Cool Tools - Helmet Cam

I've been meaning to write about a couple of new digital tools that have caught my eye out there over the last few weeks. Here's the first of several I will mention...

As someone who shot his first video projects on a 50 lb. 3/4" video tape decks (the camera was separate and only weighed 25lbs!)- I am constantly amazed and amused at the rate that new affordable and revolutionary media tools are being rolled out. So I thought I'd write about some recent tools (and toys- let's be honest) that digital guerrillas may find useful or at least cool and amusing. First up...

VholdR Wearable Cam (MicroSD card)
The VholdR (vee-holder) is a little standard def solid state wearable camera best suited for the sports and stunt video hobbyist. With this little baby you can shoot any number of creative POV sports and chase sequences or get other experimental POV shots. Just think of a place to stick it and let your imagination fly.

One of the big challenges of shooting documentary and reality stories in particular is finding a way to show your audience the story as opposed to just telling them with words. And one of the most powerful ways of showing an audience is the POV shot. According to manufacturer Twenty20:

"VholdR mounts to nearly anything, from helmets to handlebars, roll cages to bull horns. It captures TV quality audio and video to a MicroSD card, and it's abuse proof. No tapes, no cables, no kidding."

I wouldn't risk a DVX-100 on the handle bars of my buddie's bike, but that's exactly this little $350.00 video tool was meant to do- be a poor man's stunt cam. Here's some dirtbike footage shot with the VholdR.



Manufacturer's Specs:

• Video size pixels (lines):640x480 (480 lines)
• Frame rate: 30fps
• File Type: mpeg4
• Video rate: 50min/GB
• Avg. battery life: 2 hours