SanDisk V-Mate Video Recorder

Author: gnehiy

With the increasing popularity of portable video devices like phones and PDAs, the main focus has been how to easily get content onto said devices. Right now there are few legal options, like purchasing videos from Apple’s iTunes online store (which only play on iPods) or recording directly from a TV. The V-Mate from SanDisk is offering the ability to record from any composite video source directly to a supported memory card.

Specifications:

Video Formats:
Codecs: MPEG-4 Simple Profile, H.263
Formats: MP4, 3GP, 3G2
Resolution: Up to 640×480 pixels
Frame Rate: Up to 30fps
TV Formats: NTSC & PAL
Supported Card Formats:
SD, SDHC, miniSD, miniSDHC, microSD, microSDHC
RS-MMC (DV), MMCplus , MMC
Memory Stick/PRO/Duo/PRO Duo
Dimensions: 5.1″ (L) x 2.6″ (W) x 0.8″ (H)
Firmware upgradeable
MSRP: $ 129.99

The included remote is used to navigate the V-Mate’s interface and functions. It is quite small and thin and features 17 tactile buttons, including one that powers on/off the unit and several that control video playback. A design flaw with the pointer becomes apparent immediately after picking it up: each button has the exact same shape and feel, making it difficult to discern one button from another blindly. The remote runs off of a built-in battery.