Tiny video camera costs less than $8

Every once in a while, I find a product that I need to mention before an appropriate question comes in. If you would like to have a lot of fun for less than $8, this is for you.

I belong to a model rocketry club. While researching my hobby on the Web, I found some outstanding onboard flight videos complete with sound, made with a tiny video camera that looks like a car remote fob.

On YouTube, I found many other videos made by attaching the tiny camera to rockets, model airplanes and motorcycle helmets -- even placed a foot from train tracks when an Amtrak train rolled by. What fun!

Even more fun is the cost, because the cameras can be bought online for less than $8 delivered (via stores.ebay.com/linjiechong). It's not just a cheap trinket, though. The video and sound quality is absolutely amazing for a minuscule device selling so cheaply.

The key-chain camera records in the AVI format on MicroSD cards. Video is DVD resolution (720 by 480 pixels), and the sound quality is excellent. Power is supplied by a built-in battery that recharges via USB. It couldn't be any simpler or more convenient.

My only complaint is that the onscreen time stamp can't be turned off, and mine kept resetting itself. I am sure I will figure that out, though.

I made a video using a two-stage rocket, and it came out perfectly on the first try. I now have a page on my website (tinyurl.com/keychaincamera) devoted to the camera, complete with the rocket video and links to other pages that will help you find and use the extremely nifty device.

Be careful splitting 7.1 Q Is the sound from the various outputs of a 7.1 surround-sound system vastly different from one another? I'd like to power speakers in different rooms by hooking up to the separate terminals.

A If you are playing surround-sound material, yes, the output is vastly different. If you listen to the surround channels on their own, they might not sound recognizable at all.

If you are looking to play the same sounds in different rooms with stereo sources and a surround-sound receiver, you need a receiver that has two sets of terminals for stereo, or one which supports multi-zone operation.

A stereo receiver with a heavy-duty power supply and two sets of speaker terminals is your best bet if you won't be using surround sound in any room.

Before you buy make sure the receiver will let you run both sets of terminals simultaneously. I recommend looking at models from Harman/Kardon and Outlaw Audio.