Small light weight video camera for bicycle use?

[andrew15]

Originally Posted by Joe Bob

32GB card, Freakin' thing won't format. The tech support doesn't answer the phone....they call ya back. No chat and email is 24 hours later.

They are sending a replacement unit.

Still haven't been 'wowed' with this yet.

Did a cruise on my bike, set the lower rez capture and got the advertised 30 minutes on the 2GB card.

What a waste of time....30 minutes? For an extra few bucks they could supplied at least 16GB for around 4 hours time....

I used a seperate card format program on the computer instead of using the camera format option. I think it's called SDFormatter v3.0 and was freeware.

I agree with the 2gb - useless for anything other than testing. I suspect it's so the contour camera can be used right away and they have to price it competitively in the market - I don't think my previous generation gopro came with any card at all.

[Joe Bob]

Whelp.....was doing some web searching.....

CONTOUR | Will the SanDisk Ultra SDHC work in my...

Of course customer service and the manual says nada about this.....

Looks like I have a 32GB SD card with nothing to use it with.

More searching....the problem has been a known issue for more than 3 months...

[Joe Bob]

Got the replacement camera and sent the other one back, dropped it off at the local UPS store. They provided a return postage tag....nice of them. Still irked about the battery fitment and the SanDisk compatibility......

Went by Best Buy, they took the SanDisk Ultra SD card back. I picked the 'PNY' brand only because it was there and the same price. Thumbs up to BB for taking it back no questions. If you care it's a class 10 and came with an adapter.

I gave them the print out on SanDisk problems as they sell them online.

The camera formatted the card immediately and it performs.

Now to see how the long the battery lasts with continuous filming.....Contour says 2-2.5 hours.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/searchpage.jsp?_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1&_dynSessConf=-433333759101002939&id=pcat17071&type=page&sc=Global&cp=1&nrp=15&sp=&qp=&list=n&iht=y&usc=All+Categories&ks=960&st=PNY+32GB+sd+micro+card

[Joe Bob]

So for it's next trick....the camera stops recording at 1:21 minutes and change. No beeps, boops, farts, light are still on but nobody home.....

Missed a fire at a back yard barbeque and some asshat that that did a Uturn in front of me while texting....Brilliants!!!!

[slodave]

How big is the file? FAT32 is limited to 4 gigs.

[Joe Bob]

That's it.....3.66GB. So I guess it a limitation on the SD card's format....well that sucks.

Both files are they same dead end.

Thanks Dave.

[slodave]

Sorry, Mike. FAT32 is still what is used on most digital cameras that use SD/CF type cards. I suppose it will change at some point, but for now...

[Joe Bob]

Not a biggie now that I know about it. I'm getting more and more unwowed with this unit.

I wonder if the GO PRO has these issues? Anyone own one that has done long duration video? How does the camera react?

The Contour battery fitment seems to be another problem....it gets stuck in the bay and there hasn't been a fix as yet. My replacement has a different latch. No improvement. You need a set of needle nose pliers to pull it out and the end cap pops off. Contour's response? Crazy glue it back on.

Maybe there is a way to cascade the file creation in the software so that recording can continue?

Long rides will frequently exceed the 1:20 time limit which bumps up to the file limit. Using the faster and higher rez setting will reduce time even further.

If the camera would shut down when the max file size hits it would help...but it doesn't.

[slodave]

GoPro will have the same issues, but maybe it automatically creates new files?

Can you configure the Contour? Maybe there is a way to turn on continuous video and it creates new files as needed?

[slodave]

GoPro does use the FAT file system. I think you'll find that they'll come back and tell you that the above is correct. Just that you won't be able to shoot continuous for 1080p (30 fps): 4h 21m... Etc... GoPro will create a new file around every hour.

It's a file system limitation, not file format.

EDIT: H.264 is a compression algorithm anyway. The file that is created is .mp4.

[slodave]

I think you need to go through the software settings and see if there is an option to do continuous video via auto file creation.

[Joe Bob]

I'll do that over the weekend. Busy finishing up a term paper.....what's YOUR excuse for being up at this time of the night?

[slodave]

I, uh.. Finishing my last beer.

[Joe Bob]

The formatter gives me sequential video files now. The are named the same 'i.e. file 55'....each file is about an hour.

The batteries....well, they WILL go dead if left inadvertently on standby. I can adjust the timeout via the software. But I prefer the default at this point...but I know I have an option. If left in a bag and it is jostled....it will trigger standby by mode.

I plan on getting a couple of spare batteries and an external charger.

[slodave]

Good to see you've got it working.

[Bill Verburg]

I'm curious about how this is working now that you have some miles w/ it.

I'm looking for a camera for mine, don't need GPS as I use a Garmin 500, front and rear would be nice

[Joe Bob]

Well....one month.

1) The batteries are clunky and a pain to pull out of the port. The word is the Wasabi aftermarket batteries actually fit better and last longer. Amazon has a double battery and wall charger kit made by Wasabi for $27 bucks also has a euro travel adapter plug.

2) The Windows SDF Formatter is a must if you want to continuously record. It will give you files of about 1 hour long or less dependent on the resolution....file size is 3.66gb each. They will be named the same but you can fix that later after download and editing. The card that is Contour formatted by the camera software will record up to the 3.66 limit, stop recording and just run down the battery while externally showing that it's recording.....but like my ex, it's LYING!

3) The date and time stamp is STILL FUBAR'd and no resolution has been forthcoming from Contour. So fuggetabout that 'feature'.

4) The free VLC player I have for DVDs, sucks when playing the vids, I have to use Windows Player. VLC flickers, stops and starts.

5) The Contour 'Storyteller' is the only medium you can use and see the GPS track. Still looking for a player that will detect and play that track....on ST it is a split screen. It's a clunky program....it freezes and has few if any features that are worth a crap.

6) Found a work around on the in car charging and recording. Use the USB cable and a USB port off the ciggy/power port. Standard USB car chargers won't work. Contour claims you have to use their special car charger which is an accessory and 20+ bucks or whatever. I'm NOT giving those asshats any of my money.

7) PNY SD cards work fine....get the 32gb. The class of 6 or above doesn't seem to be pertinent as the finished product isn't gonna be Emmy material.

8) The finished files are HUGE. To store them you will need a compression program or you will run out of space. I have a few programs that are coming in to test and will report back. For now I have stored vids that I want edit off site on an external hard drive. I did a 30 second test clip and tried to load to U tube.....way too long.

9) Their support would have to improve to suck. No real time chat, phone or other input. They rely on a Wiki, posting for other users to chime in or email that takes 3-4 days to get an answer. They are definitely low budget.

10) The lack of a monitor screen sucks. A blue tooth interface with an iPhone (only) is available....I don't have an iPhone and the word is it REALLY buzzes thru a battery and requires a $40 dollar card......see #6 on my opinion of giving them more $$.

11) The double on/off buttons are a PITA. Also the unit can stay on and drain the battery. There is a tell tale that says it's on standby but if it's mounted where you can't see it.....the programming does allow adjustment.

Would I recommend this camera? Dunno, I would need to use a Go Pro or other to compare it to. I'm not getting a warm fuzzy on it so far. I'm glad I just traded a rifle instead of cash.

Will update later

[vash]

Nice summary.

[Joe Bob]

Ordered the wasabi battery kit from amazon....will post results.



Fenix mount ..... Surefire flash and Contour vid cam.

Local POPO gave me a warning on riding at dusk.....put the retina burner on the front.










BTW, dark and with a flash....quality sucks.

[Joe Bob]

The Wasabi batteries are a great fit and finish, not requiring a freaking can opener to get them out. Last the same amount of time as the provided batteries....whoever makes them for Contour needs to reevaluate the vendor because theysuckballs.