Ires Technology, a Toronto-based vendor of video solutions for the consumer electronics and surveillance markets, is introducing a new way to record video and audio, hands-free.
The company last week unveiled its uCorder device, a wearable, hands-free mini digital video camcorder. The camcorder is meant to sit inside of a shirt or jacket pocket, or be worn around the neck, with the provided lanyard. It’s designed to record at the touch of a button and will stop recording once that same button is pressed again.
Joel Kligman, CEO of Ires, said the uCorder is designed to be a fun product for a variety of use-case scenarios.
“Students can use it, people going on vacation, businesses, real estate agents, even police and security,” Kligman said. “We’re not trying to replace video cameras, camcorders or cell phones with our device. Ucorder is designed to be an affordable, complementary product for these existing devices. We see this as being a subcategory of new devices.”
The uCorder is a trademarked brand under Ires and comes in two models: the IRDC150 and IRDC250. Both are 3.5-inches in height and can record video and audio from a distance of up to 25 feet away. The device charges via a USB connection and files are transferred using the Mini USB 1.1 speed interface that comes with the product to any laptop or PC. Ucorder is compatible with Windows 2000, XP and Vista, as well as with Mac and Linux-based systems.
The IRDC150 model features a 1GB internal memory that can store up to 45 minutes of video, Kligman said. With the IRDC250 uCorder, users can get up to 1.5 hours of recording time, using the built-in 2GB flash memory. Both devices also have the ability to use a Micro SD card with up to 8GB of space, for expandable memory, he added. TheIRDC250 model also has the ability to function as a Webcam when it’s connected to a PC.
Since the uCorder is designed to be hands-free, the camcorder uses a 60 degree viewing angle, allowing the camera to see and record “pretty much whatever the user sees,” Kligman said.
While the lithium battery in the device is not replaceable, Kligman said with average use, the company expects the battery to last anywhere between three to five years. On a full charge, Kligman says a user can get up to two hours of recording time with the device. To fully recharge the device will take up to three hours, he added.
The uCorder is available online through www.ucorder.com, and will also be made available through the retailer and e-tailer channels, Kligman said.
“In Canada, we’re represented by Toronto-based sales agency, Resource Group,” he said. “We’re in the process of now setting up partnerships with retailers and e-tailers, and hopefully some distributors for product distribution. We hope to get these channels set up before the end of this year.”
The product is set to ship in early August and comes with a one-year warranty. The uCorder products are expected to sell between CDN$100 to $140.
