RCA CC6393 VHS-C AutoShot Camcorder

RCA CC6393 VHS-C AutoShot Camcorder
Manufacturer: RCA
Product Type: Photography

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com Product Description
The RCA CC-6393 camcorder uses VHS-C tapes, which are simply smaller VHS tapes. You can play your tapes in any VHS VCR with the included cassette adapter. This feature also allows the manufacturer to make a compact, affordable camcorder. The CC-6393 is a lightweight 1.9 pounds and portable for vacation traveling and packing. The RCA CC-6393 also can be used as a digital camera. A PC connection cable is included, along with editing software, so you can transfer your still images to a PC with a Windows 95 or 98 operating system.

This convenient and light camcorder has many traditional features to aid you in recording. It has a built-in AutoShot feature that automatically focuses and adjusts to available light. The LCD color monitor lets you see exactly what you're taping. The monitor also rotates 270 degrees so you can watch and record at the same time. The CC-6393 includes the Steady Pix feature, which corrects slight shaking of images--especially handy for zooming in on a distant subject, recording an approaching small subject, recording while walking, or recording from a moving vehicle. Your viewers will appreciate this feature during playback because it will make your recording easier to watch.

The CC-6393 has a fade-in and -out option that adds a professional touch to your recordings. For artistic flexibility, RCA includes the wide-format 16:9 mode. You can also record in a special animation mode that creates the illusion of movement for an otherwise stationary scene when you shoot a series of slightly different poses. The time-lapse recording mode shows subtle changes when focused on an object (such as plant growth or cloud formations). You do this by programming the CC-6293 to record at preset time intervals. If you like to add scene transitions, a five-second recording option exists.

The playback options are basic, including position on the tape, visual search, stop-action pause, time counter, tracking, and time base corrector. The CC-6393 includes a rechargeable battery, AC adapter and charger, shoulder strap, cassette adapter, cassette adapter battery, a clock cell, software CD-ROM, and a PC connection cable.

Average customer rating:

Kyocera QCP3035 Phone (Sprint) Manufacturer: Kyocera Product Group: Wireless Binding: Wireless Phone ASIN: B00005JYBT

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Aside from its features, the 3035 also sports a rugged case and an oversized screen. It measures 4.9 by 1.9 by 1.1 inches, has a retractable antenna, and weighs 4.4 ounces with its standard lithium-ion battery. The keypad has raised, oval-shaped buttons, and its overall ergonomics are in tact.

An eight-line screen (seven lines of text, one line of status icons) and graphical menu guide you through the phone's options. The diamond-shaped menu button, however, took some getting used to--it directed us to the wrong screens until we got the hang of it. (It should be noted the phone we tested was a preproduction model.) Also, you can't scroll continuously through menu options, which proved to be a minor annoyance.

The diamond button aside, the 3035 does have some advanced features. It supports voice-activated dialing and it stores up to 30 names in memory. It also has a voice-memo recorder with room for five minutes of messages. The built-in speakerphone lets you place calls and listen to voicemail without having to hold the phone up to you ear--anyone who uses this feature can tell you it's a total blessing. And since voice-activated dialing allows safer, more efficient operation, it's wonderful to see how many new phones include this option.

Just like other Kyocera models, the 3035 has a full set of PIM functions, as well as an alarm clock, tip calculator, standard calculator, and stopwatch. And although we've played a few too many rounds of it, the phone is equipped with the very addictive game, Brick Attack.

On the wireless Internet front, the minibrowser's response time was commendable, and Sprint PCS's Web service is incredibly practical. It provides quick access to popular sites as well as news, weather, stock, and entertainment updates. Technophiles will enjoy the fact that--provided you purchase a data connectivity kit--you can use the phone as a digital modem for your PC.

The QCP-3035 supports carrier-dependent features such as text messaging, caller ID, speed dialing, call waiting, data/fax service, and voice mail. Its phone book stores up to 200 numbers (up to six numbers per contact). It has 25 ringer types (including vibration mode), and you can download additional ring tones from Sprint PCS's website. Furthermore, the 3035 has a number of call timers and environment settings, quick phone-book search, standard security features (keypad locking, phone lock, and restricted dialing), and call logs that maintain lists of 30 outgoing, incoming, and missed calls.

We conditioned the battery before testing talk and standby times. The phone's lithium-ion battery is rated for up to three hours of digital talk time and five days of digital standby time. Our tests produced similar results; we achieved slightly over three hours' digital talk time, and 5.5 days of digital standby time. If you make frequent calls, we suggest monitoring battery life at least every other day.

Ultimately, the 3035 is a bargain-priced phone with a full set of features and options. While it does have some subtle imperfections, the phone's advantages clearly outweigh its quirks. --Thom Arno

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