Question for the Camera & Computer Experts

[Tidybuoy]

I'm going on my annual ski trip in a couple of weeks (yippie) and I just purchased a helmet cam (Contour SD).

Since I just ordered the camera (online) last night, I don't have the camera or owners manual in my possession and I am trying to get prepared as much as possible since I don't have too much time before the trip.

Questions:

1) The camera comes with a (MaxFlash 2GB microSDHC 60X Memory Card) and I purchased a 16GB card as well

Can I purchase any microSDHC memory card for this - like from Best Buy, such as ScanDisk or is this a specialized memory card. I figured as long as it says microSDHC any brand will work.


2) Downloading. Normally, the camera is downloaded via USB cable to a PC. However, I do not plan on bringing a laptop as space will not permit & I don't have a laptop anyway.

Is it possible to download to a portable hard drive. I know you could plug a portable hard drive into a computer and then download to the computer and save to the hard drive but I'm wondering if you can download "directly" to a portable hard drive.

I may just bring my portable Hard Drive anyway, in case I can get access to a computer. I hate the thought of running out of storage and those memory chips can get expensive.

Any advice would be great. Thanks.......Vern


This camera should be great for future Porsche road trips:

[bonkers]

1) Correct, brand of memory car does not matter for compatibility purposes, although they may vary in performance - read/write speed - digital camera websites are usually a good source of info on this because that is one application where speed really matters.

1a) You may find that the device has a limitation on the capacity of memory card it can address - my phone for example wont address more than 4GB. You might Google the manufacturer's website and look up the specs for your camera to make sure it can make use of a 16GB card.

2) I don't believe so: neither the camera nor the hard drive would offer you any means for handling the data transfer. (How are you going to to tell them what files to offload and where to put them?) I suppose that capability might be built into the camera... again, check the manufacturers website.

[Tidybuoy]

Thanks!

The camera has the ability to use up to 16gb card and I purchased one from the factory - I was just wondering if I could buy additional 16gb cards from Best Buy because when I tried to order 2 from the factory, they were out of stock and could only get one.

I figured as much on the portable hard drive but I thought I'd ask the experts. I will bring the Hard Drive (since it's small) and hope the condo or office has computer access.

[Dave L]

For that camera its listed at 30min/GB in HD. SO on your 16GB card you would get 8 hours of video, thats quite a bit of video as you probably arent going to be recording every run, your time in the chalet, on the lift etc. I would bring 2 x 16gb memory cards and what ever other ones you might have laying around. I would also bring the hard drive on the chance that you can use a computer there.

Be sure to post some video up as well when you get back.

[Tidybuoy]

Thanks Dave.

I was only able to get one 16gb card as they were out of stock so I'm going to pick up another locally.

I'm sure 8 hours is plenty but I'm going for 10 days and once my buddies see this thing, their gonna want to use it too. Like always, I will probably get a lot of crap with the good but this time, I'm going to piece together a video worth watching.

I'm sure I will be able to find a computer somewhere. The condo I stayed in last year had one for public use in the lobby. I'm staying in a different place this year (but I know where that pc is).

One thing for sure, this will be good practice for filming one of my PCA road trips which can be very spirited. This thing also has a suction cup mount for sticking onto a window or smooth body area.