Video Camera on helmet - Page 3 - Snowboarding Forum

**killclimbz** · 08-19-2009, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rider007

Regular camcorders aren't ruggedized for action sports. The VIO is a good camera except for high price, inferior resolution, and the damn recorder with cables in your backpack. For most of these cameras you need to take your gloves off to push buttons and often your goggles too to be able to see which button you're pushing. That's why I like the ContourHD - it has one huge slider for on/off. Easy to use with glove on, quick, no checking. HD is much more forgiving with lighting conditions etc plus it just looks so much better than any other video.
But, still, I recommend to everyone... rent them before you buy and try it out: VIO - Adventure Eye, ContourHD emotioncam.com

Inferior resolution? That is the POV camera that all the high quality film companies use to capture point of view descents. Well the POV 1 and 1.5 now. It does have the cable which is slightly annoying but it's attached to the video screen which allows you to set up your shot and view what you just got. Being able to make sure you got your angle correct is huge. Out of all the different cameras out there, this is the one feature that has stood out time and time again. We would go out with 3 or 4 different helmet cams and the only one that ever got a ton of useful footy on a reliable basis was the POV.

08-19-2009, 11:14 AM

The resolution is inferior - especially for high quality film cameras. They were using it cuz there wasn't anything else. Sony just came out with a pro HD helmet cam that goes for $4,000. I've talked to a bunch of these companies including the really big one, at SIA this January. They all are looking for an HD camera. And the Contour is the only HD camera. I'm a director myself and I shoot all over the world mainly on 35mm but more and more on HD. And I'm telling you, the resolution of the POV cam is inferior. 1280x720 vs 720x480. No contest.
Yes, the screen is nice to replay it, but honestly, only about half of all the users do that while they ride. The others want an easy to use, simple camera. The ContourHD has lasers that tells you were youw are pointing. I'd rather do that than pull out the recorder every five minutes to see what I shot. As you will know, there is very little "setting up" on helmet cameras. Wide angle, off you go. It's a dynamic shot whith little to set up.
And finally, some pro snowboarders are very unhappy about the cable because it hinders their mobility, tricks and jumps. Plus they have to stow the recorder somewhere.
I'm not saying the POV is a bad camera, but it has its drawbacks like all cameras. You just have to choose wich drawbacks you can live with. ContourHD takes less footage, battery runs out faster and it's not water-proof (for rafting, surfing etc). So the choice is yours, but it's only your choice.
I say, rent them. Insure it. If it breaks, whatever. No sweat. Plu,s you're not stuck with yesterdays technology.

cheers
-rider007

**killclimbz** · 08-19-2009, 11:43 AM

The Contour does look like it shoots nice film. We really never had any problems with the POV camera. Put the video display in our inside pocket and forgot it. Head movement and such was not a problem.

I like the price of the Contour and you are right the film quality is superior. It's a little on the large size from what I can tell. If you take a tumble it looks like it would be easier to damage it. Then again the cable was a sore point with the POV 1. Not so sure on the 1.5. Like you said pros and cons.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

08-19-2009, 11:14 AM	#22 (permalink)
rider007 Guest Posts: n/a	The resolution is inferior - especially for high quality film cameras. They were using it cuz there wasn't anything else. Sony just came out with a pro HD helmet cam that goes for $4,000. I've talked to a bunch of these companies including the really big one, at SIA this January. They all are looking for an HD camera. And the Contour is the only HD camera. I'm a director myself and I shoot all over the world mainly on 35mm but more and more on HD. And I'm telling you, the resolution of the POV cam is inferior. 1280x720 vs 720x480. No contest. Yes, the screen is nice to replay it, but honestly, only about half of all the users do that while they ride. The others want an easy to use, simple camera. The ContourHD has lasers that tells you were youw are pointing. I'd rather do that than pull out the recorder every five minutes to see what I shot. As you will know, there is very little "setting up" on helmet cameras. Wide angle, off you go. It's a dynamic shot whith little to set up. And finally, some pro snowboarders are very unhappy about the cable because it hinders their mobility, tricks and jumps. Plus they have to stow the recorder somewhere. I'm not saying the POV is a bad camera, but it has its drawbacks like all cameras. You just have to choose wich drawbacks you can live with. ContourHD takes less footage, battery runs out faster and it's not water-proof (for rafting, surfing etc). So the choice is yours, but it's only your choice. I say, rent them. Insure it. If it breaks, whatever. No sweat. Plu,s you're not stuck with yesterdays technology. cheers -rider007

08-19-2009, 11:43 AM	#23 (permalink)
killclimbz Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Front Range Posts: 9,175	The Contour does look like it shoots nice film. We really never had any problems with the POV camera. Put the video display in our inside pocket and forgot it. Head movement and such was not a problem. I like the price of the Contour and you are right the film quality is superior. It's a little on the large size from what I can tell. If you take a tumble it looks like it would be easier to damage it. Then again the cable was a sore point with the POV 1. Not so sure on the 1.5. Like you said pros and cons.