Point, press the button - thats it. Video the easy way (Busbi BUSCD0001)

Member Name: sandra101

Product:	Busbi BUSCD0001
Date:	01/01/09 (242 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Inexpensive, easy to use, compact

Disadvantages: Bad quality video, can only be used in a very well lit area

I was recently on another vodcast training session, this one used a busbi video camera to record. I had looked at the little busbi video camera online thinking it might be fun for the boys to use and possibly to include video in powerpoints etc. for school but was unsure about the quality for £29.99.

The cameras were given out with the hard plastic packaging already opened and the two supplied batteries inserted. My first impression of the little white video camera was that it looked very like an old fashioned Dictaphone bar the little screen and was around the same dimensions as one. On the front is a silver panel with the lens and a little busbi logo with a bee. On the side is a little grey pullback strip with covers the memory card enclosure which can take upto a 2MB card and there is a 1MB unbranded card supplied. On the back is a 2 inch tft screen a little microphone, power on\off button and three buttons named as playback, delete and record.

It was so simple to use we didn't even wait for the trainer to tell us what to do. Simply turn the power on and press the record button. As you pointed it around the room or at a particular person the screen showed what was being recorded to stop simply press the record button again. To see what you have just shot click on the playback button, sound and video appear very quickly and click on delete if you don't want to keep it.

As we were in a well lit classroom my video seemed to be of a reasonably decent quality and the sound had recorded well. To upload the video to your PC simply attach the supplied usb cable and save you can then open with a suitable programme, we used windows movie maker. If required you can edit your video or join several videos together to make one video.

We were all quite excited about these little video cameras and talked about how good and inexpensive they were and how we could use them with classes etc. and when we were allowed to take them home everyone was really pleased. Once home I couldn't wait to get my little busbi out and show it off to the kids. I took it out of the packaging and switched the power button to on. Nothing. I tried again and again with the same result I couldn't believe I had broken it so quickly and called in hubby to investigate. He suggested replacing the batteries I said they can't be done I only had it on for five minutes, nevertheless he replaced the batteries with two Duracell AAs and the unit switched on. Either somebody was playing with it before the training or it eats up batteries ridiculously quickly.

I began to video the kids in the kitchen, they showed up quite clearly on screen but when I hit the playback button you could hardly make out their faces. The kitchen was well lit but by four downlighters and I can only assume that this must create shadows. On going into work the next morning I spoke to my boss who had done the same thing when she went home and had the same lighting in the kitchen and she too had been disappointed with the second use of the video camera. Very good lighting or videoing outside is a must for this little camera.

The camera
Technical Info. (for those who know what it means)
File format AVI
Image sensor VGA 640x480 (300k pixels)
Video resolution QVGA 320 x 240
Video frame rate upto 30fps

The camera comes bundled with ArcSoft VideoImpression 2 for editing your video files. Simply place the CD rom into your drive and accept the default settings. The editing stage involves trimming your clips and playing with the brightness etc. following which the usual transitions etc. can be added. It is a simple programme which allows you to use your video clips but isn't overly useful for anyone who wants to make something with a bit of whizz bang.

Pros
Pick up and use technology - no need for instructions
Upto 60 minutes recording time
Video and audio
Easy to upload via. usb
Easy to hold in one hand
Very compact for taking in your bag or pocket

Cons
Doesn't take a very good quality video

All in all I would say for the price it's a toy that the kids might enjoy rather than a viable video recorder but as they probably already have as good a video camera on their mobile phones even the neatness and ease of use of this little unit doesn't compare to carrying a phone around when its not any better quality. It started out great but it was all downhill from there.

Summary: If you have a video facility on your phone its probably as good as this

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