High-Def Helmet Cam
September 30, 2009
Shooting high-definition video with a helmet camera while conquering your sickest line isn’t new. Neither is posting that video to an online community. But shooting that professional-quality video in 1080p with a 4.3-ounce helmet cam the size of your palm — and using the included software to quickly edit the best clips — well that is new.
At $330, VholdR claims its new ContourHD 1080p, available soon, does all that.
Not only does it shoot high-def video (1920 × 1080 pixels) at the standard 30 frames per second, it’ll shoot video at 60 frames per second with slightly less quality (1280 × 720 pixels).
Also new is the ability to manipulate the contrast, metering, exposure and microphone level — all of which must be preset via VholdR’s included Mac- and PC-compatible software. By hooking up the camera to your computer, you can either create your own custom settings or choose from the no-brainer list of already-made settings tailored for conditions like sun or snow.
Two of the presets can be saved to the camera and changed via the flick of the high/low switch to eliminate having to head back to your computer every time you want to change something.
But with the VholdR, there’s no way to see what you’re recording. Instead of a view finder, the camera has two lasers that project from the front of the camera to give you an idea of what’s in the wide-angle view.
The ContourHD 1080p will be available in October for $330. www.vholdr.com
—Ryan Dionne
The VholdR 1080p Full HD is awesome. The video is so real on my HDTV. It was only $329. This is the best helmet camera yet.
The reviews so far have been accurate so I won’t reiterate. What people need to know is that the software that comes with the camera lets you configure the camera so the image comes out looking like what you wanted. You can change the contrast, exposure, metering, and the mic settings as well. The software is very user friendly and enhances the camera. Best gadget I’ve bought all year long.
The only thing I want to see with the camera is a waterproof casing which will hopefully be coming very soon.
This camera is not only a great HD camera, it’s extremely user friendly. It came with everything I needed in a camera, software, mount, wide angle lens, ect and it isn’t too heavy on my helmet. I couldn’t be happier with the footage I’m getting with it and I’ve had zero problems with the camera. I would recommend this camera to anybody that is into extreme sports. Now, when you brag about the crazy ride you just had everyone will believe you!
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The few bells and whistles that the Hero camera missed are welcome additions. We’ll see if it’s as tough. Same price points basically. I like the looks of the VholdR better, but that’s not very important to me.