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Ricoh RDC-6000 Ricoh's inexpensive 2 megapixel digicam doubles as a USB webcam. (With optional software.) Select a topic Reference: Datasheet RDC-6000 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 RDC-6000 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: 1/9/2001

Video Out
The RDC-6000 is accompanied by a video cable for connecting to a television set (NTSC for US and Japanese models, PAL for European models). The Set menu offers both NTSC and PAL video settings, in addition to a camera language setting. You can review captured images, as well as compose new ones by using the television set as an extended LCD monitor. Once connected to a television, the RDC-6000's LCD monitor goes blank. Combined with the remote control accessory, the RDC-6000's video-out capabilities make the camera a useful presentation tool.



Power
The RDC-6000 uses a rechargeable, DB-20, lithium-ion battery pack for power. Also included with the camera is an AC adapter and battery charger kit, which charges the battery in-camera. Ricoh estimates that a fully charged DB-20 pack should provide approximately 40 minutes of recording time, or approximately 60 minutes of playback time, figures which agreed very well with our own tests. (We actually got about 55 minutes of operation in record mode with the LCD turned on, didn't test playback mode, but woudl expect a similar gain there.) Though the camera is somewhat dependent on its LCD monitor, it does feature a small status display panel on the top panel, which reports most of the camera's settings. Battery consumption is reported in the LCD monitor via a small battery symbol, with a shaded portion indicating the level of charge remaining. The RDC-6000 also offers an Auto Power Off feature, which shuts down the camera after one, three, or five minutes of inactivity. Similarly, an LCD Off feature disables the LCD monitor after one, three, or five minutes of inactivity, but leaves the camera active.

We normally measure power consumption (in milliamps) directly for this section of our reviews, but the RDC-6000's power system foiled our efforts: The camera refused to run unless the battery was in its compartment, which distorted the power consumption numbers significantly. Thus, all we can say is that the camera seems to somewhat outperform the official runtime estimates from Ricoh, giving us 55 minutes of continuous operation in the maximum power-drain mode. (Record mode with the LCD enabled.)


Included Accessories and Software
The RDC-6000 comes equipped with a USB cable, Serial cables for Windows and Mac, video cable, rechargeable Lithium Ion battery with a combination AC adapter and battery charger, 8MB SmartMedia card, soft carrying case and wrist strap, and two software CDs (one for Windows 98, 2000 or NT 4.0, and one for Macintosh OS 8.6 or higher). Both CDs contain Ricoh's Camera Utility software, in addition to ArcSoft's PhotoImpressions, VideoImpressions, PhotoMontage, PhotoFantasy, and PhotoIsland software packages. The necessary USB and TWAIN drivers are also included.

The Ricoh Camera Utility Software is the basic vehicle for transferring image files from the camera to the computer. PhotoImpressions provides rudimentary image-editing utilities, as well as correction tools and fun effects filters. VideoImpressions allows you to edit your movie files, perform minor corrections, and add music. PhotoMontage creates a single mosaic image from an entire collection of smaller images (either from your own library of images or sample images from the program). PhotoFantasy provides whimsical templates for creating mock magazine covers, fun posters, and greeting cards. Finally, the PhotoIsland software allows you to connect to the www.photoisland.com website, where you can create web-based photo albums to share with family and friends.

Our evaluation model of the RDC-6000 also included a "Cool Stuff" envelope, absolutely stuffed full of special offers, sample photo paper, and a trial version of Scala City multimedia software on CD-ROM. (The included deals actually struck us as having some material value, unlike many toss-in packets we've seen in the past.)