Tony Hawk Helmet Camera
Tony Hawk HelmetCam
The Tony Hawk HelmetCam is perfect for capturing actions and adventures while engaged in activities such as skateboarding. With a little desktop video editing on a home PC, the user can produce movies the way they want. The Tony Hawk HelmetCam includes 32 megabytes of memory, allowing the capture of a few minutes of video and audio at a time. The camera includes a unique targeting laser, allowing the user to direct the camera even while wearing the camera. Audio is captured through an on-board microphone. The system is powered by two AAA batteries (not included), and includes the camera, mounting hardware, memory card, a USB cable, and PC-compatible movie editing software.
Video is captured at a speed of fifteen frames per second, and a resolution of 320 by 240 pixels when not connected to a PC. This resolution is the same quarter-screen resolution typically used for Ipod and cell phones movies. Playback on such small screen devices is crystal clear, although somewhat choppy at fifteen frames per second. The speed and resolution is lower than the thirty frames per second, and 640 by 480 pixels, captured by more advanced (and more expensive) systems. The recording time is also much less than more expensive systems. But at a retail price of about thirty to seventy dollars, the resolution and recording time is adequate for an entry-level device targeted at youngsters.
Setting up and using the Tony Hawk HelmetCam is simple and straight forward. After installing the batteries and strapping the camera to a helmet, simply aim the targeting laser and push the record button. The stop button stores the video on the internal memory card. Multiple sessions can be recorded to the extent allowed by the memory card capacity, but each movie is limited to no longer than fifteen minutes duration. The recorded movies can be viewed on the device’s digital display, and deleted from the device as desired. Recording up to the maximum fifteen minutes requires a larger capacity memory card. However, the device accepts a standard SD type memory card, widely available in the digital camera section at many retailers.
The Tony Hawk HelmetCam is also designed to do double duty as a web camera. When attached to a PC via the included USB cable, the camera records video at the higher 640 by 480 pixel resolution. Whether used as a helmet camera, or a web camera, the Tony Hawk HelmetCam supports AVI movie files, JPG and BMP image files, and WAV sound files. These file types are common to PC’s, making it easy to edit the movies in a wide variety of third-party multimedia editing software. In addition, the files can be edited with the Windows Media software included with PC’s, or the editing software included with the camera. Whether edited or left raw, the movie files can be emailed or uploaded to the internet for sharing with friends and family.
With its simple operation and low price, the Tony Hawk HelmetCam makes an excellent gift for young people who might enjoy recording their adventures while engaged in activities such as skateboarding, bicycling, and snowboarding.
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