Mustek DV536 Camcorder-PVR does much more than it says on the tin

26 June 2006 15:29 GMT / By Amber Maitland

Mustek has released a device that arguably redefines what it means to be multifunctional.

The DV536 Camcorder-PVR captures video, records from the TV or from a DVD player, shoots still images, records audio, and plays music from audio files.

It looks like an uninspired digital camera with a camcorder-lens on the side, but the design is to take into account its flip-out LCD that rotates up to 90degrees to take into account awkward shooting angles.

It fits into the palm of your hand, and takes both VGA-quality digital video at 30fps as well as 10MP still images.

As for video from the TV, the DV536 records straight from a TV, VCR, DVD, or cable/satellite signal and converts the stream straight to MPEG4 on to either its 32MB of internal memory or onto an SD/MMC card.

The built-in microphone means it can be used as a digital voice recorder and the audio files uploaded to a PC — 12 hours worth on the 32MB internal memory.

For the price of $199, the package comes with the DV536, carrying bag, USB cable, AV cable, installation CD and software, battery, and power adapter.