Anyone using one of the many brands of pocket camcorders out there? Kind of interested in learning more but not much of a tech mind.
I understand that most are designed for PC use and straight uploading of video but looks like many can also be played back on home TV sets. I'm still in the stone age with a "non-HD" TV, can these pocket cams be viewed on this type of TV or are most only compatible with HD TV?
Thanks for any help or advice you have to offer.

Sky guy and I both have Flip Ultra-HD camcorders. No tapes, just flash memory. USB plugin to your computer for both charging and downloads. I'm 99% sure you can buy a $7 cable to connect it to your old-school TV.

The benefits are:
* super small/lightweight
* simple -- kids love using it when I let 'em
* good quality for a very good price
* inexpensive "underwater" housing available, so you can shoot in the salt, the rain, the river, etc.

KodaK zi8 is a very nice option.... and it has audio input...

http://store.kodak.com/store/ekconsus/search/?keywords=zi8

Do they make cabling to go from the HDMI port on the camera to the standard resolution component jacks that are on my TV?? Yellow,Red,White jacks for audio/video input on tv.
This is where I figured I was out of luck in being able to utilize the HD models, it would be great if they are still an option. I know most use is for pc stuff but I'd like to be able to view on the TV for family entertainment as well..Thanks for any info or help you can provide..The Flip brand is what I was initially looking at, it great to see a good report.

Thanks, RJ in Montana

You know, I looked pretty hard for you and I think there's NOT a trivial solution.

You can either get the Flip Ultra (not Ultra HD)
+ Works great with standard TV
+ Underwater housing
- Isn't a high-definition camera

-or you can get...

The Flip MinoHD 60 MIN VERSION (not 120)
+ High Def
+ Composite Output (so says http://www.theflip.com/en-us/Products/specs.aspx)
- No underwater housing available

Or you can get the Ultra HD -- the one I have -- and just not be able to watch it on your TV, which obviously sounds like a deal breaker.

Bummer!

Thanks I/R..I appreciate the help. That is more or less the conclusion I had came to (buying Ultra if I decide on a pocket model) but it is nice to have it validated by a current user. I had zero'd in on the Ultra after learning about the HD issues and had recently started searching for good Ultra pricing. So far Walmart "online only" seems to have the best pricing either stand alone or in a bundled package. They have the current generation Ultra's for $109 or you can get a "bundle" package for $154 ($149 + $5 shipping) that includes the std Ultra package + two accessory add ons. In reviewing the Ultra package I thought the rechargable battery pack (Ultra doesn't include this even though the UltraHD does) and the 110v adapter charger accessories would be worth the $40 upcharge for the bundle package..It looks like the 110v wall charger cuts the recharge time nearly in half from USB charging..at least thats what is listed in a couple of reviews I found online.

Thanks again for the help, RJ in Montana

get a go pro naked hero. www.gopro.com