I’ve
taken the DXG 506V on a few outings to see how
well it functions and determine the quality of
the results. Let’s just say I approached
this task with high hopes. Having used a Kodak
DC-3400 2.1 MP camera for the past seven years
(and which has been used for many of my previous
reviews here on DH), I could only expect that
a 5.1 MP Camcorder would produce much better,
clearer, and crisper images than what I’d
been used to getting. Sadly, that’s not
the case by a long shot.
Let’s
look at some comparison shots between the seven-year
old Kodak 2.1 MP DC 3400, the DXG 506V 5.1 MP,
and my recently purchased CANON PowerShot A630
8.1 MP. The following photos were all taken using
the same distance, no Flash, and Tungsten Lighting:
First,
the Kodak:
Now,
the DXG 506V:
Finally,
the Canon A630:
These
photos are completely untouched and not adjusted
with software in anyway. They are the actual shots
under the exact same lighting conditions.
Moving
Onto Movies:
So, after being quite disappointed
with the image quality of the still images, I
checked out the video capabilities. The DXG 560V
is capable of capturing video in MPEG-4 format
(AVI) using XviD Codecs at a Resolution of 640x480
and adjustable Framerates of 60/50 FPS. Between
the Still Image quality and the Video Quality,
there is a decent improvement. That is, as long
as the Zoom-In feature is used very sparingly.
The Video can also be set up to output to either
PAL or NTSC and, as shown in the above photos,
a TV-OUT connector is provided for this.
Another
function of the Video is that the DXG 506V can
be used as a WEBcam or PC Camera. However, just
how useful this is – actually, NOT useful
– will be shown in “Other Concerns”
below.
Now
Listen To This:
Being a little bit more
impressed with the Video capability, I turned
to the Audio functions of the DXG 506V. The unit
boasts being able to play back MP3 files and to
also be used as a Voice Recorder. So, I first
downloaded some free MP3 files of high quality
and began to play them back. I have to honestly
say that playback on the unit’s small speaker
just didn’t do the music justice at all.
So, I hooked up the earplugs that came with the
unit and still the quality was very poor. At this
point, I tried some earplugs of known high quality
and, again, the playback was just not even close
to acceptable. The music was ‘tinny’
with the bass kept breaking up badly.
Next
on the agenda was to see just how well it would
perform with Voice Recording. I found a nice,
quiet location to do a little bit of speaking
with the DXG 506V at various distances from my
mouth. Yet again, the playback was just not up
to par as the playback was ‘crackly’.
Other
Concerns:
And,
yet, there are still other concerns I have about
this unit. Even if the images were superb, the
video wonderful, and all the audio splendid, (which
they weren’t) there are yet some things
that cause me to hesitate recommending this unit.
First
of all, there is no Tripod attachment socket at
all. This is something I can’t understand
not being included. Personally, I use a tripod
so much that I can’t imagine using a camera
without one handy. This goes way back to my 35mm
camera days and has followed me into the digital
age. Without a tripod attachment, or some kind
of mounting mechanism, I can’t see how useful
the unit would be even as a PC camera or WEBcam.
There just is nothing included to mount or stabilize
the unit for this kind of use.
Second,
there’s no AC/DC power connection. It simply
does not exist. So, the unit’s use is completely
dependent on batteries. So, anyone intending to
use the DXG 506V had better have a good charger
and rechargeable batteries handy.
Third,
there is no Lens Cover/Protection. Other than
the carrying case that’s included, the lens
on the camera has no protection. There’s
not even a cap/cover provided for this - yet the
shape of the lens area is actually ideal for one.
Finally,
with only 32 MB of onboard memory, the unit is
extensively limited without acquiring additional
memory – which many camera companies are
providing at no charge these days.
