{"id":8608,"date":"2014-03-04T08:32:07","date_gmt":"2014-03-04T13:32:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/?p=8608"},"modified":"2015-03-24T23:01:29","modified_gmt":"2015-03-25T03:01:29","slug":"hp-f200-car-camcorder-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/hp-f200-car-camcorder-review\/","title":{"rendered":"HP f200 car camcorder review"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Article update: The [easyazon_link identifier=”B00FE6DQMY” locale=”US” tag=”thetra03-20″]updated camcorder is the HP210[\/easyazon_link]. This model is identical to the f200 described in this article, but has the additional GPS feature built-in, so you will know where each video clip was recorded.<\/div><\/div>\n

The HP f200 full HD car camcorder is pretty much a miniature marvel for the price.\u00a0 Shooting full-res 1920×1080 at 30 frames per second, the f200 will give you some great looking video, whether you are using it to record a trip or for accident documentation.<\/p>\n

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The HP f200 utilizes a 1\/3.2\u201d CMOS Sensor which does a great job in daylight and a better than expected job at night. That\u2019s probably because it is matched with a fast f2.4 3.0mm lens.\u00a0 Stills can be shot at 5MP (2592×1944) with auto shutter speeds from \u00bd to 1\/2000 second. ISO speeds automatically adjust as lighting conditions change so don\u2019t expect the same high quality video at night.<\/p>\n

The battery is a 470mAH Li-polymer rechargeable so it will continue to operate even when not plugged in. You could therefore take the camera out of the car if there\u2019s something you wanted to video tape, but don\u2019t expect real long life from a 470mAH battery.<\/p>\n

For the price, this camera is going to be pretty impossible to beat. I like the ease of use and the quality of the video, which is the ultimate point of having a camcorder.<\/p>\n

HP f200 Features<\/b><\/p>\n

The back of the camera comes with a 2.4\u201d LCD color screen that can be used to frame the best view when placing it on your windshield.<\/p>\n

Camera will take still photos as well as video. \u00a0(Check out the quality of a screen grab enlarging the license plate of a car approaching about 35 MPH)<\/p>\n

\"license<\/a><\/p>\n

Video resolution can be either 1920×1080 (full HD) or 1280×720 (DVD quality) and file storage is in the Quicktime .MOV format.<\/p>\n

Easy to mount suction cup mounting with ball adjustment to set recording angle<\/p>\n

Wide angle lens gives a full street wide view.<\/p>\n

Loop recording feature so you don\u2019t need to repeatedly clean off the SDHC card.<\/p>\n

Supports SDHC cards up to 32 GB capacity. Figure about 3.1 GB per hour of continuous recording \u2013 so a ten-hour trip would fill a 32 GB card.<\/p>\n

Supplied with long-length USB power cord so cord can be routed up the windshield column and across the head liner.<\/p>\n

Motion detection to start and stop the video.\u00a0 (This worked for me sometimes and sometimes not.\u00a0 There\u2019s really no advantage in stopping the video, since you will never overfill your memory card.)<\/p>\n

Automatic emergency recording when a collision is detected. That video will be stored automatically in a separate folder that does not get overwritten.<\/p>\n

Supports SDHC cards up to 32 GB capacity.<\/p>\n

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<\/center>Installation<\/b><\/p>\n

Installation couldn\u2019t be simpler.\u00a0 Simply screw the camera to the 1\/4×20 nut on the bracket and flip down the latch on the suction cup to lock it to the glass. Attach the USB power cord and plug it into your cigarette lighter.<\/p>\n

When it senses power, it will automatically turn on and start recording.<\/p>\n

A couple cautions are in order however.\u00a0 Be sure to mount the camera so that the lens is in the arc wiped by your windshield wiper so you can use it in the rain.\u00a0 If you have had an aftermarket tint film applied to your windshield, you might not want to mount it with the suction cup. Lastly, if the temperature is extremely cold outside, don\u2019t try to attach the unit until both the unit and the glass are the same temperature.<\/p>\n