First Day of CES: A Kodak Zi6 Point-of-view

Now that CES is in full swing, I thought that I would give you more of an idea what it was like. I think that the video that I made shows it much better than I could tell. Just to give you more of a picture than the included vid, let’s just say that the Las Vegas Convention Center has over four large areas, only one of which you barely see in the video. In order to get around, CEA provides exhibitors and attendees maps. Yes, it really is that big.

Since I always like to try and kill two birds with one stone when I write an article, consider this a First Day of CES article combined with a hands-on review of Kodak’s Zi6. If you’re not familiar with the Zi6, it is an HD digital camera that can do both stills and videos at 30 and 60 fps.

It is easily one of the most simple cameras that I have ever had to use. The Kodak representative took one minute to explain to me how to use it, and I probably could have figured it out in at least twice as long.

In the center of the camera is a little thing like a joystick that also acts as a button. Pressing it starts recording the video or takes a still, depending on what mode you are in. Mode changing is accomplished by moving the joystick left and right, and up and down to adjust the focus of the lens while filming. The playback mode button is on the right, and up and down on the joystick adjust the volume.

Video and stills are all saved on the card inside, and downloading is as easy as flipping out the USB key. I used this video a lot at CES, but unfortunately, I lost most of my footage. This has nothing to do with the quality of the Zi6, which I recommend most highly. I think I was trying to upload too many videos on YouTube at once, but I was lucky to salvage this one.

Too bad, because I had a good action shot of me trying to run to get to my next appointment at CES. This is what happens when you make appointments with companies at their CES booths and don’t plan for the space in between them.

By the way, I’ve been all over Vegas today with appointments at the Stirling Club, Piero’s, the Paris Hotel, the Venetian, not to mention all the booths I was running around to at the Convention Center. I saw a lot of new technology that I don’t have time to report on just now, but believe me, I will.

So to summarize: Kodak Zi6: good, and CES: also good.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1yzHkQYQOA[/youtube]