DXG DXG-305VSC Prices, Reviews, Sales, Compare
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Well, I've only had the DXG-305v for a couple of weeks now, but have learned quite a bit about it in that time. It was a gift for my 11-year-old, although I of course had to thoroughly check it out myself first. I like the product a lot, but I do have a few complaints and some famous "secrets" to exclaim in this review, so read on...
Specifications: The dependable specifications for many of the camera's features are almost impossible to decide from DXG's published information. In many cases, completely different specifications appear on the downloadable data sheet, the downloadable user manual, the printed user manual, and the product box! Which (if any) of these actually apply to the camera? Fortunately it is possible to decide what the camera can do through experimentation, and to analyze the digital files it produces to net some wonderful specifications. The specifications on the product box seem to be the most suitable.
Memory capacity: There is a total of 32MB of built-in memory and about 30MB of that is available for your exercise (some of the older specification sheets say it's only 14MB out of 16MB total), but that won't earn you very far. You'll need to purchase at least one SD memory card. The specifications say that the camera supports up to 512MB cards, although DXG technical back says it will probably also ogle 1GB cards. Since I have serious doubts that the serve people really understand this product, I stuck with 512MB, which is plenty. This will beget up to 90 minutes of video, or 500+ high quality photos, or about 8 hours of typical MP3 files.
Battery life: Unique users will complain that the camera goes through AAA batteries method too rapid. The fact is that you MUST gather rechargeable batteries for this camera. A station of rechargeables will urge the camera for more than an hour of continuous video recording, or about 3 hours of audio recording (with the LCD turned off), which is really very righteous. These batteries are inexpensive and they can be recharged hundreds of times. There are also chargers available that can recharge all four batteries in as slight as 15 minutes. Repeat: Forget about regular AAAs - obtain some rechargeables and a mercurial charger!
Still camera: I'm an experienced photographer, and have stale many different film and digital cameras. The results from the DXG-305v are nothing to regain furious about, but they're better than I expected, at least for outdoor exhaust in estimable light. Indoor shots are terrible unless the room is well lit. The white balance setting is adjustable, but I got the best results leaving it on auto. Again, I'm referring to outdoor shots - changing the white balance for indoor shots has virtually no achieve on the image.
Flash: The flash works as described. It's really only effective up to maybe six feet away, but it does the job. You can turn the flash off if you want to, but unfortunately, you can't space it to fire with every shot. It only works in auto mode, meaning that it will fire only if the camera decides that the light level is too uncouth. Also, the flash will refuse to fire at all if the batteries are not freshly charged. Once the charge drops a shrimp, the flash does not acknowledge even though the rest of the camera operations are radiant. Disappointing! Also, the flash is positioned in a status where it's very easy to mask with your fingers when shooting.
Video: Video image quality, like tranquil image quality, is grand better outdoors than indoors. The uncouth resolution (320x240) video mode works as advertised and delivers 30fps. In high resolution (640x480) mode, however, the camera does not sing the 15fps rate claimed in most of the product literature. Staunch results in high resolution mode are about 10fps, as described on the product box. In my notion this uninteresting frame rate is noteworthy too choppy and makes the high resolution video mode unusable. The run of the memory card is not a factor in this. I tried two different types of memory cards - the relatively uninteresting standard SanDisk 512MB card and the noteworthy faster SanDisk Ultra II 512MB card - and got exactly the same results. An output jack and special cables are included for connecting the arrangement to other audio/video components for playback.
PC camera: I conducted some PC camera tests using Windows Movie Maker 2. When connected to a computer with the USB cable, the DXG-305v at first appears to insist 30fps in high resolution mode, but this is only half fair. In this scenario the sensor is actually working at only 320x240 and this outrageous resolution image is simply scaled up in size to 640x480. Changing the resolution to just 640x480 via software settings drops the frame rate down to about 20fps maximum. On the plus side, the software settings do allow a stout deal of control over how the camera behaves in PC mode. Adjustments are included for brightness, dissimilarity, saturation, sharpness, and hue. The internal microphone does not function in PC camera mode - you'll have to exhaust your computer's microphone instead.
Audio recording: The audio recorder function generates 4-bit 8kHz mono files, which are righteous enough for stutter recording but not exactly superior to listen to. For some peculiar reason the audio is stored in WAV format instead of the far more efficient MP3 format. With these settings a 512MB memory card can occupy about 12 hours of audio. But how often will you want to report half a day's worth of obscene quality sound? I would distinguished rather have higher quality audio options with reduced recording times. Audio recording can hurry for about 3 hours on a rotund battery charge if you withhold the LCD reveal closed.
MP3 playback: This is a feature that currently sets the DXG-305v apart from most other combo cameras. The scheme recognizes and plays stereo MP3 files transferred from your computer, and music playback quality is elegant when using a estimable pair of headphones. Playback through the microscopic built-in speaker is aesthetic abominable, but that's to be expected. Music playback can hasten for about 2½ hours on a elephantine battery charge if you support the LCD demonstrate closed.
Software: I have briefly experimented with the included video editing software, and it looks very noble. In addition to editing your videos, you can apparently also consume the program to burn VCDs (but not DVDs - to regain that ability you'll need to pay for an upgrade) . If you assume, the camera's ASF video files can be edited in Windows Movie Maker 2, or presumably unprejudiced about any editing program. I haven't yet experimented worthy with the included photo editing software.
Miscellaneous: The internal clock/calendar does not withhold just time, and it resets itself whenever you change batteries. And although the camera has a self-timer, there is no tripod socket! This is objective bizarre and inexcusable.
Conclusion: Although I conception it was significant to point out issues in this review, let me convey you that I really like the camera. It's certainly not perfect, but it does more than anyone should reasonably inquire of for the label. People who notion to consume it as their only camera are likely to be disappointed. It's grand more appropriate as an extra camera for fun and experimentation. I assume it will appeal mostly to gadget-heads and pre-teen kids.
Anyone keen in the DXG-305v is invited to join the recent DXG-Digital user group at Yahoo! to discuss all DXG products:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dxg-digital
This camera was a exhibit for my 13 year conventional son and he could not be more cheerful. Neither could I, and now I want one myself. It takes certain pictures and the video is fine in adequate light. I had difficulty when I transferred over the mp3s because the title tags did not reveal up on the DXG. I wrote to CS at DXG and received an immediate response with a number and a person to call. I called the CS person who told me how to fix the jam. I also emailed to ask about mac compatability and was again given an almost immediate acknowledge. I was really impressed with their customer service. A 512 sd card is a must. It does employ up batteries magnificent swiftly, so the next item on my list is an AAA battery recharger and rechargeables. My son was elated with the sound with the included headphones. It sounds tinny without them, but you can hear it very well. All in all, it was a colossal demonstrate.
I don't know noteworthy about cameras, I impartial want to be able to narrate or grasp pictures for events and such. This camera is perfect for that. I like the limited effect, it's very easy to handle. My only beef is that this camera does not do well in improper light. Unless its the middle of the day and I have all my curtains originate, it was impossible to find a obliging portray inside the house., I've only had my camera a month and I'm peaceful getting to know my camera, but other than the lighting, I am very jubilant with my engage.
