HD Helmet Cameras: nicety or necessity

With just about every kind of technology going HD crazy, it was just a matter of time until helmet cameras followed suit. VholdR was the first to reach the HD finish line by announcing its new ContourHD which was coined the world’s first HD helmet camera. More recently we’ve had word from GoPro that in October it is launching its GoPro HD Helmet Hero, which it calls the first true HD helmet camera! This HD expression is really quite confusing which leads us to ask the questions; what exactly is HD and do I really need it?

Since the early days of helmet cameras when we were plugging CCTV cameras into recorders and gaffer-taping them to our helmets, we’ve seen the launch of many new generations of helmet cams. Naturally, each new version has some exciting feature or benefit which tops its predecessors and competitors and quite naturally, this particular feature is heavily promoted to persuade buyers that this is now the ‘must have’ helmet cam. That is, of course, until the next helmet cam hits the market. Surely having HD quality is just the next inevitable step.

What we have appreciated is that the various helmet camera brands such as GoPro, Oregon Scientific, VholdR, Drift Innovation and VIO have started to address our main focus; what do you as extreme sport enthusiasts really want in your action camera? New features such a colour screens, wireless remote controls, wide angle lenses and innovative mounts are being focused on and in our view point, these features are as important, if not more important, as the video quality that the camera delivers. After all if you can’t use your helmet cam easily, quickly and hands-free in the toughest of sports situations then it’s not fit for purpose.

So, back to the point; what is HD? High definition recording is the quality captured by the recorder in terms of the video’s resolution. The answer to whether you really need a HD helmet cam can be answered by asking yourself another question: what am I going to use my helmet cam’s footage for? If you have a HD enabled TV then go for it! If you are going to upload your footage to the net or watch it on a normal TV, then having a HD helmet camera is more of a nicety then a necessity.

The advice from Action Cameras (www.actioncameras.co.uk) is to look at the all round package that you are considering, think about what sports you are going to be using it for and what mounts you are going to be using too.

About the Author

Submitted by Warrick Kernes, Product Manager at Action Cameras. Action Cameras was founded in January 2006 with the objective of bringing the latest developments in helmet camera technology to Europe so that its customers can record and share their extreme sports experiences.

Kodak Zi8 Review HD Camera with Chroma Key test and U2 concert footage

Wireless IP Pan/Tilt/ Night Vision Internet Surveillance Camera Built-in Microphone With Phone remote monitoring support(Black) $44.68 Specs: Image Compression Format: M-JPEG standard Image Resolution: VGA(640×480) / QVGA(320×240) Sensor: 1/4 inch CMOS, 300,000 Pixels Light frequency: 50Hz, 60Hz or Outdoor Audio compression: ADPCM Data rate: 802.11b: 11Mbps (Max.), 802.11g: 54Mbps (Max.) Ethernet: One 10/100Mbps RJ-45 Viewing angle: 67? Horizontal Rotating Angle: 0~270? Vertical Rotating Angle: 0~120? Alarm Mode: motion detection…

Wansview Wireless IP Pan/Tilt/ Night Vision/ Internet Surveillance Camera Built-in Microphone With Phone remote monitoring support $41.12 Specs: Image Compression Format: M-JPEG standard Image Resolution: VGA(640×480) / QVGA(320×240) Sensor: 1/4 inch CMOS, 300,000 Pixels Light frequency: 50Hz, 60Hz or Outdoor Audio compression: ADPCM Lens: f: 3.6mm, F:2.4 (IR Lens) Data rate: 802.11b: 11Mbps (Max.), 802.11g: 54Mbps (Max.) Ethernet: One 10/100Mbps RJ-45 Viewing angle: 67º Horizontal Rotating Angle: 0~270º Vertical Rotating Angle: 0…

Logitech WiLife Digital Video Security–Indoor Add-On Camera $170.00 The Logitech Indoor Add-On Security Camera enhances the power and reach of your Video Security Master System so you can easily monitor your home or business….

Optoma PT100 PlayTime LED Gaming Projector $179.50 The Optoma PT100 WVGA Portable DLP Projector exhibits clear and crisp images with its 50 ANSI Lumens brightness output and WVGA native resolution. Expect sharp details and life-like colors as it delivers an amazing 800:1 contrast ratio. Equipped with a built-in speaker, this awesome projector is the perfect solution for your occasion’s audio-visual presentations. Simply connect your PC…

Cámara Digital Kodak CD14 de 8.2 MP $47.97 Precio en BsF. 565,00. Take amazingly sharp pictures with the camera you can take anywhere. The stylish KODAK EASYSHARE 8.2MP Digital Camera with 2.4″ LCD gives you the power to capture any moment. Featuring blur reduction that minimizes the effects of camera shake to deliver a clear picture. The face detection recognizes faces and automatically adjusts exposure and focus. A great gift for all age…

Trendnet Camera TV-IP422WN Securview Wireless N IP PTZ Day/Night Retail LED Power Link $189.98 Audio in: internal omni-directional microphone.Network IEEE 802.3u 10/100Mbps Fast Ethernet, Auto-MDIX.LED Power, Link.IR wavelength 940nm.Reset Button: Restore to factory default.WPS Button: Push button for Wi-Fi Protected Setup.Power Consumption: 10 watts max.Power: 12 V DC, 1.5 A external power adapter (3.5 mm plug).Certifications: CE, FCC.Management Interface Internet Explorer 6.0 or above.To …

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V 18.2 MP Exmor R CMOS Digital Camera with 20x Optical Zoom and 3.0-inch LCD (Black) (2012 Model) $419.00 Capture the moment with the Sony Cyber-shot HX30V digital camera, and make memories you’ll treasure forever. A host of user-friendly features include: 20x optical/40x Clear Image zoom, 18.2MP Exmor R CMOS sensor, Full 1080/60p HD video, Optical SteadyShot image stabilization, built-in Wi-Fi and GPS functionality, 10 fps shooting, Intelligent Scene Recognition mode, 3D Still Image and 3D Sweep Pano…

Samsung LN40D630 40-Inch 1080p 120 Hz LCD HDTV (Black) [2011 MODEL] $779.99 From its crystal-clear onscreen motion to its elegant Touch of Color design, the Samsung LN40D630 40″ LCD HDTV offers up plenty of visual attractions. Even the quickest action on the 40-inch LCD screen is smooth and life like, thanks to Samsung’s Auto Motion Plus 120Hz technology with Clear Motion Rate. Even when it’s not on, the Touch of Color design – a red accent around the bezel – provides sub…

Day 6 Plotwatcher Pro HD Game Surveillance System $189.99 Harness the power of time lapse! Day 6 Outdoors PlotWatcher Pro Trail Cam delivers a full day’s worth of scouting info in mere moments, in HD clarity! Where other game cams are triggered by a remote sensor, the PlotWatcher Pro snaps pics at regular intervals… as many as one every 5 seconds… capturing ALL the action from dusk to dawn, and presents them into a 10-minute HD time-lapse video. You’…

Celestron NexImage Solar System Imager $162.95 Amazon.com Review Celestron’s NexImage combines a sensitive CCD imaging device with powerful image processing software in one affordable package. Now anyone with a telescope can take pictures that are simply amazing. An image of Jupiter taken with the Celestron NexImage Solar System Imager Amateur astronomers have been taking great pictures of the moon and planets by using modified Web…