ContourROAM 1600 Point Of View Wearable Camcorder

We’ve featured several Point Of View (POV) wearable video cameras recently including the popular GoPro HD HERO2 Video Camera. Here’s another great camcorder to consider. The ContourROAM 1600 Point Of View Wearable Camcorder is a super affordable POV wearable camcorder that’s perfect for capturing all of your outdoor experiences and adventures.

The ContourROAM 1600 Point Of View Wearable Camcorder couldn’t be easier to operate. With the convenient one-step recording feature, all you have to do is just slide the record switch and you’re immediately capturing gorgeous HD video.

The concept of a Point Of View (POV) camera is the ability to capture video from the angle and perspective looking through your eyes as you experience some action or activity. In order to accomplish the POV camera perspective, you typically wear the camcorder in a manner that doesn’t interfere with your activity.

For example, these POV cameras are often mounted on your helmet. In other words, let’s say you’re skydiving. Rather than have someone else shoot the video (typically another skydiver jumping along side of you), where you appear as the subject in the frame of reference, the POV video captures what you see as you’re skydiving (so you don’t actually appear in the video frame of reference, just the scene that you’re viewing through your own eyes).

The ContourROAM 1600 POV Camcorder captures the scene you’re viewing with a 170º super wide-angle lens. Cameras with a narrower field of view will easily miss the full panorama and peripheral areas of the shot, unable to capture the full excitement and breathtaking impact of the scene. And the ContourROAM is designed with advanced technology that automatically adjusts exposure and white balance, producing stunningly sharp and beautiful video with the touch of a button.

The camera has three HD video resolutions; 720p, 960p and 1080p. You can also shoot 5 megapixel still images when you want to capture those great moments as a photograph.

In addition, the ContourROAM comes with a waterproof case that enables shooting stunning and clear action video underwater. The camera is waterproof up to one meter.

You can capture up to 8 hours of 1080p video and 12 hours of 720p video on a 32GB MicroSD card (the 32GB SD card is sold separately).

ContourROAM 1600 Point Of View Wearable Camcorder Features

• Sensor: 5.0 megapixel
• Resolution: 1280×960, 1920×1080
• Definition: HD (high definition)
• Battery: Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery
• Storage media: SDHC compatible
• Focus: fixed focus
• Waterproof to one meter
• Battery charger included
• Width: 1.34 inches
• Height: 2.17 inches
• Depth: 3.94 inches
• Weight: 5.1 ounces

Available: TigerDirect

Price: $199.99

Video Surveillance Clock

How many times have you thought to yourself, “if only I could have caught that on camera”. And perhaps you’ve even thought about hiding one of those video cams in the house somewhere in an attempt to catch a baby sitter, a house worker, one of your wayward children, or even a misbehaving spouse you might be suspicious of? Admit it, we all have a little spy in all of us, right?

Well, if you want to perform a little inconspicuous video snooping and catch someone in in the act that you might suspect, then have a look at the Video Surveillance Clock from Hammacher Schlemmer.

The Video Surveillance Clock is a smartly designed, attractive analog clock that has a motion-activated video surveillance camera and microphone built in. In fact, the video camera and microphone are so brilliantly concealed, it’s almost impossible to tell this analog clock is actually a video camera in disguise, no matter how  closely you examine the device.

Go ahead, have a look at the detail picture above, can you tell where the video camera is located? OK, I’ll give you a clue, it’s the small little black dot above the numeral 12. That’s it, pretty well concealed, don’t you think? No one will suspect your attractive clock is actually a video camera taking a picture of them. A very clever undercover spy gadget!

The clock’s camera image sensor is able to capture video at a resolution of 720px by 480px with a viewing angle of 62º at a distance of nine feet away from the object. And the embedded microphone is sensitive enough to pick up sound clearly from 16 feet away.

The Video Surveillance Clock can also take still photographs at a resolution of 1280px by 960px. Videos and images are stored on a 4GB microSD card included with the clock. The storage is sufficient to capture up to six hours of AVI video or hold up to 52,000 JPEG images. The surveillance clock can also support a higher capacity 8 GB microSD card if you need even more storage capacity.

Once you’ve captured videos or images, you can easily download the content to a computer with the included USB 2.0 cable. The lithium batter is also recharged with by attaching the clock to your computer through the USB 2.0 cable. A single 3 hour battery charge provides up to 1 1/2 hours of video recording time.

But remember, this is a motion-controlled camera, so 1 1/2 hours of recording time is actually a lot of start-stop video surveillance time. And the same full charge provides up to 18 months of stand-by-time if no video recording is actually activated. So you don’t have to constantly check on your video surveillance clock to see if the battery charge is still OK.

The Video Surveillance Clock is compatible with Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, and Mac. Dimensions are 2 3/4 inches in diameter with a depth of 3/4 inches, and the clock weighs 3 ounces. The video surveillance clock is definitely the perfect device for inconspicuously monitoring a room or office.

Kodak PlayFull Waterproof Video Camera

The premise of a great portable video camera is your ability to capture great moments and memories where ever you go. And now with the Kodak PlayFull Waterproof Video Camera, that includes underwater too!  And portability means a small and light weight form factor. The Kodak Playfull is certainly compact enough, just 94mm x 56mm x 12.7 mm in size and this little gem weighs a mere 85 grams. It’s literally a credit card sized video camera. Amazing!

The Kodak PlayFull Waterproof Video Camera can withstand a depth of 10 feet underwater. The video camera is also sturdy and shock resistant and can survive a 5 foot drop onto plywood without sustaining any damage. The Kodak Playfull camera’s waterproof construction is certified to an IPX8 level which means that the device has to  withstand being continuously submerged to at least one meter or 3 feet of water. The camera is also equipped with a white balance mode that adjusts for proper color balance underwater.

The focal length of the lens is 35mm and its maximum aperture is F/2.4 which also features a 2x digital zoom. The remarkably compact camera is equipped with an 18MB internal memory and can hold up to 32GB of storage with a standard SD memory card. That’s equivalent to thousands of pictures and hours of HD video that can be captured at 30 frames per second. It has a resolution of 1 Megapixel and has a USB as well as a HDMI port that enables you to watch what you’ve just recorded. It’s as simple as that.

The Kodak PlayFull Waterproof Video Camera provides a convenient LCD display on the back of the device for easy monitoring and playback, and includes its own miniature speaker and microphone. Tons of fun and sweet memories with the Kodak PlayFull Waterproof Video Camera. And an affordable low price too!

Available: Amazon

Price: $59.00

Roku XS 1080p Streaming Player

The new Roku XS 1080p Streaming Player builds on the original flagship Roku player with full 1080p HD streaming, faster wi-fi, and even motion-based gaming for plenty of exciting entertainment right on your TV.

But first, what is a Roku player?

The Roku XS player is a small add-on box that you attach to your home network, either by wi-fi or a wired ethernet port. This gives the box access to the Internet. Then you attach the Roku player to your TV or home entertainment system, preferably using the HDMI connection. The result is access right on your TV to an ever-growing lineup of streaming media including over 350 entertainment channels such as Netflix, Hulu Plus, HBO-GO, Amazon Instant Video, and much more …

In fact, if you’re interested in the full current channel lineup provided by the Roku XS 1080p Streaming Player, here’s the lineup (as of Dec 2011).

• Netflix
• Hulu Plus
• Amazon Instant Video
• Crackle
• HBO GO
• Pandora
• NHL Gamecenter LIVE
• Angry Birds
• Disney
• UFC
• WSJ Live
• Facebook
• MLS
• PAC-MAN
• CNBC Real Time
• EPIX
• Fox News
• GBTV

And the list is growing all the time …

Do keep in mind that some of the channel access provide by the Roku XS require a membership account, for example Netflix or HBO-GO.

The Roku XS 1080p Streaming Player is easy to setup. It’s compatible with virtually all TVs. It’s a simple connection to your home network (either wi-fi, wired ethernet or a USB port) and your TV preferably through the HDMI port (for full 1080p HD and Dolby 5.1 surround sound), but the device provides all the standard ways to connect including the composite A/V combo output ( composite connection limits you to standard-definition only). It literally takes just minutes to setup and you’re ready to go!

The device supports a Bluetooth enabled game remote. And a MicroSD memory card slot so you can add extra storage for channels and games if you need it.  The XS remote features motion sensors so you can play games with a flick of a wrist, like the included full Angry Birds game

Roku XS 1080p Streaming Play – Learn More

Ready for a little relaxing game entertainment. The Roku XS 1080p Streaming Player includes a Bluetooth enabled remote with sensors that support motion-based game play like the free full version of Angry Birds that comes included. The remote also sports game-ready buttons for responsive button action that will satisfy even the serious game players.

Some of the most popular games include Angry Birds, PAC-MAN Championship Edition, Galaga, and Storm in a Teacup. And the MicroSD slot enables you to add extra storage to hold more games in the future. New games are being added all the time.

There is a less expensive Roku LT (light) entry level device at $49, but we think for just a little more money, you’ll want to spring for the full Roku XS 1080p Streaming Player with all the features and capabilities. At under $100, this is the best value option to easily access an almost unlimited supply of streaming media over the Internet as well as an ever-growing list of popular games.

The Roku XS 1080p is the perfect gift for the holiday season this year, and something the entire family will appreciate and enjoy. Get your order in today at Amazon to arrive before Christmas (the $98 price qualifies for FREE super-saving shipping if you order now) .

Available: Amazon

Price: $98.00

Audiophile’s HD Camcorder

Today’s world is filled gadgets and items of multiple functions. Take the evolution of audio gadgets for example; we began with the trusty walkman that repeatedly plays the Back Street Boys cassette tape. Then when the music industry began producing their music in CDs, we evolved to the CD player. But then we found that it was too bulky and we began to store our music digitally in the MP3 which doubles as a camcorder.

The latest invention in camcorders would have to be the Audiophile’s HD Camcorder. This five inch long gadget not only records audio sounds but also videos in high definition; which is something the MP3 is unable to do. Fitting snugly into your pockets, this camcorder has dual condenser microphones that re-creates the sounds you record with higher fidelity that those of the commercial CDs.

The Audiophile’s HD Camcorder is also brilliant in capturing videos of live performance. The camera found at the back of the gadget has 5.3 megapixels including a four times zoom function. With its two inch color LCD screen, you are able to capture wider angles. Besides that, it has a LCD audio monitor that allows you to monitor both video and sound at the same time. The Audiophile’s HD Camcorder stores its videos in a 32 GB SD or SDHC card. This means that you are able to take a video up to four hours long.

Transferring your audio or video records are as simple as plugging the Audiophile’s HD Camcorder to a computer via a USB cable that comes together with the purchase of the Audiophile’s HD Camcorder. It is compatible on both Windows and Mac PC.

Available: Hammacher

Price: $299.95

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