Video Recording Option

[PaulL]

We had a few threads on the rmsolo list about optional ways to record autocross runs on video, but here's one that I don't think was covered ...

Using a typical digital still camera.

The one Santa brought me has a 5 MP resolution in still mode, and can record video and sound at 640x480 or 320x240.
Witha 1 GB SD card (sheesh!), it can record 28 minutes of video at the better resolution, and 72 minutes at the lower resolution.
Plenty for a/x runs! And, of course, you can play back the videos right on the camera.

With some digital cameras in the $150 range, and 1 GB SD cards at $75, this is a relatively economical solution.

[LoCore]

This may be a better option than some camcorders for reasons other than cost.

Not only isn't there a tape mechanism to bash around, a digicam may have a wider angle lens than some camcorders. Up to a point, the wider the field of view, the better. At least this is what we've learned with the ChaseCams.

One problem could be the autofocus mechanisms of digicams however. Most that I've had do not autofocus during the shooting of video, so it may be important to make sure that the camera is prefocused before starting a run--which can be difficult if you're harnessed into your seat and trying to reach around to focus then start the digicam.

Still, worth trying! I saw CircuitCity had 512MB SD cards for <$30 today...

[MrPickles]

>tape mechanism to bash around

And this has happened to me on several occasions. Although whomever told me to put athletic tape on the harness bar ...make a good suggestion for it seems to cut down the bashing of the camera. My problem is that I don't have firewire, so I have to go to a digital camera. Cliff was selling one at Wolf Camera for $250.00 , and it was a nice cannon

One more thing yet to buy *sigh*

[Proxenus]

My problem is that I don't have firewire, so I have to go to a digital camera.

You don't have it on your camcorder, or you don't have it on your computer?

Best Buy has firewire cards for your PC for $40, and can probably be had for less if you shop around.

If your camcorder doesn't have firewire, you can get a video capture card for $50 or less for your PC. Again less if you shop around.

[MrPickles]

Camera or PC doesn't have firewire.


I did try a video capture card, ATI all in wonder and the resolution was VERY small. Perhaps technology has improved for this was back in 2000. Can I get these (video capture cards) locally for $50?

[pcharles]

I have a Canon S400 still camera which shoots both still and video. Problem with the video I've seen on these hybrid digital cameras, at least with older models, is that the quality simply isn't as good as an analog video camera.

It seems to boil down to frame rate, resolution and video compression quality. For 'television' quality, frame rate should be better than 30 fps, resolution should be better than NTSC (roughly 640x480), and the video compression should be high enough quality that you can't distinguish from an uncompressed NTSC video stream... MPEG4 or MPEG2 at a very high bit rate.


I've been looking at getting a Sanyo Xacti VPC-C6. It can store an hour of 640x480 video at 30fps on a large SD card. It uses MPEG-4 video compression which produces files at higher quality and smaller size than the older MPEG-2 format the Canon S400 uses.

Even better would be HDTV rather than NTSC videos, especially for use on the computer. Sanyo is going to release their VPC-HD1 which will shoot at HDTV (720p), but there's no release date or price on that device yet.


Course, nice is none of these digital vidcams require a video capture card, firewire link or re-encoding of the video for use on the PC. You just copy the video files directly off the SD or similar card, and they're ready to play on the PC.

-pat

[Chris_Swearingen]

Here is what I used. One note on the camera, the battery didn't last long in the cold. It should be fine for summer events though. Spent about $150 on the camera.


The camera: http://www.kyoceraimaging.com/product.asp?itemnum=300356

The results: http://www.systemstrategies.com/miata/run4.wmv

In raw format it takes roughly 45 meg to hold a one minute run, so you have to size your SD card accordingly. I saw 512 meg cards, roughly enough for 10 runs for $30 on sale over the weekend.

Mounting consisted of a piece of mouse pad and two rubber bands attaching it to the rear view mirror.

[kirstein]

Remember, hard drive cameras still have moving parts, and hard drives can be subject to the same inertial problems that tape drives can.

When I finally spring for an in-kart camera it will be something like this:
http://www.samsung.com/Products/Camcorder/DigitalMemory/SC_X105LXAA.asp

http://www.samsung.com/Products/Camcorder/DigitalMemory/images/SC-X105L_m.jpg

Not only does it record to memory sticks which means NO moving parts, it has that neat seperate camera that can be mounted almost anywhere.

[LoCore]

That looks a lot like the solution the Barclays are now using.

[JonathonBarton]

Funny thing... This afternoon, I was looking at a 1GB SD card for the Kodak cam I got Valerie for Christmas...and pondering a little tripod mount..and some way to mount it between the headrests...

[tronic]

my $200 Sony DSC-S60 digital camera does unlimited length (by media capacity) 640x480 25fps MPEGs with audio. most Sony's can do this.

I'm trying to come up with a mounting system to use it for the next race..
Mike's Camera has a couple small ball-jointed type clamp-on camera mounts that *might* work. the behind the seat aluminum bar I "fabricated" for my old car was way too bouncy.

I like this method, but I'd like to capture the speedo and tach also :D
Mounting consisted of a piece of mouse pad and two rubber bands attaching it to the rear view mirror.

[jhadler]

One thing to keep in mind. Many innexpensive cameras and camcorders these days are made mostly of plastic. All in all, this isn't a bad thing, but when screwed down to a camera mount, the plastic body can flex quite a bit with the bumps and vibrations of a car, especially on race tires and stiff shocks etc.

Some people add an extra elastic strap holding the camera down to the mount. In the past, I added some extra straps that tied onto the flash/light attachment on my old camcorder (but any hardpoint will do) to provide some extra stability.

-Josh2

[Captain_Solo]

I'm still waiting for Chasecam to release the PDR 100. Plug a bullet cam into it and you have a recorder, playback monitor, and shockproof doo dad all in one. Looks like a much better solution than plugging a chasecam into a camcorder. And if you wanted to get all cray-zay, you can hook it up to their splitter, add another camera, and have a picture in picture or splitscreen video playback instantly. Then you can evaluate the car's behavior at the same time you nit pick your steering inputs or footwork. Anyone wanna loan me a thousand dollars? :)

[kirstein]

I think I've been waiting for almost a year for Randy to release his PDR100.

[Proxenus]

I think I've been waiting for almost a year for Randy to release his PDR100.

You can stop waiting on January 30th. Allegedly.

http://www.chasecam.com/recorders/pdr.htm

[LoCore]

Interesting--the resolution for the ChaseCam PDR is no longer documented. I hope he publishes some specs soon if he expects orders on 1/30!

Jeff Brauch is/used-to-be a distributor of ChaseCam products. Hey Jeff (or anyone else who is a distributor)--any way you could setup a group buy on these?

[smarkamyth]

OK, I talked to Randy today to set up a distributorship for ChaseCam products. The PDR 100 will in fact be available on Jan. 30th.

With my distributorship, I'd like to set up a group buy for these units. Randy specifies minimum pricing for his ditributors, so they aren't directly competing with him. I'm not sure what the price will be on the PDR for our group buy, but i'm sure it will be at least a little cheaper than they are on his website.

Another advantage is that I'll get to place our order on Jan. 27th, before they are officially available on his site.

so . . . . who's in?

Smark A Myth
FrankenSled

[Captain_Solo]

I'm in. C'mon guys, this is a really neat gizmo!

[smarkamyth]

ok. I'm going to place an order for 10 of the PDR 100 units tomorrow.
The cost, unfortunately, is set by the ChaseCam guys at $375. You won't have to pay me shipping, but i will have to charge sales tax, unless you have me ship it to another state. :p

Dr. Jobush: Max resolution "at this time" is 640x480 @ 30fps. I suspect he says "at this time" because the unit supports updates at a later time. maybe it will be upgradable.

How many do i have sold already? What else should I order that you might be interested in?
Smark A Myth
FrankenSled

[arniecoleman]

Anyone got hold of the new ChaseCam "tapeless" recorder yet?? Your thoughts?

Also, anyone come up with an elegant solution for a dust cap for the camera. I've tried Caplugs, but there's no perfect fit (yet).

Thanks,

- Arn
________
medical marijuana (http://mmjp.org)

[smarkamyth]

Arn,
That's what these are. The PDR100 is ChaseCam's new "tapeless" recorder. They are JUST available for order today.

The 10 of us that buy one will let you know,:D
Smark

[smarkamyth]

No, really. they are and I still have a standing order for ten of the first ones. Who is still in?

In the meantime, I have some of the new(er) 580 line cameras and some mounts available to get your rig all tricked out before the PDRs make it. Check my classified thread: http://www.rmsolo.org/forums/showthread.php?t=762

If you are considering ANY ChaseCam products, please, please, PLEASE get them trough me. I'd like very much to have a successful ChaseCam resale business . . . .

just DYING for the PDRs to show,
Smark A Myth

http://chasecam.com
http://scrperformance.com
http://www.meadowcreektire.com
http://skabrewing.com

[LoCore]

I'm afraid that I'm out on the PDR, and will wait to see what the early adopters end up with.

Randy has redesigned (I assume for good reason) it so many times now, that I'm unsure of what it currently is/will be.