Related Sections: Camcorders
Disposable video camcorder concept lets you walk away with a DVD for $15
With the price of video sensors and LCD screens currently in freefall, it's no surprise that design concepts are turning toward disposable video camcorders. This beauty is by designer Jennifer Murphy, who proposes to sell each throwaway camera for $15. Customers fill it up with their video shots, and then bring the camera back to the store, walking away with a disc that's ready to play in any DVD player.
This is not the first time the disposable, or "one time use" video camcorder has been tried. The first iteration of this concept was ugly, twice as expensive at $30, and was said to be difficult to use. However poorly executed, it was still a good idea, because lots of people would like to casually shoot video on special occasions without making a big investment in a camcorder.
Even though some techno-advances have lately made turning videotapes into DVDs easier than ever, it's still a daunting task for most people. Perhaps this new design will make that barrier easier to cross.
Yanko Design, via Uber Gizmo
By intrepidbear at 7:31 AM ON 03/22/07
The plain and simple truth of this concept is that 1) it will probably stink (ie poor image quality, low capacity, no useful features) and 2) home videos of holidays and birthdays are worthless... no one ever watches them. Because we aren't videographers we seldom capture anything even slightly interesting and it sits on a shelf forgotten. And the last thing we need in this country/world is yet another disposable device that serves no useful purpose other than making someone rich. Fortunately for now, its just a "concept".
By What_Do_You_Want at 11:32 AM ON 03/22/07
I severely hope the "inventor" of this gets killed, Soonest.
More disposable items isn't what this world needs, especially something as stupid as a one-shot video camera.
By dkmoody at 2:26 PM ON 03/22/07
Oh come on you guys! Even the 'disposable' cameras are not actually 'thrown away' but opened, refilled, in some cases the AA battery is recharged rather than replaced, and the unit has a life of 10+ uses.
Note near the bottom where is indicates the unit is returned to the store. I would think it safe to assume that it would be reused. $15 is in effect, a user's fee for the use of the item. There might even be a deposit so that the device is returned.
And as a member of the broadcasting community, I can't tell you how many times I've been faced with footage, that although technically lacking, is the only footage of something - whether a timely/public activity or event of personal interest.
I look forward to additional information.
By DavemanXP at 5:48 PM ON 03/22/07
If the imaging was at least the level of good grade VHS / Beta tapes - I could see a market for it.., but if the resolution yields thick pixelated images like on cheap digital cameras what produce AVI video.., I say, chuck the idea.
By Norm1965 at 12:59 PM ON 03/24/07
Where can I get one? I used the CVS version but its picture quality sucked. They recycle the CVS type!
By Norm1965 at 12:59 PM ON 03/24/07
Where can I get one? I used the CVS version but its picture quality sucked. They recycle the CVS type!
By Norm1965 at 12:59 PM ON 03/24/07
Where can I get one? I used the CVS version but its picture quality sucked. They recycle the CVS type!
By raymondjram at 8:49 PM ON 03/24/07
There is no such thing as a "disposable camera". All of them get recycled by loading in new film and batteries. I have even taken the film out of one and have the camera body with a good flash. But we do need these "one use" or "reloadable" cameras for the low-end users who prefer buying one for just one event and having the pictures printed instead of buying a more conventional but costlier camera. I am one of those that sometimes have to travel quickly and prefer getting one of Walgreens "one use" cameras with flash. Yet I have a Canon T-50 SLR and an Olympus C-765 but I prefer not risking any of them.
These new "one use" digital cameras have a memory chip inside with the images, but you normally have to return the camera to get them out. I saw an article in Make magazine that shows how to attach a USB cable to one (sold by Wolf Camera) and convert it to a reusable. If this new DVD recorder is the same, it can probably be converted for reuse. If it does come out, even at $30, I will buy one and take it apart.
Raymond
By leeventers at 12:32 PM ON 03/25/07
I know that I wouldn't buy one, I prefer the ones that are not disposable. This world/country does not need more landfill space crowded with electronics. Even though the idea is a very plausible one, there's always going to be something new and exciting (just like computers) to buy and by the time it is purchased, the value of it ($15), is depreciated (again, just like computers). I do applaud the inventor for such an interesting concept, though.
By Pepe Ed at 2:33 PM ON 06/24/09
CVS once carried one that worked very well .. not any more, too bad.
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