Action Cam from Ollie's! Deal or Dud? Vivitar DVR781 HD Camera

[@Chinhokelly2022]

Bought a Vivitar 781HD at the thrift store for $2, no high expectations, just something to fool around with for 2 bucks because I know ZIP about these "action cams". Thanks to you plus my own playing around with the buttons, I got it working. Yeah, that's why it was at the thrift store!

[@mrupholsteryman]

Thanks for putting this up. Just looked at this on a shelf and have no clue as to how this would compare to others. I was actually going to thank you for helping me not to spend money that would be only beneficial as is some college... paying for education can sometimes not be the best solution.... You seem pretty knowledgeable and I thank you for reviewing this. I had thoughts of recording some MTB rides and commutes home from work and didn't know if there was a good option that wouldn't cost half a mortgage payment. I commute an hour or so each way and having seen a few of these drivers that would rather not pay for their cars anymore ...and have the guy behind them not only pay for a new car....but punitive damages and etc....thought maybe a camera that would do both...and not having to buy a special dash cam for front and rear as well as a separate camera for (in the rare occasion where I do have time to ride AND the weather is nice)... wondering what your insight is. Thanks again! 😇

[@johnsaucerhunter]

Sorry you had to experience that. If that's not a reboxed item.. it surely was not inspected prior to leaving the factory. You might be able to use footage from it as part of a "Dreamscape" or "under the Influence" type shot/visual.. outside of that.... the only positive thing I can think of is that you have a few more go-pro-like accessories

[@1D10CRACY]

I bought one of these prior to this past Christmas, looks to be a similar if not the same model . I don't remember where I bought it, probably Ollies or Menards. I found similar results and ended up not using it .I don't remember it being that out of focus, that is pretty bad!

[@ThriftyAV]

The focus problem is beyond bad. This makes me think I picked up a faulty unit. But even if the focus was sharp, the lack of features and small battery capacity makes this a weak action cam.

[@WORTHITORNOT]

Yikes that was a mess. Looks like they didn’t focus the lens correctly (screws in) before adding a drop of glue. You get what you pay for and Vivitar is baddddd !

[@ThriftyAV]

By far the worst one I've picked up. I might dig into it and see if I can get a better focus somehow.

[@keiferstewart5010]

How do you get to the settings menu on this? Or does it even have any settings you can change? Oh and you can sometimes break the glue loose on the lens threads and can change the focus by either screwing the lens in or out. I'm pretty sure on this one you just have to pry off the silver front cover to get access. Then take a paint pen or similar and mark the original starting point and by trail and error screw it in or out till you find the best focus. I've found that even higher end action cameras, dash cams, drones, or any camera that has similar threaded on lens can be improved this way. It's helluva easier if you can plug it up as a web cam so you can see the focus change real time.

[@waynedarlington8619]

I had a bit different experience. Same camera model. Same Ollies price. My Vivitar was black, not silver. Battery life is crap, but I was able to plug in a cheap rechargable USB stick battery to supply the power and added a 32 gb memory card (maximum size device recognizes) and created 4 hours worth of recording time, albeit many, many 3 minute clips. Still, not bad for under $20 vs buying a GoPro. Outdoor footage of passing traffic was its test. Next stop is riding along during our upcoming Alaska cruise and excursions.

[@justeyFLY1]

Thank you so much for the video I was about to go on a kayak trip and I was designing between using this action camera in my phone.... Definitely going to use my phone just hope that I don't drop it in the water😅

[@dmass5975]

I bought one of these. My focus, but I can't get the water case open & the items weren't in baggies like yours didn't get the Velcro straps, no back film protector & battery was already in the camera. These are definitely returns and Vivitar did no inspection on these & send them quickly back to the stores

[@JadeChan36]

How do i attach the straps to the camera

[@hippa2dahoppa2]

lol i cant get the case off! i keep pressing the button and nothing happens haha

[@LowDoughTech]

Vivitar? More like Viviturd! Good review, though!

[@ThriftyAV]

lol

[@markabicht7083]

Why do ALL these videos show the unpackaging?

[@richarddevenezia8186]

Perfect for filming your own Blair Witch or a Sasquatch sighting

[@JeffCD77]

There was definitely something wrong with the focus in that particular unit. Yes, Vivitar is junk, but even they are capable of producing a better picture than that.

[@ThriftyAV]

You are probably right, but I am unwilling to spend another $20 to find out if this was an isolated incident.

[@JeffCD77]

@@ThriftyAV Yea, neither would I!

[@johnhamilton2923]

U

[@jasonjensen8613]

Man did I just waste my money.

[@taptapkingvideo5883]

this is crap, the lens doesn't even focus properly

[@ThriftyAV]

agree

[@velocidad3d]

😂😂😂😂 the worst 20 dollars investment i ever 👀

[@TheKnobCalledTone.]

Vivitar stuff is bottom of the barrel. I'm not surprised that this camera turned out to be crap. Hopefully this video will warn others off being tempted by this junk.

[@ThriftyAV]

I wasted my money so others don't have to!

[@taptapkingvideo5883]

the action footage looks like something from the middle east war zone

[@jeffreyb6165]

I have never had good luck with anything from Vivitar period. Total junk electronics in my opinion.

[@jarvisda]

Vivitar is crud. I've learned if the package says Vivitar then keep moving on.

[@keiferstewart5010]

How do you get to the settings menu on this? Or does it even have any settings you can change? Oh and you can sometimes break the glue loose on the lens threads and can change the focus by either screwing the lens in or out. I'm pretty sure on this one you just have to pry off the silver front cover to get access. Then take a paint pen or similar and mark the original starting point and by trail and error screw it in or out till you find the best focus. I've found that even higher end action cameras, dash cams, drones, or any camera that has similar threaded on lens can be improved this way. It's helluva easier if you can plug it up as a web cam so you can see the focus change real time.