Helmet camera

A helmet camera, otherwise known as a micro video camera, bullet camera, or lipstick camera, is a camera attached to a helmet allowing someone to make a visual record from their point of view, while keeping their hands and vision free.

History

Helmet cameras started as bulky, full-sized video and still cameras that were bolted onto the helmet of skydivers. These would record to analog tapes or film. With the advent of digital cameras, and smaller camera production, came advancement in the helmet camera field. Helmet cameras shrunk in size to that of a marker and began recording to digital recorders with video displays.

In the 1990s, helmet cameras were briefly used to provide live player's-eye-view footage in professional American football. However, their use was discontinued after players complained of the extra weight, and TV networks became concerned about the aggressive behavior the cameras captured.

The newest generation of helmet cameras offer features like on screen menus, and wireless transmitting to an offsite recording device.

Current Market

There are currently a large number of global vendors selling helmet cameras. The majority of these are small lipstick-shaped security cameras. They were designed for low-light security situations, not video fidelity. These lipstick cameras are connected to a video recording device with video input capability, such as a handheld camcorder. Most of the cameras require their own power sources as well, however there are new recorders that have the ability to power the camera eliminating the additional power supply.

Many sports enthusiasts now use helmet cameras to capture the essence of the sports they love. For example, many paraglider pilots like to carry a bullet camera to record their flights. This can be mounted on the helmet, foot or elsewhere to capture unique camera angles. There are many samples of helmet camera videos available on the net.

Wearing helmet cameras is also proving popular with cyclists as a safety aid as it allows cyclists to record their journeys and to record any incidents from their point of view. This recording can be used in a court as evidence. [http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/headcam-cyclists-in-media-spotlight-14899 Spotlight on cyclists wearing Head Cameras] Recently, a cyclist was convicted of abusing traffic wardens, using evidence from a helmet camera. [http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/text/print.html?in_article_id=528563&in_page_id=1766 First conviction from traffic warden 'head-cams' as cyclist threatens to 'behead' NCP car park attendan]

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