedisagree

•
Muffled outdoor sound (can be fixed if you use an external mic)
0agreedisagree


4 people added to this review by submitting or voting on pros and cons. Add your say!
See individual votes »

Details

Video can be output directly from the A-HD either through the included component cables for, or composite cables for standard definition. The camera can also record content directly through the AV input, though the content is limited to 720x480 resolution. High-definition video is recorded using the popular H.264 codec and saves files as Quicktime compatible MOV.

Clarifications on Packaging

  • 8MP digital camera - but as mentioned is really 5MP
  • 4x digital zoom is offered, however on earlier firmwares digital zoom is limited to 2x. You must update the firmware to enable 4x digital zoom.
  • LED night lights are found on the camera, when they really aren't.

Spec list

  • 1280 x 720 @ 30FPS -in HDPI / HD / H.264
  • 720 X 480 @ 30FPS - Motion : D1
  • 352 x 240 @ 30FPS - Motion : WC (WebCam)
  • 16:9 & 4:3 aspect ratio
  • 3MP, 5MP & 8MP - still shot
  • Built in Flash Strobe, with Red-Eye Reduction
  • 5M CMOS sensor
  • 2x Digital Zoom; Fixed Lens
  • Macro Mode (30cm F to ~ F )
  • 2.4 TFT Color LCD, swivel
  • Nightshot & Limited Video Effects
  • Standardized NP-60 Battery (1000mAh included)
  • HD Output (Component) / HDTV
  • A-V Inputs & Outputs
  • Records A-V Inputs at D1
  • NTSC & PAL (switchable)
  • SD / MMC / HCSD
  • 256M to 8G storage cards
  • 6M internal memory
  • Voice Recording, Playback
  • MOV format, Codecs included on driver CD
  • All cables, charger and straps included.
  • Red or Blue case
  • Charges from USB or AC Adapter

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This report was started December 20, 2007 at 1:49 pm by Charon9
with the last edit occurring May 5, 2009 at 4:12 pm by Yale
This page has been viewed 9780 times, with 41 edits by 8 contributors.
See the full report history »

Buy It

Aiptek A-HD 720p | Black

• Aiptek A-HD 720P 8 MP CMOS High-Definition Camcorder (Black)

UPC: 653886020671

EAN: 0653886020671

MPN: AHDBLK

Aiptek A-HD 720p | Silver

• Aiptek A-HD 720P 8MP CMOS High Definition Camcorder (Silver)

• A-HD Camcorder

UPC: 653886020701

EAN: 0653886020701

MPN: A-HD

Competitors

Aiptek A-HD 720p is ranked 6th among it's competitors.  See the top picks in Camcorders »
Sanyo Xacti VPC-HD700

Sanyo Xacti VPC-HD700

MSRP  $600.00    Released  October, 2007
Pros
  • 720p recording in MPEG-4 AVH/H.264 format
  • Good price for its features
  • Included cradle has many output options including HDMI
  • Improved compression means more recording on a single SD card
Cons
  • Lens is a very small diameter and is only X5. Same lens as used to be on HD2 would fare much better.
  • Could do with a faster lens.
ProSCORE
4 reviews
89
Vote! (3 votes)
vote Aiptek A-HD 720p 0% vs. vote Sanyo Xacti VPC-HD700 100%
Canon PowerShot TX1

Canon PowerShot TX1

MSRP  $500.00    Released  April, 2007
Pros
  • Records 720p HD content
  • Small, lightweight design (3.5 x 2.4 x 1.1 in, 0.58 lbs)
  • Takes 7.1 megapixel still photos
Cons
  • Awkward design; tough to hold
  • Noisy at high ISO levels
  • Mediocre image quality
ProSCORE
1 review
50
Vote! (1 vote)
vote Aiptek A-HD 720p 0% vs. vote Canon PowerShot TX1 100%
Flip Video Ultra

Flip Video Ultra

MSRP  $149.00    Released  September, 2007
Pros
  • No software to install - built-in software is loaded in memory on the camera itself
  • Easy to transfer videos to your PC and share on YouTube and email
  • Built-in USB arm, so you don't need other cables
Cons
  • No cap or cover to protect the lens when not in use.
  • No way to upgrade memory capacity
  • Video quality is decent but not great
ProSCORE
11 reviews
60
Vote! (2 votes)
vote Aiptek A-HD 720p 50% vs. vote Flip Video Ultra 50%
Creative Vado HD

Creative Vado HD

MSRP  $229.99    Released  December, 2008
Pros
  • affordable price
  • full 720p high definition video
  • 8GB of built in capacity
  • easy to use, upload or playback
Cons
  • no expansion slots for further memory
  • no optical zoom
ProSCORE
2 reviews
83
Vote! (0 votes)
vote Aiptek A-HD 720p   vs. vote Creative Vado HD  
Aiptek GO-HD

Aiptek GO-HD

MSRP  $299.00    Released  May, 2007
Pros
  • Inexpensive HD camcorder
  • Very compact
  • HD recording - 1280 x 720 @ 30 fps
Cons
  • No built-in memory
  • Doesn't include built-in memory or an SD card
  • fits palm poorly
ProSCORE
5 reviews
72
Vote! (0 votes)
vote Aiptek A-HD 720p   vs. vote Aiptek GO-HD  
Genius G-Shot HD520

Genius G-Shot HD520

MSRP  $149.00    Released  April, 2009
Pros
  • compact and light
  • rechargeable Li-ion battery
  • records in high definition (720p)
Cons
  • no optical zoom
  • flash storage capacity is limited to 8gb
  • not a quality brand
ProSCORE
1 review
58
Vote! (0 votes)
vote Aiptek A-HD 720p   vs. vote Genius G-Shot HD520  
RCA Small Wonder EZ209HD

RCA Small Wonder EZ209HD

MSRP  $120.00    Released  January, 2009
Pros
  • can take 8MP still shots
  • 720p video at 60fps
  • affordable price
  • attractive enclosure
  • undercuts the price of many of its competitors
Cons
  • uses MicroSD instead of SD/SDHC
ProSCORE
2 reviews
88
Vote! (0 votes)
vote Aiptek A-HD 720p   vs. vote RCA Small Wonder EZ209HD  
Kodak Zi6

Kodak Zi6

MSRP  $179.99    Released  September, 2008
Pros
  • Very well priced
  • Takes SDHC cards (cheap, and high capacity)
  • Uses AA batteries - can be replaced on-the-go, rechargeable
Cons
  • Very poor low light capabilities
  • No wind noise cancellation
  • No microphone input
ProSCORE
4 reviews
62
Vote! (0 votes)
vote Aiptek A-HD 720p   vs. vote Kodak Zi6  

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Comments

1.  avatar Charon9 said:

My Opinion / Review:
**Highly Recommended**
I looked at a lot of other cameras I took most out of the picture from feature by feature comparisons verses price. Name means a little, but not enough to warrant a $500.00 to $1,000.00 increase in price. Hit a site like CircuitCity and do a side by side features on them, this camera does a lot they won't (Other than drain your wallet). I would suggest this camera to anyone who wants a good camera and a good price to boot, the negative things are picky things that I don't like and most would never notice.
NOTE: Some have stated that the .H264 has a problem with fast movement, and I recorded some races at the speedway down here and I didn't have a problem at all. I did notice some problems on a second computer (Cheaper video card and older quicktime) but they were not on my main computer so maybe it is the computers codecs?

Things I like:
Price, paying 129.00 or even a list 169.00 for this (a HD 16:9 camera is a great deal) when you look at the price of a Sanyo, Sony, etc. at 600.00 or 1,000.00 for the same basic camera it is CRAZY!
Flash Strobe, this is a real flash tube strobe; that means SUPER bright.
Every feature works just as described (most I will never use even, but they are there!)
Night shot / Low Light - try getting that in a HD Camera for less than 1,000.00 bucks. I'm not sure how low it will go, but I have filmed some pretty dark scenes without a problem.

NEUTRAL Things:
Flash Strobe Recharge. Ok, I got it for the fact it has a real flash on it, so I know there is a recharge time involved, but some may not like that delay.
Image Stabilization - I personally do NOT like these features as they tend to blur or sheer the video, some may want this though.
No MPG-X mode. I find no problem in this but some may want an MPG-X encoder.

Things I DO NOT like:
Flash location; Ok, I constantly put my fingers in front of it (I have large hands, and this thing is small - and I know, stop doing that dummy!)
Shape, the shape tends to cause me to misaim the camera.
Memory card location, you have to open the side to remove the card.
Won't auto-power on when you plug in a USB cable.
Video record button, just hard to hit.
Camera button is also hard to hit (for me).
The 2x Digital Zoom (just worthless overall)

Dec 21, 2007 5:36pm
2.  avatar agarboy said:

The video is a little washed up. To check this out, use it indoors in low light settings with bright colored objects in the room. For e.g. bright colored plastic cups or something like that.
The audio is Horrible. Try recording video inside a moving car with a person sitting besides you. Play it back and you will not be able to hear anything as the audio would have clipped due to the continous hum of the car.
The price is the only plus point of this camera.
Feb 13, 2008 7:18pm
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Reviews

Sort by: Most helpful  •  Newest  •  Most positive

Omar

avatar
December 24, 2007
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
57
negative
mixed
positive
4 pros
3 cons

Pros

  • Hundreds of dollars less than competition
  • Strong flash
  • Video capture is actually pretty decent
  • Good low light performance

Cons

  • No optical zoom
  • Annoying placement of record button
  • Muffled outdoor sound (can be fixed if you use an external mic)

Competitors

Omar prefers Canon PowerShot TX1, Sanyo Xacti VPC-HD700 over Aiptek A-HD 720p
Omar prefers Aiptek A-HD 720p over Flip Video Ultra
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
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smcair

avatar
February 12, 2008
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
67
negative
mixed
positive
4 pros
2 cons
have ithave it
love itlove it

Pros

  • Hundreds of dollars less than competition
  • Strong flash
  • Video capture is actually pretty decent
  • Good low light performance

Cons

  • No optical zoom
  • Annoying placement of record button

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

ddrcoder

avatar
January 11, 2009
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
50
negative
mixed
positive
1 pro
1 con

Pros

  • Hundreds of dollars less than competition

Cons

  • Records at 30 fps

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

astrauss

avatar
January 20, 2008
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
100
negative
mixed
positive
1 pro
0 cons

Pros

  • Strong flash

Cons

Did not agree with any cons

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

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This product is also known as:

A, HD, AHD, 720, p, 720p