U.K. company Veho claims its Muvi micro DV camcorder is the world’s smallest video camera in its class.

Measuring a mere 2.2 inches in height with a slim profile, it’s really not hard to lose the gizmo. What’s also interesting is the voice-activated start/stop record. It’s marketed as an action sports camcorder, so if you’re performing stunts on a bike, it would be neat if you could trigger the device by saying a command, though Veho’s Web site didn’t give specific details on this.

Muvi sports camcorder Veho(Credit: Veho)

Muvi’s specifications are only average: 2-megapixel still image, 640 x 480-pixel AVI format clip capture, and a microSD card slot for storage expansion. As with most micro DV camcorders, the Muvi can function as a Webcam, too.

Though Veho is marketing the $130 Muvi to record while on the go, I’m not sure how rugged this tiny gadget is. Will it be able to survive rough terrains and handling on its own like the Olympus Mju Tough-8000? It’s unclear, though the company has an optional Extreme Sports Pack bundle which includes helmet strap and other accessories to let you bring the Muvi along for your adventures.

1. Two desirable gadgets in one

We at CARgo are no different than the average consumer. If a company bundles in more, then we’re hooked. GPS maker Nextar seems to understand this algorithm and manages to combine two hot technologies in its I4-BC Navigation System with Backup Camera. This device features a 4.3-inch touchscreen, voice-guided directions with turn-by-turn prompts, built-in maps of Canada and the United States, 1.6 million points of interest and an MP3 player.

The impressive draw here is the built-in backup camera that provides a clear rear view when backing up the car. Yes, it is iPod compatible and features both a speaker and the ability to transmit music wirelessly to your car stereo, but none of these features are particularly innovative to a GPS product. Unique, though, is the backup camera. This is what I call killing two birds with one stone and I expect Nextar’s competitors to follow suit by releasing their own versions of this two-bird killer in no time. US$260; visit www.nextar.com.

2. Dual’s on a roll

Fresh off the release of the double-DIN dynamo XDVD8190, Dual AV returns to the single-DIN well with its feature-rich, price-friendly XHD7720, which utilizes HD Radio to innovative means. Aside from having one of the coolest motorized displays ever, the ability to read all audio formats on CD and a front-panel USB slot that can interconnect with the iPod, this puppy features an innovative tagging technology whereby iPod users listening to HD Radio can press a button to tag a song they like for later automatic downloading from iTunes to the iPod.

Of course, use of this feature would seem to require the perfect storm of a connected iPod combined with being tuned into the right HD station and the consumer not being inclined to procure a desired song through less than legal means! Still, if fewer than 0.01% of people who purchase this product utilize the feature, it would still register a higher utilitarian purpose than the Electronic Yodeling Pickle.

3. Turn your drive into Apollo 11

Kenwood’s mega-tech Excelon DNX8120 Navigation Receiver is so feature-rich it lends itself to the longest run-on sentence I have ever featured in this space: The DNX8120 arrives with an in-dash DVD player, built-in memory including maps of Canada and the United States, more than six million points of interest, built-in Bluetooth, a wireless remote, the capability to play every audio and video format imaginable, dual-zone control, a 6.95-inch touchscreen, a 13-band equalizer, text-to-speech voice prompts and two USB inputs for flash cards and MP3 players, which all fit in a dashboard opening just four inches tall (the so-called “double-DIN”)

The Flip UltraHD features two hours of recording time and a high-resolution, 2-inch-diagonal screen. With the exception of the HD capability, the same features were added to a refresh of the Flip Ultra, unveiled at the same time. Pure Digital debuted HD capabilities with its Mino camcorder product line.

The Flip camcorders are best known for providing good picture quality in an ultraportable, easy-to-use, and inexpensive device. The latest gadgets run on 2 AA batteries and have a 2-times zoom lens.

The HD model captures images at a resolution of 1,280 by 720. Video resolution on the new Ultra model is 640 by 480. The screens on both camcorders are transflective for no-glare viewing in direct sunlight. The UltraHD also includes an HDMI output for showing video on a digital TV.

Both camcorders come preloaded with Digital Technologies’ FlipShare software, a simple application for organizing and editing videos and uploading them to a Mac or PC for viewing or posting on YouTube or other video-sharing sites. Both devices have USB ports for connecting to a PC.

In a review of the UltraHD, tech blog Engadget gave the device high marks for picture quality, but noted that the camcorder does not have image-stabilization technology. As a result, video tends to be jittery.

Nevertheless, as a take-anywhere camcorder, the gadget was worth the $200. “It’s a good choice if you need something to throw into your pocket,” reviewer Joshua Topolsky said.

The Ultra HD is not the first high-definition Flip model. Pure Digital also offers the MinoHD. The Mino line is smaller and thinner than the Ultra line and features up to an hour of recording time. The MinoHD sells for $230 and the Mino $180.

The new Flip Ultra sells for $150. Pure Digital debuted the Flip camcorder in 2007 and has sold more than 2 million units.

Last month, Cisco (NSDQ: CSCO) announced it would buy Pure Digital for $590 million in stock, and Jonathan Kaplan, Pure Digital’s chairman and chief executive, would become general manager of Cisco’s consumer business group.

Disgo Video is a little camcorder suited for quick and easy shooting. The stylish gadget is aimed at YouTube freaks who want to shoot and share videos on the go.

The simplicity of this cool gadget is that it has just three buttons to support one-touch recording, instant playback on LCD screen and deleting. The speakers boxed inside give played back video a live effect. The pocket sized camcorder is very handy and weighs no more than your mobile.

You can record an hour of video with a resolution of 640×480 in the 1GB SD memory card provided. The recorded videos will be automatically saved as .avi files making it easily uploaded.

The Disgo Video camcorder is powered by 2 AA batteries. This handy camcorder can be easily connected to TV and computer. It requires no software installation also. Required cables are also provided along with.

The Disgo Video from Clever Stuff is priced under £40. Initially launched in UK, this cute camcorder is now on sale worldwide.

Sanyo’s new Xacti VPC-E1 is capable of recording digital video and taking photos over or under water. Some of its features are:

* 640×480 pixel video at 30 fps.
* 6 Megapixel photos.
* 5x Optical Zoom.
* 2.5″ LCD display.
* Up to five feet underwater for up to 30 minutes.