Picture this: A palm-sized video camera that you don't have to be a genius to operate. Or, a gizmo that slings your TV signal to any computer, anywhere.

As digital technology makes moving images ever more portable, devices that let us record, watch and save video are proliferating in an array of new forms and at all price points. The result: A host of cool gift ideas for the holiday season and beyond.

asap perused the Consumer Electronics Show preview in New York last month expecting to be bored by tech-talk but instead became captivated by how commonplace video is becoming in our lives. Among the wares on offer:

___

VIDEO FOR DUMMIES

The RCA Small Wonder Camcorder -- $129

This idiot-proof video camera is high-tech for the masses. Just 4 1/2 by 2 1/2 inches, the RCA Small Wonder is the same size as a still camera and provides 60 minutes of video recording. A screen on the back displays what you're recording -- just point and shoot. When you're done, it plugs into your computer with a built-in jack so you can save or upload with ease. It doesn't come with editing tools, so it's not designed for professional use. But for digital dummies ready to join the video-podcasting revolution, pronto, it offers bare-bones video for a reasonable price.

___

ADRENALINE JUNKIES

Oregon Scientific's ATC2000 -- $129.99

The ATC2000 is a hands-free, fully waterproof action camera -- a small canister-shaped contraption that you can attach to your bike, bag, helmet, whatever and record images on the go. It shoots 30 frames a second and contains 32 megabytes of internal memory, which can be supplemented with a memory card. It also comes with editing software. That said, it's already on backorder on Amazon, so it's not quite for last-minute shoppers.

___

TV FOR TRAVELLERS

Sling Media's Slingbox -- $179 to $249

The Slingbox redirects your TV signal to any computer with a high-speed Internet connection, letting you watch your TV wherever you are -- whether you're traveling or even living abroad. Or maybe you just want to create a second TV set in your house. It connects to your cable box, satellite receiver or digital video recorder, so your TV doesn't have to be on.

___

LOOKING AHEAD

RCA MPC4000 Laptop Receiver, $199

After the holidays, maybe you'll want to buy a little something for yourself. In 2007, RCA will offer a clip-on antenna to turn any laptop or desktop computer into a television. Receive and record HDTV or analog signals broadcast over the air and watch TV on the go. In the future, computers will eventually supplant today's televisions, and it's kinda neat to witness the slow merging of the two over time.

___

Stephanie Hoo is asap's business writer.