Gear Review

VholdR ContourHD Helmet Camcorder

1. 1280x720 hd video
2. quirky
3. fun
4. 4.4oz w/battery

‘Primitive’ is the word that first comes to mind when playing around with VholdR's ContourHD helmet camcorder.

The ContourHD is not truly a first-generation product (it is a high definition update of VholdR's prior standard-def helmet cam), but it does have more than enough quirks and rough edges to evoke romantic images of plucky tech-geeks getting together in their garage to cobble together a raw but also very fun product. Ultimately, fun trumps primitive—if barely. I like the ContourHD on the strength of its light, dedicated helmet cam design and its attractive (for HD video) price point.

The VholdR Contour HD is a high-definition video camera specifically designed to be mounted atop or aside your climbing, cycling, or ski helmet.

The ContourHD shoots 1280x720 resolution video at 30 frames per second, recorded on MicroSD flash card (you can also shoot Standard Def at 60 fps). Battery life at normal temperatures is about one and half hours.

There is some criticism that the ContourHD is not a true HD camera. It is. However, the combination of relatively poor lens quality, high compression, a pinched dynamic range, and no image stabilization all degrade image quality.

And that's not even getting into Quicktime Gamma issues.

The first sample clip shows me bicycling from Third Street to the beach via Santa Monica's California Incline, and offers a great look at the ContourHD's strengths and weaknesses.

Notice right off the bat how immersive the video is.

The ContourHD's wide 135° viewing angle really puts the viewer in the driver's seat—and helps mitigate camera shake. But notice the considerable 'Fisheye' distortion. Crosswalk lines bend and bow. Additionally, corner sharpness is quite poor. The ContourHD's lens is arguably adequate for video, and certainly not acceptable for exporting stills.

In the field, you will first notice that the ContourHD has no viewfinder or viewscreen. There is no way to watch or preview video until you get to a computer. How do you aim the thing? Carefully. VholdR addresses the issue by incorporating twin lasers into the camera's housing. The idea is to temporarily turn the lasers on, then use them to correctly align the camera's horizontal and vertical tilt.

It's a good idea in theory. In practice, the mount systems are awkward, and the laser fades in direct sunlight. Getting the camera pointed in the right direction is a trial and error process. Be sure to test before shooting critical footage. And be aware your helmet can tilt or shift, changing the shot angle. I found the side-mount options the hardest to get right, so I bought the optional vented helmet mount, which allows you to set the camera atop your helmet. It may be the better choice—but keep your expectations low. A 'universal' mount is in the works, but not currently available.

The second video reveals the murkier issues the ContourHD has with capturing dynamic range. The footage is correctly exposed, but notice how much trouble the camera has with highlights. Even moderately bright regions on Sierra granite push toward clipping—or do they? The same .mov files show much less clipping in their native Quicktime Player as compared to YouTube's flash player or a Windows application.

The reason seems to be codec. ContourHD uses Quicktime's H.264 encoder. Much has been written about Quicktime's gamma issues. VholdR's decision to use the Quicktime codec (as opposed to many other fine AVC/H.264 choices) is regrettable. Many people will never notice the gamma (ie, brightness) shift on their typical LCD monitors. But if you are editing for professional applications, trying to match output will cause you no end of grief.

On the other hand, the ContourHD makes it relatively simple to quickly shoot and upload videos to share with friends, allowing you to get dramatic POV shots you would otherwise never dream of capturing (see my Fresh Air Traverse video). The ContourHD is not a highly refined product. But, with a little effort, you can get jaw-dropping results, allowing you to document your sporting exploits as never before. VholdR's website is community-oriented, with forums and a video sharing section, plus a free download of a bare-bones pc or mac video editor to get you started.

» Bottom Line: perfectionists beware; otherwise, call it quirky HD POV fun

Note: to watch the sample videos in full-screen, click the previews above and then press "F" once the video is playing. A menu bar will appear at the bottom of your screen—be sure to switch to HD. Alternately, click the video preview twice to view it directly on YouTube. Be aware that YouTube recompresses hosted video.

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