Creative intros new Vado HD with Mac support
updated 11:50 pm EDT, Tue September 1, 2009
Creative Vado HD 2nd Gen
Creative tonight launched a small but tangible update to its Vado HD pocket video camera aimed at making it more affordable. While its only conspicuous change on the outside is a two-tone color scheme, the company now has a 4GB model that makes the camera more competitive with the falling prices of cameras like the Kodak Zi8. For the first time, the Vado line also gets Mac support: a new app known as Vado Central will let the Vado HD and earlier Vados shuttle videos directly to iMovie.
The camera still shoots at 720p with a fixed optical zoom (but 2X digital) lens and attaches directly through its own USB connector. Movies are recorded in the H.264 codec and give the 4GB model about an hour of recording time.
Pre-orders should start in the next few hours both through Amazon and Creative and put the 4GB white/green model at $180 where the black/red version will cost $200. Ship dates should be uncovered with the pre-orders, but Vado Central will be ready to download for any Vado owner within the next few days.
