An MP4 Digital Camcorder: The Vivitar DVR-510

Most people are familiar with MP3 players. But a new generation has evolved known as the MP4 player. This means that it not only plays audio, but has other capabilities as well. Usually this means that it can play music videos or movies, but the term MP4 can apply to other functions as well. The Vivitar DVR-510 branches beyond just music videos, movies, and music, and provides a lot of capability in a very small, very inexpensive package.

The DVR-510 is approximately 4" X 3" X 1 1/4". Its size is disarming, and you start wondering whether you will be able to even see the image you are trying to capture. To begin, you open a small flip screen on the side, and rotate it until it is in a good viewing position. The view screen is two inches measured diagonally, and three buttons are on the screen. These three buttons give you access to the menu functions. Push the on/off button to turn it on, and it will immediately ask you to set the time. After you refer to the instructions to complete this, you are able to access the DVR-510 functions.

There is a button marked with an "M" right under the Vivitar DVR-510 power button. This allows you to switch between the various functions. It starts on digital camcorder mode. If you push it again, you switch to camera mode. A second time will take you to audio recording mode. And a third push of the "M" button will allow you to view or listen to the various things you have recorded and stored.

The digital camcorder records to the 14MB internal memory, or you can save it to a digital memory card that you buy separately and insert into the camera. When you wish to record a video, you push a small red button located under the "M" button. This button slides up and down and allows you to zoom up to 8X. When you are done recording, you simply push a button with a picture of a camera, located directly under the red button. It is somewhat strange trying to figure out the multiple buttons you must use to record a video, but it is something you quickly get used to.

The camera mode is very easy. Simply line up your shot and push the camera button. If you wish to apply one of twelve frames or effects, you push the red button that allowed you to begin recording video footage. The main menu will let you change the flash and lighting settings for a better photo.

The audio mode allow you to use the Vivitar DVR-510 as a personal recorder. If you are traveling and need to record your thoughts on the go, you can use this device to keep all your media in one location. Simply switch to audio mode, as shown by the picture of a microphone in the top corner of the view screen, and complete the steps as if you were recording a video.

To upload photos, videos, and audio files to your computer, install the software, then plug in the USB cable. One of the best features of this camera is that it connects via USB, which are standard on almost every computer. This is also how you load MP3s onto the Vivitar DVR-510. It will specify a space on your computer as a removable drive. There is a folder marked "MP3" on this drive. When the Vivitar DVR-510 is hooked up to your computer via USB, you move MP3s into this folder. Then they are available when you disconnect your DVR-510 from the computer, and you can listen to your music anywhere.

The viewing/listening mode allows you to listen to or watch the various things you have recorded. Your choices are "Image/Movie", "MP3", or "Audio". If you have captured a video or photo, click "Image/Movie". The DVR-510 will let you scroll through the options and choose the one you want to see. You scroll by moving the red button up or down. If you want to listen to MP3s you have loaded onto your camera, you should select "MP3". To listen to audio files from the personal recorder, select "Audio".

To operate the webcam, plug in the device and choose the "Webcam" mode. It will begin showing the images using whatever chat software you have installed on your computer. Vivitar has included a mini tripod, and you can use this as a stand during webcam mode, or when you are setting up a shot for a photo or video.

The Vivitar DVR-510 is a 5 megapixel MP4 device that allows you to record videos in NTSC or PAL format. There is 32 MB of total internal memory, and you can expand to suit your needs with an SD card. It records video as .ASF files, which can be played on most media players, although you may need to update your codecs. It runs on 2AA batteries, and like most of these type of devices, it goes through them rather quickly. There is a built-in microphone, and it comes with a USB cable, AV cable, carrying strap, carrying pouch, headphones, and a tripod. It is available from major department stores for less than $100, which makes an exceptional bargain for the number of features it has. For the money, there is not a better bargain than this MP4 player.