Customer Reviews
Aiptek DV5100M 5 MP Pocket Digital Camcorder 
2007-02-17
Bought this for my son to replace his broken JVC camcorder. It was one fifth the price of the old one he had and he loves the features, compactness and ease of use much better than his old one.
I returned it 
2007-02-07
I ordered this camcorder and gave it a test drive for a couple of days. I sent it back to Amazon because the sound was awful. It picked up a narration from the camera operator, but anything from a dog's bark to a conversation five feet away...forget it. Saying the sound was muffled isn't strong enough. The other reason I returned it is because it was obviously previously owned. The box had been opened, the batteries had been inserted, and, the biggest clue, it had someone else's Christmas movie on the internal memory. So if you order this (don't) and yours comes with an out-of-focus silent Christmas tree and a long shot of someone's bathroom, that's the one I sent back.
Best overall for the price 2007-02-03
I bought mine in the summer of 2005. With a 2 GB CF card, I can take a 3 to 3 1/2 hour video. The still pictures come out as clearly as digital cameras costing 4 times the cost of this unit, and this camcorder is smaller than most digital cameras. Of course the video quality is not as good as a larger, much more highly priced camcorder, but the videos come out well. It comes with accessories, which, for this price I'd not have expected, i.e., the carrying case and tripod. I don't know if they changed tripods, because someone posted about the long plastic screw: my tripod has a very short metal screw. All in all, considering price, ease of use, and quality, I have to give this 5 stars.
A toy 
2007-01-17
I got this for my 13 yo daughter, who really wanted a video camera to play around with. The Aiptek seemed to be perfect; simple to use and not too expensive. Well it's not particularily easy to use: The picture was very difficult to get into focus (manual focus that doesn't seem to make much difference). It is faily inexpensive, but you will want to expand the memory (Compact Flash) which now is fairly cheap, but you will need several at 64mb. Sound is barely audible. If your budget is tight and this is all you can afford; wait a year until better products fall into this price range. You will be much happier and won't have to dispose of this unit. Our solution was to buy a well rated low end dvd unit for around $400. This is for the family, but she can use it. She's happy with the "awsome unit", and I was able to upgrade from my 8mm unit, so it's a win-win. (With her using it, her being a teenager and all, I got an extended, free replacement type warrantee, however.)
Fun For Kids 
2007-01-14
I purchased this camera for my 15 year old son. He's really enjoying it. Make sure you purchase a CF
memory card for the extra storage. The good news is they work well and if the loses it were not out a
bunch of money and if it breaks we purchased the warranty.
Bob 
2007-01-11
Inherited from consistent superior quality and design from AIPTEK, PocketDV 5100 really provides a wonderful solution to let you closer to life. A big jumping on quality, PocketDV 5100 equipped with 3 mega-pixel CMOS sensor which enables you to capture vivid image in life. Moreover, the size of it is smaller than your palm, which is convenient to carry with; you will never miss any joyful moment of your life."Diversified Life; Diversified Functions" is the goal that AIPTEK pursues. PocketDV 5100 could be used as DSC, voice recorder, PC camera except as DV. For still image, the maximum output is 5 mega-pixel. The function of PC camera enables young people to use as web camera. One PocketDV 5100 fits every member in your family. Don't let the wonderful moment sneak away from your fingers. Own it; enjoy it. You will have the most wonderful experience in your life.
Excellent Aiptek Compact Pocket Camcorder 2006-07-27
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R3CI18SY6W1K76 Update May 2008: I still use this very good camcorder, and it is still available from the Aiptek website. Here is a 27 second video clip from my Aiptek DV-5100M, and the video is straight from the CF memory card, and is the raw video and is not edited. This camcorder takes good video in bright light. I chose this this video to demonstrate the capabilities in bright light and dark areas of a dance hall. The Low Light Performance is surprisingly satisfactory for this small camcorder.
I purchased this Aiptek DV 5100M camcorder, and this is my Best Choice of the many other models of Aiptek small compact camcorders that I have tested.
- Aiptek DV 5100M, for its small compact size, it takes very good videos, and in consideration of its 640 x 480, 10 frames per second, 8.7mm F3.0 lens.
I like this Aiptek DV 5100M camcorder because
- Aiptek DV 5100M Video and Audio are in exact Audio-Video synchronization (i.e., when I videotape record live dancing performances, and the video movements match with the audio music).
- Aiptek DV 5100M is easy to use, and small enough to easily put in my jacket zip-up pocket for any time videos.
- Aiptek DV 5100M camcorder's microphone sensitivity is very good and records audio well (and does not have any constant loud audio hiss like some other models).
- Aiptek DV 5100M camcorder works very well with my 2-GB SanDisk Ultra II CompactFlash card (and also with my 2-GB Kingston Elite Pro CompactFlash card), and has successfully recorded a test daylight outdoor single video ASF file for a length of 3 hours, 46 minutes at its highest quality video setting of "TV-HQ" (640x480, 10 frames per sec).
- I like Aiptek DV 5100M camcorder's recording in its MPEG-4 "ASF" compressed format, and it uses less bytes per second than the "AVI" format of the older Aiptek models: Aiptek DV-II, Aiptek DV3100.
- For tripod use, since the tripod plastic socket is more deeper recessed than standard, I replaced my Slik tripod's short standard metal tripod screw with a longer nylon screw.
(Incidently, I also own and can still use my other older Aiptek camcorder models: Aiptek DV-II, Aiptek DV3100, and Aiptek Fidelity 3100. I have tested and returned for being unsatisfactory, the Aiptek models "DV5100F ("F" means has flash for stills), and "Aiptek IS-DV2".)
4-14-07 Update: I am still using and enjoying this Aiptek DV 5100M camcorder to take videos of dancing practices and performances. I have three (3) of these camcorders: I use one, and I keep the other 2 as spare emergency backup. A problem is that the plastic tripod socket may crack if NOT using the original Aiptek supplied stock tripod (Aiptek has a good one year guarantee.) I recommend using only the Aiptek special original longer screw tripod provided in the Aiptek original box because this specially designed Aiptek tripod will not crack the thin plastic tripod socket. Using any other brand metal screw (especially standard metal screws, which are shorter and does not fit this camcorder) tripod will crack the weak thin plastic socket. Or, I recommend making a modified longer soft nylon screw tripod as described above, which I still use and can pan and tilt.
- I use and prefer 2500 milli amp hour (MAH) NiMH batteries which last longer than my previous 1800 MAH NiMH batteries; I have many NiMH spare batteries and replace when needed.
- Aiptek DV 5100M, if recording hour long videos, I can close the LCD Screen Lid, and it will continue recording, and the LCD backlight will turn off to conserve battery.
- I only buy and use lifetime guarantee 2 GB CompactFlash cards (such SanDisk Ultra II, and Kingston Elite Pro) which will record 3 1/2 hours at highest video setting. After taking videos, I eject the CompactFlash and carefully insert it in my Microsoft Windows XP PC computer slot for faster USB 2.0 transfer, instead of using the supplied USB (1.1) transfer cable.
- Aiptek DV 5100M has 4X digital zoom for videos.
- Aiptek DV 5100M can be used as a still camera, and takes very good still pictures in daylight. Still camera has a 10-second self-timer.
- Aiptek DV 5100M can also be used as a "Sound Recorder". It has a separate choice switch for "Sound Recorder", and I have used it to record many sound only.
Over all, for my needs, Aiptek DV 5100M is a still a great camcorder, which I can keep in a plastic zip bag in my jacket zip up pocket, and use to capture impromptu videos.
Update January 2008: This is still my favorite small pocket camcorder, and I still use it. For non-critical recording, at 640x480, and 10 frames per second, it records smaller byte size "ASF" files than my regular large hard drive camcorder.
