Drift HD Ghost helmet cam available to pre-order today for $400 (video)

Drift

Drift has updated its HD action camera to help you better document your Baumgartner-esque death defying acts. The Drift HD Ghost gets a two-inch LCD screen with a refreshed control setup and chunky, 1,700mAh battery. The company is boasting that audio on this new unit should be greatly improved (something we took issue with last time out) so the world can hear your blood-curdling screams as you plummet through the stratosphere. It’s available to pre-order from today for $399, with the device set to begin shipping from November 19th.

Continue reading Drift HD Ghost helmet cam available to pre-order today for $400 (video)

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Drift HD Ghost helmet cam available to pre-order today for $400 (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 07 Nov 2012 08:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Slickdeals’ best in tech for October 17th: Windows 8 Pro, GoPro HD Hero2 and Lenovo IdeaPad U410

Looking to save some coin on your tech purchases? Of course you are! In this round-up, we’ll run down a list of the freshest frugal buys, hand-picked with the help of the folks at Slickdeals. You’ll want to act fast, though, as many of these offerings won’t stick around long.

Slickdeals' best in tech for October 17th Windows 8 Pro, GoPro HD Hero2 and Lenovo IdeaPad U410

With the GoPro Hero3 announcement yesterday, the outfit’s HD Hero2 is already seeing a nice discount. The action cam visits today’s round of links alongside a 14-inch Lenovo IdeaPad and two Windows 8 options. Head on past the break to see what else is being offered with handsome savings, and as always, be mindful of those coupon codes and rebate forms should you need ’em. Don’t drag your feet, though, as these deals are likely to disappear quickly.

Continue reading Slickdeals’ best in tech for October 17th: Windows 8 Pro, GoPro HD Hero2 and Lenovo IdeaPad U410

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Slickdeals’ best in tech for October 17th: Windows 8 Pro, GoPro HD Hero2 and Lenovo IdeaPad U410 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 17 Oct 2012 12:10:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GoPro Hero3 action camera hands-on

GoPro Hero3 action camera handson

GoPro just revealed its new flagship action camcorder, the Hero3, and we managed to get our mitts on one this evening. First things first, the Hero3 is tiny, particularly when considering that it shoots 4K video (albeit at a paltry 12fps), a resolution usually reserved for much larger, cinematic cameras. Having handled its competition recently — the Action Cam from Sony and the Contour+2 — we can say that the Hero3 feels smaller and lighter than both of them. It’s about the size of a couple of matchboxes stacked together and is quite lightweight, yet still feels sturdy. The textured plastic exterior is finger friendly, and the big round power / mode and record buttons give a reassuring snick with every press. The WiFi remote that comes with the Hero3 Black Edition is similarly solid in its construction, though we wish it had the same textured skin as the camera instead of its smooth exterior. We didn’t get to use the Hero3 for its stated purpose just yet, but we’ll be filming with the thing tomorrow, so stay tuned for all the POV footage. In the meantime, feel free to enjoy a tour of GoPro’s new diminutive hardware and check out its first sample video after the break.

Continue reading GoPro Hero3 action camera hands-on

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GoPro Hero3 action camera hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 17 Oct 2012 02:50:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GoPro’s new Hero3 is lighter, faster, higher res and has WiFi, comes in three flavors starting at $199

GoPro's new Hero3 Black Edition is lighter, faster, higher res and has builtn WiFi

At a San Francisco launch event GoPro has just revealed the next addition to its line of action cameras, the Hero3. The Hero3 claims specs that are 30 percent smaller and 25 percent lighter than its predecessor, with a resolution that’s up to 4x higher and it has WiFi included. The top of the line Black Edition (pictured above) is capable of capturing video at up to 4K res — if you’re willing to drop the framerate down to 15fps — however thanks to a processor it says is 2x faster, it has also doubled frame rates at lower resolutions. That means 1080p60, 1440p48 and 720p120 modes are supported for your super slow and still-HD capture needs. The Silver Edition maxes out at 11MP stills and 1080p30 video, while the White Edition drops down to 5MP stills. All three versions include WiFi (no BacPac necessary for remote control via the just-released-on-iOS app) however the Black edition includes a remote that can control up to 50 cameras at once with a 600ft range and is waterproof to 10 feet deep. It will also be available as a $79 accessory for the lesser versions.

As far as pricing, the Black Edition is $399, the Silver is $299 and the White $199. Pre-orders are scheduled to start at 12:01AM PT (3:01AM ET), and there’s a handy counter on the GoPro site if you otherwise might forget. The variety of models and ubiquitous WiFi may help fight off competition at the pricing low end like the new ContourROAM2, among others. Naturally we were in the house and will have hands-on pics and impressions soon, check the gallery for pics of the box and detailed specs.

Update: Our hands-on is live! Check out how tiny the Hero3 really is right here.

Gallery: GoPro Hero3

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Continue reading GoPro’s new Hero3 is lighter, faster, higher res and has WiFi, comes in three flavors starting at $199

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GoPro’s new Hero3 is lighter, faster, higher res and has WiFi, comes in three flavors starting at $199 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 16 Oct 2012 23:12:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ContourROAM2 debuts in red, blue, green and black garb, shoots 1080p video for $199 on October 21

Contour launches Roam2 in red, blue, green and black, shoots 1080p video for $199

The Contour+2 may well be the best digital action camcorder on the market (though Sony and GoPro would beg to differ), but the company knows not everyone wants a $400 shooter to capture their epic runs this ski season. Thus, Contour has introduced the ROAM2, a $199 model that records 1080p 30fps and 720p 60fps video on its included 4GB microSD card. Like the original Roam, it can capture clips up to one meter underwater without an external case, has a 270-degree rotating lens and a laser level to line up your shots. This new Roam, however, sports improved image quality and an aluminum skin of four colors: black, red and blue will be widely available, and green models can be had exclusively from Amazon through the end of the year (other retailers will carry it in 2013). Want one? Best Buy and other retailers will start selling them on October 21st.

Continue reading ContourROAM2 debuts in red, blue, green and black garb, shoots 1080p video for $199 on October 21

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ContourROAM2 debuts in red, blue, green and black garb, shoots 1080p video for $199 on October 21 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 16 Oct 2012 11:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GoPro iOS app is finally available, adds live viewfinder and remote controls for action cameras

GoPro iOS app is finally available, adds live viewfinder and remote controls for action cameras

GoPro owners have had a long wait, but the company’s iOS remote app (Android “coming soon”) is finally available and ready to work for those possessing both an HD Hero2 camera and WiFi BacPac accessory. While the hardware will cost you the app itself is free, and adds capabilities including remote control of all of the camera’s settings, monitoring of battery life and storage space, date / time sync with your mobile device, live remote preview so you can see what you’re shooting in real time and also access to GoPro’s Photo of the Day / Video of the Day channels. Along with the app, GoPro is releasing the Protune firmware update that will let cameras record at a higher 35Mbps bitrate, 24fps and adjust the video for a different cinematic look.

Still, it is a v1 release and while our reader Khena reports it’s stable, it does have some rough edges. Currently you can’t access or view any recordings already stored on the camera or control more than one camera, although GoPro says those features are coming, while other gripes include delay between the camera and the app’s “live” viewfinder that can be as much as five seconds and the inability to preview the ProTune settings while recording. That’s a bit frustrating after the wait for the app to arrive, but in an action camera market suddenly teeming with competition, they may be enough to keep GoPro fans from switching to another any time soon. Check out a quick tutorial video and press release after the break, or hit the link below to grab the app from iTunes (make sure your camera and BacPac are updated to the latest software first.)

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Continue reading GoPro iOS app is finally available, adds live viewfinder and remote controls for action cameras

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GoPro iOS app is finally available, adds live viewfinder and remote controls for action cameras originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 10 Oct 2012 06:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ion The Game action cam has built-in WiFi and 2.5-inch display, we go hands-on (video)

Ion The Game action cam has builtin WiFi and 25inch display, we go handson

Between big guns like GoPro and Contour and big names like Sony, the action camera market is getting pretty full, pretty fast. Back in May, we saw the arrival of the Air Pro WiFi from Ion, an oblong mountable camera with an add-on WiFi module, and now the company’s got another addition to the line, the punnily-named (wait for it) Ion The Game (get it? Eye? Eye-on The Game?). The whole “action” part is far less pronounced here. This sports cam is intended to be more stationary than its predecessor — mounted on a still spot to capture soccer games (don’t let them catch you calling it that here in Europe) and to help you critique your golf swing.

The key differences here — aside from its boxier shape — are the 2.5-inch display and the WiFi, which is built directly into the device, rather than relying on an add-on. The display isn’t much to write home about. It’s small, a bit dull in the color department and a little choppy. It’ll get the job done though, when it comes to monitoring action (or lack of action, we guess) on the fly. The WiFi meanwhile, adheres to the company’s whole “shoot-and-share” motto, letting to send videos directly to Facebook and the like.

The camera looks reasonably rugged, with a plastic protected lens — it’s also water-resistant up to 10 meters. The Game records to SD cards and will be arriving by the end of the year, priced at an admittedly lofty €329 here in Europe.

Continue reading Ion The Game action cam has built-in WiFi and 2.5-inch display, we go hands-on (video)

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Ion The Game action cam has built-in WiFi and 2.5-inch display, we go hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 20 Sep 2012 03:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Polaroid XS7, XS20 and XS100 Sports Cameras run $69 and up, we snap away at Photokina (sample video)

Polaroid may not be the first name that comes to mind when you think of adventure-friendly video cams — Contour and GoPro own that space, with Sony now making a heavy push of its own — but the insta-film maker turned camera manufacturer now has a rugged lineup of its own. First off the assembly line is the XS7, a $69 cam that packs a waterproof housing (rated to 10 meters), 720p video capture and a 2-inch touchscreen. This model is as entry level as they come, and Polaroid reps said to expect to see it in stores like Toys ‘R’ Us. If you’re slightly more serious about image quality, you might opt for the XS20, which packs a “professional” CMOS sensor, 720p shooting, a waterproof housing (20 meters) and a battery that’s rated for up to 3 hours of use. It also includes a fixed lens with a 120-degree viewing angle that’s surrounded by eight LCDs, for shooting in the dark. Finally, The XS100 is what you might consider to be Polaroid’s flagship, with support for 1080p video, an adjustable frame rate, a 170-degree lens, an orientation sensor for auto rotation and a $200 price tag. All three cameras use microSD cards, but the XS100 also includes 32MB of internal storage, letting you store a small collection of 5-megapixel stills.

The sports-shooting trio may not blow you away spec-wise, and we also weren’t floored by the design, but they weren’t created to lead the market from a performance perspective — Polaroid is playing up the cost angle here, and we don’t blame them. Based on our quick test of the XS7, image quality was passable, but you’re not going to want to use it for close-up shots as we did here. Even with the underwater housing removed, frames were either under or overexposed, generally unsharp and audio wasn’t terribly clear. It’s worth noting that we played with a pre-production sample, that’ll run you just shy of $70 when it does hit stores. That said, if quality is key and you don’t mind dropping a few hundred bucks, you’ll probably be happier with a more established model. Because we’re at a photo show and Polaroid was generous enough to let us take the XS7 for a spin, we figured there’s no better way to demonstrate this camera’s capabilities by using it to film our hands-on — you’ll find that video tour just past the break.

Continue reading Polaroid XS7, XS20 and XS100 Sports Cameras run $69 and up, we snap away at Photokina (sample video)

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Polaroid XS7, XS20 and XS100 Sports Cameras run $69 and up, we snap away at Photokina (sample video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 18 Sep 2012 12:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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JVC’s $349 ADIXXION camcorder is shipping now, packs LCD, WiFi and live Ustreaming (hands-on)

JVC's $349 ADIXXION camcorder is shipping now, packs LCD, WiFi and live Ustreaming handson

After its mid-summer reveal, JVC’s entry into the booming action sports camera market is now shipping and we got to spend some time with the questionably-named GC-A1 ADIXXION at the company’s CEDIA booth. To compete with offerings from GoPro, Sony and our most recent favorite, the Contour+2, the GC-A1 brings its “Quad Proof” housing that makes it waterproof (to 5M) and shockproof (for falls of up to 2M), dustproof and freeze-proof, as well as built-in WiFi, integrated microphone, image stabilization and a 1.5-inch LCD on the side. It can use WiFi to make a video link with nearby Android or iOS devices as well as PCs so the wearer can check where the camera is pointing, and even stream video directly to Ustream via a hotspot, no PC necessary. For the $349 asking price a goggle mount, flexible mount, two lens protection covers, USB cable and a single battery are included. We didn’t have a motocross track or snowmobile handy on the show floor, but in-hand it felt every bit the ruggedized, compact device that its advertised to be and the LCD was decently viewable. Check out a few more pics of it in our gallery below and some sample footage in the video embedded after the break.

Continue reading JVC’s $349 ADIXXION camcorder is shipping now, packs LCD, WiFi and live Ustreaming (hands-on)

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JVC’s $349 ADIXXION camcorder is shipping now, packs LCD, WiFi and live Ustreaming (hands-on) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 07 Sep 2012 17:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Contour+2 review: the best consumer helmet camera on the market

DNP Contour2 review the best consumer helmet camera on the market

It’s been a little while since the two major players in the helmet cam industry, Contour and GoPro, refreshed their wares. Contour launched its Contour+ and Roam models last summer, while GoPro delivered the HD Hero2 late last year. As our extensive testing can attest, both companies put out great cameras, but with Sony about to get in the game with its $199 Action Cam, the pair need to raise their games — and that’s exactly what Contour is doing with the Contour+2.

This logically named follow-up to the Contour+ is a big step forward on many levels, still delivering 1080p recording while offering many design and software improvements, including the ability to use your smartphone not just as a viewfinder, but to start and stop recording, too. Plus, at $400, it’s $100 cheaper than last year’s offering — and that’s despite coming with a fully waterproof case. Join us as we put it through its paces.

Continue reading Contour+2 review: the best consumer helmet camera on the market

Contour+2 review: the best consumer helmet camera on the market originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Sep 2012 09:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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