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After viewing other motorers video submitions it looks like something I'd like to get into, but not having much knowledge about the cameras or methods I'm kind of at a loss where to start. Forinstance, do I get a camcorder and buy/make a mount and record driving video that way? Or, mount a web cam(s) in or on the vehicle and use a computer as the recording/storage device?
Since I'm probably going to be doing this solo, any video solution will need to be a one person opperation (unless I meet some nice woman that dosen't mind being co-pilot). Looking forward to your suggestions. Cheers
NOTE: I'd like to try and keep the costs as low as possible and still get some viewable video.
__________________ BOB the MINI: 06 MCS/JCW BRG, Beige Leath. int, Beige Leath. Shift & brake boots, Chrome-line int, Chrono-pack, H/K, iPod, Aux, Euro Parcel shelf, Rear fog, Sport pkg, Conv. pkg, LSD, MFSW, COOPRFLAGS custom roof GFX, & some CRAPTASTIC stuff! NAM# 344
I'll let someone else speak to the camcorder question...I just bought the cheapest used camcorder I could find on ebay that had analog input so I can expand my rig to include a vacucam eventually.
There are two primary ways of recording video. Using a webcam isn't one of them IMO.
You can either mount a video camcorder to your car and record a single view, or you can get a small video camera like a VacuCam and mount that in a number of places. You can then record what that camera sees with either a camcorder or a portable recording device.
Using a webcam offers very low quality, and the hassles of having to connect a computer for recording.
The advantages of using a product like the VacuCam is that your camcorder stays safely inside the car and isn't exposed to flying objects, insects, or other dangers. Of course if you mount the camcorder to a headrest, that works great, but then again you are limited to recording only from that perspective. If you want to record engine sounds, you can run a mic to the engine bay, but then you won't have ambient sounds from the cockpit unless you rig up a second mic.
The VacuCams each have a built in mic, and if you wire in a second mic to the engine bay, you can have audio from both locations. Of course the biggest reason for going with the VacuCam is setting up a 2 to 4 camera system so that you can record from a number of angles and switch among them on the fly.
Quote:
Originally Posted by nethack
After viewing other motorers video submitions it looks like something I'd like to get into, but not having much knowledge about the cameras or methods I'm kind of at a loss where to start. Forinstance, do I get a camcorder and buy/make a mount and record driving video that way? Or, mount a web cam(s) in or on the vehicle and use a computer as the recording/storage device?
Since I'm probably going to be doing this solo, any video solution will need to be a one person opperation (unless I meet some nice woman that dosen't mind being co-pilot). Looking forward to your suggestions. Cheers
NOTE: I'd like to try and keep the costs as low as possible and still get some viewable video.
__________________ 5548 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim, CA 92807 866 707 9292
Looking for Prima?? Buy Prima at ShowCarSupplies.com
11% off everyday discount code: MINI11NAM 2010 Midnight Black MCCSa
muidaq:
Cool mount! I knew about this type of mount, but I'd never actually seen one. Looks pretty simple to make too. And, since I have all the tools (from my RC car/helicopter days) making one should be no issue. As for a "cheap" camera... I'd really rather buy a decent model as it will have more uses than just in-car video. What camera do you use or recomend? Other than "cheap"
OctaneGuy:
I saw some of those VacuCam devices at the BSSP run this past weekend. They look pretty darn cool. I'll look at the FAQ to get more info: especially about cable routing.
muidaq & OctaneGuy:
Of course just after I posted the question to the forum I remembered that I had this (see pics below) from an RC project a couple on years ago: a wireless CMOS camera setup. I may try to adapt the VacuCam mount to fit this camera as I wont have to run any wires.
NOTE: The mini CMOS camera and transmitter were added to a small plastic project-box from Radio Shack. The camera and transmitter wiring were cut and modified to fit the box. A power switch was added so the unit could be shut off if only a short video was required.
I have one of those wireless cams, and did a similar thing by mounting it in an altoids box, then onto my bumper. I used it to make this video: http://www.joshwardell.com/video/MAMAII.mov
Of course, quality isn't so great.
What is the knob on the side for?
Oh I guess ours is not quite the same, my camera is as small as yours but has an antenna wire sticking out, not a whole separate board and antenna. Then again I bet yours has a lot better range and quality, and didn't run you $15 on ebay. :D
nethack- Could you provide more info on making a wireless camera and what type of costs would be involved?
Yes. Look for something a little later today. I'll try to find the website from where I purchased the camera combo and throw together rough parts list.
__________________ BOB the MINI: 06 MCS/JCW BRG, Beige Leath. int, Beige Leath. Shift & brake boots, Chrome-line int, Chrono-pack, H/K, iPod, Aux, Euro Parcel shelf, Rear fog, Sport pkg, Conv. pkg, LSD, MFSW, COOPRFLAGS custom roof GFX, & some CRAPTASTIC stuff! NAM# 344
Yes. Look for something a little later today. I'll try to find the website from where I purchased the camera combo and throw together rough parts list.
The website that I originally purchased my camera/Tx/Rx combo from no longer sells cameras.... sigh. They were nice people to deal with, but a very small opperation and out of stock on stuff frequently: call before ordering. You could also ask them about camera recommedations. Below I've included some links for camera/Tx/Rx resources. The only one I know is "Tiny Wireless"... the others I just found on the web.
As to other parts: its a really stort list. If you are an RC hobbiest as I am then you'll have everything you need in your shop/work-bench/garage. If not, I've included a list of things you are likely to need to duplicate what I have. Since this system was put together on the fly, I have no plans, pictures, or instructions: it all just got built one day. However, if you need help you can always PM me and I'll be happy to provide whatever help I can.
I hope this helps. I'd be very interested to see what you come up with. I'll probably be buying a camcorder this weekend (provided I can get some good recommendations) and testing out the wireless setup. If I can throw together a video I'll post it here for your viewing enjoyment
The website that I originally purchased my camera/Tx/Rx combo from no longer sells cameras.... sigh. They were nice people to deal with, but a very small opperation and out of stock on stuff frequently: call before ordering. You could also ask them about camera recommedations. Below I've included some links for camera/Tx/Rx resources. The only one I know is "Tiny Wireless"... the others I just found on the web.
As to other parts: its a really stort list. If you are an RC hobbiest as I am then you'll have everything you need in your shop/work-bench/garage. If not, I've included a list of things you are likely to need to duplicate what I have. Since this system was put together on the fly, I have no plans, pictures, or instructions: it all just got built one day. However, if you need help you can always PM me and I'll be happy to provide whatever help I can.
I hope this helps. I'd be very interested to see what you come up with. I'll probably be buying a camcorder this weekend (provided I can get some good recommendations) and testing out the wireless setup. If I can throw together a video I'll post it here for your viewing enjoyment
Project boxes, batteries and other electronic supplies can be purchased at a local Radio Shack or similar store.
Tools needed:
Various screw-drivers
X-acto knike
Dremel Tool
Soldering iron
Heatshrink tubing
Small wire cutter
Hot-glue gun & glue sticks
Drill & bits
Various files (model building files - very small)
Imagination & patience
Nethack,
I would have to ask, after looking at the cameras that you provided on the website, I am curious which camera has the best clarity and color. I am a pretty avid camera guy and I know that CMOS can be better than 3CCD, but I am curious which camera you would recomend puts out the best color/clarity. The other reason that I ask is that if you consider the TV hosts such as Fox, or Speed, you will notice that they are using very small cameras as well but their quality on the picture is second to none. How do we get that and is it acheiveable through this type of a camera?
Thanks
I honestly can not give you any recommendations on CMOS cameras as I only have experience with the one I currently own. At the time I needed a good cheap wireless video solution for my remote piloted RC project: using a 4-channel TX I had backwards & forwards, right & left movement for the vehicle. Tilt and pan for the camera on a custom made polystyrene gimble. I was less concerned with video quality and more concerned with the kind of distance I could get out of camera tx. Of the few times I used this camera I found that it did very poorly in low light condition: as found out when I tried to snoop the crawl-space under my house. In full sunny day light I got a pretty good clear picture and was able to drive my RC vehicle from inside my kitchen around the house looking through at 36" TV. the camera is colour and I will try to find the specs for you... although since I tossed the original packing I probably don't have it: sorry. But I'll look anyway and PM you with the specs.
What is your ultimate distribution / viewing method? If you're dumping stuff to the web, quality isn't going to matter much because you'll be reducing resolution and compressing stuff like mad anyway, unless you and everyone else around you has crazy bandwidth. For the web distribution case, get whatever's cheapest that you can find a wide angle lens / converter for. The wide angle thing is key.
If you're talking about home viewing on TV / DVD distribution, then quality matters more, but probably still not enough to worry about too much.
I'm running my old Sony mini-dv handycam I bought years ago... it may be old, but it serves it's purpose - letting me put track day videos on the web.
If you look at the videos, you can see that somewhere between 9/18 and 10/2 I bought a (cheap) wide angle lens converter for my camcorder. I think it makes a big difference. The next thing I'd like to try is a remote mic so I can get sound that isn't so effected by wind noise. But I'm not sure where I would mount it, and how difficult it would be to get it past tech inspection at the track.
Well, I'd like to be able to put the video on a dvd, but the majority will be web based distrobution. However, I'd like to have a video that's bigger than a postage stamp with passable quality: in other words viewable, but dosen't need to be pro quality. I just want some shots that look cool without being too painful on the eyes
__________________ BOB the MINI: 06 MCS/JCW BRG, Beige Leath. int, Beige Leath. Shift & brake boots, Chrome-line int, Chrono-pack, H/K, iPod, Aux, Euro Parcel shelf, Rear fog, Sport pkg, Conv. pkg, LSD, MFSW, COOPRFLAGS custom roof GFX, & some CRAPTASTIC stuff! NAM# 344
Oh, in case you didn't notice you can click on the titles or little arrows near each of the videos on the page I linked to to get to non-postage-stamp-sized versions of the videos.
Nethack,
3 years back I picked up the cheapest Canon Mini DV camcorder I could find, ran me ~$350 at GoodGuys. The video on it is excellent for a consumer grade camera and has worked well in all situations. There really is not a lot of must have new stuff on the camcorder market right now IMHO. You have to go to a pro video recorder with multiple sensors or to a HDTV model before you are going to see big differences in image quality. Just stick with a MiniDV model so you can connect it to your Mac/PC via firewire for video editing. You may want to check for the compatibility list on the VaccuCams site, just in case you decide to use one of his cameras. I'm definately drooling over getting one right now.
I just looked at the Circuit City web site and you can buy a Canon MiniDV locally for around $280 FWIW.
The concept is better than in practice. Meaning, 1400 feet is unobstructed view. Unfortunately, being encased in metal(MINI_, and all kinds of electrical stuff running, it's very difficult to get a consistent video feed that doesn't break up. The original idea of my VacuCams was based on wireless systems, but due to reliability issues combined with high drain on 9volt batteries made the system impractical.
RE: BSSP
Funny. I met Tracy today from BSSP. She mentioned she also saw the VacuCams, so I gave her my card.
RE: Video Recorders
One thing you might consider is a home DVD burner. I bought a couple this past weekend from Circuit City for $100. Best Buy had a similar one for $80 from Lite-On. Only problem was that it was limited to DVD+R Media. The more expensive one at Circuit City could use DVD-R Media as well. So I bought that one. Combined with a cigarette lighter DC to AC inverter, you can power them which only r equires 36watts.
Just pop in a blank DVD, select HQ, hit record, and drive. When you are finished, Finalize, and pop the DVD into your player or use software to demux the video into MPEG2 streams.
It's the least expensive way to record high quality digital video.
Richard
Quote:
Originally Posted by nethack
The camera will broadcast up to 1400 feet.
__________________ 5548 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim, CA 92807 866 707 9292
Looking for Prima?? Buy Prima at ShowCarSupplies.com
11% off everyday discount code: MINI11NAM 2010 Midnight Black MCCSa
It produces VGA quality video on a 20 GB harddrive in .AVI format which can be edited in MS Windows Moviemaker, a free program that comes with Windows XP. The Archos can record 50 hours of video. It will also play mp3's and wma so it doubles as my music player which plugs into the aux port. It also takes photographs at 1.2 MP, and records sound. I purchased the wired remote since my 2003 HK won't read ID3 tags from the Archos, but they display on the remote (which also has an integrated FM radio and microphone for remote audio recording).
To stabilize the camcorder, I purchased a leather case on E-Bay designed for it with a springclip on the back that allows it to be attached to the sunvisor, or anywhere else I'd like. Usually, however, I have a passenger that does the recording since they can redirect the camera by viewing the video as it is being recorded on the built-in 2.2" LCD screen. All and all it is a quality inexpensive accessory if you consider the multitude of functions that the Archos performs.
Incidentally, I purchased mine at Fry's for $50 less than the price on-line charged by Archos.
Oh, in case you didn't notice you can click on the titles or little arrows near each of the videos on the page I linked to to get to non-postage-stamp-sized versions of the videos.
I new that
Quote:
I'm running my old Sony mini-dv handycam I bought years ago... it may be old, but it serves it's purpose - letting me put track day videos on the web.
Ya, I'm becoming less concerned with the camcorder as a "camera" and more used to the unit as a recording device.
There really is not a lot of must have new stuff on the camcorder market right now IMHO. You have to go to a pro video recorder with multiple sensors or to a HDTV model before you are going to see big differences in image quality. Just stick with a MiniDV model so you can connect it to your Mac/PC via firewire for video editing.
Good advice. I'm currently looking Panasonic PV-GS150 a little on the expensive side, but it can double as a "stills" camera in a pinch
The concept is better than in practice. Meaning, 1400 feet is unobstructed view. Unfortunately, being encased in metal(MINI_, and all kinds of electrical stuff running, it's very difficult to get a consistent video feed that doesn't break up. The original idea of my VacuCams was based on wireless systems, but due to reliability issues combined with high drain on 9volt batteries made the system impractical.
.
Ya, I borrowed a friends camcorder this weekend and gave it a bit of a try. Conclusion: wired cameras are the way to go. I'll ordering a VacuCam or two in the near future BTW, my wireless camera/tx/battery unit is in an ALL plastic box.
I use an Archos GMini 402 camcorder. See http://www.shoparchos.com/product.as...&culture=en-US
It produces VGA quality video on a 20 GB harddrive in .AVI format which can be edited in MS Windows Moviemaker, a free program that comes with Windows XP. The Archos can record 50 hours of video.
THe HD cameras seem very intesting and it may be the way I go as I'd rather not have a bizillion miniDV tapes kicking around. However, all the reviews I read about HD cmacorders seem to think that they're not quite ready for prime time. There's a JVC model I'm looking at (GZ-MC500), but I really don't want to spend that much right now.
All, thanks for the input Hopefully I'll have a working setup for the next "run"
__________________ BOB the MINI: 06 MCS/JCW BRG, Beige Leath. int, Beige Leath. Shift & brake boots, Chrome-line int, Chrono-pack, H/K, iPod, Aux, Euro Parcel shelf, Rear fog, Sport pkg, Conv. pkg, LSD, MFSW, COOPRFLAGS custom roof GFX, & some CRAPTASTIC stuff! NAM# 344
So, I finally decided on a video solution for the car.
1. Got a Canon Optura 50 miniDV camcorder ($399 online).
2. Ordered a VacuCam (should be here sometimes this week).
3. Got a mono-pod.
I had seen a bunch of people that used some sort of rod and ball-mount device attached between the head-rests of BOTH seats. I didn't like that idea as I thought that the camera would bounce enough without it getting extra input from my fat a$$ in one of the seats. Here's my solution (worked OK)...
__________________ BOB the MINI: 06 MCS/JCW BRG, Beige Leath. int, Beige Leath. Shift & brake boots, Chrome-line int, Chrono-pack, H/K, iPod, Aux, Euro Parcel shelf, Rear fog, Sport pkg, Conv. pkg, LSD, MFSW, COOPRFLAGS custom roof GFX, & some CRAPTASTIC stuff! NAM# 344
). Looking forward to your suggestions. Cheers
Team Justacooper
