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From Investors' Business Daily
http://news.investors.com/041315-74...cameras.htm?ven=yahoocp&src=aurlled&ven=yahoo
GPS device maker Garmin International (NASDAQ:GRMN) upped its game in the action camera market vs. category leader GoPro on Monday by debuting its next generation of HD sports cameras.
Garmin announced the Virb X and Virb XE action cameras, which will be available this summer for $300 and $400, respectively. The main difference between the two models is that the XE has higher-resolution video and faster frame rates. GoPro cameras are priced at $130 to $500.
Compared with Garmin's first-generation product, the new cameras are smaller, have better video quality and a new form factor, Dougherty analyst Charles Anderson said in a research note Monday. The new Virb cameras lack a preview screen, but have Bluetooth audio connectivity for wireless headsets and microphones.
Garmin’s Virb XE action camera. View Enlarged Image
Unlike GoPro (NASDAQ:GPRO) cameras, Garmin's Virb cameras have built-in sensors (GPS, accelerometer and gyroscope) and can connect to other Garmin products (such as a heart-rate monitor and sports watch) to allow for performance tracking. Data such as velocity, elevation and heart rate can be overlaid onto action videos of skiing, biking, skydiving and other activities.
"If there's one thing missing on the new action cameras, it's 4K recording," Anderson said. "We believe Garmin upgraded to an Ambarella (NASDAQ:AMBA) chip for the new Virb cameras, but it's not the Ambarella A9, which is used in GoPro's high-end line-up. We would expect the exclusion of 4K recording to lead to a certain amount of criticism."
Garmin likely made a trade-off to save on battery life, Anderson said. Garmin chose to include sensors rather than allow for 4K ultra HD video, he said. Garmin and GoPro cameras have comparable battery life of about two hours.
By contrast, GoPro excludes such sensors from its devices because it believes that sensor data can be captured from a smartphone paired with a GoPro.
Overall, the new Garmin action cameras are "good, but not great," Anderson said. "We believe Garmin is including very little revenue from the Virb in 2015 revenue guidance, so if it gains popularity, that would be upside to the model."
Anderson rates Garmin stock as a buy with a price target of 60. Garmin stock was flat Monday, closing just under 47.
Meanwhile, GoPro on Monday announced a new product that should help it expand into the broadcast market. It unveiled HeroCast, a wireless HD micro transmitter. Developed with Vislink, the HeroCast transmitter allows professional broadcasters to air live HD video from GoPro cameras attached to athletes. HeroCast costs $7,500.
GoPro stock fell more than 2% Monday.
http://news.investors.com/041315-74...cameras.htm?ven=yahoocp&src=aurlled&ven=yahoo
GPS device maker Garmin International (NASDAQ:GRMN) upped its game in the action camera market vs. category leader GoPro on Monday by debuting its next generation of HD sports cameras.
Garmin announced the Virb X and Virb XE action cameras, which will be available this summer for $300 and $400, respectively. The main difference between the two models is that the XE has higher-resolution video and faster frame rates. GoPro cameras are priced at $130 to $500.
Compared with Garmin's first-generation product, the new cameras are smaller, have better video quality and a new form factor, Dougherty analyst Charles Anderson said in a research note Monday. The new Virb cameras lack a preview screen, but have Bluetooth audio connectivity for wireless headsets and microphones.
Garmin’s Virb XE action camera. View Enlarged Image
Unlike GoPro (NASDAQ:GPRO) cameras, Garmin's Virb cameras have built-in sensors (GPS, accelerometer and gyroscope) and can connect to other Garmin products (such as a heart-rate monitor and sports watch) to allow for performance tracking. Data such as velocity, elevation and heart rate can be overlaid onto action videos of skiing, biking, skydiving and other activities.
"If there's one thing missing on the new action cameras, it's 4K recording," Anderson said. "We believe Garmin upgraded to an Ambarella (NASDAQ:AMBA) chip for the new Virb cameras, but it's not the Ambarella A9, which is used in GoPro's high-end line-up. We would expect the exclusion of 4K recording to lead to a certain amount of criticism."
Garmin likely made a trade-off to save on battery life, Anderson said. Garmin chose to include sensors rather than allow for 4K ultra HD video, he said. Garmin and GoPro cameras have comparable battery life of about two hours.
By contrast, GoPro excludes such sensors from its devices because it believes that sensor data can be captured from a smartphone paired with a GoPro.
Overall, the new Garmin action cameras are "good, but not great," Anderson said. "We believe Garmin is including very little revenue from the Virb in 2015 revenue guidance, so if it gains popularity, that would be upside to the model."
Anderson rates Garmin stock as a buy with a price target of 60. Garmin stock was flat Monday, closing just under 47.
Meanwhile, GoPro on Monday announced a new product that should help it expand into the broadcast market. It unveiled HeroCast, a wireless HD micro transmitter. Developed with Vislink, the HeroCast transmitter allows professional broadcasters to air live HD video from GoPro cameras attached to athletes. HeroCast costs $7,500.
GoPro stock fell more than 2% Monday.
