If you are looking for the best system and the best price then check out The Shop.

Some history on us, the blog, and The Shop….In the Fall of 2005, Helmet Camera Central was born as a result of our helmet cam experiences from our video consulting business Two Brothers Video. Helmet Camera Central is a simple resource designed to help people find objective and pertinent information about helmet camera systems. Over the past few years we have tried to review helmet camera systems with an unbiased and objective point of view. Generally, we focus on the functional and usability aspects of helmet camera systems. We have run the gamut of helmet cam systems and know what works and what does not. The type of reviews we produce are a by-product of our day to day experiences with helmet cam systems. Ease of use, reliability, and quality are at the top of our priority list. The helmet camera systems that we chose to Recommend and Sell at The Shop were chosen for a very good reason: They rock! If a review seems biased, it is only because we strongly feel that particular product is worthy of our bias! There are quite a few systems out there, and the ones we recommend generally provide the most elegant solution and the best return for your investment.

We are always here to answer your questions and help you purchase a helmet camera system that meets your needs. If one of our recommended systems is a fit for you, we hope you will find that The Shop is a trusted storefront to supply your helmet cam equipment. If our recommended systems do not fit your needs we will not hesitate to put you in contact with the right vendor to find a solution.

Thank You
Chad Lancour
Ryan Lancour
Helmet Camera Central

Note to all: This is a general request for a product that would meet the needs of many videographers using wearable video systems.

Update 9/25/2007: To date, we have only found one system that is meeting most of the requirements below. That is the POV1 from VIO. Click here for a full review.

To whom it may conern-

I am a Field Tester for Helmet Camera manufacturer and have also written an article for VideoMaker Magazine (July Issue, 2007) on this subject. I currently use a Sony DCR-HC32 combined with a waterproof helmet camera system that includes an external wearable camera, microphone, and LANC based remote control to record extreme outdoor events. I am interested in the evolution of recording technology such as DVR’s (Digital Video Recorder) that use a solid-state flash memory based technology for recording. For a helmet camera application, some key features for a “good” DVR solution would be:

1. True 30 fps NTSC (D1) video that is editable by standard desktop editing suites such as Adobe Premiere. Ideal would be 720 x 480 @ 30 fps, next best 640 x 480 30 fps. MPEG2 or MPEG4 format is acceptable.
2. Flash Memory based storage medium with support for the largest storage formats. (i.e. Sandisk 8gb SD Card, Ultra II). They key requirement here is NO MOVING PARTS that can fail from excessive shock.
3. Right-Angle A/V input connector using Sony’s new 1/8″ A/V 10-Pin connector format and a input jack.
4. LANC based remote control with Right-Angle connector for Power On/Off, Start/Stop Record, and visual signals showing power status, recording status, and recording media status. (i.e. Skytools Product - http://www.skytools.m.se/)
5. Lithium Ion Battery, with at least a 2-3 hours of total recording time as it pertains to battery life and actual recording (the longer the recording time, the better).
6. An Auxillary Power Port to provide power to a Helmet Camera - aka One Battery for recording device and helmet camera. Also, a battery level indicator with Low Battery Alert.
7. A simple, 2 1/2″ LCD screen & speaker or head phone jack (mostly to verify you are recording what the external camera is viewing.).
8. On-Board Buttons for Play, Stop, RWD, FWD.
9. USB 2.0 Port for PC download.
10. LED Indicator Lights for: Charging, Charge Complete, Power On, Recording.
11. Selector switch for On/Record/VCR Mode.
12. Usability is also a critical issue. Easy to use and efficient. Easily accessible buttons, but the buttons must be able to be protected from accidentally being pushed! These recording devices are usually stored in backpacks and are accessed wearing gloves, etc.

As of now, I have not found a product that meets these requirements. If your company is working on a product that could provide this functionality, or you could direct me to a manufacturer you may know of - plese let me know.

Kind Regards,
Mike Stoll
mike@helmetcameracentral.com

Greets-

Mike Stoll has very graciously offered to write content for HCC.com. Mike is an avid helmet cam’er and we look forward to a variety of new content in the coming months.

A brief introduction from Mike follows, enjoy.

Thanks / Chad Lancour

The following is a brief introduction from Mike Stoll:
Hello-

I have been using a helmet camera system for a little over two years, and really love the perspective. My primary extreme sports are cave exploration and rafting. I’ve written an article for VideoMaker (July, 2007 Issue), and am currently writing one for Magxzine. This past week, I visited at least 10 different helmet camera websites (U.S.A. & UK) to see what’s currently being offered. It seems the camera units themselves are very similar in performance, but the thing that really sets a supplier apart from the others, is what equipment they offer from the camera back to the recording unit. Cabling and the illusive right-angle 10-Pin Sony connector has been a big headache for helmet camera users. Thankfully, there is at least one supplier that I know of who currently offers a right-angle 10-Pin solution (Xtreme Recall), making the use of the smaller Sony DCR-HC line possible. I’d like to see the industry develop better cabling solutions (video, audio, lanc) for the users to reduce bulk, and the number of cables hanging off a person. Lastly, I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of the sold-state DVRs that can record at an actual 30 fps (with good video quality), and offer the user the same level on control as a lanc controlled camcorder. Whenever this technology becomes available, it will certainly help reduce the bulk of a helmet camera system, while also making it easier and faster for the user to download the video to their computer.

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We’ve finally up and launched a general discussion forum for all things wearable video and helmet cameras. We took a stab at setting up a variety of forums - and as of right now we have ZERO content out there.

Go here to visit the forums, or use the Forums link in the upper navigation bar.

Interested in providing content for the forums? Want to be a forum moderator? Do you have experience with helmet cameras and the like? Are you a specialist in a particular field such as racing cars, or mountain biking? Do you enjoy writing and have an analytical mind? If you are interested, we are interested. Moderators will be responsible for posting content and keeping things rolling, in return we will pay ego points into your ego general fund. If you’re good enough at moderating and generating content, there may be some free helmet cam gear in it for you! Use the Contact Us link on the top navigation to get in touch with us.

We really appreciate your comments, support, and time.

Thanks
Chad & Ryan Lancour @ Helmet Cam Central.

BroadBandSports.com is a new social video sharing website with a focus on all things sports. They already have TONS of great videos and trailers of skiing, biking, kayaking, and you-name-it. Check this site out for sure. HelmetCamCentral (aka Two Brothers Video Productions)has uploaded a few videos over there and one of them recently won a video contest hosted by BroadBandSports. Cool!

Helmet Camera Central is in action. We’re all about helmet cameras. This is a video blogging site for helmet cameras. It’s late, my brain hurts, but I’m stoked. Click around and check out all the helmet camera movies on the site. This site could be considered “beta”, so let me know if something is not working to your liking. Read the rest of this entry for more info on what we’re all about!
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