Helmet cams

[smurph]

Not sure if this was covered above, but I read that you can buy Nokia cell phone batteries off ebay for under $10 that fit the Contour HD....food for thought.

Will look into.

[feyd]

Just picked it up from the mail.....ummmm so many questions.

The charger I got does not come with a outlet adapter.  I got the 3000 and not the 3000-adapter.
http://pointofviewcameras.ca/usb-battery-charger-contourhd-vholdr.html
http://pointofviewcameras.ca/usb-battery-charger-with-outlet-adapter-for-contourhd-and-vholdr.html


I didn't get a USB stick microSD adapter (like Whitey has).  Maybe something like this one - http://pointofviewcameras.ca/usb-2-0-memory-card-reader-sd-sdhc-mmc.html
I thought it came with....

edit- I thought it also came with that nice little carrying case that Whitey has..maybe I heard him wrong and he ordered it.  Maybe it was the same with the USB microSD card adapter....

[smurph]

odd.... perhaps a phone call is in order since they display this on their website as the 'mega pack'


and it clearly shows the usb cord going into a 110v adapter. I'd email them the pic and ask what's up.

I haven't received mine yet. But it's nice to see such quick shipping.

[feyd]

I have already emailed them and will give them a couple days to reply.  If I haven't heard anything by Wed afternoon I will be calling.  I also need to order that USB adapter for the microSD cards....

[smurph]

Wife just got home with a package:). I too received the wrong charger. Though the microsd adapter is fine. It's like every other adapter I've bought. Did you order a separate adapter like Whitey's? I think Whitey's Mega pack is different somehow. This one doesn't have a case either. But MEC will have something nice and it will most likely get it's own Peli case too.

Just emailing POV. I'm sure all will be resolved asap.

[$19.95]

Not sure if this was covered above, but I read that you can buy Nokia cell phone batteries off ebay for under $10 that fit the Contour HD....food for thought.

I agree, but beware:

Early last year, VHoldR replaced my battery with a slightly larger, tighter fitting unit.  The original battery may lose electrical contact with the camera under certain vibrations (like those of a motorcycle),  causing the unit to shut down and lose any recording in progress.

I experienced this issue on a regular basis with both the original battery and a Nokia clone battery (BL-5C)  I bought off eBay.

I haven't had any issues with the replacement battery.

YMMV

[smurph]

I think for the cost of batteries (i think they're affordable), it's wise to go with the ones from Vholdr. Keeps all that warranty stuff in check too .

Well I got the firmware updated. Everything seems good. But the Easy Edit software won't recognize my camera. The computer detects it... just not the software. So I can't make any adjustments to the camera. Grrr.

Feyd - you get this issue too? Whitey - any suggestions? I have an email into Vholdr.

Here's a bit of info on adjusting the camera - I know you were wondering Feyd.

On the “Lighting” Tab, you can choose from preset lighting conditions (i.e. Everyday Outdoor, Extra Sunny, etc.) that will automatically configure the variables to provide the best video experience. Or select “Edit” if you want to customize any of the settings (Contrast, Exposure, Sharpness, or Metering).
Contrast Setting:
Contrast determines the difference in brightness between light and dark areas. Higher contrast emphasizes texture within an image by differentiating between the brightness of the light and dark areas.
44-60: Best if you are looking for the richest colors and you have plenty of light. The lower the contrast the richer the color, but if you go too low the colors will look a bit cartoonish.
60-70: Better for low lighting conditions as it will help to distinguish between objects within the image and not blur them together. Your images will have brighter lights and darker shadows.
Exposure Setting:
The exposure of the camera will determine how much light is allowed into the lens. If you are filming in low light conditions you want more light coming into the camera, which means your exposure should be greater than 0. The reverse is true if you have super bright conditions and want to darken the image so the camera can better see the details, which means you want an exposure number less than 0.
-3 to -1: Best for bright conditions
1 - 2: Best for darker conditions
Sharpness Setting:
The sharpness determines the clarity of the fine details of the image. For everyday use you will want to use a setting of 3.
1-2: Best for low lighting, but produces less detail in images
4-5: More defined in the detail of the image, may require a higher bitrate for best results.
Metering Setting:
Metering for the camera determines how the lens measures light from the objects that you are filming.
Center Metering – Determines the light level from the center region of the image. This option will be best for your everyday outdoor use.
Average Metering – Averages of the lighting from the entire image. This will be the best option for highly varied lighting or dark conditions as it will help to balance the lighting for the entire scene.
Spot Metering – Light level is determined from a small portion at the center of the image. Center metering is suited for optimizing the very center of the video and is generally not well matched to high motion.

[Whitey Jr]

Smurph,

Are you saying your PC recognizes there is a camera attached, but Easy-Edit will not?  I had no problems updating the firmware of software.  Also I checked the POV Camera website, and they have in fact changed the mega-pack, but as far as I can tell the only difference is that they have now dropped the carrying case.  Did you get the 2 chargers (USB and AC)?

-Whitey Jr

[feyd]

I think for the cost of batteries (i think they're affordable), it's wise to go with the ones from Vholdr. Keeps all that warranty stuff in check too .

Well I got the firmware updated. Everything seems good. But the Easy Edit software won't recognize my camera. The computer detects it... just not the software. So I can't make any adjustments to the camera. Grrr.

Feyd - you get this issue too? Whitey - any suggestions? I have an email into Vholdr.

I haven't updated my firmware yet...on the list to do today.

One other thing I noticed is that the 2GB card that comes with the camera works but when I try to use the 8GB one my camera won't even turn on.  It just keeps beeping three times.  Any suggestions?

Edit- just updated the firmware with no problems.  My Easy Edit software will not recognize my camera either.

[feyd]

Another quick update.  I got the editing software on my laptop to detect the camera but it still won't detect the camera when I try on my desktop PC (which is where I do most of my crap...grrrr).

 Edit- last time I promise  

After trying two USB ports in the front of my desktop PC it was not detecting the camera.  I had one last USB port in the back so I thought why not......   well it worked.  I don't know why the front ports didn't work to detect the camera but at least that's figured out.  Also, in case you are wondering if the two front ports work....they do.  I use it to DL pictures off my digital camera and I used it to charge my Contour battery last night.

Now I just have to figure out why that 8GB card isn't working in my camera 

[smurph]

Hey Whitey

No... they only shipped the USB charger with cradle (i call it a cradle). There was no 110volt adapter for AC use. . And yes, the computer/laptop will recognize the camera and I can open up the movies on it etc. But the actual software program, Easy Edit, from Vholdr will not recognize or detect the attached camera. I might try my garmin USB cable as they're identical cables. I have 4 USB ports and i've tried all 4.

Feyd - you're right about the 8gb card. Inserted in the camera, upon connecting to the computer it will beep 3 times but nothing will show on the computer saying it's attached. BUT... if I put the 8gb card in the card reader, the computer recognizes it no problem.  (Edit... just installed the software on wife's macbook and it detects the camera just fine. Weird. I can just hear my wife telling me why Mac is once again so much better.... blah blah blah )

Edit - response from Vholdr re:8gb card:

Regarding your second issue:  We have seen a few odd cases lately where 8 gb cards stop working suddenly with only the ContourHD (720p) and not the 1080p. We are actively working towards a resolution, and I think your situation may be affected by this problem. We are unsure whether a universal change in 8 gb microSD card manufacturing is to blame, or whether this problem is related to the firmware on our camera. In the meantime, the first thing to try is to perform a full reformat of the card using your SD card reader, and ensure the card volume is named ‘ContourHD’. Then plug the card back into the ContourHD. If this does not work, please let me know and I’ll let you know what we discover on our end.


did that.... no change.

[feyd]

I just got an email from POV cameras and they will be shipping the charger adapter out with the other items I ordered that were on backorder.

[smurph]

I just got an email from POV cameras and they will be shipping the charger adapter out with the other items I ordered that were on backorder.

Ditto

[Whitey Jr]

I also had the 8GB microSD issue.  I reformatted and still no-joy (ended up buying a 16GB one at Best Buy instead and it works like a charm).  I will try formatting the 8GB with the countourHD card name and see if that works.  But I had absolutely no problems with the updated firmware or software.

-Whitey Jr

[smurph]

I'm glad/sad to hear that your 8gb card doesn't work either. I contacted POV and they said:

Some of the 16 GB cards have also been faulty. Please send the 8GB card back to our office in Vancouver, along with a note including your order number, the size of the Micro SDHC Card (8GB), note whether you have the 720p or the 1080p model of ContourHD and also note that you want a replacement.
Once we receive this item back to our office we will send you a replacement.

 
Iceberg Commerce
105-2050 Scotia St.
Vancouver, BC, V5T 4T1
 

 

[smurph]

Just on the topic of Video Editing software. Perhaps we need another thread started...
Found a free one called Videopad Video Editor. Pretty easy to use...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxkxE0-scAM
	DQ

[$19.95]

I also had the 8GB microSD issue.  I reformatted and still no-joy (ended up buying a 16GB one at Best Buy instead and it works like a charm).  I will try formatting the 8GB with the countourHD card name and see if that works.  But I had absolutely no problems with the updated firmware or software.

-Whitey Jr

The reformat can be a bit tricky.  The ContourHD requires the card to have a 'Master Boot Record' partition, or else the camera doesn't start up. 

I'm not sure how to do this on a PC, but I have instructions on how to set the partition correctly on a mac:

http://vholdr.com/forums/contourhd1080p/formatting-card-mac-important

[smurph]

have one of those mini tripods with the clamp attachment. So I mounted the camera to it and clamped it to the grab handle in the FJ. Then went for a spin to see what the quality of the vid would be like. I think it would have been a bit smoother in SD mode but still pretty good. 20 minutes of footage used 466 Mb of card. Almost within the specs on vholdr's site. Anyway, it's pretty boring. Here you go>

http://vholdr.com/node/62142

[ib]

have one of those mini tripods with the clamp attachment. So I mounted the camera to it and clamped it to the grab handle in the FJ. Then went for a spin to see what the quality of the vid would be like. I think it would have been a bit smoother in SD mode but still pretty good. 20 minutes of footage used 466 Mb of card. Almost within the specs on vholdr's site. Anyway, it's pretty boring. Here you go>

http://vholdr.com/node/62142

Looks great. Tempted to get one for myself 

[feyd]

It wasn't that bad given the weather conditions.  

LOL at someone singing in the background. 

[smurph]

that was the stereo.


i only sing in the shower.
 

[feyd]

Got my extra battery, 16GB card and AC charger adapter yesterday....

[smurph]

New firmware will be released soon for the cams. This is suppose to rectify any issues with the 8GB cards.

[Whitey Jr]

That is good news.

-Whitey Jr

[ib]

Any cure for the sound? This is the only reason why the good old bullet cameras with remote microphone is better...

[Whitey Jr]

IB, I know the last firmware update allowed for manual adjustment of the mic levels, so that might help any sound problems.

-Whitey jr

[johnofchar]

This topic has enough good tech stuff to be in the tech section vice chat area. I'm moving it.

[smurph]

For those Canucks who are looking for updates to the Whitey-Feyd-Smurph helmet cam review - look back over at the Canadian section for a continued report.

[smurph]

There was a problem with 8gb cards not working in the 720p cameras. Vholdr released another firmware update and it worked like a charm.

[Whitey Jr]

I couldn't take it anymore, so I braved the snow and ice (on a rare +1C day) and took the DR out for a spin to test the new ContourHD cam.  Here are the results:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTb79EdpK9g
	DQ

Here are my notes...

The default mic level is way too hot.  It's OK while stopped (you can kind of pick up conversation and ambient sound), but as soon as you hit about 30kph the wind noise takes over and nothing else can be heard over it.  The immidieate solution would be to turn the mic levels down through the PC interface, but I'd hate to lose the ability to catch the conversation at red-lights and such.  I'm wondering if one could MacGuyver up some kind of wind-sock type thing to go over the tiny hole that is the mic.  I also wonder how having it in the "waterproof case" will effect the wind noise.

The "flat-surface" mount is what I had on the side of my helmet, and it worked quite well (good POV and took in most of the action).  It fit snugly and didn't rattle around at all.  But I have to say that I just don't have a lot of confidence in it.  I can't point to anything specific...it's just the way it feels to me.  I'll be sure to anchor the cam to something other than the mount itself (helmet strap seems most likely option).  I also ordered the handlebar mount, but didn't get a chance to test it this time out.

Once I got back and started dumping the files I noticed that a few times the cam had stopped recording one file and started a new one.  I'm not sure why this happened, but I have a concern that it was the result of the battery losing contact due to me hitting a large bump.  Also the HD files are HUGE!!  You will need some pretty serious computing power to do any kind of editing beyond the absolute basics.

Other than those few concerns I was happy with the overall performance.  The image quality was great, and it was easy to attach, adjust, and operate.  It's very low profile, and so light you can't even really tell you have it attached to your helmet.  I'm sure there will still be hours of fine tuning , but at this point I'm still happy with my purchase.  

Just my 2-cents

-Whitey Jr