The VTech KidiZoom® Duo FX is a fun and easy-to-use digital camera designed for children, featuring two lenses: a front camera for regular photos and a selfie camera for self-portraits and group pictures. This camera allows children to explore their creativity with a variety of built-in features for both photos and videos.
Function Description
The KidiZoom® Duo FX offers a range of functions beyond just taking pictures. It includes a voice-recording feature with five different voice-changing effects, adding an element of playful interaction. For visual creativity, the camera provides five fun games and various creativity features that allow children to enhance their photos and videos with different effects.
Usage Features
The camera is equipped with several buttons and controls for intuitive use:
- On/Off Button: Turns the camera on or off.
- Camera Switch Button: Toggles between the front camera and the rear selfie camera in Camera mode.
- Shutter Button: Used to take a photo or to start and stop video recording.
- D-Pad (Directional Pad): Navigates menus, moves the cursor, and makes selections. It also has shortcuts for flash modes (up) and self-timer/face-timer (down) in Camera mode.
- Home Button: Returns to the Main Menu or the previous submenu.
- OK Button: Confirms choices or actions, and can also be used to take a photo in Camera mode.
- Star Button: Adds effects to photos and videos, or displays the effects menu in other modes.
- Rotary Ring: Adds or changes colour filter effects in Camera or Video modes.
- Volume Button: Adjusts the volume when pressed, followed by left or right on the D-pad.
- Delete Button: Deletes photos, videos, or voice files.
- Playback Button: Reviews photos and videos.
- Zoom Wheel: Zooms in and out digitally.
- USB Port: Connects the camera to a computer for data transfer.
- MicroSD Card Slot: Allows for memory expansion with a microSD card (not included).
The KidiZoom® Duo FX supports various activities:
- Camera Mode: Take photos with or without funny effects. The camera features Auto-Flash, Always-Flash, and Disable-Flash modes. A self-timer and face-timer are also available. Photo effects and picture modes can be applied using the D-pad or Star button, and colour filters can be adjusted with the Rotary Ring. A 3X Photo Burst mode captures three photos quickly.
- Video Mode: Record normal videos, videos with funny live filters, or add colour filter effects. Live Face Filters track movement during recording.
- Cartoon Studio: Create a library of cartoon faces and make comic-style collages. Users can take a photo, convert it into a cartoon, apply different styles, and save it. Collages can be created by selecting cartoon faces and templates.
- Music Player: Listen to MP3 files stored on a memory card. Options include shuffle and repeat modes.
- Chin Puppet Theatre: Record videos with funny puppets on the user's chin. Users can set the stage with different curtains and background music, choose puppet styles, and add sound effects during recording.
- Creative Tools:
- Panorama: Stitch together two to five photos to create panoramic images.
- Wacky Slideshow: View photos as a slideshow with funny effects and transition effects. Settings for background music, wacky effects, shuffle, and delay can be adjusted.
- Animation Maker: Create stop-motion animations by taking a series of photos. Projects can be edited to add frames, preview animations, save as video files, and adjust settings like animation speed, background music, and frame overlay.
- Photo Editor: Add photo frames, stamps, special effects (distortion, kaleidoscope, colour filters), and fantasy effects to photos. Edits can be undone, and modified photos can be saved as new files.
- Voice Recorder: Record voice for up to 10 minutes per recording. Recordings can be played back, and voice-changing effects can be added and saved as new files.
- Games: Five built-in games are included: Quack Quack Queue, Hoppy Frog, Alien Rescue, Crazy Juice Lab, and Chomp Challenge.
- Settings: Adjust various camera options including wallpaper, LCD brightness, memory status (format and factory reset), camera settings (photo resolution, indoor light frequency), date & time, language, and parental controls. Parental controls allow limiting game playtime or disabling games entirely.
- Playback Mode: View photos and videos. Users can zoom in/out, pan across zoomed photos, play videos (with fast forward/rewind options), and set a photo as the Main Menu wallpaper.
Maintenance Features
- Battery Management: The camera requires 4 AA (LR6) alkaline batteries. For best performance, alkaline or fully charged Ni-MH rechargeable batteries are recommended. Instructions are provided for battery removal and installation, emphasizing correct polarity, not mixing old/new or different battery types, and safe disposal. Rechargeable batteries should be charged under adult supervision and removed from the toy before charging. The camera has an automatic shut-off feature to preserve battery life. A low battery icon indicates when new batteries are needed.
- Cleaning: Keep the camera clean by wiping it with a slightly damp cloth.
- Storage: Keep the camera out of direct sunlight and away from direct heat sources. Remove batteries during long periods of non-use.
- Durability: Do not drop the camera on a hard surface or expose it to moisture/immerse it in water.
- Data Management: When connecting to a computer via USB, ensure the camera is off and the rubber cover for the USB port is properly fitted. Files can be transferred between the camera and computer. It is recommended to back up all important data from the memory card before using it in the camera, and to back up internal memory files to a computer when it gets full. Do not insert or remove a memory card or disconnect the camera while files are transferring.
- Safety: Adult assembly is required for battery installation. Keep batteries out of reach of children. All packing materials should be discarded for child safety. Parents should supervise children during play, and if a child experiences dizziness or discomfort, discontinue use and consult a doctor. Regular breaks (15 minutes per hour of play) are recommended.