FAQ
  • Which is better, a PVR units or a Camcorder?
    • This depends on what you are looking for, both have their Pros and Cons. Here is a small chart comparison between recording devices.

Recording unit
Recording
Resolution
Recording
time(max)
Video Transfer
time to PC
Remote
Control
Durability
AV320
320x240
20hrs*

High Speed USB2
or
optional fireware
no
the only movable part on all theses units is the internal hard drive
AV340
320x240
40hrs*
AV380
320x240
80hrs*
AV420
512x384
20hrs*
High Speed USB2
AV480
512x384
80hrs*
PMA430
512x384
30hrs*
MSI561
320x240
20hrs*
DV Camcorder
720x480
1hr
Realtime***
LANC**
Entire tape mechanisim, units have many movable parts, screws can easily come loose with constant vibration
SV-AV100
720x480
MPEG2
22mins/gb
High Speed USB2
no
no moving parts at all, everything is recorded on to a SD card.
AV500
640x480
approx 1GB/hr
High Speed USB2
only with AV500cam
the only movable part on all theses units is the internal hard drive
AV700
640x480
approx 1GB/hr
High Speed USB2
no
the only movable part on all theses units is the internal hard drive

*1GB = 1 billion bytes. formatted capacity is less. Capture at high quality is approximatly 1GB/hr
**Certain models of Canon and Sony cancorders have a remote LANC input
***1 hour of video = 1 hour transfer


  • Do I need a camcorder?
    • Yes and No. What is required is a device that will record the signal from the Helmet Cam. Typically a camcorder that has and Analog Input or a DVR (digital video recorder), PRV (portable/personal video recorder) or a PVP (portable video player that can record)
 
  • How do I connect it to my video recorder?
    • There are 2 wires inside the cable management. One is the video (Yellow RCA) and the other is audio (white RCA). Each one of these wires will have a power (black DC female), however, the audio cable will have an extra power which is male. This male connects to the female power on the video cable. Once that one is connected, connect the yellow video RCA to your video source, the white audio RCA to either a white or red audio source and the black DC power plug to the battery
  •  I have everything plugged in but not getting a signal.
    • make sure you have power to the camera. Make sure you have the batteries in the pack the right way.
    • Use your good old taste buds to see if your pack has some juice. If it didn't shock your tongue then twist the battery pack or get some new batteries.
    • Voltage of the pack should be 9-12v.
  •  My Archos unit shuts off after I hit record and close the case.
    • Go in to Setup/Power and under battery operation switch the Power Off to never on the AV300 and 9 min on the Av400.
    • While your there also switch the Backlight Off to 30s, this will turn the lcd screen off when recording and conserve battery life.
  •  The Helmet camera does not work but the mic does?
    • replace or recharge batteries