Christie from Contour talks to Mike B. of PointofViewCameras about the all new ContourGPS HD Camera, covering its sick, new features that are changing the way we all think about POV video.
You would expect a new product from an existing company to have many new features and some minor adjustments, and the Contour GPS definitely conforms to that theory, however Contour did manage to maintain a variation of their slim and streamlined body to which we’ve all grown accustomed. The new record button does sit a little higher than the previous button, making the ContourGPS slightly too large for the existing Waterproof Case to accommodate it… but Contour will be releasing a new version, just for the GPS model, later this year, or early 2011.
The all new ContourGPS retains the same incredible range of high definition settings as the previous ContourHD models, enabling you to tailor video quality to your specific needs and sports. Whether you’re hitting the surf, the trails, the slopes or the sky… you can be confident that you’re set up to capture the best possible footage with the proper HD mode. This camera is also able to house an SD card capacity of up to 32GB, so live in the moment, record your heart out and sift through it all for the perfect shots later.
So… whats different?
The ContourGPS is changing the way we shoot and share video, because now, with GPS positioning, you can now track your entire adventure, while documenting altitude, speed, top speed and location, see it in action here. This is pretty rad for locating those wicked, undiscovered trails and runs, allowing you to map and share them with everyone… upping your game with new and ever changing terrain. In addition, the Contour GPS plays this info back via an interactive map and video player, letting you pinpoint your exact location, right before your eyes. How cool is that!
The ContourGPS has also blessed us with its new and improved microphone, which has changed locations from the bottom of the camera to the front, just below the lens. Developed by an actual rocket scientist, the brand new, omnidirectional mic beefs up audiio recording quality, while eliminating excess wind noise.
Another useful new feature is the latched and locking rear hatch, which is a huge improvement over the previous version, providing increased security. The ContourGPS also comes with the new Rotating Flat Surface Adhesive Mount, which enables an easier capture of creative angles from wherever you happen to have it mounted.
Equipped with Contour’s fool proof Storybook application software, getting your videos from the ContourGPS to your computer is simple, letting you edit that footage and get it up online with minimal effort.
This is it folks, the next step for point of view video as it marches toward the future, so check it out for yourselves. Pre-orders are currently being taken for the Contour GPS HD Camera, with limited quantities to be available as early as October 4th, 2010.
Check out our ContourHD 1080p to ContourGPS audio recording comparison to see how these two stand up to each other.
The all new GoPro 960p HD Hero camera hits the market, offering the every day user a more affordable option in the world of HD Video. Shooting in 960p at 30 fps, the 960p HD Hero records with a higher frame, a great benefit when shooting sports such as paddle boarding or surfing, where a shorter frame may cut off some more important parts, such as the head, feet or board. The 960p also shoots in 720p at 30 fps and if you feel like sampling down to SD video, it also has the ability to film in 480p (WVGA) at 30 or 60 fps. In SD mode, 60 fps provides the opportunity to create smooth, slow motion sequences for visually stimulating variety in your recordings.
The differences between the new 960p HD Hero and its 1080p siblings lie within its video and expansion capabilities. The 960p, is unable to film in 1080p and also cannot film in 720p at 60 fps like the 1080p models can. The 960p also lacks the Hero BUS expansion port at the rear of the camera. The purpose of the Bus port on the 1080p models is that it will provide the option to take advantage of GoPro’s upcoming BacPac accessories, this may be a determining factor for some, but for many, the ability to capture great HD footage at a fraction of the price is worth its absence.
But these few missing features are all that distinguishes the 2 models from one another, as GoPro’s other quality features from the 1080p version remain in the 960p.
Included in this list of features are the standard 170° wide angle lens, providing a maximum angle of view, ensuring that you capture more of the action in the scene, as well as GoPro’s quality sound recording, which eliminates excess wind noise, capturing more of the audio you want, with minimal sound distortion. You’re also set up with 180 feet/60 meters of waterproof filming action, thanks to GoPro’s rough and tumble waterproof case. This means you can get wet with confidence while riding waves, or while capturing sea life far below the surface of the sea. But that’s not all you get, this camera also sports GoPro’s famous 5 mega pixel still photo settings. With choices between 2, 5, 10, 30 and 60 second auto-photo mode, photo-burst mode and self-timer mode, GoPro provides you with the creative freedom you desire, as a standard feature - just another way GoPro distinguishes themselves from the competition.
With the 960p HD Hero, you’re given creative freedom with more mounting options than you can imagine. Because the 960p HD Hero comes equipped with the multi mount compatible waterproof case, just choose the mounting options that best fit your need and you’re all set to capture those killer angles, creating a much more unique and personal video experience.
The 960p HD Hero was GoPro‘s response to the demand for a quality, yet more affordable HD Camera. The exclusion of some of the more professional features, enables the average user to experience stunning HD video, while spending a little less, making it an ideal choice for those seeking a unique gift, or an excellent travel companion.
Also make sure you check out our Flickr page to view a bunch of photos from Interbike 2010, showcasing GoPro’s upcoming products for the 2011 season.
Rocking out with the brand new gobandit GPS HD camera, Sam Pilgrim captures some sick jumps at the Big in Bavaria contest in Munich, Germany. The film is equipped with some pretty wicked skins as well, letting you view his date as he rides. Logging his speed, maximum speed and altitude, the gobandit is the perfect tool for comparing rides in order to improve stats, time and technique.
Sam crushed the majority of the competition securing 2nd place for DiamondBack in the mountain biking category. Along with the 2nd place title came a pretty sick prize: the Spigot for the Bavarian Keg of Beer and 5000 euros… not too shabby at all. The keg of beer to which Sam held the key just happened to be the 1st place prize, awarded to Martin Soderstrom with a time of 93.00 for NS Bikes. Lastly, 3rd place winner Yannick Granieri came in with a time of 88.25 for Commencal was awarded the Hammer for the Spigot for the Bavarian Keg of Beer and 2500 euros. The group effort provided the riders with a pretty slick reward, after a heavy day of riding.
Graziano Mele from the Toronto School For High Perspective grabbed a view of his own perspective with a ContourHD camera attached to an extension pole at the front of his glider. Filming with a nose cam effect, we get to see a head on view of Graziano as he glides over the landscape. In his first flight of the day, Graziano had 3 of his now 4 ContourHD cameras secured to his sport2-155 red glider… but one fell from its mounting place beneath the wing, falling for 1000 feet before it hit the ground. Thanks to Contour‘s durable, rough and tumble construction, the camera survived and with help from the viewpoint of the camera attached to the front of the glider, Graziano managed to locate the stray ContourHD.
The take offs were fast and winds were strong, but the ContourHD’s strength pushed through, capturing the flight, with a little bit of bounce and movement from the pole. This video is very well done and gives you a different perspective than usual, taking in the patchwork of the fields in the background, while the sharp red glider fills the foreground. The landing is a little rough at the end, but it’s all taken with good humor as the glider roles over, with Graziano still attached!
We’d like to thank Graziano Mele for sharing this video with us, we look forward to seeing and sharing more of his creations in the future. We are also excited to see what he manages to create upon receipt of his pre-ordered ContourGPS camera! Stay tuned!
