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Helmet cam maker Contour adds live streaming with Cerevo deal

Contour's top-of-the-line Contour+ camera will connect with LiveShell, a gadget made by Toyko-based Cerevo to let users stream their skiing and cycling adventures live online.

Jay Greene Former Staff Writer
Jay Greene, a CNET senior writer, works from Seattle and focuses on investigations and analysis. He's a former Seattle bureau chief for BusinessWeek and author of the book "Design Is How It Works: How the Smartest Companies Turn Products into Icons" (Penguin/Portfolio).
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Jay Greene
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LAS VEGAS--Helmet-cam maker Contour is teaming with Toyko-based Cerevo to give skiers, cyclists, and others the ability to stream the video they shoot live to the Web.

Contour's top-of-the-line $500 Contour+ will connect with an HDMI cable to Cerevo's $300 LiveShell, a deck of cards-sized gadget, to stream live video to Ustream's Web site. The deal will let the athletes--recreational and professional--show off their coolest tricks or their biggest wipeouts as they happen.

Contour+ Contour

"It's a perfect complement to our Contour+ camera model," Contour Chief Executive Marc Barros said in a statement about the deal, announced today at the Consumer Electronics Show.

It's nearly impossible this winter to go to any major ski resort in North America and not see helmet cams from Contour, or its larger rival GoPro. And next month, GoPro is set to launch its Wi-Fi BacPac, which will let videographers stream shots live to the Web as well, via smartphone or other device running a GoPro App.

The Contour-LiveShell setup requires no computer. Users can change settings via a remote control access, or they can use a Web-based dashboard, accessible by either computer or smartphone.

While the Contour+ delivers HD video in 1080p at about 30 frames per second or 720p at up to 60 frames per second, the maximum resolution with Cerevo LiveShell is about 480p. Both the Contour+ and LiveShell have more than two hours of battery life.

Contour will sell the LiveShell on its Web site starting February 1.

Separately, Contour also plans to upgrade its remote control app for the Contour+ and the Contour GPS on Android devices. In April, the Contour Connect App will let users start and stop recording by tapping a button on their Android device, using Bluetooth connectivity. The apps, as well as one for iPhones, already lets users turn their devices into a wireless viewfinder, giving them the ability to align shots and adjust settings in real-time.