With plenty of holiday shopping time to spare, Creative has started shipping its Vado HD Pocket Video Cam.

The super-thin Vado HD is small enough to stuff stockings, promising 720p HD quality images at the touch of a button. However, Creative says that you can output to 1080i, with the included HDMI cable. Included? That has to be a first.

Creative says that the rechargeable battery should provide two hours of recording and/or playback. Other features include a 2-inch color LCD screen and 8GB of memory, which should hold about two hours of high-def video. Plug the unit into your PC’s USB port, and you can store and share videos with ease. The unit comes with Vado Central software, which includes YouTube or Box.net buttons for one-touch uploads.

The Vado HD is selling now through Creative and Amazon.com. It retails for $230. Other accessories you can add under the tree include a storage pouch ($15), extra batteries ($15 each), a power adapter with charger station ($30), and an underwater diving pouch ($30).

Rachel Cericola - Contributing Writer

Over the past 15 years, Rachel Cericola has covered entertainment, web and technology trends. Check her out at www.rachelcericola.com.