The Vado HD by Creative Labs is an incredible gadget to have. With dimensions similar to an iPhone, the Vado’s an HD camcorder that is easy to slip into a pocket and take anywhere, always ready to take high-res videos wherever I go. I do carry an iPhone, too, though I rarely use it for video, as the quality is decidedly less than stellar. The Vado records twice the amount of video as its main competitor, the Flip MinoHD, for about the same price. And the Vado’s screen is 2 inches where the Flip’s is only 1.5.

It’s light, but the build is solid. Upon pressing the power switch, it’s ready to record video in less than a second and a half. The interface is simple, too. After powering the unit on, just press the button in the center of the control pad to start recording, and once again to stop.

The unit comes with 8GB of on-board flash memory, storing approximately 2 hours of 720p footage. Grabbing videos off the Vado is a breeze, too: just pop out the built-in USB dongle concealed in the bottom of the unit, plug it into a PC or Mac, and drag the files across. Video is recorded in H.264, and there is software preloaded on the unit itself that you can run directly off the camcorder when it is plugged into your computer to view, edit and create movies.

Creative Labs also offers some decent accessories, such as a waterproof pouch that will let you record up to 15 feet underwater, spare batteries and an external battery charger. They also include a silicon sleeve, which gives a little extra grip for the hands or some extra bounce if it’s dropped.

The only minor complaints I have are that the rocker buttons in the main keypad are a tad too sensitive, and the lack of optical zoom is disappointing. I’ve always messed around with helmet cams and such for filming road biking, mountain biking and snowboarding, and the Vado HD has me very excited about the upcoming snow season.

Creative launched a small but tangible update to its Vado HD pocket video camera aimed at making it more affordable. While its only conspicuous change on the outside is a two-tone color scheme, the company now has a 4GB model that makes the camera more competitive with the falling prices of cameras like the Kodak Zi8. For the first time, the Vado line also gets Mac support: a new app known as Vado Central will let the Vado HD and earlier Vados shuttle videos directly to iMovie.

The camera still shoots at 720p with a fixed optical zoom (but 2X digital) lens and attaches directly through its own USB connector. Movies are recorded in the H.264 codec and give the 4GB model about an hour of recording time.

Features

• Capture high-definition video

  Record all your fun moments at an HD video resolution of up to 1280×720p! With the wide-angle glass lens, you can also capture wider scenes and more action in your videos. This precision-engineered glass lens produces sharper and clearer images, giving you professional-looking videos. The Vado HD (2nd Gen) also has 2x digital zoom and works great in dim environments.

• 2 hours of recording and playback

  Simply start and stop recording with the touch of a button. Record up to 2 hours1 of stunning HD plus quality video, up to 4 hours1 of HD quality video or up to 8 hours of video at VGA resolution. The large 8GB internal memory and three recording modes give you the freedom to choose the video quality that’s best for you.

• Connect and share in an instant

  Simply plug in Vado HD (2nd Gen)’s flexible USB tab and post your videos directly onto popular web sites such as YouTube™, Photobucket or Box.net with the built-in Vado Central software. You can even save your great quality video clips to your computer for a lifetime of memories.

• Edit movies and snap photos

  Make and edit your own short movies, or capture snapshots in still and burst mode with the built-in Vado Central software.

• Playback video on your HDTV

  Connect your Vado HD (2nd Gen) camcorder to any HDTV with the HDMI cable and enjoy your videos in 1080i HD quality.

• High-quality video compression

  The latest H.264 video compression technology provides unprecedented video quality at ultra-efficient file sizes for the best possible viewing experience. Record up to 4 times more videos, compared to MPEG-4 encoded ones.

• Large 2″, antiglare screen

  Set up the perfect shot, review clips onscreen or show them off to friends. Keep the videos you like; delete the ones you don’t.

• Rechargeable for hours of fun

  Enjoy 2 hours of recording and playback with the Lithium-ion battery2; simply recharge via USB. Need more time? The battery is even removable so you can change out for a fresh one.

• Accessorize your Vado HD (2nd Gen)

  Pick up an optional accessory for your Vado HD (2nd Gen) Pocket Video Cam! Choose from a waterproof pouch, mesh case, A/V cable, spare rechargeable battery and a battery charger to get the most out of your Vado HD (2nd Gen).