Philips Driving Camera CVR300 - Finally the one

Our first purchase of a car camera was a horrible failure. So for our second purchase we decided to go for a more reputable brand.

On 5th April, we saw walking at Ikano Power Centre (IPC) and Popular Bookstore was having a Fair on the ground floor, and we saw one of their concessionaire called Ascom. They were selling projectors, storage devices and car camcorders. They had three models available;

• CVR700 (RM499) - has a built in GPS logger
• CVR300 (RM399) - has a rotatable camera
• CVR200 (RM369)

My first instinct was to check the prices online, and I had the Lazada mobile app installed. From my previous posting you’ll noticed I’d made numerous purchases online as it was more economical, but this time I was shocked.

Lessons here:

• Not everything sold online is cheaper from physical stores.
• Don’t believe the claims of so called ‘discounts’ - do more survey & comparison.

Hence our second purchase of a car camcorder is the Philips Car Driving Recorder CVR300 for RM399.00. On top of already great price, we gotten 3 x RM10 book vouchers from Popular (there was an ongoing promotion for every RM120 spent, a RM10 voucher will be given).

Here are the videos of the Unboxing, and Usage experience;

[Updated, 20 April 2015] Here are some sample videos that have been uploaded unto YouTube.

The videos were not edited in anyway prior to uploading to YouTube. The camera was set to record at Full HD 1920x1080 30fps 16:9. Time stamp enabled. Audio disabled.
 
If you wish to view the original video files, please click here.

Here is the list of the Philips Car Driving Camera model CVR300 detail specifications;

Video Quality
Resolution

• Full HD(1920x1080p) at 30 fps
• HD (1280 x 720p) at 60 fps

Formats

• AAC Audio compression
• H.264 video compression
• MP4 files format

Photo Resolution

• 5MP

Camera
Picture resolution: 12/8/5/3MP

Lens & Sensor
Lens: 4G Wide Angle
Sensor: 1:3.2 inch, 5MP CMOS
File format: MP4
Video format: H.264 video compression, AAC Audio compression

Recorder features
Video loop recording: 3/5/10 min
Motion Detect function
Record auto start at power on
Auto save at power off
Microphone mute in recording
Date stamp

Lens & Sensor
Lens: 4G Wide Angle
Sensor: 1:3.2 inch, 5MP CMOS
File format: MP4
Video format: H.264 video compression, AAC Audio compression

Display
Resolution: 480(RGB) x 240
Auto screen switch off: off/1/3/5min
LCD size: 2"

Digital Storage
Recording Media: Micro SD card (class 6 or higher, up to 32GB)

Connectivity
USB: Mini-USB port
HDMI: 1080i/720p
Microphone: Stereo directional microphone
Speaker: Built-in

Battery & Power
Charge Time: 10min
Power supply: 5.5V DC
Backup battery: Built-in 300mAh lithium battery
Life: 2 Min for last capture backup

Dimensions
Product dimensions (WxDxH): 50 x 25.5 x 100 mm
Product weight (g): 55.5 g

Accessories included
User Manual

• Simplified Chinese
• Traditional Chinese

Suction cup mount
USB cable
Car Charger: 12V Power adapter with 2.5m long cable

Xiaomi Yi Action Camera - My Very First Action Cam.

Capturing memories, I have an entry-level Sony camcorder and a compact camera from Samsung (W250F), and most of the time I take photos and videos with my Xioami Redmi Note 3G phone. So I normally wonder how people can spend hundreds to thousand of ringgit to buy something that small - I am referring to Action Cameras.

I must admit that I have no experience with these type of cameras, and since the prices of these gadgets are deemed high (to me), I did not explore or research further. However on 2 March 2015, Xiaomi launched an action camera called 'Xiaomi Yi Action Camera' that cost only RMB 399 (converted to approximately MYR 233.96) - that caught my attention!

I thought it was within my price range but alas it was only available in China and knowing from history how long it takes for Xiaomi to launch new products in Malaysia, I was left dishearten again. On 26 March 2015 I saw the camera on my usual online shopping site, Lazada and it was priced at RM 349.00 and after applying a discount code for 10% off, I secured the item at RM 314.10. The item was 'Sold & Fulfilled by Lazada' and it came with '1 Year Supplier Warranty'.

Since this was my very first action camera, I was very excited! & I was going to make sure I studied it properly and find out how to maximize the my enjoyment using it. Below are the videos of my review of the Xiaomi Yi Action Camera and also the accompanying App.

Xiaomi Yi Action Camera (JAT Part 1: Unboxing)

Xiaomi Yi Action Camera (JAT Part 2: Functions & Usage)

Xiaomi Yi Action Camera (JAT Part 3: App Connection & Settings)

Xiaomi Yi Action Camera (JAT Part 4: Maximizing The Experience)

And here is a playlist of videos captured from the camera;

• The first five videos are captured during the night time driving around residential roads to highways. Some videos have 'Lens Rectification' enabled.
• There are two videos during the morning and one in the afternoon. 'Lens Rectification' enabled.
• Two videos driving during the evening, and one is of them was in the rain.

 

Below are some sample photographs taken indoors and outdoors (click to enlarge);

A view overlooking a car park - taken during high noon

A view overlooking a car park - taken during high noon

On the roof of an industrial lot.

The indoor open area of Sunway Pyramid

Visual Effect

The car park of Citta Mall, Ara Damansara

Lens Rectification ENABLED

Lens Rectification DISABLED - default

Kepong Gangster 2 (甲洞2) - Meet The Fans Session

I was at Paradigm Mall on 28 February 2015 to catch the Prosperity Drums by Kwong Ngai Lion Dance troop but unfortunately that event was cancelled the last minute. It so happen there was another event taking place, a "Meet The Fans Session" from a local movie production. So I stuck around to watch this instead. This is the first time I met Stars from the entertainment and movie industry. This "Meet The Fans Sessions" was for a new local movie called "Kepong Gangster 2 (甲洞2)". The casts and director of the Kepong Gangster 2 have been traveling across Malaysia to promote their their movie, which was to be released in cinemas on the last day of Chinese New Year 2015 (Chap Goh Meh), 5 March 2015 (Thursday).

It was great to see that there was a substantial crowd that was present to support this movie. The session started slightly passed 7:30pm and it lasted close to 1 1/2 hours. The director and casts were given time to share the interesting moments and challenging bits they experienced in the movie. There was an opportunity for some fans to volunteer and pair up with their favourite stars to participate in a game. Finally, three of the stars gave the audience a treat by singing a song a piece.

The following is the session recorded in 3 parts;
Casts & Director (Left to Right): Danny Wan, Agnes Lim, Brien Pien, Queen Wei, Henley Hii 許亮宇, Billy Ng, Crystal Lee, and Director 馬逸騰 Teng Bee

Interview & Sharing by Director 馬逸騰 Teng Bee & Casts

Games & Interaction with the Fans

Singing by Henley Hii, Brian Pien and Queen Wei.

《甲洞2》《KEPONG GANGSTER 2》
元宵節 3月5日 全國戲院 情義上映 !!
IN CINEMAS CHAP GOH MEH 5 MARCH 2015 !!
#‎keponggangster2‬
http://www.facebook.com/kepongmovie