Think of Kodak's MC3 as the Swiss Army knife of electronic gadgets. This sleek handheld unit functions as a portable video camera, digital still camera, and MP3 player. We found the device to be well designed, easy to use, and, most importantly, a lot of fun.
As a video camera, the MC3 captures QuickTime format movies with sound at a resolution of 320 x 240 pixels. Users choose from two settings--a high-quality 20 frames per second (fps) mode captures more detail, but fills the CompactFlash memory card at a rate of 15 MB per minute. A more e-mail friendly mode shoots at 10 fps and uses greater compression. This mode makes movies a bit choppier, but still looks fine for most applications and only consumes around 2 MB of memory per minute.
A 1.6-inch color LCD screen on the back of the camera lets you see exactly what you're filming and can also play back footage you've recorded. While most manufacturers use illuminated LCDs, Kodak has opted to use a reflective display instead. In a reflective display, the traditional backlight is replaced with a mirror. This arrangement is thinner, uses less energy, and is less expensive. It's also easier to see when you're outdoors. Unfortunately, it's more difficult to see in low-light situations--seeing what you're shooting in a restaurant will be a challenge.
The videos you create aren't as detailed as those from a camcorder, but the MC3 isn't designed to replace those traditional tape-based devices. Although the movies can be viewed on your TV (with an optional connecting cable), they're really designed to be seen on a computer screen, saved on your hard drive or CD-R, and shared with friends via e-mail.
Though it's not designed primarily as an MP3 player, the MC3's musical abilities are quite good. You get the full set of standard controls (including cue and review within a song), plus several equalizer settings, shuffle mode, and repeat. In addition, the LCD shows artist and title information, plus system settings. The built-in speaker (included primarily for audio playback of your movies) can also be used to play music, though sound quality is much better with headphones. Standard MP3 song files are transferred from your computer to the MC3 via a USB cable, using included software. There's no copy protection, so if you have a dedicated CompactFlash card reader, you can even transfer files directly to and from the memory card.
As a still camera, the MC3 is just OK. Resolution is 640 x 480 (0.3 megapixels), which looks fine on a computer monitor but lacks enough detail to create photo-quality prints, even at snapshot sizes. Photo capabilities are simple to the point of crudeness--there's no flash, the lens is fixed focus, and everything is completely automatic. Still, it works fine for outdoor snapshots, which is where Kodak thinks you'll be using the device most often.
Kodak's software suite that comes with the MC3 adds a whole new dimension to your creativity. The simple-to-use VideoImpression program lets users blend footage and stills with their favorite songs, letting even absolute amateurs create professional-looking productions in a matter of minutes.
Instructions come with the MC3, but it's so well designed that they aren't really necessary. Using the device is as easy as sliding the four-position switch on the back to the appropriate mode (MP3, movie, still, or playback) and turning on the power. When you're ready to try the more advanced features, a screen-based menu system makes it easy to find your way around. Battery life was good, allowing us several hours of MP3 playback and lots of video recording and playback before we needed to replace the three AAA cells. The use of three batteries is a bit odd--most batteries and chargers are sold in twos or fours, so you'll either need to get your batteries 6 or 12 at a time, or use rechargeables and find a charger that lets you charge just three cells.
The MC3 uses standard Type I CompactFlash cards--the same type of cards used by many digital cameras and some PDAs and MP3 players. The device comes with either a 16 or 64 MB card, depending upon price, and cards are currently available from a number of manufacturers in capacities up to 256 MB. Our sample unit came with a 64 MB card, which gave us around 27 minutes of lower-quality video, 4 minutes of high-quality video, 65 minutes of high-quality MP3 music, 500 still pictures, or any combination in between. For our tests, 64 MB was ample, letting us store a dozen songs and leaving enough room for about 12 minutes of lower-quality video. When we started to run out of space for movies, we just deleted our least-favorite songs and started shooting again. Though the 16 MB card that comes with this model is enough to give you an idea of the MC3's potential, we think it's likely that most 16 MB MC3 purchasers will quickly upgrade to a larger card.
Public reaction to the MC3 has been incredible. Whenever we took it out for a test, strangers stopped us to find out more about it and try it for themselves. Something about the design--its sheer simplicity or its friendly design, perhaps--brings out users' creative sides. We found ourselves compensating for the lack of zoom by thrusting the camera closer to the action and shooting videos of scenes we'd never captured with a camcorder. Sure, the MC3 is more of a toy than a tool, but it's an extremely fun toy. It's not much more expensive than an ordinary MP3 player, but the added fun is immeasurable. Kodak has a hit on its hands.
Pros:
- For about the same price as an ordinary MP3 player, you also get a video camera and digital camera
- Well designed, with quality construction and simple controls
- Lots of fun to use
Cons:
- Reflective LCD panel hard to see in dimly lit areas
- Power choice of 3 AAA batteries is a bit awkward
1 best camcorder under $200
They should call this the MC1 because it's only useful as a camcorder. As a camcorder that is $120, it gets 5 stars. Everything else out there that is <$200 are ALL 10 frames per second. They claim to be cool but are extremely choppy and look like web cams. A TV is 30fps, movie theaters are 24fps and the MC3 is 20fps. Not perfect buy light years ahead of everything else. Yes it has other problems but nothing that the exact other brands don't have too. Face it; this is the best camcorder you are going to get for <$200. If you like choppy web cam action it will record in 10fps and give you 4X more recording. A 16mb card (included) will give you 1:17min @ 20fps, and a 256mb card will give you 20:06min @20fps. You should buy a 256mb card ($60 ebay) and at least 6 rechargeable AAA batteries + recharger ($25) I've spent days trying to find something better than this and still can't. This is the best of a the junk that is out there. If that means anything.
2 Could be better and could be worse
Overall i would have to say this player is an ok device. i mean for the year it came out in (2000) it was the bomb. But now that so many other much kooler products have cam out i definitly would not recomened gettting it now. If you are serching for the same capacitys of the kodak mac3 i would say go for an Archos. It is a little more but also i s alot better. it can play divx because you can download movies stright from your tv or computer. if not the Archos Av 140 then go for the RCA LYRA 20 gb. If your looking for a low quality mc3 player but it gets the job done go for this one.
3 Light is your friend...
The only reason I got this little gadget was it's ability to do motion captures at 20fps. Unfortunately, it really only works in well-lit areas, even though the audio capture is surprisingly good. MP3 works well and image capture is mediocre to bad. But for all these features at under [money], it's actually quite a bargain.
4 Excelent Performance
I've owned a Kodak mc3 for 2 years. It is easy to use and perfect for someone with a small budget. It is compact, durable, and multifunctional. The picture quality is terrible, but if you dont plan on printing high quality photos (like me) you will find that this leads to smaller file sizes. I use this camera extensively for my websites. dont buy it if you olan on printing a lot of pictures.
Pros:
inexpensive
small file size
small
durable
Cons:
poor resolution
if your looking for an inexpensive, reliable camera for online or screen viewing, this is the camera for you.
5 It's a blast! Don't think - just buy it
What a blast this is! I love it. I primarily use it as an MP3 player. You can store about 12 songs on the 16 MB card. Works great, sounds great. Very easy to use. You can transfer songs using the provided Kodak software, or just copy/paste right out of Windows Explorer.
The camera is a nice bonus. Not great resolution but not too bad either. More of a toy than a serious camera. No flash is the biggest drawback. Holds a ton of pictures if the card is not full of MP3's.
The video feature is great too. Takes surprisingly long quicktime movies WITH SOUND! You get several minutes to record, not the 60 seconds you get with a typical digital camera. Very good mic picks up even low volume sounds. The video quality is okay, really meant for computer screens only.
Just buy it! You'll love it. For the price it is one hell of a deal.
6 Fun and simple!
This is a decent little camera/videorecorder/MC3 device that is definitely not in the same league as the 'big boys', but is easy to use and a lot of fun. It takes photos and movies that are OK for web purposes (e-mails, eBay, etc.) and for casual use.
One of the more fun uses is to record a short 'video note'- sort of like a digital tape recorder with moving images!
I can understand the frustration of the 'low raters', especially if they paid the original retail price- (everything they say about it is true!)- but with the various used and refurbished deals, it is a good value!
7 Great Product for the high school set
I bought this product for my daughter for her birthday in September and she doesn't go anywhere without it! It is simply fabulous for quick video shots at the prom (only with LOTS of light!!), carrying tunes on a field trip or catching friends doing crazy things during band rehearsal. My daughter had the software up and running in about 10 minutes and had none of the problems others have reported here. I am buying her a larger media card for Christmas because her current 64 mg card is not always big enough to carry tunes out on a field trip and picture back from the trip without having to blow away the tunes.
It is just the right size, just the right price and meets all of her needs for a video camera, digital camera and MP3 player. I think that this is such a great product that I bought three additional players for additional gifts.
8 Be afraid, be VERY AFRAID
This is a very attractive, feature laden electronic device. It has very straight forward easy to understand and use features and controls. It appears to be well designed and constructed and claims to offer loads of fun for picture taking, shooting videos and playing mp3's. These are the thoughts that will go through your head when you first handle the MC3. However ........ There is a dark side to this picture (pun intended). In my opinion one would be better off donating the money you would spend for this to your favorite charity instead. This device should have never been released for sale. Kodak has truly hit an all time low with this product. Simply put, the pictures are of such poor quality that they lack description. The same holds true with the video. As far as an mp3 player??? Well, first you are going to have to figure out how to put them on the unit. The software isn't compatible with WinXP for one thing. Tech support was no help (for me) I finely broke down and purchased a cf card reader/writer which seemed to work ok, but when the mp3's were played back on the unit the display showed no song information at all! The volume has to be turned up all the way to even hear them! And there is very little difference in sound quality between the various EQ settings! The only redeeming quality this unit seems to have is it's appearance. And boy it sure does look nice sitting next to my trash can!
9 Please dont go in for this unless u get it dirt cheap
I am so disappointed with the product that I am trying hard to get rid of this 3-in-1 combo . It does none of these 3 jobs in any credible manner.Well photos are kind of polarized (multi colored).Dont know why but the picture quality has degraded to absymal levels(i mean in 6 months).I bought this product for around 350 US$(in India ) and now terribly regret the decision. It plays mp3s well but it makes no sense to carry a cam to listen to music .No comments on movie cam.totally flawed product!!!
10 REVEIW
this cam corder, mp3 player, and digital camera is awaesome is awesome and u best agree wit me i own so i kno
11 The MC3 got bugs Don't buy it
I bougth a MC3 on April, and discover that it got a 2-3mm black line on the LCD of the camera!!
I ask the kodak why, but they said it's normal, there is a bug when they design but they think the mc3 can still function so they consider the black line as normal!!!
I really very disappointed about the MC3!!
Think before you buy!!!
12 Love It
I Bought the Kodak MC3 for my boyfriend.
After searching for the perfect gift, for a hard to shop for kind of guy. I did great!. I'm very proud of myself.
He absoultely loves it still ! I bought it for him in
June... still using it and he still loves it.I am now known as the best gift giver ever. :)
13 Kodak mc3 software is miserable. I have a solution.
Kodak mc3 is great and does what it promises very well. But the bundled software is a shame. (...)
14 great camera
It was so great I loved it With all the functions and accesories it was wonderful.
15 The Kodak 110 of movie cameras
I just received the product, and it is GREAT. There are a few drawbacks, like no flash, and no low light quality, but it is more than adequate if used for what it is designed.
If you want professional quality photographs, this is not the camera for you, you need a mega-pixel camera that looks like an SLR. However, if you are someone who would use a Kodak 110 camera, or an old 8mm Brownie camera, with their small format film, and don't want to lug around a ton of equipment, this is the camera for you. I never thought I could have a camera that fits in my shirt pocket, yet take movies with it. It takes much better pictures than I thought it would when I ordered it.
We needed a camera to take on offroad Jeep adventures (Tellico, Windrock ATV, and others), and this little camera exactly fits that bill. You will need to order a new compact flash card, as the 16 meg does not hold much. I would suggest getting the largest you can afford. I already had a 128MB one.
I have not tried using it as an MP3 player, but if it is as good as it is a movie and still camera, I am sure I will be pleased.
16 RUBBISH
It is a very BAD product, i, together with a friend of mine who got, feel very disappointed and frustrated... And FOOLED... Yes, because we beleived all the SEDUCTIVE advertising of this Kodak mc3... Actually, i placed a complaint on kodak's site, and definitly recommend all people NOT TO GET IT... Mine is only 2 months OLD... Very disappointing....
17 liked video but not the rest
I actually liked the video part of this camera. That was cool. Had trouble getting the camera to acknowledge the smart card was in the camera as it kept telling me that it wasn't. Did not like the software at all. I always have trouble with Quick Time freezing up my computer. The still pictures were OK but I miss a viewfinder, that little LED display just isn't enough. I like the USB cable and the battery life is good. If they gave it a viewfinder or a bigger LED it would help a lot.
18 Excellent Product
I bought the mc3 primarily because I needed a video camera. It is excellent. I originally thought that the funtions were going to be so-so but I thought wrong. The mp3 player is excellent. The sound is CD-quality. It is excellent and it is LOUD. It hurts to turn it on full with the earbuds in. They are not the greatest but those are easily replaceable. The display tells you how many songs you have and the artist and album name. There are 5 equalizers. The software was fairly simple to setup and it may be a little difficult for people who are not used to computers to run it. It is very quick to load and easy to change songs. The camera does not have the greatest quality and no flash, but it works if you have lights on indoors. I have a standard 35mm camera for important occasions and most pictures. The digital camera is purely for fun and fast pictures. The video camera is excellent. It records really well. Overall it is excellent. The software is easy to install and use and it does not freeze up the computer. I had mp3's downloaded about 15 mins after I opened the box.(It would have been 10 but I had trouble finding my USB port). When you hook up the camera it automatically searches for new pictures and videos. It is incredibly easy to use and it is small and lightweight, easy to fit in my purse or pocket. The included wriststrap is useful for carrying it while listening to music.There are two pitfalls 1.The memory card included at 16 mbs holds NOTHING so it will be expensive to buy another. I suggest buy a huge one and then you won't have to change it. The other pitfall is no flash. But that is not as big of a deal as I thought. As all other battery-operated products on the market, it sucks the power like nothing. I suggest rechargables. All in all it is a really really portable all-in-one multimedia player.
19 Fun, small, and easy to use
I actually wanted a camcorder, MP3 player, and a digital camera. When I found this camera at about the same price as just a regular MP3 player, I figured I would try it and even if I only used it for MP3s it would be worth the price. But I'm extremely glad I bought it! The imaging isn't that great in low-light, but video seems to do better than stills. I love to record all the stuff I do, and the videos make for great personal memories that I can easily store on a CD. This camera is just plain FUN!
It's not for anything professional, it's for day to day use. If that's what you're looking for this device should live up to your expectations.
20 Does it all...but does nothing well
I bought this camera primarily for its mp3 and video capabilities. I already had a digital camera and its a good thing. The picture quality of the MC3 is very poor, so I use my other camera for photos. However, the movie capability is fun, though of relatively poor quality. I found that it's not worth using the mp3 player because, in order to download songs onto the camera, you have to use a complicated program. In addition, sufficient memory is too expensive to deal with. It would have been worth the extra money if Kodak had offered a flash--the camera is worthless inside or in low light. Two good points of the MC3 are its ease of use and its small size. But, that's about it. If you are considering purchasing the MC3 to take photos or play mp3's, don't waste your money. If you want a cheap digital video camera that just so happens to play mp3's and take pictures, you might want to purchase the MC3. But, I would look into other cameras before I would make the purchase.
21 I LOVE IT - You gotta have this mc3
Just bought this dynamic digi cam few days ago. I love it. I take it everywhere for either taking pics or shooting movies. Its compact design and fresh looks makes me love it even more. The best part is with the price you pay, you get the entire digi cam, digi movie cam, mp3 player and LCD screen functions in one. Can't beat it. Although the resolution is not that good, but it fits perfectly for me since I send pics to my friends all the time via e-mail. The cons - it's impossible to take the pic in dark since mc3 doesn't include the flash light. However, I am still able to take pics if I turn lights on in my room. Well, about the file transfer from your mc3 to the pc, it's faster then I expected. Download all 16 MB of information via USB cable only within 30 sec. (I didn't count it but it seems less then that) In conclution; this is something you defiantly needed if you are looking for FUN. I recommend that you buy a larger CF card if you plan to take a long vacation.
22 I LOVE IT - You gotta have this mc3
Just bought this dynamic digi cam few days ago. I love it. I take it everywhere for either taking pics or shooting movies. Its compact design and fresh looks makes me love it even more. The best part is with the price you pay, you get the entire digi cam, digi movie cam, mp3 player and LCD screen functions in one. Can't beat it. Although the resolution is not that good, but it fits perfectly for me since I send pics to my friends all the time via e-mail. The cons - it's impossible to take the pic in dark since mc3 doesn't include the flash light. However, I am still able to take pics if I turn lights on in my room. Well, about the file transfer from your mc3 to the pc, it's faster then I expected. Download all 16 MB of information via USB cable only within 30 sec. (I didn't count it but it seems less then that) In conclution; this is something you defiantly needed if you are looking for FUN. I recommend that you buy a larger CF card if you plan to take a long vacation.
23 mc3: Buy It!! It's worth the $$$
Kodak mc3: Versatile and Inexpensive Gadget
It's small, light, and rugged -- I take it everywhere -- school, the mall, vacation, hiking.
I've used it for: mp3s on a airplane, videos of fish while waist deep in the ocean, videos while sledding/snowboarding -- even duct taped it to a friends model airplane and flew it around -- (cool movie)!
Pictures: they look good if taken outdoors, or with some daylight -- (the lack of a flash is a clue to use mc3 mostly outdoors).
Video: it got two quality settings -- one is great if you've got a lot of motion and detail. The other is if you want small files (for email) or you want LONG (minutes) movies. The length of a movie clip is limited to the amount of free space on the card. Files are QuickTime -- but the software can change them to .avi. (HINT: buy the video cable -- and recorded your videos to VHS tape.)
mp3: has played 8 to 256 kbps mp3s; it has equalizer/repeat/shuffle; it displays title/artist/album info. Comes with a ripper and player software (RealJukebox for PCs; MusicMatch for Mac). Nice that it doesn't encrypt the mp3 file. (Comes w/ earbuds -- but I like the speaker. (Earbuds are nice for mp3s on the pc.))
Software: I've got both mac and pcs -- it was easy to install on both. Was able to get stuff on/off easy -- but I like the explorer window more than the mac. The picture and video editing programs are very cool! Go google search for "allan harris 1180 WHAM" for some videos a radio station has done using the mc3 product.
Three Comments: 1st -- you're going to use this A LOT -- go buy rechargeable batteries (two sets). (Although alkalines are handy when away from the charger.) 2nd -- Compact Flash Cards -- Big cards hold more, but cost more. What I do for a day is carry a 32MB card (w/ music) and three 8MB cards (for videos/pictures). Upload often. Or buy more cards. 3rd -- No light comes from the display, it is just a reflection. The display quality is like a good color display PDA. Pluses -- It's MUCH easier to see the display outdoors in direct sun light vs other camera displays -- and it's MUCH easier on the batteries. Minus -- It's harder to see it indoors -- but I think it is useable. (FYI: I've noticed that indoor pictures look better on the pc, than on the mc3 display.)
Summary: I love it! Simple controls -- my five year old uses it to take pictures and play music ("Sesame Street" on the airplane). I carry with me in a pack or by the wrist strap listening to mp3s all the time. When I want a picture or video, mc3 is there. Expensive cameras and video equipment are for special occasions -- the mc3 is for my every day stuff.
Punch Line: Simple, fun, easy, rugged, versatile, and inexpensive. Simple Elegance.
24 good concept, flawed follow-through
the camera itself works great, and it's a great idea. the mp3 samples pre-loaded onto the device sound great with a regular cd player tape adapter in the car. however, i could not get my computer to connect to the device. i even bought a USB port because my computer (a beige mac g3) didn't have one. and still, nothing. i'm on the fence whether to return it or not because i do really like the camera itself, and i'm hoping i can get it to work, but i'm not very optimistic about it. i'm wondering if it has compatibility problems with computers that aren't exactly new (despite fitting all the system requirements).
25 Don't Buy This
It took about 3 minutes to set up this product and start using it, which was very good. But, you have to light up your house like a Hollywood set to get enough light for the video or pictures. This was not meant to be used indoors. The mp3 player was good, not great.
The problem was that I couldn't get the synchronization software to work and I couldn't transer files between my computer and the mc3, which is the whole point. I called customer service and talked to someone immediately. The lady who answered was very nice but knew almost nothing about computers or the mc3. We were on the phone for about 2 hours when the software finally kicked in on it's own. The next day I took some pictures to send in an email and the software didn't work again. I couldn't call customer support because they weren't open on the weekend and I didn't want to call anyway because they really didn't help the first time.
Overall, even if the software works, this really isn't worth it. I would wait until something better comes along.
26 As a multimedia device, lots of fun
Good price for a MP3 player, and a quick time movie maker.
I got one for playing with Internet. It's so good so far. Not only it's so easy to handle to make a quick time movie, but also a good MP3.
For sure, this toy give you lots of fun.
One thing you may consider that is not so good for shoot a pic, but your pic is for computer using only, it's still OK.
