VholdR ContourHD wearable HD camcorder hands-on and impressions
By Tim Stevens 
posted Jun 30th 2009 2:12PM
posted Jun 30th 2009 2:12PM
First the important numbers: the $299 cam shoots 720p video at 30fps through a 135 degree wide-angle lens, or can be set to capture 858 x 480 video at 60fps if things are going to get really fast-paced. It features a microSD card slot and ships with a 2GB card to start, upon which it will dump H.264-encoded video, and also includes not one but two batteries, meaning a full day at the races should be no problem.
The body itself is durable, made of aluminum, is water-resistant, and interestingly the entire internals of the camera rotate through 192 degrees, meaning regardless of how you mount this thing you can get video that's right-side-up -- or at some crazy angle if you're so inclined. The only problem we had with construction was with a flimsy internal latch which occasionally didn't hold the battery tight enough to make solid contact. A removal and re-insertion fixed that in most cases, but we're wondering how that clip will hold up in the long run.
Included are mounts for a goggle strap or any smooth surface via a 3M adhesive disc, while a handlebar mount is also on-offer. Sadly there's no suction-cup mount available, but one is coming, as is a mount enabling the thing to be screwed onto a standard tripod or any of the zillions of other types of threaded mounts out there. There's an internal microphone that does a good job with wind noise at moderate speeds, but get up into the 30mph or higher range and suddenly the woosh becomes rather pronounced.
Operation is simple, with a pair of lasers helping you get the thing aligned, a button on the back to turn it on, and a slider to start filming. The button is a little hard to push with gloves on, and we'd have preferred a simple switch, but the slider makes it easy to start and stop filming, with the cam making some reassuringly loud beeps to let you to be sure you're rolling even when you're rolling. Once captured the cam includes a simple software package that lets you crop the beginning and end from a clip and throw it into the company's community site. It's easy to use and included hosting and embedding is great, but we wished we could stitch together multiple clips or even segments of a single clip, and not being able to choose where the software stores its videos locally is a real drag.
We like the cam but would have liked it better with some more flexible mounting options (a number of which are due to be released soon) and a slightly more comprehensive software package. The wind noise was a bit disappointing at higher speeds, but the cam seems most intended for human-powered pursuits, whether they be on a gravel trail or a few feet of powder. Its simple, subtle design certainly looks a lot nicer clipped to your lid than much of the competition, and it's something we'd certainly rock on the slopes with pride.
Update: It seems we were given a bonus battery for the review! Retail version comes with a single batt. Expect a solid four hours of use before it goes dead.
Update 2: We got a little more info on the upcoming suction cup mount. It's made by Panavise and looks like this:
Update 2: We got a little more info on the upcoming suction cup mount. It's made by Panavise and looks like this:
That will be available very soon for $39.99, and there will be an Autosports bundle for $329.99 including the suction mount and a cigarette lighter adapter, so no worries about battery life over a day at the track. The mount and the adapter should make this a solid match for something like a GoPro Hero. Also, that little universal mount shown in the video with the threaded receiver is apparently the very first one in existence, so look for more news about availability there and some other mounting options in a few weeks.
Thats pretty cool and all, especially how they fit that mans head in that small box. THATS the technology I'd like to learn more about. :)
The videos look pretty great by the way, I could see many applications for this.
What they always overlook with these cams is an endless-recording function, so it records in, say, five-minute chunks and then starts overwriting the oldest ones when the memory fills up. That way, you could run the thing all day and only keep the recording when something interesting happened.
The lack of that feature eliminates this camera from various applications, especially in vehicles or portable security.
That camera looks really smooth. Can't wait to see people wipeout while wearing it.
Also rc helicopter + camera = awesome view.
forget RC helicopter, how about we get EXTREME and wear this while leaving comments on the engadget?
Now THAT would be extreme!
EXTREEME!
(Extreme sports guy #1 from Harold & Kumar go to Whitecastle/Get the Munchies)
I wonder how I can fit that cam to my dog's collar. It would be interesting to see what he does and where he goes when he runs out the front door.
he talks bad about you behind your back.
He talks badly about me behind my back? Well, no more Snausages for that little son of a bitch the!!! (This is one of the few times when that term can be used accurately.)
No he talks bad. It,s a sense verbs (hear, talk/speak, see feel and smell).
If you say talk badly about someone you mean that you dog talks bad English or with a very bad accent about that person.
Talking bad about someone on the other hand means that the the dog is talking bad things about you. = )
Now if only I can figure out how to mount my Canon 5D Mk. II to my forehead...
Well have you tried staples?
Sounds like Canon needs to give us a firmwear update.
Hyuck hyuck
If you ever don't want that 5D, I'd be willing to take it off of your hands for you, for a price...
$10,000.
A price.
hmm... seems like a F1 thingy..... but won't putting it on a helmet cause a lot of left-right action while in a vehicle? the guy in the vid is pretty steady but he ain't driving fast enough
Pondering working one into a strap on pod for high power rocket flights. Just debating if I want to risk a $300 camera, I wonder how much abuse it really can take.
Mine only came with 1 battery?
Thanks for uploading HD footage in super low res flash. FAIL!
Get your raw file straight from the device here.
http://www.st-owners.com/forums/showpost.php?p=755852&postcount=6
I have one and used it this weekend works great.
http://blip.tv/file/2301312
sweet. how did you mount yours?
@vkchu - He bout it dinner, got it drunk, and well, you know the rest...
I watched the video at first and though it was.. well.. okay. Nothing outstanding. Then I noticed the selection list thingy below the video, slightly to the right, and selected .mov format instead of the default flash format.
Holy crap this camera is good. It all of a sudden became very clear how crappy flash is, or how great this camera is.
Now I'm going to have to get one to mount on my helmet for when I'm playing airsoft with other adult boys :p
The ContourHD comes std with 1 battery and charges via USB.
More details and pre-ordering available over at Helmet Camera Central @ http://helmetcameracentral.com
-chadical
I have the older model camera and use it for bike rides on my trek and extreme snowboarding out west.
The older non-HD works well. HD from what I see in these videos, is not that much different than the quality I am getting on the older model.
The camera has been through alot of tree-riding on my snowboard and survived some NASTY falls directly on the camera. Some tree branches hit it too and it survived. Durability was good on mine.
I am however considering the much more expensive POV 1.5. the reason is I want to see what I captured right after that way I know if it was good or not. And if not I can try again.
But all in all id say its a pretty good camera.
i have the POV1 first gen and even tho the new one is better i fucking love mine
its built like a TANK and like u said its great to have the ability to check out footage right after doing it, cliff drops to tomahawk are great
I 2nd the POV 1.5 currently saving up for a pair of em. I'm fairly certain after watching the video that motorsports of any kind over 30 mph is not what this cam is for. Too bad since the $300 price is pretty sweet as an introduction price on a 720p helmet cam.
That being said I'd like to see Engadget review the POV 1.5. I know svngaile on youtube recently just used it as his vlog cam on his outdoor dirtbike trip to Spain and the videos are just stunning.
The package I just ordered only came with one battery as well. I'm wondering if I tape over the Mic hole, maybe it will still pick up some background sound, but cut out enough of the wind noise...
they need to give one of those parkour guys a helmet with 2 of these strapped to it, and make some 3D clips. or put 2 of these on the front of a fast model jet.
Hey Tim, How about posting that Panny DMC-TS1 review like you said you would, 2 months ago.
http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/07/panasonics-waterproof-lumix-dmc-ts1-unboxing/
@S4Rs, it's right here, posted 1.5 mos ago:
http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/19/engadget-labs-the-best-point-and-shoot-camera-for-under-400/
p.s. nice bike
Bah. I was looking for a more personal review. Oh well, I already bought it anyways and its in the mail.
That bike was my graduation present, from myself 3 years ago. Slowly falling in love with the new Streetfighter though.
Nothing slow here. I want to make sweet love to that thing.
I will still likely get the Oregon Scientific Helmet Cam for $80. (google it yourself)
google it myself?!
Fuck. That. Shit.
seriously... who do you think I am!
hah "google it yourself" he says... I DEMAND a link!
Any chance of putting some foam over the mic to lessen the wind noise? Hoping to use this on my helmet when riding my dual sport off-road.
It needs some wind protection...
does anyone know if this cam has any microphone option (like external, wirless or something like that) for like mortorcycle V-logging. Cause that would totaly make this camera the best.
No external mic option - would be nice so yo could place a mic inside your helmet or otherwise wind protect.
Also video quality lacks detail - it is highly compressed so do not expect HD quality when you really look closely.
Overall though I think it looks great for intended market. Pity the second battery is not inlcuded.
Need to take it underwater.
I can see this being used for porn.
I've gotten much better in-car video with a normal video camera and my home-made wooden bar that straps between the role-bar hoops, just because it was less shaky! Helmet mounting sounds cool, mounting to the car is just better.
Is there a way to purchase extra mounts? I have a couple different helments for different sports.
Also, is that Velcro (hook and loop) that attaches the camera to the mount?
If the wide angle is permanent, it limits it's use. Looking through that distorted fish bowl gets tiresome in a hurry.
Did you see how jerky the video was? Needs optical stabilizing.
This video really shows the capabilities of this awesome product: http://www.vholdr.com/video/playing-sky