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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.

about the Oregon Scientific Waterproof Digital Video Camera?

can the mount that it comes with allow the camera to swivel? so that I can change the view while its still mounted.
if not is there a swivel mount that I can buy?

I have the Oregon Scientific ATC2K Waterproof Action Cam. It came with rubber straps, velcro straps, and mounting plate. The camera slides into the mounting plate and you can swivel it around.

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