Before buying the Mustek DV 5000, I'd considered many other options of video camera, namely those that used mini-DV tapes. However, having done some research on the internet, I found that my PC wasn't compatible with that type of camera.
Then I came across the Mustek DV 5000. It had a good product description, looked like it had a wide range of features and was a very reasonable price. Best of all, it was compatible with my old laptop (I'm now on a newer one).
I can't quite remember where I bought it from, some online electronics retailer, but when I received it what shocked me was how tiny it was! In fact, I thought it looked more like a toy camera than a piece of electronic equipment.
This was a year ago, and I've used the camera on numerous occasions since and I think it's really great - good, clear videos, average stills, great sound and a whole bunch of features.
-Camera -Small pouch to keep it in -Mini tripod -USB wire -Yellow/Red/White AV leads -Headphones -Computer Software -Instruction Manual -2xAA Batteries
**Look and Layout of the Camera**
The camera itself is very small, and has a small 1.5" LCD display screen
that folds out from the left hand side. On the top of the camera is the on/off button, which you slide backwards to operate. Next are the digital zoom buttons, followed by the shutter button.
On the inside of the camera, in the space the LCD screen has folded out from you have the function buttons. There are nine of these: menu display, changing the display, changing the function, stop, play/pause, record, change playback setting, up/down and sound recording.
The buttons are easy to press, though would be difficult to press by accident.
On the bottom of the camera you have the screw-in slot for the mini-tripod that's included. The batteries and memory cards are inserted at the back end of the camera, the cover is easy to get open but shouldn't come open on its own.
The headphone and AV jacks, and the USB socket are also on the back, covered with a lift up rubber flap.
**Functions**
For such a small and cheap camera, it has lots of great functions.
Video Recording: The video recording is superb. You access this function by pressing the "FUNC" button, and then press the shutter button on the top of the camera - simple as that. To stop the recording, you just need to press the shutter button again.
There's no way of pausing a recording, unfortunately, however for me this hasn't been a problem. Each time you stop a recording, what you have recorded is saved as a new file.
You can record in sepia, black & white and night vision by choosing what you want in the menu before recording.
The camera saves the files as MPEG4, so the quality is great. The in built microphone can pick up sound from quite a distance a way, and again, the sound quality on playback is really good.
Still Photo's: This is the weakest feature of the camera, in my opinion. The photo's turn out blurry, quite dim and often with a yellowish tinge to them. I recall one time I took a picture of my sister and it turned out so blurry it looked as though she had no nose!
There's also no use trying to take still photo's outside with this camera - you'll get nothing but a white screen. Inside photo's are OK, though not brilliant. As I already have a still camera, I find myself using my Mustek for video only.
MP3 Playback: To be honest, I don't use this feature. I've tried it, and it works, but as I have an ipod, I have no need of the MP3 player. It's easy to transfer the files from your computer, then you simply select the MP3 player option in the "FUNC" menu, and listen.
Sound Recorder: Again, another feature I've tried but never really used, the sound recorder is easy to operate and upload to your computer.
**Features**
There are several useful features to the camera that can be used when recording video. The first of these, which I have found to be invaluable is the night-vision recording option. I used the camera to record in a dark club last year on holiday, and found the night vision recording was much better than regular recording in that situation.
The camera has 4x digital zoom, which is sufficient for me, and the quality does not lessen the further you zoom in. One thing that annoys me slightly about the zoom, is that it 'jumps', the zooming is not smooth. Also, if you zoom whilst recording, the microphone picks up the sound of you pressing the button as a small 'click'.
You can browse through what you have recorded/taken on your camera using the playback feature, and then view them on the LCD screen. The screen is very clear, and you get sound playback too. Headphones can be used during playback.
**Uploading & Viewing**
Uploading to your computer is very easy. You don't need to install the software if you don't want to - just Windows is needed. Once you've attached it to your PC with the USB wire, it should be recognised as a mass storage device, and autoplay should commence.
Then, it's simply a matter of navigating to where the recordings/pictures are saved and copying them to your hard drive.
The videos play in Windows Media Player for me, however be warned - if you have an old computer I doubt it will work for you. I can't get the videos to play on the oldest computer in the house, everytime I try it says I need a 'codec'.
You can also playback the videos/photos straight onto your television using the AV wires provided. Plug them into your TV and your camera, switch the camera on and then use the buttons on the camera to navigate on your television screen.
I've put my recordings onto DVD and video this way.
**Memory**
The camera has a small inbuilt memory, only 30MB, so it's definitely worth investing in a couple of SD cards. I bought a 512MB card at the time of buying the camera, and this was enough to last me for a two week holiday (plus the internal memory).
The 512MB SD card equated to around 2 1/2 hours of video recording time. I've since bought a 1G SD card. The SD card is inserted next to the batteries, and they're easy to get in and out.
**Battery Life**
The batteries included are normal AA batteries, and last for as long as you would expect AA batteries to last. I would definitely recommend getting some rechargable batteries. The battery life on two fully charged batteries is pretty good, though as I've never had it on constantly I can't tell you the exact length of time!
However, I can tell you that when I took my camera away with me to Devon last year, I didn't change the batteries for the whole week I was away, and used it quite frequently.
**Overall**
I really recommend this camera, if you're looking for something to take home videos with, and don't want to break the bank. When considering buying this camera, remember to add on the cost of SD cards & rechargable batteries, as well as a case. The small pouch you get with the camera could be used, though I felt it didn't provide enough protection for the camera, so I bought a more substantial one.
The camera is so small that you can carry it anywhere, and it's very lightweight too. The camera quality is fab for such a small piece of equipment, though if you're looking for a stills camera - don't rely on this.
If you would like to see some videos I've taken with this camera, there's a link to my holiday video account on youtube on my personal webpage here at ciao. However, remember that YouTube lessens the quality of the video immensely!
Pictures of Mustek DV 5000
Me using my camera - you can see how small it is!
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Ex-Pro ultra fast 1 hour travel charger including 3 popular adapters, UK, Euro&USA/Canada ... more
- made specifically for Digital Camera's and any other equipment using AA or AAA Ni-Mh rechargable batteries. LED Indications with automatic current selection for batteries, can also charge 2 x AAA batteries (Not included). Automatic Cut off when charged.
Postage & Packaging:Free! Availability:Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days......
exceptional by (10%):
very helpful by (90%):
