1. What are the ContourHD video resolutions?
ContourHD has two video settings; with a single switch (HD on top and SD on the bottom) located inside the back door you can easily select between HD and High Action SD.
See
Tech Specs
- HD Video Setting
- Resolution: 1280 x 720
- Frame Rate: 30 frames per second
- Field of View: 135 degrees
- High Action SD
- Resolution: 848 x 480
- Frame Rate: 60 frames per second
- Field of View: 90 degrees
The field of view does vary depending on what video setting you are using. If you are recording High Definition you will have a wider field of view (135 degrees). The High Action SD video setting gives you a more zoomed in perspective with a 90 degree field of view.
- HD: 135 degrees
- SD: 90 degrees
ContourHD uses H.264 video codec, AAC audio compression, and a .mov file type. Your videos will be accepted by almost all HD video editing programs and players. H.264 has become a standard for video compression, and by using H.264 we think your videos will be more user-friendly as well as deliver the highest quality video with the smallest file sizes.
See Wikipedia for more on H.264 ContourHD records to an internal microSD memory card, which means there are no wires and no separate recorders. We include a 2GB card in the box when you purchase the camera, but ContourHD is compatible with up to a 16GB microSD memory card. Although many microSD cards are compatible with the ContourHD, we cannot guarantee that all microSD cards are compatible with the CountourHD. However, we have tested the following makes, classes, and capacities of micro SD cards with the ContourHD. Tests were conducted in both HD and SD modes for short (less than one minute) and long (+45 minute) video recordings.
| SD Card |
Class |
Capacity |
| Generic MicroSD
| Class 4
| 8Gb
|
| SanDisk MicroSD
| Class 2
| 8Gb
|
| Centon MicroSD HC
| Class 2
| 16Gb
|
| Transcend MicroSD
| Class 6
| 6Gb
|
| Kingston MicroSD HC
| Class 4
| 8Gb
|
| SanDisk MicroSD HC
| Class 2
| 16Gb
|
ContourHD will record different time lengths depending on what video setting you are using. Your record times will also vary slightly in cold weather conditions and with older memory cards. Below is our list of estimated record times:
- HD – 30 minute per GB
- SD – 60 minute per GB
Yes, ContourHD uses an embedded microphone that is located on the bottom of the camera. We have upgraded the microphone from the VholdR camera and have tuned it to reduce wind noise.
7. What type of battery does the ContourHD use?
The ContourHD uses a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, located right inside the back door of the camera. We use a rechargeable battery to save you money and to save the environment. You can recharge your own battery whenever you want to keep recording all the action, and you don’t have to worry about purchasing AA’s. We even included a quick check feature on the camera to tell you how much battery life you have left.
The primary method for recharging your ContourHD is to use the included USB cable that connects the camera to your computer. We also sell chargers for your car and your wall outlets. Generally, ContourHD takes four hours to completely recharge when the camera is off and connected to your computer. See
ContourHD AccessoriesThe ContourHD battery will last up to three hours (180 minutes) when recording in either the SD or HD modes. However, the battery life is reduced in cold weather conditions.
9. Is the ContourHD compatible with Windows and Mac?
ContourHD and our Easy Edit Software are Mac and Windows compatible. When you connect the camera to your computer it will show up as a standard USB device; on the camera we include a simple installation file to help you quickly install the Easy Edit Software. Our VholdR Commitment is to make action video easy to shoot and share, and so the Easy Edit Software makes it nearly automatic to import, clip, and share your videos to VholdR.com.
10. Can my computer play HD video?
As we say, HD video is beautiful, but not all machines can play it smoothly. We are still dialing in the computer specifications to play HD video smoothly so if you’re watching ContourHD videos on your computer and they appear a bit choppy, don’t worry, there is nothing wrong with your camera, your computer is just having a difficult time playing the videos. You can do small things like close all other programs when playing your video, but the best fix is to upgrade your graphics card and RAM so that your computer will be better suited for playing rich HD video.
11. I have white pixels in my image that don’t go away. What do I do?
Imaging equipment (sensors, monitors, etc.) sometimes experience dead or inactive pixels which remain light or dark at all times, although usually only the lighter dead pixels are visible. If you think your camera has excessive dead pixels, please send an unedited 5 second video clip in a blacked out room to Twenty20 technical support. Please include the serial number of your camera, your return shipping address, and your phone number.
12. Is the ContourHD waterproof?
The ContourHD is water resistant. This means it is designed to withstand normal exposure to the elements (rain and snow or occasional light splashing) during recreational activities. It is NOT designed to be submerged or exposed to pressurized water or intense wave action, such as waves or severe rain storms. Water sports enthusiasts stay tuned — we are working on a waterproof enclosure for the ContourHD which will make it suitable for water sports.
13. How do I know if my record slider is too loose?
The record slider is designed to be loose enough so that it will easily slide between the ‘Off’ and ‘Record’ positions. The slider is too loose if the camera inadvertently turns the record function on or off while engaged in activities. If this occurs while your camera is under warranty, please contact Twenty20 technical support and provide the serial number of your camera along with your return mailing address, email address, and phone number.
14. When I try to recharge my ContourHD, the red charge LED blinks once and goes out. The battery doesn’t charge. What do I do?
This is usually an indication that the battery is unable to charge. Check the USB connector and ensure this is properly seated in the camera and in your computer. Also check that the battery latch is fully engaged to hold the battery securely in place. If none of these remedies improve the situation, and if your camera is under warranty, contact Twenty20 technical support and provide the serial number of your camera along with your shipping address, email address, and phone number.
15. I scratched the lens protector on my ContourHD—what can I do?
The plastic lens protector of the ContourHD is designed to be replaceable. Twenty20 can provide you with a new replacement lens protector and replacement instructions for your ContourHD for $10 + shipping. Please contact Twenty20 technical support if you wish to purchase replacement lens protectors.
16. How do I format or reformat the Micro SD card?
Please be certain to save your video files before reformatting the SD card. If you do not, you will lose ALL information once the SD card has been reformatted.
To reformat the Micro SD card on a PC:
Insert the SD card in your computer
Click the "Start" button and go to "Computer"
Find the SD card in the listing for "Computer"
Right click on the SD card, and select "Format"
Use Fat 32 w/ default allocation and select the "Quick Format" box
To reformat the Micro SD card on a Mac:
Insert the SD card in your computer
Find the “Disk Utility”
Select the SD card drive and select “Erase”
Use MSDOS FAT setting and select “Erase”
17. I have dark corners on the left side of my videos. What do I do?
This may be the result of an improperly aligned camera lens. If you are seeing dark corners in your HD videos, please take a 10 second clip in a well-lit area and send the clip in .MOV format (raw and unedited) to Twenty20 technical support. Please include the serial number of your ContourHD, return shipping address, email address, and phone number.
18. Is it OK to charge my battery over night?
It is ok to charge your battery overnight. The maximum time that your battery will need to charge is four hours; however, it is ok to charge your battery beyond that. However, we do not recommend consistently overcharging your battery.
19. I plug my ContourHD into my PC and it is not recognized. What do I do?
First, check to make sure that your SD card is properly inserted in the camera. You may also want to try different USB ports on your computer. If you still have problems, please contact Twenty20 technical support.
20. What is the operating temperature range of the camera?
The operating temperature for the camera ranges from -20°C to 45°C. This information can also be found in our
Product Information Guide.
You will encounter wind noise with most action sports that take place at faster speeds. We have designed the camera and firmware to optimize your audio experience for action sports in general. Some of our users’ suggestions to reduce wind noise can be found on our
forums.
The ContourHD has an auto focus lens and cannot be manually adjusted. The camera is designed to focus on whatever is in the center of the image screen. Objects at a different focal length than the object in the middle of the image screen may appear blurry.
23. Can anything be done about contrast issues in excessively bright environments (i.e., snow glare, cloud reflection)?
The ContoruHD’s firmware is designed to automatically adjust white-balance to account for changes in lighting and contrast. If you believe your camera is not properly adjusting, please send us an unedited 5 second video shot in the lighting conditions you are concerned about and send it to Twenty20 technical support along with your mailing address, email address, and phone number.
24. My mount seems a little wobbly, what can I do to stabilize it
Make certain that the camera is situated as far forward in the mount as possible – this will help stabilize the camera. If you believe there is a problem with the fit of your camera in a mount, please contact Twenty20 technical support.
25. Is PAL or NTSC playback supported?
The ContourHD records in a digital format which will allow for you to play back your videos fine on any computer. If you are interested in watching your videos on a PAL supported television, you will first need to use editing software to export the video as PAL or NTSC DVD. For more details check out our
forums.
Many editing programs will accept .MOV files; however, if the editing program you are using does not, you will need to convert your videos to a file type that is supported by your software. We do not recommend any specific third party editing software applications. For some tricks and tips regarding video editing, check our
forumsTwenty20 warranties the ContourHD for 180 days from the date of purchase of product, unless otherwise indicated by your local government’s warranty laws. The warranty applies only to defects in material and workmanship and not situations caused by impacts or abuse. For complete warranty information, please refer to the
Product Information Guide.
The ContourHD was designed to take on the challenges associated with many extreme recreational activities. However, paintball offers the potential for some high velocity impacts. Because of the number of variables associated with a paintball impact (load weight, muzzle velocity, range, deflection angle, etc.), we do not warrant the ContourHD against paintball impacts. Generally speaking, the Contour HD should fare well in this environment. However, a shot from a high-powered gun into the lens at point blank may damage the camera.
