Best Camcorders Under $300

The best camcorders have made leaps and bounds since those clunky plastic units that held a huge VHS tape. Now there’s countless ways to use some of the best camcorders to record video and get it to the masses. And with these best camcorders accepting formats from HDMI, to DVI, to straight to DVD, there is no shortage of flexibility either. These best camcorders have great new features like stabilization and extreme zoom, there’s little excuse for not capturing action with great detail. With well-known companies like Sony, Panasonic, Samsung, and JVC all involved in making the best camcorders under $300, users can rest assured they’re getting a great value.

The 32x Zoom Panasonic VDR-D210 DVD

Best Camcorders Under $300: Panasonic VDR-D210

The Panasonic VDR-D210 is designed to record video directly to a DVD, allowing users to immediately view their shots on a TV. And since this best camcorder can work with DVD-RAM, DVD-R DL, DVD-RW, and DVD-R formats, users can purchase whatever discs they prefer. There is also an Optical Image Stabilizer that is intended to lower shaking from a quaky hand. Panasonic also included a soft skin mode in its best camcorder to work better with skin tones.

With a four and a half star Amazon rating this best camcorder is lauded by users for its image quality, as well as its feature set. One user notes that without the included wall charger, however, finalizing DVDs isn’t possible. Overall, users mention it’s a great value, and the ease of use when operating this best camcorder is fantastic.

The Panasonic VDR-D210 is available at Amazon for $279.

The One Touch Burn Sony DCR-DVD650 DVD Handycam

Best Camcorder Under $300: Sony DCR-DVD650 DVD Handycam

The Sony DCR-DVD650 DVD Handycam has a 60x optical zoom, as well as a Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens that includes SteadyShot image stabilization for the shakey shooter. This best camcorder also offers users two ways to shoot: record to DVD or record to removable Memory Stick PRO Duo media. The camcorder features a built-in microphone, playback zoom, and it’s compatible with DVD-R/-RW/+RW and +R DL formats.

Users have called the Sony DCR-DVD650 DVD Handycam one of the best camcorders out there. Amazon’s users gave it three and a half stars, noting its feature set and overall detail in its shots are well above par. Some users have noted that the audio quality isn’t amazing, but that’s probably expected with a budget model. Another user mentioned that the camera couldn’t record more than 30 minutes of standard quality DVD without running out of room.

The Sony DCR-DVD650 DVD Handycam is available at Amazon for $279.

The Up-scaling Samsung SMX-K40 HDMI

Best Camcorders Under $300: Samsung SMX-K40

With a 52x optical zoom, the Samsung SMX-K40 HDMI features an up-scaling feature that works with HDMI capable HDTV. It can record at a resolution of 720 x 480, but requires a SD/SDHC card to store the footage. There is also an Optical Image Stabilizer included, as well as a bundled Intellistudio program for editing and sharing video. This best camcorder can connect to a computer through a USB cable.

Users found the value of the Samsung SMX-K40 HDMI Camcorder to be great, noting the image quality and the portability of the unit. The video format is fairly easy to edit and work with on a computer, as one user on Amazon noted. Another user mentions that the quality of video when just connecting a standard RCA cable to a TV when playing back off the camcorder is not good, but said that an HDMI cable would probably have made a difference.

The Samsung SMX-K40 HDMI is available at Amazon for $250.

The Compact JVC GZ-MS110B

Best Camcorder Under $300: JVC GZ-MS110B

The JVC GZ-MS110B uses a technology called Everio’s Super LoLux, which is designed to produce better quality shots in very low light environments. There is also a time-lapse recording feature on this best camcorder that lets users record a sunset or any other frame over time. JVC includes a video-editing program for a PC, as well as a 45x zoom. A memory card slot for SDHC/SD is equipped on the unit, and there is even a one-touch button to upload a video to YouTube.

While some Amazon users didn’t like the fact that this camcorder doesn’t take stills or that the LCD preview screen has poor brightness, overall the camcorder is a great value. Users did mention that the night shooting is fantastic, and the zoom is superior to many other similarly priced models.

The JVC GZ-MS110B is available at Amazon for $211.

Best Digital Voice Recorder Review

The best digital voice recorders are chock filled with more features than most users will even need. From students looking to record lectures, to businessmen and women trying to capture a meeting for later reference, digital voice recorders have become more and more useful. Some of the best digital voice recorders even feature MP3 capability, as well as a built-in FM radio. There is even the ability to send files to your email and switch out storage cards. Some of the biggest electronic brands, like Sony, Olympus, and Sanyo all create some of the best digital voice recorders. Here are some the best reviewed digital voice recorders:

The Uncompressed Olympus LS-10

Best Digital Voice Recorder: Olympus LS-10

The Olympus LS-10 Linear PCM Recorder is capable of recording around 12 hours of audio using just two AA batteries. This digital voice recorder features WAV, MP3 and WMA recording and playback, and can hold 2 GB of audio using just its Flash memory. Users can also access its SD/SDHC removable media card slot for even more storage. It is equipped with two speakers for playback, or a headphone port for privacy. The LS-10 is also very lightweight at only 5.3 ounces.

Owners of this device really appreciate the way the LS-10 captures sound, noting that its menu construction is sensible and allows for full accessibility of its feature set, making it one of the best digital voice recorders. Overall, it’s earned a four and a half star rating at Amazon. A couple users noted that the twin microphones are very sensitive to hand movement, and also that playback on the external speakers can be low. In an ambient environment, using headphones may be best for playback with this digital voice recorder.

The Olympus LS-10 Linear PCM Recorder is available at Amazon for $232.

The Red Sony PCM-M10/R Portable

Best Digital Voice Recorder: Sony PCM-M10/R Portable

The Sony PCM-M10/R Portable Linear PCM Recorder has 4 GB of flash memory for storing audio. It also has a built-in speaker, as well as cross-memory recording capability, and pitch control. Users can access the USB port to upload and download recordings to this device, one of the best digital voice recorders. Audio can be captured in WAV or MP3 formats, and there is also a MicroSD/Memory Stick Micro (M2) slot for expanding storage options.

Many users really like this device, naming it one of the best digital voice recorder, noting that it’s mics are excellent and the audio quality is quite near perfect. However, a couple owners noted that when recording a session, you’re not able to name it through the recorder’s menu. Also, the included disc with Soundforge is PC only, leaving MAC users out to dry.

The Sony PCM-M10/R Portable is available at Amazon for $245.

The MP3-Playable CC Witness 2GB

Best Digital Voice Recorder: CC Witness 2GB

The CC Witness 2GB Digital Recorder doubles has a MP3 player and also features an AM/FM radio. It has 2 GB of flash memory, and features a SD card slot for another 2 GB worth of storage. There is a USB port for uploading content, as well as an alarm clock for those heavy sleepers. This digital voice recorder also has a built-in calendar and comes with earbud headphones.

Amazon owners rated this one of the best digital voice recorders with four and a half stars. They appreciate the ability to record local radio shows as one of the best digital voice recorders and also love the sound quality. Some owners complain about the price, but its pretty standard considering the extra features. One user notes that the brightness of the menu isn’t adjustable. Another mentions that the reception of the radio can be varying depending on the location, but that’s the case for any radio.

The CC Witness 2GB is available at Amazon for $176.

The Large Capacity Sanyo ICR-FP700D

Best Digital Voice Recorder: Sanyo ICR-FP700D

The Sanyo ICR-FP700D Digital Stereo MP3 has a lot of room for storage because it excludes all the extras and focuses on just storing audio. With an optional 8 GB of space, as well as a 29 hour battery life, this device was made for corporate or student use. There is a 1 GB SD card included with the ICR-FP700D, and it’s able to record in stereo MP3 format. There is also a voice-activated feature for recording.

Sanyo’s device is one of the best digital voice recorders because it’s lauded by consumers for its recordings, but they note that raising the bit rate to make it higher quality will lessen storage space overall. One user notes that there can be some hiss during playback at times, and another mentions that the SD card slot door is a bit susceptible to being broken off.

The Sanyo ICR-FP700D Digital Stereo MP3 is available at Amazon for $108.

Optimize your meta-techniques.

A Unified Meta-Theory Of Design combining optimization theory, green design theory, universal theory, design pattern theory, and zen theory.

Meta-efficient in 2009.

In Japan,  there’s an aquarium with an electric eel in it. And the eel’s electrical power is being used to energize the lights on a Christmas tree. It’s clean energy right? Each time the electric eel at the Aqua Toto Gifu aquarium touches a copper wire in its tank, it sends power that lights up globes decking a Christmas tree.

Officials expect the “eel Christmas tree” to be a popular attraction for dating couples in the lead-up to Christmas Day, when the tree will be removed. There’s no word on whether the electric eel feels unduly drained by the whole scenario. Electric eels are capable of generating electricity in their bodies. They have notoriously poor eyesight and use electric shocks to stun prey so they can catch and eat them. Via Ecofriend and Mainichi Daily News.

A “Furoshiki” is a traditional Japanese cloth used to wrap gifts, clothes, and other goods. Recently this practice has been revived in Japan. The appeal of this form of wrapping is that the cloth is reused for other purposes, and it is an eco-effective technique in this regard. Furoshiki means “bath spread” and it derives from the practice of bundling clothes at public baths in the Edo Period (1603-1867). Over time, Furoshikis were used protect goods when transporting and decorating goods for presents. You can see some Furoshiki wrapping techniques on this page, and Furoshiki cloths can be found on eBay and in Japanese specialty stores. Story via: Eco-product Navigator (Japan)

This curious sink from Elkay has its faucet positioned on an “island” in the center of the sink. Interesting idea — but it seems like the faucet would get in the way of washing. The only advantage we can think of is the 360° access to the faucet. Trendir reviews other curious fixtures for the home like this one.

Elkay via Trendir

This solar powered GPS unit was well reviewed by UberGizmo. GPS units are good match with solar, because they are always being used outdoors, usually during the daytime. The manufacturer says the solar panel increases the battery life by 8-30 hours. See the full review at UberGizmo.

The H-2 is an advanced surfboard fin, that is designed for hydrodynamic efficiency, and better speed and manoeuvrability of surfboards.

It features a specially-designed fin geometry and is constructed with an ultralight, flexible material. It was designed by Surf Hardware, and was awarded the 2005 Australian Design Award.

Yanko Design has more information. They also have many other intriguing products by various designers on their site.