June 7, 2005 It had to happen one day but we didn’t quite expect it so soon. The digital imaging revolution took another leap forward today with the introduction of the CVS One-Time-Use Video Camcorder -- the world's first disposable digital video camera. For US$30, the CVS camcorder records up to 20 minutes of 640x480 video and sound. The video camcorder's 1.4-inch colour playback screen lets consumers instantly enjoy their home videos and even delete unwanted segments with the press of a button. Once finished shooting, consumers simply return the video camera to their local CVS/pharmacy store and get a DVD to view and share the same day. Video camera processing, that is, burning the DVD for you, costs US$12.99.
CVS/pharmacy is exclusively offering the world's first compact, affordable, one-time-use solution for creating and sharing high quality home movies on DVD. For under $30, consumers can now enjoy a DVD home video experience that compares to pricey DVD camcorders, which cost upwards of a thousand dollars.
Built on the Pure Digital Imaging platform, the new CVS camcorder is the perfect easy-to-carry choice for capturing memories of weddings, vacation getaways, beach trips, or any time that family and friends get together. Just grab it and go -- and leave that expensive and cumbersome traditional camcorder at home. Using just three simple buttons, consumers can capture up to 20 minutes of digital quality video and sound, in as many separate segments or clips as they wish. The video camcorder's 1.4-inch colour playback screen lets consumers instantly enjoy their home videos and even delete unwanted segments with the press of a button. Once finished shooting, consumers simply return the video camera to their local CVS/pharmacy store and get a DVD to view and share the very same day.
The DVD from CVS/pharmacy makes watching, sharing and saving home movies easier than ever before. For the first time, consumers get custom home movies with all the benefits of a professional, fully edited DVD. Features people would expect to find on a major motion picture DVD -- like a main menu and individual, titled scenes -- make it easy to find and view each home movie segment they've shot.
In addition, the CVS DVD features an advanced e-mail computer application with Pure Digital's SmartShare technology that makes sharing videos with family and friends just as easy as sharing photos online. The program runs directly from the DVD, eliminating the need to install software. Now, even novice computer users can easily share home videos, video greeting cards and custom movies with friends and family.
"The introduction of the disposable film camera significantly grew the photography industry by making photography accessible and affordable to anyone," said Mike Wolf, Director of Digital Photography Trends at InfoTrends/CAP Ventures. "One-time-use camera category has grown to be 218 million units annually and we expect it to account for 38% of total film volume in the U.S. in 2005. A simple and affordable one-time-use digital camcorder could spur growth in the digital video market in a similar way."
Video Camcorder Features and Benefits
∑ Simple-to-use, pocket-sized camcorder weighs under 5 ounces∑ Holds 20 saved minutes of digital quality video and sound∑ 1.4 inch color playback screen∑ Ability to playback and delete videos∑ Return to any CVS/pharmacy 1-hour photo lab for DVD
∑ Simple viewing on DVD players or computers with DVD drive∑ Convenient archiving and storage∑ Email video and video greeting cards as easily as digital photos with SmartShare computer application∑ No email system or software installation required
Available now in over 1,400 CVS/pharmacy locations across the United States, the cameras will be available in over 4,500 stores by June 26th. The CVS Digital One-Time-Use Video Camcorder retails for US$29.99. Video camera processing is US$12.99 and includes a CVS DVD built with technology for easy viewing, sharing and archiving of home videos.