Sports Video in the Palm of Your Hand

By Chris Vaccaro
Student Reporter

Pure Digital has struck gold with its hand-held video camera. With the click of a couple buttons, you’re able to take clear video footage, which you can then upload to your computer from the handy built-in USB cord.

After testing the unit out at a high-school sports event, I’m convinced that this camera can be very useful for journalists. Not only are you able to record what you want, when you want it, but you can upload the footage onto a news website and create a video gallery, which adds a digital element that more and more people are craving.

The Wall Street Journal wrote a review on the camera, which fits into your palm, and they said, “it’s stunning and simple to use,” and they were right on target.

You press the red button in the center of the unit to record and stop, and you press play or delete to review or discard your video.

The 1.25-inch LCD monitor, which is the only area you can view the objects you're shooting, is just big enough.

The only negative feature is that it doesn’t have great zoom. But when buying or using it, you have to realize it’s not meant to compete with a camera that has 800X visual maximization, it’s simply a video camera to put in your pocket and use freely, with no hassles or worries.

When trying to use the software that comes with the camera, it’s helpful for organizing your videos into separate folders, yet if you don’t check your my documents folder you won’t be able to find where the videos are stored for you to edit them in a different program.

By using the website eyespot.com, I was able to make a "mix" in less than 15 minutes, using the footage I had taken at a Rocky Point High School baseball game. The quality of the online video mixer was great and the transition from the device to my computer, and eventually, to the program was simple.

Also, be warned, it takes a long time to make a movie mix, which is Pure Digital's way of putting together a prepared movie with music to your video. It’s a great idea, but I sat at my computer for 30 minutes and it was only 75 percent complete when I couldn’t take it anymore.

Pure Digital offers 30- or 60-minute cameras that range in cost from $80-$150, depending upon the seller.

[Click here to view the video clip recorded for this review.]