With gadgets like the ContourHD and GoPro Hero out there, you’ve got plenty of choice when it comes to the “sports cam” category of cameras. These waterproof, mountable camcorders can take abuse and keep recording. This new one from Swann Security forgoes the HD thing, unfortunately, but the price sure is right.
The other guys are recording at 720p or 1080p, and this thing only does 640×480. Let’s be honest, though, the quality on that other “HD” stuff isn’t really that good, and this VGA resolution is probably fine for these little amateur parkour videos you’ve got in mind.
And what’s best is it only costs $99. That comes with a bunch of accessories: velcro, various straps, a case… it’s fully loaded. If you can square yourself with the low-rez video, this thing could be a good buy. Should be available at Swann’s site soon.
Hate to say it Devin, but when you said “Let’s be honest, though, the quality on that other “HD” stuff isn’t really that good” you lost all credibility… Seriously, all reputable reviewers of products in this category rave about the picutre quality (and not just for the price or the size).
Swann’s arriving pretty late to this party, and it will probably never catch up with whatever the latest and greatest is moving forward. Consumers on a budget will most likely be better off purchasing dated models from the class leader(s). Prices of existing products typically seem to drop shortly after a manufacture releases a new or next generation version. This will ensure a customer gets time proven reliability at a greatly reduced price, instead of rolling the dice on something that is not only completely new, but actually difficult to currently find any information about, even on Google! Just my $.02
I stand by my assessment… small-sensor devices with plastic lenses simply don’t produce good quality images. They’re HD in resolution only.
http://www.crunchgear.com/2010/05/18/when-hd-isnt-high-definition/
OK, well, just so the readers understand, your assessment may be true but, in this case, it contains misinformation. For those interested in facts, a quick Google search will verify that the GoPro definitely has glass lenses (both camera and housing) and there’s much information suggesting the Contour’s lens is glass as well. Feel free to stand by your assessment of “the quality of that other ‘HD’ stuff”, and I’ll once again stand by my assessment regarding the author’s credibility (at least in this particular article). There’s a reason production companies creating some top HD television shows regularly use at least one of the products you’re trying to knock.
The Contour lens is definitely glass.
Thanks,
Lacy @ Contour
Can you view your recordings without a pc?