Product Reviews

Action cameras are typically designed bullet-style to be as unobtrusive as possible - and enable footage to be recorded during activities where it would normally be impossible (snowboarding, mountain biking, shooting and rock climbing, for example).

Technologically action cameras fall into one of two camps: the sort that feeds into the AV-in port of a suitable camcorder - or the kind that records directly to a memory card. The POV1 belongs to the latter group.

First impressions were excellent. The POV1 has its own semi-rigid carry case that houses the entire kit: camera, recorder, cables, a plethora of mounting options, CD-based manual, 1GB SD card and batteries. Another great touch is a wireless remote (worn like a wrist watch) that provides easy record/stop capability.

Physically the camera is full of smart, practical touches, making connection almost idiot-proof to helmets and handlebars. Sound and video are carried to the recorder by just a single, robust, screw-fit cable.

The POV1 recording device includes an LCD screen, enabling footage to be reviewed in the field.

In comparison to similar products, the POV1 is expensive. But then every aspect is solid and considered.

The recorder buttons, for example, have an excellent tactile feel - and the unit is water-resistant and shockproof (access to the memory card and compartment housing the four standard AA batteries is via rubber-sealed doors that can occasionally prove difficult to open). Despite this, we feel that the POV1 is intuitive enough for most users to get shooting without even checking the manual for reference.

However, while the image quality of the Mpeg-based footage is impressive for an SD card-based device, it lacks the sharpness of a DV-based solution. Mpeg recording is perhaps most noticeably inferior to DV when recording applications subject to high shake such as rocky descents on a mountain bike.

Also, though an application for loading and editing footage is included for a PC, the software is not yet available for a Mac. Thankfully, installing Perian (free from perian.org) makes accessing and playing footage a straightforward affair in Mac OS X.

The SD Card is recognised as a USB drive and footage can be copied to and from the device with ease. But though the wireless remote also allows tagging of good moments of footage, this is a no-go area for Mac users until VIO comes up with appropriate software.

The POV1 is well-made, with few practical shortfalls, but pricey.