Critical On-Board Buttons and Indicators
Once the helmet camera is powered on, it is important for users to have access to a fully-functional on-board user interface that includes a complete menu of button options.
While functions like Play, Stop, Rewind, and Fast Forward are requirements, users may like the freedom to apply the standard commands to different mode options on the device.
The following commands are critical on-board buttons for a helmet camera & DVR system:
- Power On/Off – Obviously, this button is pressed to power the device on or off.
- Record – Begins the recording.
- Play Back/Stop/Fast Forward - Play back, stop, or toggle forward through the recorded video.
- Menu – Brings up the Settings menu where the user can view and change various settings.
Indicator lights are also an important feature of a quality helmet cam’s main interface. They let users know the status of the unit (i.e. charging, recording).
The following are the ideal LED indicator light features:
- Booting Up
- Standby
- Recording
- Warning/Alert
LANC-Based Remote Control
This is quite possibly the most important feature because it lets users control their helmet cam DVR remotely, from a short distance.
Optimal remotes are LANC-based. LANC, or Local Application Control Bus System, is a protocol by Sony used to synchronize camcorders and cameras. While it is not wireless, these remotes offer many features not typically found in other remote controls many of which include only start/stop record buttons.
The cable remote allows remote confirmation of system on and system recording where the wireless remote is usually a one-way signal with no remote indication that the system is recording. (Tip: Insist on a remote with a sturdy right-angle connector.)
Button commands should include the following:
- Power On/Off
- Record
- Capture (to capture images)
- Play
- Rewind/Forward (Speed by X2, X4, X8, X16)
- Stop/ESC
- Play Back by Frame
- Pause
- Volume Increase/Decrease
- PAL/NTSC (output options for your TV system)
- Visual Status Signals (power, recording, recording media)
- Button Lock - Consumers should look for button locks on both the main DVR interface and the LANC remote control.
