It’s a new riding season and time to start making some more moto videos. One thing I don’t like about my current setup is trying to keep the rider in front of me in frame. In order to do it you have to stay much to close to the rider in front of you. So I decided to try a helmet cam that will film where I look to keep the rider in frame and further in front of me for a safe riding gap. For more information visit: http://www.squidbusters.com/sb/showthread.php?t=8052&goto=newpost

Twenty20 VHoldR Helmet Camera System $350First came video cameras: difficult to operate while riding. Then came lipstick camera lenses, but you still needed to carry the video camera. Now, there's the VHoldR, a helmet-mountable camera that records on SD memory cards, saving up to four hours of your unforgettable rides per card. For more information visit: http://motorcyclecruiser.automotive.com/30691/0712-crup-holiday-gift-gui...

While YouTube has penetrated nearly every aspect of our lives, video from the first-person angle remains somewhat elusive; relatively few options are out there for daredevils who want others to experience their derrings-do from the same perspective. Twenty20’s VholdR camera aims to change this. For more information visit: www.laptopmag.com/review/camcorders/vholdr-wearable-camcorder.aspx

We were on The Today Show.  Check it out!

CES Offers Worldwide Audience for Local Companies 

By Brian M. Westbrook
Twenty20 introduces VholdR wearable camera at CES

It all started four years ago as frustrated students at the University of Washington. 

Disenchanted with a lack of cameras for capturing action on the slopes, avid skiers and undergrads Marc Barros and Jason Green set out to make it easier. The result of a UW business plan competition, their first product was a $250 helmet camera connected to a backpack-worn camera.  

They sold 7,000 units.

The semi-portable solution wasn't convenient enough (who wants to carry a backpack full of camcorders and cables, anyway?) and had joined with a newfound desire to share videos on the web. With stacks of tapes from winter adventures waiting to be posted online, the always-challenged pair knew they could make the process easer.

A year and much effort later, the VholdR is being shown for the first time here at CES.  A rugged camera about the size of a mobile phone, this new gadget easily mounts to handlebars, helmets - just about anywhere.  With an integrated recording device, the VholdR requires no camcorder, no backpack, and no cables to operate.  

"We've put in one box, for $350 retail, the ability to shoot and share video," said Co-founder and company CEO Marc Burros. "You can go from camera to community in a couple of steps."

When I caught up with founders Marc and Jason on day three of the show, the smile on each of their faces said it all. The collective expression told me they were proud. Years of hard work to get to here paid off and - perhaps just a bit- the long days on the show floor were starting to run their course.

"We hoped that when we showed up here we'd have something different," Green said of pre-show expectations. "The reaction has been a lot of open mouths and big eyes.  People are excited about the possibility of a wearable camcorder."

These reactions range from those who who experience the camera range from disbelief (I was in the "can they really do that?" camp myself) to suggestions for new ways to use the product. 

 

The VholdR received an International CES Innovations Honoree Award (an official sort of "best in show" awards) earlier this week and when I personally saw how simple it was to use, I appreciated why.

Capturing video is as simple as sliding a large, oversized on/off switch on the top of the camera.  Dual indicator lights display Micro SD-style storage space availability and battery life on the rear.  The body rotates 192-degrees and two small lasers on either side of the lens help ensure the camera is level (until, if you're like me on a snowboard, you fall on your bum).

Transferring videos from the camera to the web is doe via. a USB cable and bundled software.  Videos are posted on VholdR.com for easy sharing, or can be transferred to other devices (yes, that includes the iPod).

CEO Barros explains of the CES experience, "When you come here, you compete with booths that are half the size of a football field and you have a 10 foot by 20 foot booth.  Everybody competes almost at the same level despite your booth size."

It may not be the largest booth here at CES, but they've got the smallest camcorder. And for Seattle's Marc and Jason, plenty to be proud of.

For the tech-savvy:  The camera captures 640x480 video and stores as an iPod-friendly MP4 file. The battery lasts about 2 hours and the camera weighs just 4.8 ounces.  $350, available online at www.vholdr.com

By Brian M. Westbrook

Twenty20 introduces VholdR wearable camera at CES

It all started four years ago as frustrated students at the University of Washington. 

Disenchanted with a lack of cameras for capturing action on the slopes, avid skiers and undergrads Marc Barros and Jason Green set out to make it easier. The result of a UW business plan competition, their first product was a $250 helmet camera connected to a backpack-worn camera.  

They sold 7,000 units.

The semi-portable solution wasn't convenient enough (who wants to carry a backpack full of camcorders and cables, anyway?) and had joined with a newfound desire to share videos on the web. With stacks of tapes from winter adventures waiting to be posted online, the always-challenged pair knew they could make the process easer.

A year and much effort later, the VholdR is being shown for the first time here at CES.  A rugged camera about the size of a mobile phone, this new gadget easily mounts to handlebars, helmets - just about anywhere.  With an integrated recording device, the VholdR requires no camcorder, no backpack, and no cables to operate.  

"We've put in one box, for $350 retail, the ability to shoot and share video," said Co-founder and company CEO Marc Burros. "You can go from camera to community in a couple of steps."

When I caught up with founders Marc and Jason on day three of the show, the smile on each of their faces said it all. The collective expression told me they were proud. Years of hard work to get to here paid off and - perhaps just a bit- the long days on the show floor were starting to run their course.

"We hoped that when we showed up here we'd have something different," Green said of pre-show expectations. "The reaction has been a lot of open mouths and big eyes.  People are excited about the possibility of a wearable camcorder."

These reactions range from those who who experience the camera range from disbelief (I was in the "can they really do that?" camp myself) to suggestions for new ways to use the product. 

The VholdR received an International CES Innovations Honoree Award (an official sort of "best in show" awards) earlier this week and when I personally saw how simple it was to use, I appreciated why.

Capturing video is as simple as sliding a large, oversized on/off switch on the top of the camera.  Dual indicator lights display Micro SD-style storage space availability and battery life on the rear.  The body rotates 192-degrees and two small lasers on either side of the lens help ensure the camera is level (until, if you're like me on a snowboard, you fall on your bum).

Transferring videos from the camera to the web is doe via. a USB cable and bundled software.  Videos are posted on VholdR.com for easy sharing, or can be transferred to other devices (yes, that includes the iPod).

CEO Barros explains of the CES experience, "When you come here, you compete with booths that are half the size of a football field and you have a 10 foot by 20 foot booth.  Everybody competes almost at the same level despite your booth size."

It may not be the largest booth here at CES, but they've got the smallest camcorder. And for Seattle's Marc and Jason, plenty to be proud of.

For the tech-savvy:  The camera captures 640x480 video and stores as an iPod-friendly MP4 file. The battery lasts about 2 hours and the camera weighs just 4.8 ounces.  $350, available online at http://www.vholdr.com

Today on Seattle's KOMO-TV, I stopped by the set of Northwest Afternoon to present some Valentine's Day gift ideas ... of the gadget sort. Check out the video and scroll down for more information!

See the full video of the show here.

Drop me an email if you have questions, or want additional information about anything you see listed here.

VholdR Wearable Helmet Camera – Twenty20

I've always wanted a video camera to capture my poor snowboarding skills. This tiny digital camcorder – by a local Seattle firm -- is just 4 ounces and is super-simple to operate. The one-button record can be operated with gloves on and the clever mounting system allows it to slide on to your helmet…. Making this the perfect way to capture your downhill or mountainbike adventures. Connect the camera to your computer and share video quickly and easily… but my favorite feature? A laser guidance system that helps you ensure your shot is lined up – at least until I fall down again.

Price: $349

Available: Now.

Details: http://www.vholdr.com/shoot/camera/overview

by Lance Ulanoff

LAS VEGAS— Telling someone you conquered the half pipe or skied Murder's Curve is not even half as good as showing them. Showing it to them from your perspective is not only cool, but thrilling. That's the concept behind VholdR ($350). It's a palm-sized camcorder that attaches to any flat surface or, more likely, your bicycle-, skateboarding-, or ski helmet to record dynamic, point of view video.
 
People have been holding cameras as they ride skate boards and hang ten for years, but this water-proof camera is hands free. The camera's detachable base mount affixes to almost any surface, curved (like a helmet) or flat thanks to a powerful glue. Then grooved channels on the camera marry with those on the base mount. Instead of an LCD view finder, VholdR uses dual lasers to line up a shot. You hit a button on the back of the camera and for five seconds, two tiny, red laser dots appear on whatever you're shooting. Once the camera's on the helmet, it can shoot for 2 hours on its lithium ion battery. You can also rotate the camera, via a ring on the lens 192 degrees to shoot your subject at almost any angle. Additional mounts are available for $19 a piece, so you can use the camera for any number of extreme outdoor activities.

The camera captures 640 by 480 AVI video at 30 frames per second to a 2 GB micro SD card. There's also a USB port. In either case, users can upload the video to VholdR's proprietary PC-based software (no Mac support for now), tag it, organize it and eventually share it on the VHoldR's community website.

VholdR is shipping direct right now and should be available in retail outlets in March.