Helmet cams aren’t really my forte, but I figure there are a lot of you out there looking for a quality helmet cam system, so perhaps you will find Helmet Cam Central’s VIO POV.1 review helpful. The VIO POV.1 records video to SD card in DivX format at 720×480 resolution and 3Mbps. It is completely waterproof and runs on 4 AA batteries.
The reviewer calls it, “The Holy Grail of Helmet Cams.” Looking at the frame grabs and sample footage I’d say the image quality is pretty abysmal, but who am I to know the quality of a good helmet cam? For what it does it sounds pretty good, but you’ll have to be willing to fork over $850 for the system. Why not spend about $200 more and just strap a Sony HDR-CX7
Thanks for the link-up. Pretty abysmal is pretty strong - take a look at the samsung scx series, or the oregon scientific atc-2k series - that’s abysmal. Like I said in my review… videophiles will have issue with it.
The core benefit of the POV1 is usability, solid state, very durable, waterproof…. key features nessecary for the wearable video space.
Thanks for the clarification, Chad. You are the expert. I’m sure there are a lot of people out there looking for something like this.
Try making a video like this (see link below) with an $1100 camcorder duct taped to your fairing at 170mph, leaned over, dragging knee. It ain’t gonna happend! ;] Not to mention you couldn’t get near the same angles with a camcorder that you can with a bullet cam.
When the first HD bullet cam is finally release I will be ALL OVER IT but until then, we in the sports videoing world, are shackled by the limitations of size, quality and cost.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtVqkt9PLK8
btw, this is not shot with the POV.1.
Pretty abysmal is very kind, the quality is appauling. We were told this camera kit is used by production companies! No way is the quality good enough for video or TV work. It is for small screen internet use, just. Remember it is Mpeg4, Mpeg 2 struggles to look good, so for now stay with an analogue camera connected to a mini DV deck. This may seem a bit harsh but I have been involved with minicams since the early days of F1 in 1986. This type af system still have a long way to go.
Hi guys,
Interesting comments. I am a windsurfer looking for a light and tough setup. Initial research led me to the POV1, but these comments don’t look positive.
Don’t want to spend more than I have to..?! Buy was hoping to get away from largish backpack as any wieght screws with your balance windsurfing. Particularly if you want to pull off moves which a video worthy!
Any ideas in the water proof area of helm / port cams?
people,
I am very interested in this POV1, but my question is: is this a true 16:9 camera, otherwise it wouldn’t be an option for me, or for the company. I work for a braodcasting company in the netherlands.
hope to hear from you..
novandi
Hi Novandi
This camera is not true 16:9 but then again there is no true 16:9 chip camera, they are all masked 4:3 chips. I tried this camera and there is no way that it could be used for video production or broadcast. It is purely for the hobbiest and the results are jerky and of low quality. For now I would stick with a 3 chip mini cam and a Mini Dv or DVcam VTR. By all means buy one and try it like we did but I’m sure you will return it for a refund as we did. You can get better results from a mobile phone camera. Good luck.
Simon, not sure what your qualifications might be, but you must have been saving and viewing your footage on youtube in flash format or set the device to it’s lowest quality & resolution settings. I find it actually pretty decent standard def footage. And yes, some production companies do use it (with a bit of post production tinkering for sure to upscale the resolution). And usability is extremely high compared to any DV based solution. If the video is a giant hassle to take, well… you won’t bother to begin with.
I too wish for a 720P or higher sensor/camera/bullet solution though. Can’t quite figure out why there are none out there yet.