Digital Trends

Now at a Wal-mart near you: Aiptek's HDV21X digital camcorder, offering 1080p resolution, SDHC storage, and a 3x optical zoom for $199.99.

Electronics manufacturers are always saying that, eventually, the costs for new technologies will drop to the point where they stop being a high-end luxury item and start becoming a genuine commodity. That postulate is now seeming to have an impact on the world of high-definition digital camcorders, with Aiptek now offering its HDV21X digital camcorder through mega-retailer Wal-mart for just $199.99.

The HDV21X can capture high-definition 1,440 by 1080-pixel video in H.264 format at 30 frames per second, or go for 1,280 by 720-pixel H.264 video at 60 frames per second. The unit can also capture 8 megapixel digital stills, offers a 3× optical zoom, a 2.4-inch swivel-reversible LCD viewfinder, and stores video to SDHC cards (although it also offers 90 MB of accessible internal storage). Users can hook the HDV21X up to their televisions via a high-definition component output, and a USB 2.0 interface lets users transfer video to their PCs. The camera also offers a night shot mode, a flash with red-eye correction, an integrated LED light for shooting in low light situations, and a built-in charger that enables users to pump up the battery using either a USB port or an AC adapter.

We don't doubt that other high-definition digital camcorders offer more storage, wider connectivity options—along with better optics and image quality—but for folks looking to dip a toe into the world of high-definition video, the HDV21X may not be a bad first stepping stone. The unit can be used with Macs running Mac OS X 10.4 or newer, or Windows XP/Vista. And, hey: HDV21X owners can also hook the unit up to their TV, VCR, or DVD player with RCA outputs to capture their favorite video content and (say) transfer it to an iPod or other portable media player. Hard to beat for the price.