paul smith's Snaps & Bytes e-home
Jamuary 2004: Paul Smith - Whole new year, whole new gizmo!
Immediately after mailing last months column about a theoretical future had-drive based camcorder to Editor Dale I walked into my lounge to be confronted by Fern and Phil. Don't worry, they weren't burgling me, they were on Housewife TV, talking about video cameras. And blow me if they didn't have one based on a notebook hard drive! It's called the Archos AV300 and it's not just a camcorder. Because it's essentially a palm-sized, 20/40/80Gb box of digital storage, it'll hold virtually any data you want it to. With a plug-in module you can record up to 80 hours of QVGA (VHSish) quality MPEG4's direct onto the drive from the TV, VCR or DVD, making this a tape-less, portable video recorder. You can watch the recordings on its 3.8" hi-res. hi-contrast LCD screen, or playback onto a full sized telly.
Alternatively a 3.3Mp camera unit snaps on to let you take, store and view hundreds of thousands of high-resolution photos. 3x optical zoom, a proper flash and the option of adding a reader to take CF or SM cards from more advanced cameras make it a box of tricks to be proud of. MP3s can be recorded straight off a stereo, via its built-in mic. or simply dragged-and-dropped from a PC onto the unit via its USB2 or optional Firewire connection. There's even a FM Radio dongle so you can bootleg Justin Timberlake MP3s while listening to Moyles' new breakfast show.
When I go abroad I currently take my digital camera and my laptop to backup all my photos onto as I don't have a stack of memory cards and like to shoot at 6Mp. I can also use my laptop as an MP3 player and watch DVDs on it, if I'm in the mood. That's a big tangle of power leads, cases, chargers and cables I lump around the world with me. Usually I have to leave my laptop in the hotel room, which makes me nervous, as cleaning ladies always look shifty to me. I think it's the moustaches. Plus I often take a DV camcorder with more bulky battery chargers, tapes, etc! This little darling from Archos would do away with all that and is still small enough to slip in a bag or an outsized combat-trouser pocket. As a dedicated gadget gimp this thing is heaven! It takes a lot to excite me these days (it happens as you get older) but if I could, I'd marry this little angel. Actually, if I were to take one to Holland I may be able to. Now, if only I could surf and e-mail from it, call my mates on it and play Medal of Honor on it…
A gadget with rather less uses can be found at http://reviews.zdnet.co.uk/0,39023100,39118238-6,00.htm. I know it's a long and torturous URL, but it's well worth the time it takes to tap it in. I'll not say anything about the product here as to do so will only spoil the surprise.
Paul Smith is still 'resting'. Job offers to info@snapsandbytes.co.uk please
Hitting the mark with 497 technophile words Dale. My tale of Googlewhacking will have to wait for another time. Any problems please let me know mate.
Paul.