Some slow motion tests.

Mounted on my car Car mounted Sony Action Cam HDR-AS15 test (no audio) - YouTube

My friend also did some with his Sony Action Cam HDR-AS15 120fps - YouTube

Thanks a lot for those videos Duane. Those sort of shots are what I want one for.
I just had a look at the Action Cam at my local Sony Store and it looks pretty nice but it is a little disappointing that you always need the case! I will definitely be giving my drill a workout if I get one.

Look at Woody's posts Laurence. He came up with a cheap and very usable (I made one) out of case mount.
My only concern about using it out of the case is that on many POV lenses (Especially GoPro) the coating on the lens is extremely soft and easily damaged.

They just don't go to the extra expense of using hard coatings because it's supposed to be used in the case.

Look at Woody's posts Laurence. He came up with a cheap and very usable (I made one) out of case mount.
My only concern about using it out of the case is that on many POV lenses (Especially GoPro) the coating on the lens is extremely soft and easily damaged.

They just don't go to the extra expense of using hard coatings because it's supposed to be used in the case.

Thanks for mentioning that. I did not consider that. I have been using it in the DIY mount quite a bit. I shot another cloud time lapse yesterday and let it run for an hour. Man, it got hot. It didn't shut down but I could not make a fist around it. It was as hot as coffee out of the pot. I shot using the DIY open mount and am glad I didn't try it in the full housing. I would NOT recommend shooting an hour long time lapse in the full housing.

I had originally thought that the heat issue was something internal that would just cause a card not to write or something small like that but this thing can get crazy hot.

cloud time lapse shot for an hour on Sony HDR-AS15 - YouTube (http://youtu.be/EPFtKEl6nLs)

How do you charge the battery in the camera ?

How do you charge the battery in the camera ?

USB via laptop/computer. I haven't tried using the adapter I have in the truck yet, I'd have to look up the spec's for voltage on that but I would bet it would work fine.

Doesnt seem to work goes to usb mode and drains the battery

Doesnt seem to work goes to usb mode and drains the battery

Don't turn it on. Leave off for a bit then plug into computer/laptop. You will see a light on the bottom and that means it is charging but don't turn it on or it will go into USB mode for data transfer and it does not charge in that mode.

Plug the USB in. I have to figure out what USB Micro it is so I can gt a spare. (There are a couple of micro configurations)

I don't like to charge anything in the computer USB. The computer tries to connect and if it does, it can cause a lot of problems. It's been known to brick GoPro's.

Just use a stand alone USB charger.

Thanks everybody, I got it charged.

Anyone test yet to see if having WiFi on/off makes a difference in the amount of heat that the camera makes in the case?

Sony LCD Unit For Action Cam AKALU1 B&H Photo Video

I don't know if I'm the last one to know this...but B&H now has the camcorder adapter picture posted. I didn't anticipate such a design.
Very compact.

Sony LCD Unit For Action Cam AKALU1 B&H Photo Video (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/893351-REG/Sony_akalu1_LCD_Unit_For_Action.html)

I don't know if I'm the last one to know this...but B&H now has the camcorder adapter picture posted. I didn't anticipate such a design.
Very compact.

Looks interesting. Wonder what you do with the bottom door and if there is a tripod mount.

Anyone test yet to see if having WiFi on/off makes a difference in the amount of heat that the camera makes in the case?

I'll try that this coming week. I did shoot a sunset time lapse in about 70 degrees as compared to the ones I shot in 85+ and it made a huge difference. I'll do a mid day one with wifi on and let it cool and one with it off.

I also shot a cloud movement time-lapse outside, shooting for over an hour at 55 degrees ambient temperature. The camera only got a little warm. I shot in the waterproof case without the front door (no need for it).

Here is the video:

Sony HDR AS15 Action Cam Time Lapse: Clouds - YouTube (http://youtu.be/eoajZ9e72Oo?hd=1)

I also shot a 1.5-hour time lapse at the end of the day in 55-degree ambient temperature with the camera in the case with the front cover on (it was raining). The camera barely was warm at the end of the shoot:

Sony AS15 Action Cam Time Lapse Video: Cloud Movements at the End of a Rainy, Cloudy Day - YouTube (http://youtu.be/rTTXRXhAIhM?hd=1)

Sony Tilt Adapter For Action Cam VCTTA1 B&H Photo Video

As usual, our B&H friends are on top of it. Does anyone though have an idea what this is supposed to do or how it's supposed to attach on the bottom and to what might it attach?

Sony Tilt Adapter For Action Cam VCTTA1 B&H Photo Video (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/893349-REG/Sony_vctta1_Tilt_Adapter_For_Action.html)

As usual, our B&H friends are on top of it. Does anyone though have an idea what this is supposed to do or how it's supposed to attach on the bottom and to what might it attach?

Lynne,

Looks to just be an adapter piece that mounts in between the housing and a QD mount or tripod mount. Just using the housing and the supplied QD mounts don't allow for tilting. Really, I think some sort of ball mount adapter would have worked better in this case as it would allow tilting on more than just one axis and 360 rotation.

I just got my suction cup mount this weekend and I'm surprised at the quality, it looks well built. I'll be trying it out this week for sure.

I tried out the headband this weekend while Deer hunting. It hugs my head better than the GoPro and the stabilization in the camera works like a charm.

I'm starting to like this better all the time but the blue channel still sucks with a big S. Hopefully they can and will fix that in a firmware upgrade.

I just bought the HDR-AS15 - Sony Action Camera
Put it on my helmet and went down a woodlands trail.
Edited the file with Adobe Premiere Elements 10 onto an AVCHD DVD
I was horrified by the artifacts, huge blotches popping into view down the trail ahead of me.
The footage was pleasant if I did not move down the trail.
To much detail for a little camera too handle?
Looking at the footage off the camera, (hdmi to TV) what I call artifacts is also present, in lesser degree.
I of course cannot find any 'salesmen' that have the slightest clue.
Is there any POV camera that does well on a helmet going down a single track bicycle trail?
I want to see leaves, not crawling porridge.
also use the POV.HD it has less artifacts, but enough to keep me looking
I guess I will try the Go Pro Hero 2 again, perhaps the protune will help?

They all have the artifacts problem they are small cheap cameras. But they are great when you need them. I just sold my supply of GoPro camera the first 1080p version since I was never happy with the picture. I do have a VIO POV that is better but not a small package.

From what I have seen the Sony looks great for a cheap POV.

You might want to check your codec in and editing codec and render. If you give that info we might be able to help you improve the footage.

I tried out the headband this weekend while Deer hunting. It hugs my head better than the GoPro and the stabilization in the camera works like a charm.

I'm starting to like this better all the time but the blue channel still sucks with a big S. Hopefully they can and will fix that in a firmware upgrade.
Don, what do you mean by the blue channel? Is it a color balance issue that's the problem?

Did some more testing. Using 720 120fps in the case camera shut down even with the door open (was on tripod in sun 80 degree day).

1080 30fps mode with IS on in car camera did fine. I wish Sony would add a flip feature to it like the GoPro. Attached is a photo of how I have to mount it in the car.

IS video test Sony Action Cam HDR-AS15 in car test - YouTube

I just bought the HDR-AS15 - Sony Action Camera
Put it on my helmet and went down a woodlands trail.
Edited the file with Adobe Premiere Elements 10 onto an AVCHD DVD
I was horrified by the artifacts, huge blotches popping into view down the trail ahead of me.
The footage was pleasant if I did not move down the trail.
To much detail for a little camera too handle?
Looking at the footage off the camera, (hdmi to TV) what I call artifacts is also present, in lesser degree.
I of course cannot find any 'salesmen' that have the slightest clue.
Is there any POV camera that does well on a helmet going down a single track bicycle trail?
I want to see leaves, not crawling porridge.
also use the POV.HD it has less artifacts, but enough to keep me looking
I guess I will try the Go Pro Hero 2 again, perhaps the protune will help?

Patrick...do you think the Sony's bit rate can handle "bland" or "plain" backgrounds like streets and ocean waves but when it comes to finely detailed BGs like fallen leaves and ferns and sticks, that's when the pixelation begins? Too much detail equals blotchy???
That would not be good.

If the video posted above (Sony Action Cam in-car test) is a fair representation of what the camera produces, and was not recompressed twice or something, the resolution is abysmal: everything is blotchy (watching at 720p).

Sony Action Cam HDR-AS15 in car test - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=4vfxQ3Vny8w)

This is horrible.

However, I have seen videos from the same camera on Youtube that were much crisper.

Like this one (also 120fps, including riding on a motorcycle not just viewing them):

http://youtu.be/sAQDVAtAiik?hd=1

I wonder if it is the digital stabilization *and* the sensor cropping (120 versus 170) that is making the videos look particularly bad, while 108030p without stabilization at 170 (16Mbps) is relatively ok. Or maybe the poor-resolution video video was processed to death out of the camera.

Ok, what is the best way to test the Sony POV. I have 3 other POV's to compare to: ContourHD, GoProHD, SwannHD. Also could compare to my other cameras but he angle of view would not be close. Suggestions?

Duane,

Set up all three on the same mounted surface that you can move around.
Do fast action by the camera.
Camera on the fast action.
Timelaps
Move from dark to light and back to dark.
Put under water in tough conditions.

That should be a good start.

Then show on a split screen and individual screened shots.

Duane,

Set up all three on the same mounted surface that you can move around.
Do fast action by the camera.
Camera on the fast action.
Timelaps
Move from dark to light and back to dark.
Put under water in tough conditions.

That should be a good start.

Then show on a split screen and individual screened shots.

You also need to specify the settings: stabilization on or off? view is 170 or 120? resolution is 1080 or 720? slo mo or not?

If the video posted above (Sony Action Cam in-car test) is a fair representation of what the camera produces, and was not recompressed twice or something, the resolution is abysmal: everything is blotchy (watching at 720p).

Sony Action Cam HDR-AS15 in car test - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=4vfxQ3Vny8w)

This is horrible.

However, I have seen videos from the same camera on Youtube that were much crisper.

Like this one (also 120fps, including riding on a motorcycle not just viewing them):

Sony Action Cam HDR-AS15 120fps - YouTube (http://youtu.be/sAQDVAtAiik?hd=1)

I wonder if it is the digital stabilization *and* the sensor cropping (120 versus 170) that is making the videos look particularly bad, while 108030p without stabilization at 170 (16Mbps) is relatively ok. Or maybe the poor-resolution video video was processed to death out of the camera.

Mark, down res'ing from 1080 to 720 does not cause video to be "blotchy". Resolution size is not the only factor in determining quality for upload to youtube. It doesn't matter if you export 1080 or 720 from a timeline, you are still processing it, you will see much more effect from bitrates and other compression settings. No matter how you export for youtube, you are going to be dealing with compression, making it 1080 isn't a cure all.

"Mark, down res'ing from 1080 to 720 does not cause video to be "blotchy". Resolution size is not the only factor in determining quality for upload to youtube. It doesn't matter if you export 1080 or 720 from a timeline, you are still processing it, you will see much more effect from bitrates and other compression settings. No matter how you export for youtube, you are going to be dealing with compression, making it 1080 isn't a cure all."

You are confusing what I said to you (when you downrezzed from *in-camera* 1080 to 720 to upload) with what I said here, which is about the camera. In the camera (as you know) there is a fixed relationship between bitrate and resolution. 720 30 fps is 6Mbps; 1080 30fps is 16Mbps so increasing to 1080 also increases the bitrate in this case. In addition, the *digital* (not optical) stabilization reduces resolution *and* crops the sensor (170 to 120). I suspect (given my experience with the camera and what I know about the physics here) that both of these digital tricks are what is reducing resolution for given bitrate and pixels.

Also, people seem to recompress their videos from the camera at low bitrates before uploading - that in itself lowers resolution. That awful blotchy video I referred to could be caused by any of these factors; the in-camera 720 choice is not one I mentioned as it is required for slo-mo anyway and I cited a good-looking 720-origin slo-mo video.

Don, what do you mean by the blue channel? Is it a color balance issue that's the problem?

The blues are way over saturated Lynn. Looking at the light flares in my last ride through the woods, some are actually purple.

I haven't tried to fix it in post yet but it will be difficult to completely get rid of it.

My mistake then but I would consider the source of the "Blotchyness" in that video to be more so related to the effects of the sun and the windshield.

Yes, I agree, the windshield also may be doing it.

My mistake then but I would consider the source of the "Blotchyness" in that video to be more so related to the effects of the sun and the windshield.

It was a bad time of day on that road with the sun where it was. When I have time I'll be doing more testing in better conditions.

It was a bad time of day on that road with the sun where it was. When I have time I'll be doing more testing in better conditions.

Filming yourself driving down the road I wouldn't expect you to have much control over the sun. I just got my suction cup mount this weekend and will be driving around with it tomorrow. It sure seems pretty stoutly built. It might be more of a help to you cause I'll guarantee you drive faster than I do in my 2010 Tacoma but I'll top out 3rd gear for you tomorrow so it at least sounds cool for ya. :-)

My friend just posted this.

CBR600 Snake Run - YouTube

Sony Action Cam mounted on a Honda CBR600. The audio is from a Sony pcm-m10 digital recorder mounted on the handlebars. The POV cam audio wasn't too bad but there was buzzing I think from loose fit case. Put some felt in for future tests. The majority is 1080p 30fps with stabilizer on, near the end a car blocked the road so I spliced in unstabilized 720p 120fps 4x for normal speed w audio from the mounted Sony pcm-m10.

Duane,

Set up all three on the same mounted surface that you can move around.
Do fast action by the camera.
Camera on the fast action.
Timelaps
Move from dark to light and back to dark.
Put under water in tough conditions.

That should be a good start.

Then show on a split screen and individual screened shots.

Please get back to us next year once you've done that!

This "Snake Run" video is also terrible - blotchy and low resolution as heck. This cannot be what the camera produces - I have seen much better. What is going on?

LOL Lynne,

He asked

Took the suction cup mount for a first run today. That thing is pretty stout and latches on pretty strong. I even mounted to the dinner table so it doesn't need a perfect;y smooth surface to have a strong mount. Got a little vibration with it mounted on the hood but it did real well in the cab on the inside of a window. I can see a lot of use out of this mount for me.

Sony HDR-AS15 Suction Cup Mount.mp4 - YouTube (http://youtu.be/O_twX8JQRh4)

Please get back to us next year once you've done that!

LOL! Next week I'll try putting all 4 POV that I own on the front of my car and drive around. I am sure people will give me some strange looks.

This "Snake Run" video is also terrible - blotchy and low resolution as heck. This cannot be what the camera produces - I have seen much better. What is going on?

On my computer the videos looks good. I think many videos on YouTube do not represent the real quality of what a camera can do. Any idea on the best settings to export to to get the best quality?

Thanks Duane,

At least you will get some good looks on the clips.

Like Woody, I am enjoying my Action Cam. Here is a time lapse from Grand Central Terminal, one of the darkest and busiest major train stations in the world:

Sony HDR AS15 Action Cam Time Lapse Video: Grand Central Terminal! - YouTube (http://youtu.be/yXds-qET8wc?hd=1)

Select 1080p.

This was in the morning non rush hour.

LOL! Next week I'll try putting all 4 POV that I own on the front of my car and drive around. I am sure people will give me some strange looks.

I do that all the time Duane.

I have a lot of magnet mounts I've made and 6 GoPro HD2's and the one Sony plus a coupe of the old GP HD's.

Every now and then I'll put them all over the Bronco, go to the City and get video of the animals.

"On my computer the videos looks good. I think many videos on YouTube do not represent the real quality of what a camera can do. Any idea on the best settings to export to to get the best quality?"

I worry whether what people are doing to their videos in editing combined with what Youtube does is giving a misleading picture of what the capability of the camera is.

The best thing to do is to upload the raw file straight from the camera to Youtube - then there is only one conversion by Youtube. You can trim and cut and merge clips in Sony Play Memories without any conversion. If you "export" you are recompressing the original, so that will degrade unless you use a very highbitrate.

One way to know better what is going on: does your "exported" video look better than the Youtube version? or is it already worse than the original?

"On my computer the videos looks good. I think many videos on YouTube do not represent the real quality of what a camera can do. Any idea on the best settings to export to to get the best quality?"

I worry whether what people are doing to their videos in editing combined with what Youtube does is giving a misleading picture of what the capability of the camera is.

The best thing to do is to upload the raw file straight from the camera to Youtube - then there is only one conversion by Youtube. You can trim and cut and merge clips in Sony Play Memories without any conversion. If you "export" you are recompressing the original, so that will degrade unless you use a very highbitrate.

One way to know better what is going on: does your "exported" video look better than the Youtube version? or is it already worse than the original?

I'll do a clip to test that.

"On my computer the videos looks good. I think many videos on YouTube do not represent the real quality of what a camera can do. Any idea on the best settings to export to to get the best quality?"

I worry whether what people are doing to their videos in editing combined with what Youtube does is giving a misleading picture of what the capability of the camera is.

The best thing to do is to upload the raw file straight from the camera to Youtube - then there is only one conversion by Youtube. You can trim and cut and merge clips in Sony Play Memories without any conversion. If you "export" you are recompressing the original, so that will degrade unless you use a very highbitrate.

One way to know better what is going on: does your "exported" video look better than the Youtube version? or is it already worse than the original?

Well I tried to compare but I can't send video to my phone. When I open play memories mobile I don't get an option to copy or upload or whatever. I tried the send function on the camera but nothing. I'm using a casio commando and sony says its good to go for compatibility but its a no go on sending to the phone and will only open to control it. No real biggie.

I did read on the Sony store page of the HDR-AS15, under the heading "No Wires, all good" that it stated " Just select the clips and the camera will transfer and compress web-optimized movies and photos without a single cable."

It says that it does compress the video files to "Optimize" for the web. I checked the metadata on the files I download from the camera via USB and I'm filming with the 1080 30p with steady cam on in the 120 degree setting and it says that I'm getting a bit rate of 16mbs. It's actually varying from 16.01mbs to about 16.4mbs depending on how much color information there is I guess. I don't have a cable yet for capturing HDMI out but will order one to see. It would be interesting to see that the camera does to the video before it sends it to the phone. My camera says it "Prep's" then "awaits" then is "Ready" then it "closes" but I don't get anything to the phone when using the send function.

So it sounds like there will still be some double compression regardless but I can't check to be sure or what the camera will output sending to a phone.

my understanding was that WiFi is for the file transfer only, but i bought one anyways
and returned it after couple days, but ended up with Sony GW77, slightly larger, double the price, but the picture quality is beyond any expectations.

I got it to upload to the phone and the file I got was the same as what I download via USB. I shot with the steady shot 120 degree setting at 1080 30p and got a 16mbps MP4 file. I downloaded it from the phone as I could not email it to myself for some reason but sure that is a phone thing I have to figure out.

I had to hit the "Reset" function and then it uploaded to the phone just fine like it should have. I guess thats something I could understand and a normal type glitch. You just have to use the "Send" function and do not start play memories mobile till the camera says "Ready" then instead of the phone initiating camera control, it will access the camera data and give you the options to copy or upload.

I copied to the camera but will try upload next and see if it is the same. For now it is good to know I can copy to the phone and it will be the same as much of my work is in the middle of no where in the woods where I can charge things but should I run out of storage, I now have a back up.

Will test the upload feature and see.

Here is a quick test of copying to the phone and uploading to youtube via wifi from the phone as I can't email it to youtube.

Sony HDR-AS15 copy to Andriod and uploaded to youtube via phone - YouTube (http://youtu.be/y3TrEP4-QLA)

Viewing at 720, it doesn't look any different than a lot of other footage I have seen and the difference between good 720 footage and 1080 when viewing full screen is minimal at least on the computer I'm using. I believe picture quality is coming down to the auto functions and how they are influenced by the environment your shooting in.

I've had noisy video, white balance issues and focus issues that seem to be complicated by noise in poor lighting. To me, I see the auto function have more effect on quality. Hopefully a firmware update could give us some control over one or two of those.