Covert Hollywood

Covert Hollywood Review

Model #5574  | Covert Hollywood Owner's Manual

HollywoodFAQ's

Pros

• Excellent photo quality
• Well-made case design and easy programming

Cons

• Does not take night videos
• Poor detection circuit
• Below average battery life

Trailcampro Analysis

The Covert Hollywood combines White LED and Incandescent flash technologies in the hopes of producing the brightest night photos available.

Picture Quality:

Photo resolution: 18 mpxl (interpolated)

Video resolution:  1920 x 1080 w/ audio @ 30 fps

Flash Type:  White Flash (Incandescent & White LED)

Daytime picture quality is outstanding. The color is as beautiful as you will find in a trail camera and the resolution is spot on. Night pictures have some graininess, but overall are very solid and plenty bright.

Daytime video quality is impressive, as you can see from the samples below. We are disappointed that the Hollywood doesn't take night videos.

What if you purchase from us and aren't happy with the image quality?

This is a common question and we have a very simple solution. Call, email, or chat with us and we can take a look at the images and offer suggestions or immediately tell if something is wrong with the camera. If so, we will warranty the camera for you (with the free 2-Year warranty you receive from us) or return the camera for a full refund (within 90 days of purchase). You have control of the process, remember, we work for you.

Megapixel Ratings:

In the past, many people get confused with the megapixel rating trail camera manufacturers advertise.  Companies inflate the mpxl rating to attract eyes to their products.  They do this through interpolation, which digitally adds megapixels to a photo without actually improving the picture.

The best way to judge picture quality is to look at actual pictures.  You will notice this the most when you zoom in on a full-size image that a camera has taken.  The details of the photo will appear hazy or even digitized.  This is normal, and to be expected.

Battery Life:  

Picture & Video Resting Power (on):   1.93 mW

Picture Daytime/Nighttime Power Consumption:   1.9 Ws  |  17.1 Ws

Video Daytime Power Consumption:   17.5 Ws

Picture Mode

If this camera were to take 35-day and 35-night pictures every 24 hours, the Hollywood would last 4.5 months in the field on a set of 8 AA Lithium Batteries. 

Video Mode

We can't do our standard video battery life calculation since the Covert Hollywood does not take night videos. If you did set the Hollywood into video mode (recognizing you would not get night videos) and it took 30 ten second videos every 24 hours, this camera would last 7.8 months on a set of lithium batteries. This is not included in the battery life rating it is just for your information.

Detection Circuit:   

Picture Trigger & Recovery Speed: 0.64 s.  |  4.7 s.

Video Trigger & Recovery Speed:  3.1 s. 10.1 s.

Detection Range & Angle: 60 ft. @ 53.7° Detection Angle (42.6° F.O.V.)

Picture trigger speed is respectable by today's standards but picture recover, video trigger, and video recovery are all well below average. The detection zone is very poor with a below average detection range and a detection angle that is 11.1° wider than the field of view, which will result in some false triggering. Overall, this detection circuit is poor.

Quality of Design:    

Dimensions: 5.5" x 4.5" x 3"

Battery Type:  8 AA

External Battery Jack:  6-volt

Case Design

Covert has always had well-built, simple case designs. For the most part, the Covert Hollywood is no different. The camera feels strong and sturdy to the touch and includes a python lock bracket on the back of the camera and a 1/4" x 20 threaded insert on the bottom for a Slate River Mount. The latch has a unique opening mechanism where you have to push vertically and swing out to open. This is harder to open than a typical latch but we don't see a long-term problem or defect with the design. 

What you would probably find most interesting is the camera itself comes out of the case clam-shell. Once you open the latch and swing the door open, you can pull the camera out of the "box" in order to program or change batteries. Other cameras have done this in the past and there are situations where it can be handy. 

Camera Setup

Setting the camera up is a breeze, you shouldn't have any problems. Settings are easy and quick to navigate and it even has popular setting options like start/stop time and SD card overwrite. The camera has an internal picture viewer which allows you to angle the camera just the the way you want when you are out in the field.

Durability

At this time, we have no concerns over durability. If something arises, we will immediately update the review.

Keep in mind, our 2-year warranty program is your free insurance program in case something goes wrong with a camera you purchase from us. This warranty protects you from any manufacturing defect the camera might experience for two years.

Covert Hollywood Review Conclusion: 

The Covert Hollywood is a combined incandescent and white LED flash trail camera (color night pictures) that excels in case design, easy programming, picture quality and day video resolution. It under performs in battery life, the inability to take night videos, and a poor detection circuit. There are very few white flash cameras on the market anymore, and with that in mind, the Hollywood is still a rational choice for color nighttime picture enthusiasts.

Since 2005, our mission has to been to provide consumers with unbeatable value, advice you can trust, and customer service that exceeds expectations. There are plenty of places you can choose to do business with, if we are lucky enough to earn your support, we promise to give you our undivided attention. Trailcampro has grown each year not only by relying on your happiness but on the assumption that if we blow you away with customer service, you will brag about us to your friends (have you seen our referral/reward program?).

As always, if you have additional questions, feel free to call, email or chat with us. We look forward to helping you find your next trail camera!

Enjoy our reviews?  Please consider purchasing your next trail camera from us.

FAQ's: Covert Hollywood Trail Camera

Q: How do I view the pictures?

A: There are a number of ways to do this. Pictures/videos are stored on the SD card you place in the camera. Here are some other methods for viewing images:

• View pictures on your computer. Plug the SD card in a desktop computer or laptop via the built-in SD card reader or use a USB reader if your computer doesn't have one. This method works for most tablets as well. With this method, we recommend having two SD cards per camera so you can swap them in the field.
• Trail Camera Viewers. While more expensive, handheld viewers are useful if you don't have a smartphone or run multiple trail cameras. 

Q: Will this trail camera trigger on small animals (birds, rodents, etc.)?

A: Trail cameras detect on a combination of heat and movement, so, yes, small mammals will trigger the camera. However, if you are going after smaller warm-blooded mammals, we recommend getting the camera closer to your target. For best performance, place the camera in an area that would enable picture detection from 3 - 20 ft.

Q: Where can I purchase this camera?

A: From us! We hope to woo you with our incredible charm, two-year warranty, 90-day returns, free continental U.S. shipping, and technical expertise. If that isn't enough, we give you a 16 Gig SD card with this camera and you can call and talk our ear off anytime. 

Seriously, though, we know you have plenty of options of where to spend your hard-earned money. The internet can be the wild, wild, west of too-good-to-be-true deals. If you choose to do business with us, we will go out of our way to make sure you are happy with the camera you select and the service we provide you.

We are passionate about testing and reviewing trail cameras, but most importantly, we are passionate about treating our customers the right way. We do things differently from what you have come to expect from other internet retailers and we hope you give us the opportunity to prove that to you.

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