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ContourHD 720p Road and Trail Test VBlog
I finally got some time to test out the ContourHD camera. The first wearable 720p HD POV solid state camera. And I love it. There is an ever better version of this camera coming out in about a month that will shoot 1080p video in the same form factor. The video that I have seen thus far shot with the 1080p camera is spectacular.
This video blog will discuss the features, versatility and the video quality of this great little 720p camera. I will soon have the 1080p version to test and I will post my review in a future blog.
I mounted this tiny camera with only gaffers and electrical tape to my car and travelled down the highway at 70 miles an hour. I also demonstrated how easy it is to mount to a mountain bike using just electrical tape. I even enter a smelly sewer pipe with a book of matches to show you how it does in very low light! A few things to note before watching the video below: All audio was recorded from the ContourHD camera (except my voice over). I did find a slight static problem with the audio when the camera was mounted inside my car. You will hear it. Not certain what that issue was. UPDATE: I have been told by the manufacturer that this problem has been fixed in the current shipping contourHD cameras. The standard definition footage was shot at 60fps, but I was unable to playback the footage with Final Cut Pro at the faster frame rate for slow motion. I will need more time to test this out. I had an issue with the card filling up and not properly deleting the 2GB micro SD card. The camera refused to record. I simply reformatted the SD card using DOS FAT and this fixed the problem. I was told by the manufacturer to be sure to delete the files off the card and empty the computer trash can. The camera did come with two mounts, the goggle mount and a sticky-pad mount. I only used the goggle mount. I did not want to waste the sticky-pad mount for this test. I found that electrical tape and gaffers tape worked very well instead. The footage is sharp, but not THAT sharp at 720p. The camera I tested is available at BH Video for $280. I would much rather be using the newer 1080p ContourHD camera that will soon be available for $330. In conclusion, this is a great POV camera for the price. The 1080p version will be a must by and will include options to adjust mic gain, exposure and a few other things by using the easy video software that is included with the camera for Mac and Windows.
Read this email I received from the company:
For more information on this camera system and for a list of retailers where you can buy one please visit, http://www.vholdr.com.
This camera would have been nice to have a month ago! I had to bolt a Canon 5dmk2 to my head at a mountain resort in New Hampshire! Read the blog here! 33 comments to ContourHD 720p Road and Trail Test VBlog |
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Copyright © 2010 Tom Guilmette - All Rights Reserved |
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Very cool, “Tom Terrific”! I bet you felt right at home in the sewer pipe!
why did i send you an email to let you know this was online jesse? why!? am i going to have to block your IP address?
’cause you can’t wait to see what I say. Don’t bother IP blocking, I’d just VPN in
Looks sweet. As for the files not deleting properly off the usb. On a mac when you delete files off a usb key or device it leaves it on the device but puts a link into the trash can. When you empty the trash can that is when the files are deleted. If you unplug the device with out emptying the trash its still there.
yea you are correct. i figured it out after i made a call to vholdr support. they said the same thing!
Man that looks rad! Exactly the kind of thing we could have gone with to film the bike film on before we got the arm! We tried several times to mount a JVC Everio to handlebars on bikes but the drop detection always cut out the record! Might have to get one of these beauties! But like you say, the 1080 version would be preferable!
they are worth checking out. great build and they can take a pounding. gotta love solid state memory!
I’m sitting here just dying. I need 6 of these things… Only if it were waterproof/splash proof. This is great Tom! Thanks for bringing my attention to this product. For years I have kept my eye out for a “waterproof” POV cam. Even though this unit isn’t waterproof, it would be relatively easy to build a custom case. For years I have been using Sony consumer cameras with the Sports Pack waterproof housings. These are great but, very hard to mount, big and bulky space hoggers, and expensive when oops’s happen. Come next spring I’ll have my CC ready to scoop up a half dozen or so. ; )
Awesome Review… Thanks!
Example of what I use POV for at the end of this short clip… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwqjpsQBj1U
i have been told that vholdr is working on a u/w or super water resistant housing for this countourHD product. i will post details when i get them.
watched your video. that looks like “washing machine cam”!
i am looking forward to using a 1080p version of this and jumping off a cliff (like in the video above).
Take a look at what I had to do before I got my hands on this camera…
Canon 5dmk2 bolted to my head!
http://www.tomguilmette.com/wp/my-blog/archives/2197
Very good review Tom. The camera looks pretty versatile. Looking forward to the 1080p test.
so am i! thanks chris.
Hey Tom!
Long time reader (lurking around the site!), first time comment-er….I have the ContourHD as well, just wish I would have waited until the 1080p came out! Def impressed with the image quality for the size of the camera. Def excited to see more footage from these little cams. Recognized the Ashland Reservoir shots, I live about 10 minutes away from there!
- Justin
i think vholdr is going to have some sort of upgrade if you are interested in the 1080p version. so its not that bad!
ashland is a sweet spot. they just stocked it with trout three days ago. grab a pole and you are guaranteed a fish.
Does this shoot true 30fps or 29.97 fps?
true 30p. 30fps.
Looks great, I’ll be getting one soon, looks like a great option for carrying while fishing in chest waders.
yes it does.
Great review!! We are currently taking orders for the VholdR 1080p and ship worldwide for all those interested! I’m very excited for this one.
Definitely good to note that those who wish to purchase the 1080p be sure they have a computer with an external drive and extra memory for video rendering purposes.
yes, 1080p is demanding on the computer…. but the 1080p version also shoots in a bunch of other formats (like 720p at 60 frames per second!)
This is very good, thorough test Tom!
(My “Canon HD30 helmet camera holder” projects failed. The recording is much easier with this.)
The tests here convinced me to buy a ContourHD camera.
great. if you can hold off for the 1080p version that should ship by the end of october. worth the extra cash im sure!
Thanks for the video review! When you get the 1080 version, would you mind including a segment where you go from outdoor to indoor in a couple different lighting conditions? I would be interested to see how the camera “reacts”.
here you go! inside footage and footage in rooms with different color temps.
http://www.tomguilmette.com/wp/my-blog/archives/2287
In case you havn’t heard there is a similar camera avaliable that already does 1080p with water proof housings. Its called the GoPro.
More information is avaliable at http://www.goprocamera.com/
i have heard about the GOPRO HERO. that thing looks great as well. remember, i am not getting paid (yet) by contourHD to chat about the product. i want to test the HERo as well!
just busy at the moment!
…and many other water proof cameras that recording at 720p, like Olympus Tough, Lumix TS1 or similar.
I think these record video better, resolving the light changes and dark or contrasted scenes.
Contour blasts them in ‘easy to use’, obviously
Saludos!
lets see how the 1080p version works out. then we can fire up this debate.
i just got a vivtar 850W ( waterproof )at radio shack. strapped it to the side of my head on a hard hat interior plastic adjustable straps (without the hard hat). I think it looks fine, but still want to get a better steady look (like when using a steady cam gadget). see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kpjZWV89z4
Thanks for any suggestions. Great blog, great videos, and thanks again.
i strapped a canon 5dmk2 DSLR to my head and rode a mt bike down a mountain! i know how it feels!
the full HD version of the contour should be a great solution.
When i heared about that POV 720/60p i thought i mentioned it here just in case you havent heared. Oh it comes with an 3.5 LCD and record on normal SDHC !
http://blog.digitalcontentproducer.com/briefingroom/2009/02/17/panasonic-announces-its-new-ag-hmr10-avccam-compact-recorder-and-multi-purpose-camera/
that sounds to me even better than the contour!
What do you think?
Auwehh,i still only have my archos recording device with an DV POV but hey,i was one of the first hehe. Id love to get one of those HMR10 !
Awesome review! I currently have a Blackeye 2 headcam, and am seriously thinking about switching to the ContourHD after seeing your review. Amazon.com has the ContourHD (720p version) for $169.99 (via applying coupon code “CONTOURH”). Do you really think the 1080p is worth the extra $160? I mean, I could buy 2 720p ver for the price of 1 1080p ver. What’s your take on it?
the 1080p version is MUCH better and yes, i would buy just one 1080p version over two 720p versions.
but all that being said, mike rowe of dirty jobs used the 720p version on national television and it cut well with the pro cameras they use on the show.