Live from CeBIT: Hands-on with the Samsung XC-WL1N wireless sport cam

Fancy yourself eXtreme bro? Then check it 'cause Samsung just went wireless with that "lipstick camera" linked to their sport camcorder, the SC-X210L. Good move Samsung, afterall when you're bombin' that hill the last thing you need is a wire tethered-up to the ol' brain-bucket, eh? The new cam and (unspecified) wireless-embedded battery pack are good-to-go at a distance of about 3 meters although the hands-on demo dropped vid whenever the path 'tween cam and pack was obstructed. Can you say, prototype? Expect the pair to launch globally in April/May for a yet to be determined price. More pics after the break.

The cam.

On the flip.

The wireless battery pack bulgin' on the right.

[Scott @ Mar 13th 2006 11:27AM]

The only thing extreme about this camera is that the display used for it is EXTREMELY stupid. I'm assuming that this mannequin is supposed to be skydiving. However, for a company that is trying to market to skydivers, maybe they should put 15 minutes of research into the sport before slapping some bag on a dummy's back that makes absolutely no sense in the skydiving world.

[Stephen Galinsky @ Mar 13th 2006 12:18PM]

Scott beat me to the comment about the rig, but that's advertising for you. It can make a bit of sense though, when you consider how much a harness and container system actually costs.

The thing is that a lot of skydivers, myself included, were excited about the previous models, but the image quality was really not quite up to snuff, and rapid movement was not handled well by the cam. If they've fixed those problems, this might have a home in the skydiver community for those who just want to document jumps. It'd take a LOT of image quality improvement to be able to be marketed towards those who actually do professional freefall videography, such as those who record tandem skydives and such.

That having been said, I for one appreciate the progress, since I don't want a bulky cam on my helmet where it could get slapped off, or worse yet tangled with my risers.

[ike @ Mar 13th 2006 12:21PM]

you can knock it if you like, but i think its a pretty good idea - and if implementation is done correctly, would think about buying it.

it doesnt NEED to be used for sports (although i can definitely see myself using it for mtn bike trails... imagine watching spills on tv!) - think of all the neat shots you could get with this.

[E @ Mar 13th 2006 4:23PM]

I wonder how much abuse it can take.

It would be awesome for sparring in boxing or martial arts.

You can get a playback and see how you got an asswupping.. Or gave one.

[bobthebldr313 @ Mar 13th 2006 4:51PM]

if someone could e-mail me at [e-mail] and let me nkow how, other than size, this is different than any other camera, i'd appreciate it. i don't get it. aren't all/most video cameras cordless?

[Ryan @ Mar 13th 2006 5:30PM]

Um, I'm not sure what your problem w/ the backpack / container is...other than the fact the leg straps are missing or not buckled. It's obviously not a consumer container....as far as I can tell, that looks like a military parachute container. Possibly surplus. The company I work for put in a bid on making them a few years back and that looks pretty similar to one I saw sitting around here. See the quick-release buckles on the upper chest straps?

[Jonathan Cohen @ Mar 15th 2006 10:11AM]

I have an Archos AV500, and I'm considering getting the wired camera attachment, which looks similar to this. Does anyone have any experience with it?

[Raz0r @ Mar 19th 2006 10:04AM]

Its a shame it doesnt look waterproof, would be perfect taped to the front of my kayak on WW with the rest safely inside a drybag.

Can see how other sports could use it though, guess I'll just have to keep wishing.