I gave it a fair shot, that's all I can say. In the end however, it falls well short of my expectations. The initial first impression short comings proved to be just that. Significant short comings that were just too great to excuse.
My first review of the Contour GPS pointed first to the very weak software required to take advantage of the GPS features of the camera. I complained about the lack of even basic editing functionality of both the desktop software as well as the web based software. This ultimately drove my decision to return the product.
The GPS version of the product is $100 more than the Roam version of the product. The only software capable of utilizing the GPS data is the previously mentioned very weak Story Teller software. I was able to find a third party product called Dashboard, but it was an additional $50 and it didn't appear to do the mapping rather it presented performance gauge type data.
Why is this significant? If you want to add music or a narrative to your video, or even combine a couple of segments of video from multiple sources it has to be done from a third party editor and once you do that you lose the GPS info. In other words, if you want the GPS mapping data included, there are no post production capabilities.
When I shoot video, I want to be able to at a minimum add some music, but more often, I like to combine clips from many different videos, add a soundtrack, add slow motion sequences etc. I like to make a unique production. Without being able to do so while maintaining mapping data made the additional $100 for this version of the camera a waste of money.
I took a brief look at the Contour Roam for a hundred bucks less. If it were the same camera minus the GPS I may have traded. The Roam however, doesn't include a SD Memory card so you have an additional expense right out of the box. It also lacks a removable battery. This was a bigger deal breaker for me. If the battery dies or fails you are stuck without a camera. It isn't simply a matter of replacing the battery. As a result I ruled out the Roam.
Why you ask do I thank REI? Because of their 100% satisfaction guaranteed policy. No questions asked. I re-packed the camera and accessory mounts that I purchased and returned them for a full refund. Thank You REI!
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Contour GPS HD Camera
I bit the bullet yesterday and purchased the Countour GPS HD video camera. In the coming days, assuming I keep the camera, I will post some video and discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the camera and related software and accessories.
Why do I say, "assuming I keep the camera"? My first impression is less than stellar. Not from the actual design and functionality of the camera itself, but from the related software. Both the desktop version of the StoryTeller software as well the online StotyTeller browser based tools at a glance appear to be rudimentary, clunky, buggy and poorly conceived.
My biggest disappointment with these tools thus far has been the performance. I shot a ten second video of my dog, resulting in an 11MB .mov file. I connected the camera to my MacBook Pro and launched the desktop StoryTeller software. Downloading the video to my local hard drive was quick, intuitive and painless.
I then tried to look at the mapping information and with much disappointment found that this functionality was not available in the desktop software. Bummed. I noticed a 'Share" button on the interface so I clicked that assuming it would upload the video to my account in the Contour community. Well that is what it is intended to do however, after watching the interface sit idle with a "starting" dialogue, a failure notice finally appeared along with a retry selection. Many attempts, all failed, and I was never able to upload a video from the desktop software to the online community.
I then logged in to upload the video, apply the GPS info and to just check out the experience and functionality of the online StoryTeller tools. The interface prompts you to create a story. This offers you a button to choose your file to upload, name your story, tag your story and write some other info about the story. I selected my 11MB file, named the story and added a tag and clicked upload. The actual upload did not take too long, however, then a dialogue appears and says something to the affect that the file is being converted to play in the player. Fine. I waited. And waited. And waited. Finally I saw a save button and thought, "maybe I have to click that".
I clicked save and was presented with another message. We will notify you via e-mail when your video is ready. Hmm. After several minutes I thought, wow, no e-mail yet. I logged back in to look at my account and confirm I set up the e-mail settings properly. I had. I looked at my recent activities and found that blank, still no video. I immediately assumed I had done something wrong so I tried again. Same experience. At this point I am rather disgruntled, almost to the point where I am packing the thing back up to return it. I talk myself down and decided to at least try it on a bike ride so I wait. And wait.
About an hour later I get notified that the video is ready. I log back on and sure enough, there it is. The data guy and math guy in me have me immediately asking myself, if a ten second video is 11MB and takes an hour to upload and view, how long is a one minute video going to take? Six hours? What about a 30 minute video? 180 hours, does it work that way? If so, this baby is going back.
I look to see what kind of editing tools are available. There really aren't any. I have no way to add a sound track to the movie. Nothing. Hmm. And what value does the GPS really add? I am having a hard time recognizing that. I can't view the map data along with the video through any other mechanism other than the online Story Teller software. Well there is a 3rd party offering called Dashboard for $49.95 but I am not interested in spending more on this thing.
Further exploration of the online tools reveal they too may suck and do not let you do any sort of production such as setting slow mo sections or adding music. So it is raw video with map info, or you can use iMovie or Final Cut to do some production but then you lose the mapping functionality.
The jury is still out. Maybe I am missing the boat. I will shoot some video this afternoon on my bike ride and return to try this whole thing again. I hope the experience gets better. At this point I am rather disenchanted and seriously considering the return of the camera. The question then becomes do I trade it in on the Contour Roam and save $100 and dump the less than useful GPS data or do I go with the GoPro which my son has and is not that happy with. Stay tuned.
Why do I say, "assuming I keep the camera"? My first impression is less than stellar. Not from the actual design and functionality of the camera itself, but from the related software. Both the desktop version of the StoryTeller software as well the online StotyTeller browser based tools at a glance appear to be rudimentary, clunky, buggy and poorly conceived.
My biggest disappointment with these tools thus far has been the performance. I shot a ten second video of my dog, resulting in an 11MB .mov file. I connected the camera to my MacBook Pro and launched the desktop StoryTeller software. Downloading the video to my local hard drive was quick, intuitive and painless.
I then tried to look at the mapping information and with much disappointment found that this functionality was not available in the desktop software. Bummed. I noticed a 'Share" button on the interface so I clicked that assuming it would upload the video to my account in the Contour community. Well that is what it is intended to do however, after watching the interface sit idle with a "starting" dialogue, a failure notice finally appeared along with a retry selection. Many attempts, all failed, and I was never able to upload a video from the desktop software to the online community.
I then logged in to upload the video, apply the GPS info and to just check out the experience and functionality of the online StoryTeller tools. The interface prompts you to create a story. This offers you a button to choose your file to upload, name your story, tag your story and write some other info about the story. I selected my 11MB file, named the story and added a tag and clicked upload. The actual upload did not take too long, however, then a dialogue appears and says something to the affect that the file is being converted to play in the player. Fine. I waited. And waited. And waited. Finally I saw a save button and thought, "maybe I have to click that".
I clicked save and was presented with another message. We will notify you via e-mail when your video is ready. Hmm. After several minutes I thought, wow, no e-mail yet. I logged back in to look at my account and confirm I set up the e-mail settings properly. I had. I looked at my recent activities and found that blank, still no video. I immediately assumed I had done something wrong so I tried again. Same experience. At this point I am rather disgruntled, almost to the point where I am packing the thing back up to return it. I talk myself down and decided to at least try it on a bike ride so I wait. And wait.
About an hour later I get notified that the video is ready. I log back on and sure enough, there it is. The data guy and math guy in me have me immediately asking myself, if a ten second video is 11MB and takes an hour to upload and view, how long is a one minute video going to take? Six hours? What about a 30 minute video? 180 hours, does it work that way? If so, this baby is going back.
I look to see what kind of editing tools are available. There really aren't any. I have no way to add a sound track to the movie. Nothing. Hmm. And what value does the GPS really add? I am having a hard time recognizing that. I can't view the map data along with the video through any other mechanism other than the online Story Teller software. Well there is a 3rd party offering called Dashboard for $49.95 but I am not interested in spending more on this thing.
Further exploration of the online tools reveal they too may suck and do not let you do any sort of production such as setting slow mo sections or adding music. So it is raw video with map info, or you can use iMovie or Final Cut to do some production but then you lose the mapping functionality.
The jury is still out. Maybe I am missing the boat. I will shoot some video this afternoon on my bike ride and return to try this whole thing again. I hope the experience gets better. At this point I am rather disenchanted and seriously considering the return of the camera. The question then becomes do I trade it in on the Contour Roam and save $100 and dump the less than useful GPS data or do I go with the GoPro which my son has and is not that happy with. Stay tuned.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
I Have Hit the Wall
Yep. Completely devoid of anything that resembles energy or a desire to ride a bike. I am on day three of a new streak. This streak unfortunately is one that is counting days SINCE I last rode a bike.
The lack of motivation is probably no surprise. Deb's surgery has left me as the sole household member capable of doing anything. I have taken on literally all household responsibilities including; cooking, cleaning(however I don't do toilets, they'll have to wait), dishes, shopping, driving, taking care of the dog, etc etc. This all has me drained. I am going to have to bounce back and log some serious miles over the weekend. My 25 days of riding in February is also at risk. I have already exhausted the four days off that I allowed myself for the month. Ride everyday from here on out or I miss that goal.
The lack of motivation is probably no surprise. Deb's surgery has left me as the sole household member capable of doing anything. I have taken on literally all household responsibilities including; cooking, cleaning(however I don't do toilets, they'll have to wait), dishes, shopping, driving, taking care of the dog, etc etc. This all has me drained. I am going to have to bounce back and log some serious miles over the weekend. My 25 days of riding in February is also at risk. I have already exhausted the four days off that I allowed myself for the month. Ride everyday from here on out or I miss that goal.
Monday, February 6, 2012
566
The number of days from Alberto Contador's positive test results to the day a verdict is reached. Adding to that frustration, Contador has been racing the entire time. And the kicker? The ban will end this August. The suspension is retroactive. Sure he forfeits all of his results since the positive, but he will only be banned from competition for six months. How can this be fair? Is that the new precedent?
The amount of time that has lapsed since the case was opened against also puts at risk the UCI license of Saxo Sungard. Alberto Contador accounted for a full 68% of all points earned by that team in 2011. With the two year ban, and those results stricken from his palmares and the team palmares, Saxo now stands to lose its license with the UCI. It no longer meets the qualification criteria.
Who is the winner in all of this? It isn't Saxo for the aforementioned reason. It isn't cycling as it receives yet another black eye for harbouring a deep quiver full of cheaters. It isn't the Tour de France for having yet again to re-write its record books with a new "winner" if you want to refer to them that way. Today is February 6, 2012 and the "winner" of the 2010 Tour is only made clear today? Today is February 6, 2012 and the "winner" of the Giro d'Italia is only made clear today? It isn't these new "winners" of record for these events. I certainly don't recognize the likes of an Oscar Pierero as a former Tour winner. He's not. He is just the "winner" of record. It isn't the governing bodies of the sport, they couldn't look more ridiculous. And it certainly isn't the courts who were left to try and decide this thing.
The closest thing to a winner that I can see here is sadly enough Alberto Contador. He was guilty of doping 566 days ago. Has continued to compete and be compensated for competing while this travisty played out. While he loses his results over those 566 days, his effective ban from competition will only amount to six months. And without a clear decision and announcement of the source of the Clenbuterol, that many experts allege is from a poorly executed blood doping and transfusion regimen, he maintains his innocence and will come back to ride in this years Vuelta. He certainly will not face the difficulty that others such as David Millar have faced trying to regain a competitive level of ability after two years away from the sport and being to rebuild a tarnished image of a former doper.
It is sad day for cycling that is for sure.
The Streak
The Streak came to an end on Friday. The weather, my wife's surgery and subsequent recovery were the primary factors in the Streak coming to an end. But strangely enough there was little sense of disappointment from this streak coming to an end given the amount of effort that had went into getting to 33 consecutive days on the bike.
I resumed riding Saturday, however my ride was once again cut short by these damn "tubeless" tires on my single speed. Couple this with having a defective inflator along preventing me from topping off the tire enough to get home, I found myself a little frustrated. I managed a meager 9 miles about half of which was spent standing up trying to keep weight off of the back wheel so I could get home. Recall my wife's surgery? She is unable to drive leaving me with two options, ride on a mostly flat tire or walk. Fortunately the tire did not go completely flat or blow the bead altogether and I was able to get home without walking.
Saturday afternoon the sun returned following the snow storm, the roads dried out and Sunday's weather was much the same. It was still rather cold with a high of 28°F but the sun was bright and the landscape was beautiful covered in piles of fresh snow. For the sake of reliability and a desire to ride further, longer and at a higher intensity, I opted to ride the cross bike and ride some dirt roads.
The higher intensity statement comes from my intent to post more days in February with Strava Suffer Scores over 100. In January, the day to grind of riding everyday, may have found me just riding and not really riding with any purpose. Sunday I set out with a goal of my first February 100+ Suffer Score ride. I was successful. I also succeeded in recognizing the importance of some rest. Friday off, light day Saturday led to an inspired and intense ride Sunday. Perhaps this whole streak thing is over rated?
We are now thirty seven days into 2012 and I have missed just the one day.
Sunday's Ride
The amount of time that has lapsed since the case was opened against also puts at risk the UCI license of Saxo Sungard. Alberto Contador accounted for a full 68% of all points earned by that team in 2011. With the two year ban, and those results stricken from his palmares and the team palmares, Saxo now stands to lose its license with the UCI. It no longer meets the qualification criteria.
Who is the winner in all of this? It isn't Saxo for the aforementioned reason. It isn't cycling as it receives yet another black eye for harbouring a deep quiver full of cheaters. It isn't the Tour de France for having yet again to re-write its record books with a new "winner" if you want to refer to them that way. Today is February 6, 2012 and the "winner" of the 2010 Tour is only made clear today? Today is February 6, 2012 and the "winner" of the Giro d'Italia is only made clear today? It isn't these new "winners" of record for these events. I certainly don't recognize the likes of an Oscar Pierero as a former Tour winner. He's not. He is just the "winner" of record. It isn't the governing bodies of the sport, they couldn't look more ridiculous. And it certainly isn't the courts who were left to try and decide this thing.
The closest thing to a winner that I can see here is sadly enough Alberto Contador. He was guilty of doping 566 days ago. Has continued to compete and be compensated for competing while this travisty played out. While he loses his results over those 566 days, his effective ban from competition will only amount to six months. And without a clear decision and announcement of the source of the Clenbuterol, that many experts allege is from a poorly executed blood doping and transfusion regimen, he maintains his innocence and will come back to ride in this years Vuelta. He certainly will not face the difficulty that others such as David Millar have faced trying to regain a competitive level of ability after two years away from the sport and being to rebuild a tarnished image of a former doper.
It is sad day for cycling that is for sure.
The Streak
The Streak came to an end on Friday. The weather, my wife's surgery and subsequent recovery were the primary factors in the Streak coming to an end. But strangely enough there was little sense of disappointment from this streak coming to an end given the amount of effort that had went into getting to 33 consecutive days on the bike.
I resumed riding Saturday, however my ride was once again cut short by these damn "tubeless" tires on my single speed. Couple this with having a defective inflator along preventing me from topping off the tire enough to get home, I found myself a little frustrated. I managed a meager 9 miles about half of which was spent standing up trying to keep weight off of the back wheel so I could get home. Recall my wife's surgery? She is unable to drive leaving me with two options, ride on a mostly flat tire or walk. Fortunately the tire did not go completely flat or blow the bead altogether and I was able to get home without walking.
Saturday afternoon the sun returned following the snow storm, the roads dried out and Sunday's weather was much the same. It was still rather cold with a high of 28°F but the sun was bright and the landscape was beautiful covered in piles of fresh snow. For the sake of reliability and a desire to ride further, longer and at a higher intensity, I opted to ride the cross bike and ride some dirt roads.
The higher intensity statement comes from my intent to post more days in February with Strava Suffer Scores over 100. In January, the day to grind of riding everyday, may have found me just riding and not really riding with any purpose. Sunday I set out with a goal of my first February 100+ Suffer Score ride. I was successful. I also succeeded in recognizing the importance of some rest. Friday off, light day Saturday led to an inspired and intense ride Sunday. Perhaps this whole streak thing is over rated?
We are now thirty seven days into 2012 and I have missed just the one day.
Sunday's Ride
Sunday, February 5, 2012
The Case Against Armstrong
On the record I will state that I have long been a supporter and fan of Lance Armstrong. That being said, I must also disclose that I too have my reservations on whether or not he competed clean as he so diligently proclaims he did.
The recent announcement that the federal government has dropped its case against him came from seemingly nowhere and with surprise to many. During the early phases of the investigation it seemed there were near daily leaks on details of the investigation, however the case fell eerily silent for several months leading up to Friday's announcement. Perhaps from the motion filed by Armstrong attorneys to cease the media leaks, perhaps due to the uphill public relations the investigation faced or both.
In the end, it is important to understand that this announcement does not mean that Armstrong raced clean nor does it indicate that Lance's doping related battles are behind him. This investigation brought by the feds was focused on determining whether or not he defrauded the government by using tax payer money to support and illegally fund doping practices for himself and potentially the US Postal team. Proving and successfully prosecuting for fraud is a tall order, one that the feds obviously felt they would be hard pressed to succeed at given the power of the man they were trying to prosecute.
Many people testified during this investigation and USADA almost immediately reacted to the federal investigation announcement by stating they will continue to pursue Armstrong for doping and that they will seek to use the Fed's leg work in their quest. The evidence and testimony that has been gathered, if the media reports are accurate, will certainly be more damning in the context of the conversation of did he dope.
I have mixed feelings about the topic given the damage that this could do to Livestrong and the positive things that the Foundation has done and is doing for the cancer community. I would however like to once and for all have this endless witch hunt laid to rest. On the other hand however given the positive tests and doping admissions of Armstrong's primary competition during his reign over the Tour, what does it prove?
Contador
A topic where my feelings are less ambiguous is the handling of Alberto Contador, his tainted career and the most recent positive test for the banned substance Clenbuterol. Here is an individual who unlike Armstrong, has tested positive. He announced his latest positive test in September 2010 months after winning the 2010 Tour de France that featured his 'panache-less' attack on Andy Schleck that has become known as "chain gate".
It was no surprise when the Royal Spanish Cycling Federation(RFEC) cleared Contador of wrong doing. Consistent with its own questionable past, the RFEC once again seemingly turned a blind eye to the cheating of their countrymen. An appeal brought to the Court of Arbitration for Sport has been ongoing ever since. A handful of of dates for hearings and announcement of its decision have come and gone while Contador continues to race.
The original hearing and a decision were promised prior to the start of the 2011 Tour. That decision was delayed and re-scheduled for early August. Again, the hearing date decision date came and went. Another date was set for November and it too passed. Again an announcement date was established by end of January 2012 and it has passed now as well.
It is now said that the decision will be shared tomorrow. We shall see. In the meantime, Contador is racing his 2012 season in preparation for another Tour de France. My hope is that the questionable handling of this case does not affect a just outcome. Anything but a guilty verdict and a two year ban will leave a veil of suspicion over the case, its arbiters, Contador and cycling as a whole.
The recent announcement that the federal government has dropped its case against him came from seemingly nowhere and with surprise to many. During the early phases of the investigation it seemed there were near daily leaks on details of the investigation, however the case fell eerily silent for several months leading up to Friday's announcement. Perhaps from the motion filed by Armstrong attorneys to cease the media leaks, perhaps due to the uphill public relations the investigation faced or both.
In the end, it is important to understand that this announcement does not mean that Armstrong raced clean nor does it indicate that Lance's doping related battles are behind him. This investigation brought by the feds was focused on determining whether or not he defrauded the government by using tax payer money to support and illegally fund doping practices for himself and potentially the US Postal team. Proving and successfully prosecuting for fraud is a tall order, one that the feds obviously felt they would be hard pressed to succeed at given the power of the man they were trying to prosecute.
Many people testified during this investigation and USADA almost immediately reacted to the federal investigation announcement by stating they will continue to pursue Armstrong for doping and that they will seek to use the Fed's leg work in their quest. The evidence and testimony that has been gathered, if the media reports are accurate, will certainly be more damning in the context of the conversation of did he dope.
I have mixed feelings about the topic given the damage that this could do to Livestrong and the positive things that the Foundation has done and is doing for the cancer community. I would however like to once and for all have this endless witch hunt laid to rest. On the other hand however given the positive tests and doping admissions of Armstrong's primary competition during his reign over the Tour, what does it prove?
Contador
A topic where my feelings are less ambiguous is the handling of Alberto Contador, his tainted career and the most recent positive test for the banned substance Clenbuterol. Here is an individual who unlike Armstrong, has tested positive. He announced his latest positive test in September 2010 months after winning the 2010 Tour de France that featured his 'panache-less' attack on Andy Schleck that has become known as "chain gate".
It was no surprise when the Royal Spanish Cycling Federation(RFEC) cleared Contador of wrong doing. Consistent with its own questionable past, the RFEC once again seemingly turned a blind eye to the cheating of their countrymen. An appeal brought to the Court of Arbitration for Sport has been ongoing ever since. A handful of of dates for hearings and announcement of its decision have come and gone while Contador continues to race.
The original hearing and a decision were promised prior to the start of the 2011 Tour. That decision was delayed and re-scheduled for early August. Again, the hearing date decision date came and went. Another date was set for November and it too passed. Again an announcement date was established by end of January 2012 and it has passed now as well.
It is now said that the decision will be shared tomorrow. We shall see. In the meantime, Contador is racing his 2012 season in preparation for another Tour de France. My hope is that the questionable handling of this case does not affect a just outcome. Anything but a guilty verdict and a two year ban will leave a veil of suspicion over the case, its arbiters, Contador and cycling as a whole.
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