"The Smallest 720p Camcorder in the world"
Saturday, April 16, 2011 at 6:48PM 
After being impressed with the 720p HD 808 #11 camera I decided to see if I could find another mini 720p camera, but one that wasn't designed as a covert spy camera. It's still early days for mini HD cameras and the choices are limited but I found a few Chinese eBayers selling a camera called the Y3000. I thought this camera would be an interesting one to compare with the HD808 because the 808 records its video in the .mov format whereas the Y3000 records as .avi. This meant that the cameras were definitely different internally from one another.
The design of the Y3000 is clearly a copy of the Chobi Cam One Camera, albeit with a number of improvements, the most notable of which is HD rather than VGA recording. I was interested to find out if the lens on the Y3000 could be swapped with one of the optional Wide Angle or Fisheye lenses designed for the original Chobi One.
When the specs are compared against the HD808, the most notable difference is that the Y3000 features cycled recording. This means that the camera splits its recordings into short file segments, in this case 3 minutes, and then re-records over the oldest file whenever the memory card is full. Depending on your requirements this could be either an essential or an undesirable feature.
[EDIT] - Now available from Dealextreme - Product Link Here for approx £27
or eBay here -
I suppose most people just want to know if this is a better camera than the HD808. Well it's a little bit less clear cut than that, so I'll try and present the case for both cameras and let you make your own mind up.
My video review is below.
I've got a gallery of re-sized pictures taken with the camera HERE
Below are a few thumbnails of these pictures which link to FULL SIZE unmodified originals.
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HOW TO CHANGE OR DELETE THE TIME STAMP (info provided by Bob in the comments - thanks Bob)
To set the time and date of the Y3000 you have to put a text file in the root of the SD card. The name of the file must be TIME.txt.
The content of the file is a string of text like this:
2011.11.25 08.12.00 Y
This means "set the current time and date to 25th November, 2011, 8:12am, and ("Yes" ) show the date".
If you were to put instead
2011.11.25 08.12.00 N
This means "set the current time and date to 25th November, 2011, 8:12am, and ("No" ) don't show the date".
So, open notepad, write the string, save to the root of the SD card as "TIME.txt". Put the SD card in the Y3000 and power on the Y3000. That's it.
Reader Comments (51)
hi, great site and great review. i was wondering what the field of view was like compared to the other cycle record camera you reviewed, the DVR D011? thanks
@James. The FOV is much better on the Y3000 compared to the D011.
The Y3000 and the HD808 have pretty much the same FOV. The D011 also had the same FOV as the DVK808 #3 I tested. So in a long winded way I'm saying if you watch the HD808 #11 review where I compare the #11's FOV to the #3's you can see how the FOV of the D011 would compare to the Y3000.
Hope that makes sense.
Thank you for taking time to make this comprehensive and informative review!
It really helps to make the right decision about purchasing one of the cameras.
Keep it up! :-)
Great review, as always. Thanks for sharing!
I really mistake your voice for James Mays of Topgear...aswell as your style! (take it as a compliment!!)
Great reviews, I had to watch a bunch of them, even though I didnt really care about some products :)
Recently I stumbled across this little camera http://cgi.ebay.de/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260696163189&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT so I ordered it yesterday, lets see what it will do. The format is Motion-JPEG, so I took the plunge and wait to be surprised. Do you have any experience? Does it look OK in your opinion?
Thanks, keep up posting great quality reviews, bye
@ Lukas - you'll have to let me know how you get on. I have a stills camera that records video in m-jpeg (a Panasonic LX3) and the files take up a lot of room, so you can't fit much on a card. The looping video and motion detection functions are both useful - I wonder if you could just leave it permanently attached to a USB power supply and it would auto start and stop whenever the car moves - that's a feature a few people would like to have. Please report back when it turns up.
Have you tried this camera with the class 10 card yet, if so, how did it perform?
Can you add the content of the CD as a download? My disk was completely cracked when I got it. Thanks.
great review it helps aaaalot/THNX
Wide Angle Camera Mounted on Firework POV below/great recordin' shows the potential this camera has!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUCbETKaIfs&feature=player_embedded
Hi
How do you get rid of the date in the y3000?
(In my camera it was on when I got it)
Thanks!!
Just curious if you've ever had this cam not go into video mode? I've had mine for a week and recorded one 33 second vid just to test. But after that I've never been able to get into video mode, only picture mode. I've even hit the reset button while the cam was on and off with no luck.
miniinthebox.com offer them for under 25 pounds (28€ / 39$) free shipping
Great review, thank you. I have bought the y3000 camera too. When it's connected to the power supply it could not record video. In your review you show that with a different usb lead it works fine. What kind of USB connector has the y3000 camera? It is smaller than micro and mini USB, and I cannot find the right USB lead. What is the name of the connector? Where can I buy a new lead? Thank you.
@bob69 Unfortunately there's more than style of Micro USB lead. Have a look at this article on Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB#Mini_and_Micro_connectors
I haven't got the camera around at the moment to look at, but hopefully this will point you in the right direction.
Please could anyone explain how can I get rid of the date in the y3000?
Thanks.
@Ovo Ono. To set the time and date of the Y3000 you have to put a text file in the root of the SD card. The name of the file must be TIME.txt. The content of the file a string like this:
2011.11.25 08.12.00 Y
which means "set the current time and date to 25th November, 2011, 8:12am, and ("Yes" ) show the date". If you put instead
2011.11.25 08.12.00 N
it means "set the current time and date to 25th November, 2011, 8:12am, and ("No" ) don't show the date".
So, open notepad, write the string, save to the root of the SD card as "TIME.txt". Put the SD card in the Y3000 and power on the Y3000. That's it.
@bob69
thank you so much, I did everything according to the instructions and the date is no longer on photos and video clips...
Is it possible to turn off the flashing led when recording a video ??
thx !
I have the Y3000, but have missplaced the cable. But that cable isent a micro-usb is it? Or at least cant get my mini or micro USB leads to fit. It is smaller and also apperes to have more than 5 pins(7? to small for my eyes to see).
What cable is it? anybody got a hint, I need to get a new one.
I haven't got the camera around at the moment to look at
Does y3000 have motion detection?tnx
how would you compare this overall with the chobi cam one ? audio and video quality
thank you very much:)
I want to ask how to remove date and time when recording video
not happening and not going to get out of date videos, display images in the sequence of operation does not remove the date.
@Daniel Look back at the comment that is seven above yours (the one with the pink text) for the answer to your question.
How much vid can you get with
8GB
16GB
32GB ?
Thanks in advance.
what do you do with your gadgets when you become bored of them? you must have a whole cupboard full by now. P.S. you should become a presenter. maybe gadget show or something to do with James May. Forget everyone else, you definitely have the VOICE.
I wasn't satisfied with the chunky appearance of the Y3000 so I took mine apart. I plan to mount it in something more suitable for covert operation. I may mount it in a clock or picture frame. The Y3000 lens cap will come off if you twist and pull. It's just pressed on. You may have to pry it gently with a flat driver. I was disappointed with the included charging cable and the battery life is terrible. I'll have to find a descent 8 pin mini usb to run the camera continuously. Check this video to see a Naked Y3000.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSxPfbxHrf4
Thanks for the great videos.
hi, i know you may of said this before about the cycle recording, but when the cycle is at the end of the 3 minutes is there a big delay between the 2 videos. or in editing would it be able to be overlapped to make a smooth movie over 10 minutes etc. u checked this on one of your more recent video review. thanks for your time great review, thanks
I'm afraid this camera died a long time ago and I can't remember the answer to this...I pretty sure though that it would be approx 1 second, so would create a noticeable jump.
thanks for the reply so quick. thats a shame :( i really think its cool but would of been better with continuous recording it think. but what do we expect from something a few cm in size.
Mike....There is about a half second gap between video files of the Y3000 but the battery really sucks. You'll be better off getting another USB cable for continuous power as Techmoan suggest.
The G200 will record while charging and you can zoom in to better frame your subject. These files are 30 minutes in length (AVI format) but will not cycle once the card is full. There is also a 3 second gap between recorded video files.
I'm also testing the U8 Family thumb drive camera to see if it will cycle once the SD card is full. These files are also 30 minutes in length and the gap is 1 second between video files. I'll also find out if it will record while charging and post another comment in a day or so.
If your transfer rate is slow between the SD adapter and laptop, try using a different adapter if you have a spare. A 1GB file should transfer in about a minute or less. Hope this helps.
Hi!
I wanted to ask what will happened to the files over which it records after the memory is full. For example i am recording for security pupose in an in door situation for 40 min. After making 3 min video files it will start recordig over the first file. What will happened to the first file?? Is it posible to get it back??
Hi!
Congratulations for your great videos! Nice job!
I'd like to buying a high quality camera and I need your experience. What do you think what is the best camera which depend on quality/recording time/functions/size/price?
I'd like using it with high quality recording with sharp videos and high standby mode(or charging possibility during recording).
Ty for your answer, and Best Regards!
David
Hi there. I've bought this camera last month, I want to place it in my car. The problem is that I can not manage to get it recording while it's connected to USB.
I ripped the cable and feed it with only 5V, but it stops recording as soon as it detects voltage. I found that some cameras/MP3 players need to have the Data + and Data - shorted to get the device record or play music and charge at the same time but no luck. Does some one get it working this way? Thanks in advance.
Ignacio
i was also thinking of using this as a car dash cam as it is so small. but it doesnt appear to have the trigger recording on 12v detect that car dash cams have. shame really, as this wouldnt have cost the manufacturer a lot to add & would have made these tiny cameras perfect for on dashboard cams.
If this interests you search on ebay for the item HD 720P Smallest In Car Dash Camera .this looks small & claims it has the auto power feature. may I suggest this one for a future techmoan review?
thx
@bw. I got that camera in last week. It's one to avoid. Quick review in a couple of weeks.
First of all, love the videos & your awesomely dry sense of humour; never ceases to crack me up!
As stated in the review, the camera seems perfect to mount on a bike as a journey/incident logger. I would stick it in a jobby box - waterproofed ofcourse, stick it on my bike - wired into the ignition, so it turns on and begins recording immediately when bike's started, and forget about it! Ideal IF it saves the video when the power is cut! I remember the 808 had a firmware upgrade to resolve this, and I don't know if it's a running theme throughout, but will this camera save the recording when turned off during operation? I hope so, that way I can get one and get stuck in!
Cheers.
thanks for the tip techmoan about the smallest dash cam.
after seeing one of your reviews i have a smartcam HD & am happy with it . now i am looking for another cam for another car. i was thinking of something as small as the y3000, but which auto records on detecting 12v & saves the video on loosing 12v.
hey every1, i got one of those just delivered this mornin, very choppy with my phone's class 4 sd, so went to the nearest shop and got a proper class 10... works liek a charm! to any1 asking class 10 is the answer to the frames... the time problem remains, sience the .txt file doesn't do anything for mine... it's still in 2007 and can't get it off
Anyone figure out the proper cable to get this camera to record and charge at the same time? Thanks! :)
yes! i would definitely want to see a review for "HD 720P Smallest In Car Dash Camera" as mentioned .
and yes..great reviews. i watched 2 of your camcorder reviews already! looking for something small to use as a dash cam.
The battery is very bad, dosent last long.
I ordered a 500mA battery (for a helicopter) took the back off the camera that contains the battery and soldered the now bigger battery on. I glued the battery to the back and it now works as the back,, not much bigger than the original back about 7-8mm wider but not taller..
I can now record for 2 hours and 45 minuts,, pretty good I think.
Beautiful review :) Thank You and keep up the good job.
Hi,
Great video!
Isn't the reset button on the left next to the operation button?
Some sellers have a slightly different pictures of the camera - e.g. instead of 2.0, they have 8.0MEGAPIXELS written on their lens. Do you think its the same product and quality (they are sold as y3000).
To follow up my own question - seller stated it's the same product. Will see after few weeks.
I just receive a camera (it says 2mpx on the lens). Very neat,little camera with easy operation and great HD for it's size. i also have a mobile camera wide angle-macro lens, so i put it on that mini camera nd FOV is much wider now (though you have to mount it carefully because decentering affects video with blurred corner or so. Did not test a battery but so far I am pretty happy and I paid 15 pounds for it (eBay).
Oh, I am stupid, it says 8mpx, don't know why I wrote 2 mpx. And it actually takes 8mpx resolution pictures, however it seems they are just many time enlarged VGA resolution pictures. Also, i noticed that my camera may have some decentered lens or something like that, because the corners are a bit blurry and the center part is sharp (on Techmoan video camera is sharp form corner to corner). The battery lasts for 40 minutes. At night it looks like camera can't push ISO a lot, so it gets dark video, however there are still some fine detail left on bright areas (probably due to high sharpening application). Also, despite it's not very sensitive in the dark the camera still keeps counted FPS (for example my HTC Desire HD drops FPS considerably and is lagging).
Hi, here is some update. I tried to do some tests and I found that camera Field of view is something between 40-45mm (in 35mm equivalent) so not too wide if you ask me (for the camcorder). Also there is only one ISO setting and it is ISO 100, does not matter whether you take images in low light or daylight. I own a Pentax DSLR camera and I found that both cameras use the same MINI USB so I tried to connect Pentax cable to Y3000 while it was recording video and it continued to record. The cable code name is I-USB7, you can eBay it, it costs something around 3 pounds and they are longer than Y3000 native cable so you can have guaranteed maintenance cable just for 3 pounds or so. For the moment, thanks for reading :)