As you can see in the photo to the right, both the Isonic Snapbox HD665 and the RCA Small Wonder are about the same size - and both are the same size as the Flip Video models.
When I decided to buy a mini digital video camera earlier this year, I went with the RCA over the Flip for one feature: because the LCD screen flips both ways on the RCA Small Wonder, making it easier to frame a self-video. Happy as I've been with the RCA, I just bought the Isonic Snapbox camera so that I could shoot HD widescreen video.
I'm not so sure I'm impressed with the HD665...
What I've done is create two videos for you - one with my RCA Small Wonder, and the second with the new Isonic Snapbox HD665. To keep the comparison as clean as possible, I took both videos side by side in the same location, published them both using the same settings, and uploaded them both to YouTube:
Video 1 - RCA Small Wonder
Video 2 - Isonic Snapbox HD665
For a fair comparison click play on both videos and watch them at the same time. And of course it would be best to view each video on YouTube, and click the "watch in high quality" or "watch in HD" link just below the player on each. Here are the links to each video on YouTube:
Video 1 - RCA Small Wonder
Video 2 - Isonic Snapbox HD665
I love the idea of the Isonic Snapbox as it has tons of cool features - which I'm still figuring out as I go. For example, in addition to being a media player and voice recorder... you can hook it up to your laptop or PC and use it for live video conferencing or to send video emails.
That said, as I mentioned above - I'm not all that impressed with it just yet. The RCA Small Wonder is incredibly easy to use, while the Isonic Snapbox HD665 is a little more complicated. Or at least makes some assumptions about your video knowledge. As you can see here, I was feeling quite frustrated:
Frustrated from Lynn terry on Vimeo.
Smell my frustration there? π Blah. Of course, it helps if you're not a complete video idiot -lol. And to be sure, I've had my moments... one of which I learned a great lesson from:
That explains the fuzzy quality of my Christmas video π Duh!
Minutes after I shot that nifty little video tip (heh), I shot this 2nd video with my handy-dandy RCA Small Wonder. Again you'll notice the range is much broader with this cam:
Notice the difference in the size of the YouTube player on this video, compared to the two above? You have the option of embedding the 425 width, or the 480 width when posting the videos to your blog or on a website.
Even if your video is not widescreen, it will fill the 480 width player without any black space on either side - it just adjusts the height proportionately.
But if you are watching videos on YouTube, they automatically use the widescreen player. So any non-widescreen videos have the black spaces on the left and right of your video.
If this is the only real perk to the new camera, I dont know that it was worth the upgrade. I'm quite sure (in my case at least) that most people view my videos on my blog - unless I specifically link to them on YouTube (which is rare).
Honestly, how many people are going to click through to YouTube, and then click again to watch a video in HD or in high quality mode? Wouldnt you normally just click play and watch the video wherever you found it - ie embedded in a blog post or on a web page?
What about Video Quality?
Meh - I'm not seeing a dramatic improvement in quality. I've watched the video from the RCA Small Wonder, and the video from the Isonic Snapbox HD665 side by side - the first in high quality and the second in HD. I also watched them side by side with both videos in normal quality mode.
I do notice a slight improvement in video quality with the Isonic Snapbox camera... but nothing to write home about (in my opinion).
The color seems off on the Isonic Snapbox videos to me. A little green, maybe?? But there again, it could be something in the settings. Not something I've ever had to worry about with the RCA Small Wonder (just unbox & use!).
Also, the RCA Small Wonder has a flat bottom and will stand up on a flat surface on its own. The Isonic Snapbox has a rounded bottom and wont stand up on its own. Luckily my mini flex tripod fits both cameras, but its a pain to have to screw in the tripod for a quickie...
I'm thinking very seriously about returning the Isonic Snapbox HD665, and ordering an RCA EZ300HD Small Wonder instead, which is the HD version of my original RCA Small Wonder.
If I must go HD, that is. Keep in mind that we're talking amateur mini video cameras here, for amateur use - obviously these models dont compare in quality to professional cameras.
I'd love to hear your thoughts. Is the Isonic Snapbox HD665 a crappy camera, or is all this HD talk just noise when it comes to amateur cameras? Do you really notice *that* big a difference?
I confess that I'm exhausted trying to learn the new camera (I'm a bit slow with those things, though) and worn out comparing the two... so I may be jumping the gun giving the Isonic Snapbox a less than glowing review. I could really use your input here.
Update: This is not actually a true comparison (user error, sorry!) See: http://www.clicknewz.com/1817/isonic-snapbox-hd665-review-update/
Best,
p.s. Be sure to read the comments below for updates on this ongoing review, and subscribe to ClickNewz for future reviews & comparisons. You'll also find reviews & product details on Amazon.com for each of the 3 products mentioned:
About Lynn Terry
Lynn,
I can see where you might be a bit frustrated with this whole process. Us none techie people tend to get that way quickly...I know I do.
After looking at all of your video, I am torn a bit myself. It seems that the clarity both in picture and the sound quality on the Isonic Snapbox are better. But your do get a better "view" or you with the RCA Small Wonder.
I was so hoping that you would love this little cam because the RCA Small Wonders was out of stock at Amazon but now I think I will either find it elsewhere or wait for it to come back in.
Thanks for the comparison....it helped me a great deal.
Frustrated would be an understatement π
Makes me really appreciate my two weeks in Australia where someone else was handling the photos & videos π
So you noticed an improvement in the sound quality? After you mentioned that I went back and listened again - there seems to be a slight echo with the RCA camera, compared to the Isonic. I missed that, so thanks for pointing it out. Could just be because I'm on my laptop...
I am going to play with the settings some more, and do some outdoor tests as well. I really need this to work indoors, lowlight though as I will likely be doing interviews at conferences, etc.
Keep the comments coming - and advice if you have it π
I bet! Yes, the sound quality does seem to be better with the Isonic Snapbox. Is the mic on top or in front of the cam?
I would definitely love to see how your video turns out when outdoors. That could be a deal breaker...Looking forward to those as well.
You should do a review with the FLIP Mino HD as well. I would be curious to see the difference as I'm about to get one of them. I'm sick of lugging around a camcorder!
Thanks for the Review!
Bob Beckett
You are the cutest!
@Paul - π Wish you were here. I could use your video expertise!
@Bob - Great idea. I'll try to set up a 3-way video with the RCA, Flip & Isonic while in Atlanta next month. I'm sure one of those guys will have a Flip there...
I should have mentioned that in the post - on the RCA the mic is on the back side. On the Isonic the mic is on the top of the unit.
Well, you've motivated me to get off of my duff and start putting together videos. So much to do, so very little time.
Which one is more "cost effective"? I'm very into Return on Investment?
- Daiv http://Twitter.com/DaivRawks
Hi Daiv,
I'm still on the fence. I really love the Isonic Snapbox, and am unsure if my problems with it are more "user error" at the moment - or what my final word will be. The biggest problem I'm having at the moment is editing the files from that camera - even though they are AVI format just like the RCA. The software isnt treating them the same, which is something I have to figure out yet.
I do love the RCA Small Wonder series - but wanted to go HD/widescreen. Stay tuned. I may figure out this Isonic Snapbox yet!
You're so cute I enjoy watching you on either camera, but I think you just need a bit more time with the HD Isonic. This camera doesn't seem to have a zoom, so try positioning it back a bit further for a full view. As for the color, try adjusting the white balance.
The real benefit of this camera is the HD feature, of course, which will make videos look much better in full screen mode when posted in HD.
By the way, you already rank on page 1 for Isonic Snapbox HD665.
Hi Lynn,
Just my two cents. I agree with the audio aspect, I dont know the difference in prices, but they both shoot nicely, in those vids, the audio goes to the the Isonic.
I saw the ranking too! Too bad they aren't able to pay you a commission, Lynn. Although, Isonic might be a bit unhappy with you right now. π
I see and hear the same way as the other folks -- better sound quality on the Isonic and nicer view of you on the RCA. When you're looking in the LCD of the camera as you record, are you seeing it the same way as we do -- i.e. wider view vs. narrower view? Perhaps the camera position will fix that.
You also now have me thinking -- do I need HD? I'm planning to use it primarily for my blogs and email. Hmm, do like that wide screen, tho.
Oh, yeah -- almost forgot -- even this 75-year-old dude in Ohio sees you as adorable! So there!
Keep us posted on this -- you're doing the best job I've seen on sizing up these cameras.
Peace,
Ron Rink
I did some experimenting with editing and rendering video for HD widescreen, and found there are huge differences in results just in the way the same original footage is published. I summarized my results at the site in my sig.
Another cam you might consider is the Aiptek Action HD GVS 1080p at under $200.
On my computer screen (new) the best quality was the "Frustrated" video with the Isonic camera. Much sharper definition.
In the other examples I could see no difference in quality as far as sharpness of the image. Both cameras seem to give that minutely fuzzy image that I associate with small cameras, but the sound on the Isonic camera was a bit better with less of an echo quality.
The color balance was off with the Isonic camera. The picture had the green tint of flourescent lighting. Is that adjustable?
I got a good laugh from your neglecting to remove the plastic from in front of the lens on the first videos. Even so, I cannot say I saw enough of a difference between the two cameras except on the "Frustrated" video. That was razor sharp.
Can the RCA camera do that as well?
Thanks for these comparisons. It really helps those of us about to make purchases.
Mary Austin
I did notice a tiger pass behind you in the
first video!
The Isonic obviously did not allow you to capture this Animal Kingdom moment.
After a rest from it, I'm ready to give the Isonic another whirl and some more testing. I have to confess: I dont really like learning new technology. And to be fair, it took me awhile to get the hang of the RCA small wonder too - as far as formats, editing, etc.
I do wish the Isonic came with similar software as the RCA. Its built into the camera so it loads when you plug the RCA into the USB port - and pretty simple to make movies out of multiple clips, etc.
So... more testing to come. I think if I find something to edit the AVI files properly I'll end up being happy with the Isonic. The software it came with is not working for me for some reason.
LOL Ian, my son's cats no doubt. They snuck right by me too, until I saw them in the video! They arent supposed to be on the main floor - they live upstairs with Zack π
Cool Wade! And Ron - I got that covered π
Wade, thanks for the tips. It does zoom in and out, but in those videos I didnt have it zoomed in at all. I'm going to test positioning of the camera (further back) and see just how much that affects the quality of the audio. May just take some testing to find that perfect balance...
Yes, you can adjust the white balance. I had it set on "auto" in that video - but there are different settings I can test. Perhaps I'll do a series of videos with each setting so we can take a look at the difference when using it indoors. Good call.
The only real difference with the Frustrated video is that it was uploaded to Vimeo - which seems to use less compression in the upload process than YouTube does. So that is not the camera, but the video hosting (vimeo vs youtube). I uploaded a few of the same videos to Vimeo to compare them to YouTube for quality as well - will have to do more with that and show some true comparisons...
Mike,
AWESOME tips at your link. I found this post to be incredibly helpful: http://clickthrill.com/clean-red-widgets-video-tips/ THANK YOU! I am off to try Camtasia with the settings you mentioned, and to use your tips on embedding the high quality (HD) version of my videos into my blog. Very helpful -thanks!!
Really appreciate the discussion here - I'm starting to see the value of the Isonic, and am off to do some more testing over the weekend π Keep the comments coming - I think we'll figure this out yet!
I think your new Australian accent is more noticeable with Snapbox. π
Ha - I know a few Australian's that would find that comment funny! They had a time making fun of my southern accent lol - not to mention the different words we use for some things.
Going back in March, btw - cant wait!
April recommended this book in the earlier post, so I'm sharing it here as well - but be sure to check out Mike's link a few comments above this one too (great tips!):
Digital Video For Dummies
Hi Lynn, that was a great comparison. I like the size. It looks like either one would fit in a shirt pocket. I carry two different digital cameras right now. One requires a camera bag and the other clips to my belt.
Both the Isonic Snapbox HD665 and the RCA Small Wonder make you look lovely too π
I was relieved to see in the comments that your son has cat(s) - plural. For a minute I thought I was seeing a glitch in the matrix. π
In the long run, I am sure you will be happier to have your videos in HD, regardless of which HD camera you end up with. It's just going to be better.
Annie
Lynn,
The audio is definitely better with the Isonic. I've noticed on all of your videos with the RCA that the audio was bad - on some of them I could not understand your words at all. Don't know if it is my computer or what????
Best wishes and thanks for all you do for us!
Barbara
Interesting Barbara, I had one other person make that same comment about the audio. I'm not sure why as it seemed to sound okay for me and others.
As I mentioned above, I will do more testing & posts - and I am switching to Camtasia to try file editing. Hopefully it will work there (still not successful with the software that came with the Isonic)...
Great post. I am just learning camtasia so I can get some video up on my site. It looks like HD will end up being the way to go. Camtasia has some kind of sound rendering function that is supposed to eliminate background noises. I do like the idea of the RCA having a flat stand up base for impromptu shots. You would think video mfgs would have thought that out as most of these small units are being bought for convenient use.
Lynn, I think your son's wildebeasts would be displeased with the Isonic-- with its small view they'd be invisible. Which only suits a cat when it's stalking ha
Do any of the minicams you've tested have an audio hookup? Do you miss the audio accuracy of a separate mike? For example if you were to turn audio from your interview videos into podcasts or separate products, what format works best for you?
I look forward to hearing any comments you have on Camtasia/ Audacity, and appreciate your thoughtful posts.
Thank you & Happy New Year!
Good question, Scott. None of the cameras have the option for an external mic. I hadnt thought about using the audio separately... I do quite a bit of audio & podcasting already, and my objective is usually different with video (requires the visual).
For that kind of work & that kind of audio quality, you really need professional equipment. These handheld HD video cams are more for us amateurs & bloggers π
Also, if you havent seen it yet, I have an update to the review here: http://www.clicknewz.com/1817/isonic-snapbox-hd665-review-update/ MUCH better quality!