Contour Locates Our Hearts with GPS HD Helmet Cam, Tracking Data

ContourUSA has just announced their new ContourGPS action camera with GPS-based position recording and an all-new software set that lets you play your footage alongside realtime mapping. It has pretty much raised the limits of coolness thresholds for what action sports cameras can and should be doing…until they’re able to stream this info in real time from anywhere, that is.

The unit records in full 1080p hi-def video, then lets you upload it to their new StoryTeller online app. From there, it’ll sync up your footage with Google maps and voila, the mashup above becomes available for you to embed, email or share via Facebook and Twitter.

We played around with it a bit, and depending on how you format the embed dimensions, it can squeeze the video quite a bit (click here for an example), but if you remember any algebra, or if you just play with the numbers in the embed code, you can approximate a widescreen viewing angle, however we still couldn’t get it to look like this promo screenshot they sent along:

Keep in mind, we don’t have our hands on the actual software or unit yet, so we’ll assume there’s a couple of buttons to push to make it all work exactly how you want it to because it makes us happy to think thoughts like that.

Until we know better, you can catch the full press release and product images after the break…

NOTE: These are big images that we’ve linked to, they may take a second to load:

PRESS RELEASE: Contour, a market leader in the hands-free video camera category, introduces ContourGPS, the first hands-free video camera to incorporate real-time GPS data while shooting high-definition, 1080p video. To complement this new GPS camera, Contour is launching a unique location-based video community that allows users to share their stories, track adventures and discover new places.

“We’re excited to introduce location as the next innovation in hands-free video cameras,” says Marc Barros, Contour’s CEO. “GPS adds an exciting new element to video storytelling. It allows you to map your own adventures and discover new places posted by other users. Our seamless camera-to-community experience is like combining The Flip, YouTube and Google maps together into one simple, easy to use product.”

By means of an integrated GPS receiver, ContourGPS captures location once per second with near pinpoint accuracy. The GPS data, along with crisp HD footage, can then be easily edited using the new Contour Storyteller application. Compatible with Mac or PC, Contour Storyteller also makes it easy to organize videos, configure the camera and post stories online.

With the introduction of ContourGPS, Contour.com becomes the world’s first location-based video community, bringing video and mapping together into a rich user experience. Already home to thousands of videos from around the world, Contour.com will soon become the only community where users can watch an epic run down any mountain while tracking progress, speed and elevation on a map.

“We call this new form of storytelling “Video Mapping” states Barros. “The inclusion of GPS brings a whole new level of context to any video, making location, speed, time, and conditions as important as what you recorded.”

A rugged camcorder for the estimated 100 million outdoor enthusiasts around the world, ContourGPS makes it easy to capture video from within the action and share it online in seconds. Shipping world-wide over the coming days, ContourGPS ($349.99 MSRP) joins the company’s award-winning ContourHD model ($279.99) and is available at retailers such as REI, Amazon, Helmet Camera Central, and POV Cameras. Visit www.contour.com/camera to learn more.