Affordable High Definition 3D

The new AipTek 3D-HD camcorder

Looking for a fun 3D camcorder that is affordable (under $200) and very easy to use? Check out the new AipTek 3D-HD 720p camcorder. It is perfect for kids, families and video enthusiasts who want to have fun making and sharing 3D videos, the new camcorder is very small and simple to use.

It is essentially a point and shoot 3D camcorder that can fit in your pocket or purse. On the front of the camcorder are two separate lens about 1 1/2 inches apart - that create the stereoscopic effect. It is basically two 5 MP 720 High Definition camcorders in one case. It comes with 128 MB of internal memory but you will need to add  a SD/SDHC card if you want to record more than a minute of video at a time.

Of course, if you don't want to shoot 3D, you can use the AipTek camcorder to shoot regular 2D video or even still shots.

The camcorder is very simple to operate. Once you have inserted and charged up the small battery, and inserted a SD card to record the digital info on, you are ready to begin. Turn on the power and decide if you want to shoot 3D or 2D. Then aim the camcorder, press the red record button or the still image button, you are recording.

When you are done, you plug the camera directly into a HDTV via the included HDMI cable and watch the video back in 3D using the included red/blue 3D glasses. You can always purchase additional pairs so that more than one person at a time can watch back the 3D video. If you have a 3D HDTV, you can directly plug in and see your 3D video. Pretty cool. You can also watch the 3D video on your computer after installing the bundled software.

AipTeck 3D-HD 720p Camcorder 1280 x 720p HD 3D Recording 128MB Internal Memory SD/SDHC Expansion Slot Dual 5MP CMOS Sensors 2.7" Glasses-Free Stereoscopic Display 5MP 3D Digital Still Capture HDMI Connection 3D HDTV Playback Available for Pre-Order NOW - $199.99 with Free Shipping in the US

The camcorder records each channel separately and combines them into a single side by side video file. If you play the raw file back directly from the camcorder's flash card through your computer (using Windows player or other similar MP4 video player)  you can see the two side by side camcorder images. However, if you use the bundled software to access and watch the video, it will convert the two channels into a single anaglyph format that can be watched using red/blue glasses.

The images look and sound pretty good. For 200 bucks you are getting a 3D camcorder that is FUN - not a product that you can use to create professional video. There is no focus, no exposure adjustment, no zoom and no way to add an external microphone. However, it is perfect for families and hobbyists that want to explore the wonders of 3D video.

When you first plug in the camcorder to your computer via a USB cable it automatically begins to download and install the software that lets you watch the 3D video on your computer screen, as well as to manage your files. You can convert them to various formats as well as upload to YouTube. .

You can watch the 3D videos back immediately on the AipTek's 3D-HD camera via its LCD screen. It uses what AipTek calls "Parallax Barrier" technology. They say it is similar to the polarized glasses often used in theatrical movie presentations (think Avator) and embeds it in the camera's LCD screen so you can get 3D effect without having to use any special glasses. It works but the screen is only a bit over 2.7 inches across so it can be a bit awkward for more than one person at a time to watch it.