d4jaj1
Registered
Hello everyone,
I wanted to share my experiences with the Liquid Image HD320 Scuba Mask - a scuba mask with a built-in HD video camera! Thats right; free your hands while you concentrate on diving & record high-quality HD video everywhere you turn your head. The HD320 is one of the coolest tech gadgets on the market not just in terms of paper specs but real-life execution.
Heres the roundup of the Liquid Image HD320s features:
All of these features sound pretty good on paper, but none of this matters if the camera embedded in the mask doesnt work, leaks, takes awful recordings or you cant line the shot up properly. If the resulting video is overly dark, pixilated, choppy, stutters, has sound/action sync errors or cannot properly or quickly focus on the subject in front of it using it is a complete waste of time and money. Luckily, the HD320 was more than adequate in each of these categories at least in optimum lighting conditions. In well lit conditions (near surface dives or external light source), the HD320s automatic white balance does a good enough job not to overexpose most shots. Even in caves, the recorded video was somewhat grainy due to lack of light but no pixilation or choppiness.
The major drawback to an on-face camera is you cant adjust the video settings underwater like you can with some dedicated camcorders in housings, such as zoom, white balance, etc. while underwater. This puts you in the position of filming everything and hoping the resulting video turns out okay. For the most part, everything did but I had a difficult time lining up shots using the crosshairs on the front of the mask; in many of the shots I was filming too high. My suggestion is to practice with the mask in a pool or even just walking around the house to better gauge the recording angles. Another thing you have to account for is the mask may vibrate every time you exhale. Ive found that I can alleviate most of this by remembering to breath out through my regulator not blow. Another tricky situation you have to manage is the bubbles that float to the surface from your regulator as you exhale. If you are looking down, your exhaust will likely rise to the surface from around your neck. On the other hand, if you are looking straight ahead or up the bubbles will likely rise right in front of your face possibly obscuring whatever it is you are filming. Some high-end regulators route the bubbles behind you otherwise, youll need to make sure whatever it is you are filming is in frame while you are inhaling (never hold your breath while diving). Finally, the mask will record the direction your head is pointed not your eyes. During my first several videos, I was still relatively new to scuba diving so my head jerked back and forth so often during the dives that watching the resulting video made me nauseous. Obviously, your mileage may vary.
I have a more detailed review of the HD320 - including video on my site. Let me know if there are any questions.
I wanted to share my experiences with the Liquid Image HD320 Scuba Mask - a scuba mask with a built-in HD video camera! Thats right; free your hands while you concentrate on diving & record high-quality HD video everywhere you turn your head. The HD320 is one of the coolest tech gadgets on the market not just in terms of paper specs but real-life execution.
Heres the roundup of the Liquid Image HD320s features:
- Captures 720p 16:9 HD video as well as 5MP digital still images
- Waterproof down to recreational diver limit of 130ft
- Stores video/pictures to micro-SD cards (up to 32GB accepted)
- Built-in microphone and can connect to TV for direct playback
- Blue/Green water filters and side torch lamps available
All of these features sound pretty good on paper, but none of this matters if the camera embedded in the mask doesnt work, leaks, takes awful recordings or you cant line the shot up properly. If the resulting video is overly dark, pixilated, choppy, stutters, has sound/action sync errors or cannot properly or quickly focus on the subject in front of it using it is a complete waste of time and money. Luckily, the HD320 was more than adequate in each of these categories at least in optimum lighting conditions. In well lit conditions (near surface dives or external light source), the HD320s automatic white balance does a good enough job not to overexpose most shots. Even in caves, the recorded video was somewhat grainy due to lack of light but no pixilation or choppiness.
The major drawback to an on-face camera is you cant adjust the video settings underwater like you can with some dedicated camcorders in housings, such as zoom, white balance, etc. while underwater. This puts you in the position of filming everything and hoping the resulting video turns out okay. For the most part, everything did but I had a difficult time lining up shots using the crosshairs on the front of the mask; in many of the shots I was filming too high. My suggestion is to practice with the mask in a pool or even just walking around the house to better gauge the recording angles. Another thing you have to account for is the mask may vibrate every time you exhale. Ive found that I can alleviate most of this by remembering to breath out through my regulator not blow. Another tricky situation you have to manage is the bubbles that float to the surface from your regulator as you exhale. If you are looking down, your exhaust will likely rise to the surface from around your neck. On the other hand, if you are looking straight ahead or up the bubbles will likely rise right in front of your face possibly obscuring whatever it is you are filming. Some high-end regulators route the bubbles behind you otherwise, youll need to make sure whatever it is you are filming is in frame while you are inhaling (never hold your breath while diving). Finally, the mask will record the direction your head is pointed not your eyes. During my first several videos, I was still relatively new to scuba diving so my head jerked back and forth so often during the dives that watching the resulting video made me nauseous. Obviously, your mileage may vary.
I have a more detailed review of the HD320 - including video on my site. Let me know if there are any questions.