Satarii Swivl

In the age of overnight YouTube stardom, the power and reach of online video has never been greater. But putting together an engaging clip can be a big challenge?especially if you're riding solo. That's where the Swivl ($179 direct) from Satarii comes in, improving hands-free video recordings with your smartphone or small digital camera. The Swivl is an easy-to-use, automated "personal cameraman" that keeps the action in frame so you can focus on your own performance. Though it's a bit on the expensive side, and occasionally hiccups when it comes to smoothness and accuracy, the Swivl is an able companion for the burgeoning Internet star in all of us.

Design, Setup, and Features
There are two main components to the Swivl: The rotating, motorized base and the wireless remote. Both resemble black, oblong pucks, with glossy plastic bodies and green highlights throughout. The base is the larger of the two, measuring about 5.5 by 4.2 by 1.5 inches (HWD) at its widest points. At 2.5 by 2 by .75 inches, the remote is small, but still noticeable on video?especially when fastened onto a shirt with the attached metal clip. The remote also has a built-in microphone for clear wireless audio recordings. Along the side of the dock and remote are battery compartments (2 AA's for the dock and 2 AAA's for the remote are included). There's also a microUSB port on the back of the base?it's for a forthcoming AC adapter and future firmware updates (though neither were available at the time of this writing).

The Swivl is made first and foremost for the iPhone 4 and 4S. It features a stowaway cable with 30-pin Apple dock connector for attaching your phone and using the companion app to access extra features. You can also use the Swivl with any smartphone measuring less than 11mm thick, as well as a small digital camera weighing less than six ounces, using the including tripod mount adapter. But you lose some of the controls and features on the iPhone?more on that in a bit.

There are two identical buttons on both the main base and the remote: Action and Record. Mount your device, press and hold the Record button on the base until the LED indicator turns red, then do the same on the remote?at this point both LEDs should turn green to indicate connection. For non-iPhone users, that's it as far as setup. Walk around and the Swivl will stay locked onto the remote. If you press and hold the Action button on the remote, it adjusts the angle of the arm and ensures proper framing.

The Swivl app for iPhones opens access to additional settings and features. These include toggling between Standard and Sport mode, choosing the audio input (iPhone or remote mic), toggling focus lock, and checking on the battery of both the base and remote. These must be done before you begin filming and cannot be accessed remotely. Pressing the Record button on the remote will, of course, start recording on the iPhone.

Performance
Setup was simple and straightforward, and within a few minutes the Swivl was dutifully following my every move. There's a lot to like about the Swivl, but it has its limitations. For the most part, the Swivl's motorized base locked onto the remote and followed me as I paced up and down a hallway. However, it's most accurate when there is a direct line of sight between the base and remote. It stuttered when objects were placed in between, or when the remote was placed inside pockets. The tilting arm was also much slower than the rotating base, and I often found myself exaggerating movements with the remote to get the right angle?not exactly ideal for making a seamless video. The rotation was not always smooth, with some stuttering even when the remote had a clear line of sight.

There are two modes for the Swivl base, Standard and Sport. Sport was definitely faster, and able to keep up with my awkward sprints up and down the aisles of the PCMag labs. However, with slower movements, the Sport mode was jerkier than Standard. Overall, though, the Swivl proved to be a capable and proficient automated cameraman.

The built-in microphone on the remote is a great bonus?adding a lavaliere mic without any additional hardware. I tried using the microphone on the iPhone, but the audio was too low and picked up far too much room noise. When using the remote mic, however, my voice came through loud and clear, even when standing a good distance away from the base.

I also tested the Swivl with some non-iPhone options. An 8.49mm thick Samsung Galaxy S II?fit into the adjustable arm, though it was a bit snug. The included camera mount worked well with a Canon PowerShot Elph 310 HS?(a compact point-and-shoot) and with a Samsung WB750?(a slightly heavier compact superzoom), but with the latter the Swivl was clearly laboring, and movement was not as snappy or responsive.

Conclusions
The big question with the Swivl is: What is it for? For one, the Swivl would be a great companion if you FaceTime or Skype often and want the freedom to do other tasks simultaneously. The Swivl is also ideal if you're looking to put together engaging video tutorials. Browse YouTube and you'll find an endless selection of poorly produced or boring videos. For the most part, these self-produced videos are limited to stationary speakers and standard cutaways. Aspiring chefs, for example, could move from station to station, prepping various parts of a meal, without ever having to go back and readjust the camera. Additionally, if you're looking to put together a skills tape for sports recruitment, the Swivl could make a useful companion. Obviously a real cameraman would be better, but not everyone has access to the proper resources.

All told, if you spend a lot of time making your own videos, the Swivl could be a worthwhile investment that will save you a lot of time and trouble when shooting solo. It's no substitute for professional video production, but it doesn't have to be. This one is for the YouTube and Skype generation?and for that, it will certainly suffice.?

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ziffdavis/pcmag/~3/HbCY85UoYvE/0,2817,2401807,00.asp

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