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Casio QV-2300UX Plus A 2 megapixel swivel-lens design with lots of creative options and a 340-megabyte Microdrive included (US only) Select a topic Reference: Datasheet QV-2300UX Sample Images --------------------------------- 1. Intro and Highlights 2. Executive Overview 3. Design 4. Viewfinder 5. Optics 6. Exposure & Flash 7. Shutter Lag & Cycle Time Tests 8. Operation & User Interface 9. Camera Modes & Menus 10. Image Storage & Interface 11. Video, Power, Software 12. Test Results & Conclusion --------------------------------- Print-Friendly Review Version Additional Resources and Other Links Reader Comments on QV-2300UX Review --------------------------------- Digital Camera Comparometer (TM) --------------------------------- <-- Digital Cameras (Home) <-- Digital Camera Reviews Index <<Image Storage & Interface :(Previous) | (Next): Test Results & Conclusion>> Page 11:Video, Power, Software Review First Posted: 1/29/2001

Video Out
US and Japanese models of the Casio QV-2300UX Plus come equipped with an NTSC cable for viewing images on a television set. European models are equipped for PAL timing. You can select NTSC or PAL video signal compatibility through the Setup mode in the camera's Playback menu. Once connected to a television, the camera uses the television screen as an enlarged LCD monitor, allowing you to compose and review movies and images.


Power
The QV-2300UX Plus is powered by four AA batteries. A set of alkaline batteries comes with the camera, but we recommend purchasing a couple sets of rechargeable lithium ion or NiMH batteries and a battery charger. Casio estimates that four alkaline batteries will provide up to 80 minutes of recording time, while lithium batteries should provide approximately 200 minutes (and you don't throw them out when you're done!). Casio sells an optional Sunpak PicturePlus battery charger with four AA NiMH batteries for $25. A combination AC Adapter and Rapid Charger with batteries sells for about $60. AC adapters come in handy for tasks like reviewing or downloading images, and shooting in the Interval photography mode.

The QV-2300UX Plus is quite reliant on its LCD display (due to the lack of an optical viewfinder), but it does offer two power-saving options. A Sleep mode shuts off the LCD display after 30 seconds, one minute, or two minutes of inactivity. An Auto Power Off feature turns the camera of completely after two or five minutes of inactivity. (Shutoff times for Sleep and Auto Power Off are controlled through the Function menu.) The current battery capacity is displayed on the LCD monitor as a battery symbol, with shading to indicate the amount of power left.

Operating Mode	Power Drain
Capture Mode, w/LCD	480 mA
Half-pressed shutter w/LCD	580-490 mA
Memory Write (transient)	620 mA
Flash Recharge (transient)	n/a (Same as Memory Write)
Image Playback	480-360 mA

Although the QV-2300 lacks an optical viewfinder, we found it's power consumption surprisingly low. With capture-mode current drain measured at 480 mA, a high-capacity set of NiMH AA cells should be able to power the camera for as much as two hours of continuous operation. (As always, we strongly recommend buying high-quality NiMH rechargeable batteries (at least two sets) and a good charger. Don't even think about alkaline AA cells!)


Included Software/Hardware
The software CD provided with the camera offers a full range of imaging software, as well as a USB driver and printable software manuals. Programs include Photo Loader, Panorama Editor, Internet Explorer, QuickTime, PhotoGenetics (trial version), Acrobat Reader, ActiveShare, MediaCenter, and Zing. Only Photo Loader, Internet Explorer, QuickTime, and PhotoGenetics are accessible to both Windows and Macintosh operating systems (Windows Version 2000/98/NT4.0 and Mac OS 8.5 or higher). The remaining applications are for Windows only. Photo Loader is the utility for downloading images from the camera to a computer. Panorama Editor allows you to "stitch" together panorama images taken with the camera, and provides a playback utility for viewing completed panoramas.

Internet Explorer is provided to facilitate reading the optional HTML files created with images and storing images in a Library. A copy of QuickTime enables movie playback, but also plays panorama and still images. Acrobat Reader is provided to view the software manuals, while ActiveShare creates digital photo albums, which are set up for easy Web sharing. MediaCenter and Zing both provide Web image-sharing utilities. Zing also connects to Casio's Zing website, so you can order custom prints of your digital images. Finally, the 30-day trial version of PhotoGenetics provides a well-rounded offering of image editing and correction tools, as well as creative filters and templates. We noticed that when we inserted the CD into the PC, that a trial copy of PictureWorks Web Publisher was also included, which enables you to create photo-based Web pages.

Also packaged with the QV-2300UX Plus are four alkaline batteries, a video cable, a lens cap with strap, camera and software manuals, an accessories catalog, one IBM 340MB Microdrive, soft carrying case, software CD-ROM, USB cable, wrist strap, and Zing card (redeemable for printing discounts).