 "You will loose your records (motorcycle)" | 2009-11-05 |
| - Reviewed By User: A12Q5N58IQ998J |
It is a good camera I like it very much except for the fact that many of my records were lost.
I have some movies taken from my gsx-r 600 by this camera and those which were recorded properly (example: [...] or if this link was removed by amazon, search for: [...]) are quite good however in some cases after stopping and checking the camera I learned that it stuck on recording and only by temporarily removing the battery will reset the camera.
In this case the recorded video is still on the memory card (I bought a 8g sd card) but it is not accessible and I only can delete it. I can't copy it to my hard drive and there is no way to fix the movie by any means (by any software I know).
The downloadable video editor from the contourhd site work on my office pc but fails with no error message on my home pc, most likely because I have a web cam at home and the software fails to detect this camera properly.
As to the fact that I bought 2 contourHD 1080p I'm very disappointed and I don't recommend it for those who need a camera which can take vibration.
This one obviously can't. |
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 "Contour VHoldR Camera Review" | 2009-11-02 |
| - Reviewed By User: A2W45CR8R153S |
| The Contour VholdR-1200 is a great unit with great picture and sound quality, but will not stand up to the vibration of a racing go kart. Vibration causes the operating system to freeze, and any recordings are lost. It worked fine when not on the go kart. Other cameras on the market have no problem taking the vibration of a kart, but none of them have the resolution of the VholdR. |
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 "Helmet Cam" | 2009-10-30 |
| - Reviewed By User: A1AKGF7A888DI4 |
This is a great product for on the go action shots. I mounted this to my motorcycle helmet and I use it to capture ride videos. I also purchased a windsheild mount that can be attached to a motorcycle fairing. The camera can be mounted in either direction to capture action behind you as well. The product has laser aligning marks that can be used to level the camera when it is mounted at different angles.
It has two modes SD and HD. The HD mode is not full 1080p but I understand that one is in the works. But the 720p is very clear and delivers a great picture. It comes with a micro SD card and I recommend upgrading that if you plan on longer video captures.
It connects via a standard USB connection to your PC or MAC. You can use the included software to manage your video or just grab the MOV files directly from the disk.
The product is activated by a sliding switch on top. Slide forward for on, slide back for off. Simple!
It also comes with a strap to connect it to bicycle or skateboarding helmets.
What are you waiting for? This product rocks!!! |
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 "Indepth Review of ContourHD" | 2009-10-27 |
| - Reviewed By divineeric |
Having owned and used the ContourHD for over a month now, I want to share my thoughts on the unit for those considering purchasing it.
First, on the utility of the unit. My initial reason for purchasing the unit was to mount inside my car and to record as I drove, sort of like a cop style dash cam. Since the only way to make the unit record is to physically press the power button (there isn't a remote or wire to run to the car battery)you can't have it auto start recording when you turn the car on. So, for car recording, you'll have an additional step when turning on and off your car (powering up the unit to record). Mounting wasn't well done either. This package should have included a suction cup for the window/smooth helmet (since the unit claims its great for mounting on helmets). Instead, it comes with a sticky base so you can only attach it to one item, at one spot. This limits where and how often you can reposition the item (unless you buy an after market suction cup.)
Now onto the performance of the actual unit. The unit has 2 record settings. HD and standard (SD). HD is the wide 135 degree view which gives it a sort of fish-eye bubble look when I play it back on my computer however it is true that it is highly detailed. I suggest using it in SD mode though. SD takes half the space but the record and playback looks normal (flat and not fish-eye) and even though its 'only' 90 degrees, it is also recording in 60fps which is perfect for fast action (as in driving fast). I've used this camera outside of my car as well. I mounted it on my desk and have recorded my day at the office. The video quality is great - rivaling any camcorder. Now for the bad stuff. First, the audio. The mic is built into the unit. It captures what the user is saying just fine but even 10 feet away, the sound is low. My coworker sitting at his desk, though recorded crystal clear, can only be heard as a low murmur while I came out loud and clear while I was recording our chat. This makes this less than ideal as a substitute for a camcorder and to make things worse, there is no audio in jack to run an external mic. You're stuck with the tiny mic on the top of the unit.
Another drawback to this unit is there is no zoom. The lens is also fixed, you cannot swap it out for anything but what it came with from the factory.
Onto the accessories: The package comes bundled with its own unique rechargeable battery meaning once it looses its ability to hold charge, you'll have to order it from the manufacturer. I ordered a 2nd battery at the same time just in case. It also comes with a 2GB microSD card which is the only type of memory card it can record onto. This camera GOBBLES up memory so go out and buy a 16GB card (its the largest this unit can support). Make sure you get the class 2 or better microSD card (the higher the class, the faster the read/write speed which you'll appreciate once you try and unload the file to your computer).
The included battery charger is extremely cheap and plastic crap. The usb charger barely fits into the adapter and the connection is weak, I had to use tape to hold them together.
The software included is terrible. It comes with 1 program which simply lets you crop the length of the clip. You can't even rotate the clip with it. If you recorded the movie upside down, the ONLY way to flip it is buy getting third party software. And that is another problem, the unit only records into .mov format so windows movie maker can't even handle it. You're forced between buying the apple quicktime PRO or getting a file converter to make the .mov into .avi/wma to edit on windows but then you start loosing file quality and that defeats the purpose of recording in HD. Like the accessories, the included software is dismal.
Lastly, for anyone who has used a camcorder before, you'll notice this unit lacks an LCD. You can't check what you're recording until AFTER its done and you're plugged into a computer. There isn't even a video out to plug your own LCD into it to check.
So to sum up, I don't like the lack of versatility in selecting the recording format, the crappy audio capture, and the weak software suite included. For this price ($299-325) you can get yourself a full camcorder with 20X or better zoom and multiple recording format options AND with built in LCD for playback. This product is something strictly for helmet/bicycle action capture.
I have since replaced this unit with a JVC camcorder with zoom, hard drive recording with an external mic line and of course, its LCD which I can flip open to see how the recording is going. The price for the JVC was also $299 for the 20GB HD model. (40GB is now out) I gave my contourHD to my little brother as a present for the coming holidays. He also has a camcorder and only uses the contour to record point of view (POV) action shots for his movie making hobby.
I hope that lengthy review helps in your decision to get the unit. I know I wish there was such a review that I could have read before buying the unit. If you have any questions, I'd be happy to answer them.
[...] |
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| "Great camera but murky video, HD?" | 2009-10-26 |
| - Reviewed By User: A29SJORCEI33OK |
| Having owned a lot of smaller and some bigger HD cameras. I would tell you that this camera has a lot of great features. Rotating lens, alignment lasers, shoots to Micro SD cards, metal body and a host of mounts. The HD is isn't really HD. Sure its the aspect ratio of HD but when your riding down the street with this thing on shooting a simple bike ride you'll soon see what I mean about the footage. Its soft, murky and just not what HD is intended to be. I had a hard time screening the footage. Hoping the video quality was higher it lack of detail is flawed. The camera had a hard time with the simplest details. Shooting a tree with it I could barely see a leaf clean. Grass was just a smudge of green. They did over saturate the sensor so you get rich colors but for detail its gone. I'll probable try using it a few more times but I think it will eventually end up selling. A real bummer because I had plans for this camera. |
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| "Beware Dealing With Vholdr" | 2009-10-16 |
| - Reviewed By User: A4EXC944BZ138 |
Do yourself a favor and go with Gopro HD. It's waterproof and built like a tank unlike the Vholdr. Ah yes, I ignored reviews about it's low light recording issues and non rugged design and poor C/S. Bad move. On my first trip with it the rubber lid that covers the battery and SD card for no apparent reason just came off. I noticed this when I got back from the ride. Now the fun part dealing with C/S. I called them and they offered to fix it for a fee. I overnighted the unit so I could get it back quickly. They called me two days later and asked for a credit card number which I gaved them. That was over two weeks ago!!!! So I decided to call and email them asking what the delay was. After a day or two they decided to return my email. Get this, they said the unit is repaired ( no kidding you told me that two weeks ago) and we will send you a Paypal invoice to pay for it. What? Paypal invoice I already payed with a credit card!
Now it has been two days and no one is returning calls or emails. I am wondering if they will ever send it back since they stopped responding. Looks like I am screwed and have to contact BBB and the attorney generals office. Oh and the unit did not record well on a overcast day as I did read.
Another major complaint with them virtually as soon as this unit started shipping, they came out with a newer version which ticked allot of people off thinking they had the best unit provided only to see Vholdr obsolete a month later. Nic folks over there. |
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