Memorex MyVideo HD Camcorder

Coming in at $130 (as of 11/4/2009), the Memorex MyVideo HD pocket camcorder records 720p high-definition footage, snaps 5-megapixel still photos, and has a retractable USB connector, like most of its pocket-camcorder competition. For a fairly low price, it offers decent-quality 720p footage in bright light, as well as a few features we've seen only on pocket camcorders that cost at least $50 more.

The MyVideo HD offers your average specs for a pocket camcorder: 4GB of internal storage (which translates to 2 hours of 720p footage), a 2-inch-diagonal display, a lithium ion battery you can recharge by plugging the camera into a USB port, and dead-simple operation.

The higher-end features are its digital image stabilization, a macro/landscape toggle, an HDMI-out port (cable included!), and surprisingly good 5-megapixel still photos in brightly-lit settings. The MyVideo HD captures relatively sharp and colorful photos, comparing favorably with the output of most camera phones.

On the other hand, its digital image stabilization system didn't provide any noticeable evidence of curing camera shake; we've yet to see such stabilization on a pocket camcorder that truly does the trick.

The MyVideo HD also has a 3X digital zoom, but hands-on tests with that function resulted in extremely choppy, potentially movie-ruining footage. My advice would be to avoid using the zoom with this camcorder. Apart from the Flip Video MinoHD (which has a supersmooth zoom), the vast majority of pocket camcorders have unusable digital zooms (although this may be a blessing in disguise).

While it didn't rival the video quality of competing camcorders such as the 1080p-shooting Kodak Zi8 and the 720p Flip Video MinoHD, the Memorex MyVideo HD captured good video in well-lit settings. The following test video was shot in 720p mode in the same tripod location as the Kodak Zi8 and the Flip Video MinoHD (click the "HD" button on the bottom right of each video for the best-quality footage).

Video Quality Test: Memorex MyVideo HD

Video Quality Test: Kodak Zi8

Video Quality Test: Flip Video MinoHD (Second Generation)

In my informal tests, the MyVideo HD lagged for about a second or so when adjusting to backlit settings and dramatic lighting changes. Colors were a bit muted and washed out, white balance was a little dark, and the video looked more "digital" than the top-ranked competition. All in all, it shot decent but unremarkable footage.

In low light, however, the MyVideo HD didn't come close to matching the output from its highest-rated competitors. Although footage was bright enough to see clearly, which is important, the test video clips looked gray and muddy.

Low-Light Test: Memorex MyVideo HD

Low-Light Test: Kodak Zi8

Low-Light Test: Flip Video MinoHD

We've seen worse low-light performers, but you're definitely going to get grainy footage and washed-out colors with this camcorder in dark environments. (It might be a nice effect for homemade ghost movies.)

Audio recording is about average for a pocket camcorder, and a bit hollow-sounding. Again, this might be a beneficial feature for ghost movies.

Design-wise, the Memorex MyVideo is plain and plasticky, but easy to use. The 2-inch LCD on the back resides over two touch-sensitive divots (for playback and delete controls) and a four-way directional pad used to navigate menus and operate the zoom. A big button in the center of the directional pad handles recording. Menus were well-organized and clear, and the buttons were responsive.

The top of the camera hosts the macro/landscape toggle (macro mode works well as long as you're a couple of inches from the subject), while the sides hold the volume controls, power switch, A/V out port, and USB connector release button. On the bottom of the camera are the tripod mount and the HDMI port--a full-size HDMI connection, rather than the mini-HDMI connectors we've seen on other pocket camcorders.

The USB connector also pops out of the bottom of the camera like a spring-loaded out-the-front automatic knife, and it feels sturdy enough to withstand a good amount of plugging-and-unplugging action. The MyVideo HD body itself, however, is a bit cheap and plasticky, and it definitely won't win many fashion awards. What's more, you must insert the rechargeable lithium ion battery into the camera before you start using it, and the camera's front panel was tricky to remove.

The included ArcSoft MediaImpression 2 software, which installs on your PC (XP, Vista, or Mac) when you connect the device for the first time, is another nice surprise. It supports directly uploading clips to Facebook, YouTube, or Vimeo, but it also has a basic video editor that lets you sequence clips and add transitions.

The Memorex MyVideo HD is purely a budget buy, but a solid one. Its looks and build quality may not be something you can fall in love with, but it shoots good enough video in bright light to make it a decent value for the $130 price, and it might be a good stocking stuffer for that aspiring elementary-school filmmaker in your family. But compared with the rest of the HD pocket camcorder class, it's an average performer.