http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/ Engadget Comments for GoPro HD Hero review and helmet cam face-off http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/
as usual with a small shite sensor and no useful lense, image stabilization it looks like crap...
and I dont want to shell out $$$$ just to have a dash cam...

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.26602]]>Nov 16th 2009 12:46PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/Nov 16th 2009 12:49PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/
this one comes with the clips

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.27257

but dont get it now as they are out of stock...
but the demos from Youtube are good.]]>Nov 16th 2009 1:02PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/Nov 16th 2009 12:51PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/Nov 16th 2009 12:52PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/Nov 16th 2009 12:53PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/Nov 16th 2009 1:27PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/
Hey engadget, we don't need to hear about every freakin app that hits the app store. There's a site for that.

(I like the camera in this story, btw)]]>Nov 16th 2009 1:29PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/Nov 16th 2009 2:55PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/
I did however want to spread the word for everyone else to do the same, but I see the boycott concept is beyond the comprehension of the normal engadget reader. Carry on with your mindless downranking and enjoy many more posts about insignificant 99 cent ipod applications, dolts.]]>Nov 16th 2009 4:36PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/Nov 16th 2009 4:56PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/Nov 16th 2009 6:11PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/Nov 16th 2009 1:43PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/Nov 16th 2009 7:14PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/Nov 16th 2009 2:36PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/
After seeing the comparison though I MUST upgrade my Hero Wide. The sound quality improvements alone make up the difference in price. Even going 20-30 mph in autox yields absolutely horrific audio.

Thank you for the videos and review! Extremely helpful.]]>Nov 16th 2009 2:15PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/
What intrigued me about this particular camera was its mounting options (both helmet and bike frame), the ability to shoot a picture every few seconds for the duration of the battery life, and the HD video option. I caved and made a pre-order directly from their site a few weeks ago and am looking forward to a 11/23 ship date.

Timely review.]]>Nov 16th 2009 2:16PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/
]]>Nov 16th 2009 2:23PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/Nov 16th 2009 4:22PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/
If you just want an HD webcam to stream video, you're looking in the wrong place.]]>Nov 16th 2009 4:56PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/http://shop.helmetcameracentral.com/HC-DRIFT-X170.html
Sounds like it's pretty good too.]]>Nov 16th 2009 5:16PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/how can you have such nice tech in such a 1980 housing]]>Nov 16th 2009 5:22PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/Nov 16th 2009 7:31PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/Nov 16th 2009 6:38PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/Nov 16th 2009 7:05PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/@ j4r3dp375y: Functionality ALWAYS triumphs over flashy design for niche products like this.

Totally valid statements of course! Viewfinder would be handy for lining up the perfect angle you; and also a sleek look never hurt anyone :)

I pre-ordered the MotorSports hero and it is meant to be shipping today (according to the GoPro website).

If anyone is trying to decide between the contour and the gopro.. just go to the gopro website and watch some of their user submitted videos. Nothing short of amazing.]]>Nov 16th 2009 7:30PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/
This is a vid recorded with the lowest spec 380-line helmetcam. I've since upgraded to the 520:
http://vimeo.com/6575866]]>Nov 16th 2009 8:50PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/Nov 16th 2009 9:53PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/
]]>Nov 17th 2009 12:29AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/
and deciding between gopro and contour would also warrant a valid viewing of the vholdr community videos... which are amazing in their own right. not to take away from the gopro, just trying to stay fair and balanced here, right? ;-)]]>Nov 17th 2009 1:34AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/- lcd screen: you have to see what you filmed. Otherwise you come home with a whole day footage of sky or snow. I used a self mounted laser on an Oregon helmetcam, but is hard to see on snow.
- better sensor: light/dark changes really do matter
- broad use: i can use it as a family cam to
- I almost forgot: waterproof out of the box, no casing needed
I put up some samples on my site http://www.ferket.com/blog/?s=sanyo
]]>Nov 17th 2009 4:22AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/
It surprises me that the differing optics wasn't even grazed upon in this face-off, when that is simply the most major difference between the two cameras.]]>Nov 17th 2009 10:54AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/
Honestly, there are tons of devices that do 1080p @ 30fps (including point-and-shoot cameras, and consumer camcorders). That really isn't that big of a deal, in my opinion. Try to find a device that shoots 720p @ 60fps under $1500. It's hard to do.]]>Nov 17th 2009 11:28AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/Nov 17th 2009 11:30AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/
I really would have liked to have seen a 60p showdown in your videos.]]>Nov 17th 2009 11:49AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/
I'd like to see your impressions in low light with a head to head.

Re the GoProHD. The toaster form factor doesn't particularly bug me for biking as I use the chest mount for looking forward shots. For skiing though the chest cam doesn't work with the GoPro as powder chest shots plug the lens up quickly. I don't particularly like wearing the toaster on the head and am not crazy about the head band method as yet either for skiing with just the hat for a couple of reasons: a faceplant can knock the GoPro off; and a tree branch can also knock the mount awry.

Also for skiing when its windy the GoPro's on-off noise isn't very audible so you have to take it on and off if you want to check that its actually going as opposed to the ContourHD's on-off slider switch. Just minor quibbles I realize. Going to ski more to see how I feel about it. I wrote something about the GoPro HD vs the older ContourHD (NOT the 1080 version) for biking Obviously would prefer to compare 1080p cams head to head but that'll have to wait till I have access to the Contour HD 1080 but this will do for now.

here it is with comparison videos in different light conditions and on different trails http://www.nsmb.com/3367-gopro-hd-quick-review]]>Nov 17th 2009 12:30PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/I decided to film in the 960p (1280 x 960) mode. This mode gives the widest 170 FOV and offers most vertical viewing area which seems to work best for body or helmet mounted applications.

Here are my fist impressions including comparison videos uploaded in raw format:
http://pointofviewcameras.com/blog/povca/article/gopro-hd-hero-vs.-contourhd-1080p-comparison

Now that we started shipping both cameras I can't wait to see some user generated videos. Keep them coming every one :-)]]>Nov 17th 2009 4:13PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/
http://pointofviewcameras.com/blog/pov/article/gopro-hd-hero-vs.-contourhd-1080p-comparison

I have been shooting for over a year with these sports camcorders, having started with the Vio Pov and moving to the standard def Vholdrs and Gopros. I have now just switched over to all the new HD 1080p versions of these cameras.

One thing that people never mention is the compression used when comparing videos. To get sharp, clean HD video to display on video sharing sites you need to record at the best quality possible on the camera before uploading. This goes for file exporting after editing in your software too. Sites like Youtube and Vimeo add their own compression even though they show in "HD". If you send them a crappy, highly compressed source video it's going to look like crap even though the sites may display in high resolution.

That's why you see these so called reviews of these new HD sports cams on the web that look blotchier and worse than videos shot with the last generation of standard definition cameras. While it may be true the reviewer shot at 720p or 1080p, if the video is set at a high compression setting during recording, the resulting 1080p image is just going to look terrible and not show what the camera is capable of. Resolution is not the only criteria for image quality.

Here's an example. Take a photo from your digital camera shot in good light and best quality setting. Open it up in Photoshop. Looks great, right? Now save it in jpeg at zero quality setting. No so pretty anymore is it? Same image, same resolution.

Also, some of these amateur reviews, (not Engadget) don't tell you whether the compression bitrate is the same for both cameras they are reviewing so sometimes one will look comparatively much worse than the other because their compression is different. It would be much more meaningful to users if these sports enthusiasts followed a bit more methodological approach to their testing and reviewing.

These HD "wearable camcorders" have come a long way in video quality since I started using them over a year ago and I am amazed at how good the videos turn out if you take a bit of time to learn how video recording works.

Now that the manufacturers have the resolution boosted to the max of what your HDtv can handle, what they really need to concentrate on is the sound quality. While the Gopro HD Hero has the better noise cancellation, there still remains a lot to be desired in audio quality from all manufacturers.

The other feature I think these cameras need is some sort of image stabilization. Being sports cameras they're going to be jostled around a lot and the mfg.s can throw in all the resolution they want but all the quick moving around is just going to give you high resolution blur instead of a clear image.]]>Nov 17th 2009 4:59PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/
Just as a benchmark, GoPro's 1080p video @ 15 mb per seconds resulted in a huge file (~ 124MB) for a 1:26 file. Now I'll present that raw output in my review for consumer edification. However, if a review is geared to consumers that web-share video (and I submit that's what most people are going to do); then rendering some 1080p output using a H264 codec and compressing to say 3.6 MB per sec is fairly representative of what most people are going to do.]]>Nov 17th 2009 9:01PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/Nov 17th 2009 5:20PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/http://www.epicstealthcam.com) teh mounting brackets are easy yo use and theres one for almost any application and the buttons are user friendly]]>Nov 17th 2009 7:25PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/
One is the standard definition cameras like the Epic, the original Gopro Hero, and the original Vholdr.

The second is the HD cameras like the Gopro HD Hero, Vholdr ContourHD and Vholdr ContourHD 1080p.

The standard def market is becoming much more of a lower end, price sensitive commodity market. Where the camera technology is obviously going is HD and most of the other mfg. are playing catch up to both Vholdr and Gopro in this area. Even the once venerable Vio Pov's do not have an answer to these new HD cameras from their competitors.

For an extra $50 to $100 over standard def you get much higher resolution, improved sound and other improvements. All my friends are upgrading to the HD versions as soon as they are in stock.

To give you an idea where the market is heading, Vholdr has discontinued their standard def cameras and now only sell HD cameras with their low end at 720p and 1080p at the top. ]]>Nov 17th 2009 8:00PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/Nov 25th 2009 5:20AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/Nov 25th 2009 5:21AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/
Has anyone been able to get the HD Hero to work with a 32GB card? If so, what was it? ]]>Nov 27th 2009 10:53AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/16/gopro-HD-hero-review-and-helmet-cam-face-off/http://www.actionvideocams.com
]]>Nov 30th 2009 10:24AM