Memorex Debuts Inexpensive Digital Camcorders

Memorex's MyVideo and MyVideo HD digital camcorders may not be innovative, but they offer simple video sharing and uploading at checkbook-friendly prices.

Consumer electronics manufacturers have apparently decided that handheld digital video recorders are going to be a hot category this holiday season; to that end, Memorex has announced its new MyVideo and MyVideo HD digital camcorders, designed to be inexpensive pocket camcorders kids, parents, and amateur video enthusiasts can use to easily capture and share video without investing too much hard-to-come-by cash on a video capture solution.

“MyVideo camcorders offer families an easy way to record, view, and share, not only special occasions, but also the little moments that happen in everyday life,” said Memorex’s global brand manager Jessica Walton, in a statement. “Whether you want to record your child’s holiday recital or capture an impromptu dance party at home, MyVideo camcorders are simple to use and fit perfectly into a pocket or purse.”

The MyVideo camcorder captures VGA-resolution stills or up to 2 hours of VGA-resolution video into 2 GB of onboard memory. The unit features a 2-inch LCD display and up to 5 hours of battery life on a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, can play back video to a television, and offers USB connectivity for sideloading videos off to a PC for quick online sharing via YouTube, Facebook, or other social media sites. The MyVideo HD steps up to 4 GB of onboard memory, so users can record up to 1 hour of HD video or snap 5 megapixel still images, although the MyVideo HD only gets 2.5 hours of battery life. Both units feature digital zooms (2× and 3× respectively).

The MyVideo camcorders are available now at retailers like OfficeMax and Toys’R'Us for suggested prices of $99 and $129. It’s hard to see where Memorex is going to get much traction in the consumer camcorder market up against offerings from Flip Video or even Apple’s revamped iPod nano…but Motorola’s offerings are less expensive.