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Tuesday, July 19, 2005 12:59 PM PT Posted by Alan Stafford
Makin' Movies With the Vidster
Most electronic devices aren't built to withstand being drooled on, dropped, kicked, rolled around in the back of a minivan, despite the fact that some of my colleagues like to call some products "drool-worthy."In other words, they aren't built to withstand being abused by kids. So, being a relatively new parent who owns several electronics devices, I think Mattel's new Vidster digital video camera (below) sounds like a great diversionary tactic for the little ones. It's only $80, which, if you?ve shopped at a Toys R Us store, seems like the price just to get in the door.
The Vidster's enclosed in a large gray-plastic housing, but Mattel says it's molded to fit small hands. It looks pretty sturdy; the company says it's conducting drop tests on it. But because the Vidster records to SD Cards (not tape), you shouldn?t have to worry too much about your youngster dragging it behind his or her tricycle.
It comes with a 32MB starter card, which will hold about six to eight minutes of video, at 320-by-240 resolution at 15 frames per second. It will also capture 1.3-megapixel still shots. The Vidster has a microphone, but no optical zoom--just a 2X digital zoom. The 1.1-inch color viewfinder is larger than any you'd find on a, uh, real camcorder, but the Vidster doesn't have a swing-out LCD. The camera runs on four AA batteries.
When junior is done recording his epic saga, he--or more likely, you--can use the included Muvee software to generate a finished movie. Add music of your choice, choose one of 10 styles, and the software automatically inserts transitions to match the music and the style. It's not Adobe Premiere, but it also won't take you two hours, either. Write it back out to the SD Card, then play it on a television through the Vidster's composite-out port.
The Vidster's video quality didn't exactly blow me away (what do you expect for $80?). But products like the Vidster have generated a cult following among adults, who have created Web sites and even film festivals that feature kitschy footage from devices like the Fisher Price PXL 2000. (To view some of the footage, click the ?Films? link on the left side of the page).
Mattel also showed me Pixel Chix, a "virtual girlfriend" product for tweeners (kids ages 7 and up, but in this case, only girls). It's a small plastic house; if you look through the side, you can see a three-dimensional kitchen, or bedroom, depending on which one you get.
It has a transparent liquid-crystal display that shows a character, who seems to interact with the furniture, but it also has several buttons on the side that you can use to interact with the character, kind of like a Tamagotchi.
The character can be pretty cheeky--Mattel says if you ignore her, she may just pack up and leave. Where's she going to go, you might ask, but your tweener might not want to risk it. You can also string up to three Pixel Chix boxes together, and the characters will visit the other houses. Each costs $30, but that price includes the batteries. What, a toy that includes batteries? Amazing!
So, got any favorite toys you'd like to share?
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The video camera probably isn't good for kids over 14. They would probably get bored with the low quality, no zoom, limited storage, etc. A low-end camcorder might be a better choice.
Agreed--and a 14-year-old can probably take better care of a real camcorder. If I were the 14-year-old, I'd turn my nose up at the Vidster, but kids under 10 probably wouldn't mind.
I am 14 and I agree with both of u.
And yes, I intentinally misspell Anonymous.
I am 14 also. I don't think I would like a camera that only captures 320x240 @15fps. I would rather have a MiniDV camcorder.
what about an 8 year old? would an 8 year old like it? And, where can I buy one?
Mattel said the Vidster will ship in mid-August to some retailers, and to mass retailers (Toys R Us, Wal-Mart, Target, K-Mart, Best Buy, Circuit City) in September.
Mattel said the Vidster will ship in mid-August to some retailers, and to mass retailers (Toys R Us, Wal-Mart, Target, K-Mart, Best Buy, Circuit City) in September.
It was in our target in July!!!
Both of my boys (now 6 and 10) have been using the Intel Digital Blue camera for a couple of years now. It runs $100 and only has internal memory. It does videos and stills as well, but I don't think the specs are quite as good as this one.
They both love to make movies with their Digital Blues, but they're getting kinda worn. They also didn't like it when they run out of memory when away on a trip (camping, vacation, whatever). The expandable memory in this product is definetly a step up, especially since I have a few older 64mb or 128mb SD cards around that they can use.
I've tried some of the less expensive MiniDV cameras out there and have sent them all back. None of them do well in low-light situations, where the Digital Blue makes nice pictures/videos in any light. If the Mattel camera does well in low light, I'm sold.
I'll probably end up getting them these for Christmas this year. I'll want to check some reviews first, especially about low light ability.
Does anyone know what format the videos are saved in? I would like to recommend this for my girlfriend's daughter, but we both only have Apple PowerBooks. I imagine the bundled software is Windows only. If I could pop the SD cards into a card reader and teach them iMovie, this would be perfect for a 7 year old that has been dropping hints she wants a video camera.
From my (cryptic) notes, it captures an AVI file, so you should be able to read the video files on a Mac. But you'll have to buy an SD card for the Vidster and an SD Card reader for your Mac, because you're right--the software's Windows-only.
The DXG-305V is a real nice camera for the older teens. My daughter bought a pick one from Target.com and she loves it. The nice thing about the DXG model is that it's an MP3 player too.
My kids use my old Sony 3.2 megapixel camera to take pics and vids. It's small, durable and takes better video than the toys...and it works perfectly with a Mac.
I don't think you guys realize that this remake of the Pixelvision camera is targeted towards adult experimental filmmakers mainly. It's the biggest reason why they brought the Pixelvision camera back, since it's extremely difficult for filmmakers to find working pixelvision cameras.
Thankfully, they don't have to worry about that anymore:)
How do you figure this is a remake of the Pixelvision? Doesn't sound like any of the PXLs I've owned. It sounds like one of a hundred different crappy digital cameras that are flooding the market these days. But it's one I'll buy for my kid!
OK, i went and bought one on my way home from work.
And I'll be returning it on the way home tomorrow! This thing is horrible.
You might think I had my expectations set too high, but trust me- it's bad. It looks like it's going to be somewhat "rugged," but it's about the cheapest plastic you could find. Seriously.
OK, so how does the video look? Horrible. First off, the viewfinder refreshes at about 5 fps. Not that that's a big deal, since the image is SO FRIGGIN' DARK you can't see anything anyway. Fortunately, this wasn't indicative of a problem with the viewfinder. Unfortunately it was because the imager blows. Forget using this indoors. Even during daylight, with lights on.
Horribly grainy. Kinda looks like 70s Ektachrome Super-8 transferred off a brick wall with a webcam. Just bad.
Would a ten year old turn their nose up at it? Would an 8 year old find it acceptable? Let me put it this way: I think my one year old actually said "yuck." Not suitable for anyone, at any age.
And compared to Pixelvision? This thing makes a PXL-2000 look like a Panavision.
So if you're like me, you'll ignore everything I just said and go get one for yourself. Fair enough, and I wish you luck. But me? I'm still looking for the nearest CVS so I can get one of their disposables...
I speaking as a 16 year old, began using and taking care of my parents camacorder around the age of 13-14. I don't think it would be worth going out and buying this piece of plastic...
Plus Hasbro's cam looks better.
Bottom line is none of this Tween stuff is reliable; just a marketing fad. Just go buy a real camcorder, a real portable DVD player instead of (literally every year, a new model of) Video Now
I don't think it is just 4 little kids
I found out about this in the new teen vouge dec/jan issue. I am going to get it 4 my 15th b-day in december
For an eleven year old girl, which is better for ease of use, quality of video, and ability to edit movies on the pc -- Hasbro's vcam or the dxg 305v?
This works on a Mac. Imports straight into iMovie. Don't screw with the windoze software, you don't need it with a Mac. Macs just work.
Mac users read this.
http://yourtech.typepad.com/main/2005/12/mattels_vidster.html
works perfectly well with mac for stills & movies. great product for price.
hey you can have as much with the vidster than a real camcorder i would like to see you drop/drag/throw/whatever to a real one but atleast the vidster it light weight adn is more portabel than a real one because you half to setup tripods and stuff like that but with the vidster you have that little handle adn all you need to do is turn it on no matter how long the of video time you get out of it its still durable and is still a great item.
If you can find it at K-Mart still for $59, you've got a real steal!
Got my son a Vidster for Christmas and the software has caused serious confilcts on his Windows XP (Home Ed) causing it to crash repeatedly.
My sons received this for Christmas and there is a big crack in the software disc. Is there somewhere I can download this software? It was ordered online, so I don't want to send the whole system back!
The CD included in the pkg when purchased titled "Vidster Editing software" was broken and Radio Shack didn't have any other video cameras in the store on Christmas EVE.. Please replace it. Thanks.
Does anyone know how I can replace the "Vidster Editing Software" cd. Mine was broken as well.
There is a $15 off coupon for Vidster in 12 packs of diet Pepsi. It looks like it is in the holiday packaging. In southern CA at least. Good until Feb. 28, 2006. You can't have mine, but if you look around you could probably find one.
Does anyone know if you can get additional memory for the Vidster. My 8 year old was disappointed that he could only record 10 minutes of footage. Our target (where I bought it less than a month ago) no longer has the Vidster! Any ideas?
All you need to do is get any SD memory card. The higher the better and stores more. Any feedback on what to do with the broken disks. Just bought one today for $20, at that price my 9 year will love it!
With regard to the broken Vidster software CD ? ours was also broken...
I just called the Mattel toll-free number and the people there sent us a new one. We received it in about one week.
I love the vidster! I got one for my 13th birthday. At first I just thought you could only record like on movie and just a few pictures, but now I know that it does more!! Once you plug it in to your tv it is super clear.
KarlikSuka4
can u download the software junk from the web
it is an okay thing i like it because i can upload the pics, i do recommend using it outside, but if u have good lighting inside thats fine too, but i personally like pictures took outside, there is just more scenery and this is coming froma 14 year old, but i can see where you guys can be dissapointed in the lighting.
i found a dxg 305v last week, i bought a USB cable and all i need is the software, does anyone know where i can download it from?
Mattel and all those other companys are full of bull,,They sell a product and the have no help or download section for there stuff,,I have a VIDSTER DIGITAL VIDEO CAMERA,,and the disk is cracked,,Now I have no software and drivers for it..If you buy this your stupid for doing it...