ScottyKM
Registered user
these bullet cams, are they quick release, i would like to be able to film allsorts, from on the bike, on skis jumping out of planes etc
as well as the baby dog etc
as well as the baby dog etc
scottykm said:
Yes.
Just make sure you do not land on it.
On the bike a good thing to mount them into is a pastic clip, the sort used by plumbers to hold pipes to walls.
You can even hide them in the wardrobe, for those 'special' films!
Hi
I have used a SONY DCR-HC32E Camcorder with a bullet camera.
I hardwired the camera to the lightbar and have got some great video.
Camcorder and all bits needed from HERE
Get a LANC lead it will save you hours of waisted tape.
I went on a Rideout with SBW In Hertford on the 10th September 2006 to Le Touquet and used it then, got some great shots.
I have used a SONY DCR-HC32E Camcorder with a bullet camera.
I hardwired the camera to the lightbar and have got some great video.
Camcorder and all bits needed from HERE
Get a LANC lead it will save you hours of waisted tape.
I went on a Rideout with SBW In Hertford on the 10th September 2006 to Le Touquet and used it then, got some great shots.
Solid State Recorder
I started with a camcorder, with LANC controller, some extended batteries and an RF concepts camera, perfect, except for transferring the footage to the computer for editing, the camcorder eventually broke but a really good setup.
Tried an Archos AV4100, 100Gb of storage, except the disk crashed, and if I put the archos in the rear seat bag it picked up interferance, the battery life was really poor and the cig lighter didn't add much, and MPEG4 is not as good as DV tape, my Archos won't work now even replaced the disk but it just corrupts itself every time I turn it on.
So then I got one of these:
http://www.chasecam.com/recorders/pdr.htm
I don't work for them, but this is the business, no moving parts at all, records MPEG2 DV quality onto compact flash, has a LANC controller, powers the camera and can run off the bike power socket or will run off 4 rechardable or lithium batteries, built in mic (a bit sensative). Can record to a continuous loop as well.
I run 8Gb Transcend CF cards which did cost £100 each but just plug them straight into the computer to get the footage off, and you can change the quality settings, highest quality gets 1hr 30mins on a 4Gb card.
Not cheap, about £400 for the PDR and a camera, then shipping and maybe import charges, but regular firmware updates and the guy who makes them runs a forum and answers customer questions and problems. He also makes a Split Screen processor for multiple camera setups which looks a lot like the Action Camera one.
This was shot with the camcorder setup and RF camera:
http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay?docid=2328271313014774786&hl=en-GB
This was shot using the Archos setup and RF camera:
http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay?docid=8654021531295774205&hl=en-GB
This was shot with the PDR setup and RF camera:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjZmqL30m1I
The've all been downgraded for the web doo dah malarky so you can't really make any comparisons in quality but here they are for comparison
I started with a camcorder, with LANC controller, some extended batteries and an RF concepts camera, perfect, except for transferring the footage to the computer for editing, the camcorder eventually broke but a really good setup.
Tried an Archos AV4100, 100Gb of storage, except the disk crashed, and if I put the archos in the rear seat bag it picked up interferance, the battery life was really poor and the cig lighter didn't add much, and MPEG4 is not as good as DV tape, my Archos won't work now even replaced the disk but it just corrupts itself every time I turn it on.
So then I got one of these:
http://www.chasecam.com/recorders/pdr.htm
I don't work for them, but this is the business, no moving parts at all, records MPEG2 DV quality onto compact flash, has a LANC controller, powers the camera and can run off the bike power socket or will run off 4 rechardable or lithium batteries, built in mic (a bit sensative). Can record to a continuous loop as well.
I run 8Gb Transcend CF cards which did cost £100 each but just plug them straight into the computer to get the footage off, and you can change the quality settings, highest quality gets 1hr 30mins on a 4Gb card.
Not cheap, about £400 for the PDR and a camera, then shipping and maybe import charges, but regular firmware updates and the guy who makes them runs a forum and answers customer questions and problems. He also makes a Split Screen processor for multiple camera setups which looks a lot like the Action Camera one.
This was shot with the camcorder setup and RF camera:
http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay?docid=2328271313014774786&hl=en-GB
This was shot using the Archos setup and RF camera:
http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay?docid=8654021531295774205&hl=en-GB
This was shot with the PDR setup and RF camera:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjZmqL30m1I
The've all been downgraded for the web doo dah malarky so you can't really make any comparisons in quality but here they are for comparison
22Yellow said:
Mike,
22Yellows experience seems to mirror my three stage (or choices) process, building up from a simple bullet cam and digital camera, through to a full blown digital sytem. His experience of the Archos' disk drive crashing seems to copy my friends' experience. I am equaly sure that others have got it to work but it's maybe an expensive learing curve? His advice on the alternative device may well be good. My friend plumped for a very expensive Sony digital tape machine but 22Yellow's device looks like an interesting thing to try out, perhaps?
He is smack on with the LANC switch advice.
I do know of others who haven't had problems with the Archos unit, and I presume the newer ones are better. We do the testing so you don't have toWapping said:
If I took a working Archos on a long trip again I would also take a laptop to copy footage on a daily basis, worked out that the space taken by said laptop was the same volume as the number of DV tapes you can fit on an Archos
Forgot to add no monitor on the PDR so you still need something to line the camera up with, that's why I kept the dead Archos.Wapping said:
LANC is a necessity, don't get a system without.Wapping said:
I also use one of these, the top one.
http://www.drivedata.com/prodmounts.html
Can reach around and clean the front cover with my glove while in motion, plus the tint helps reduce glare from the sun, which does affect the bullet cams.
bugeyes
Guest
Hope this helps!
Hi I use an old Archos AV320 and a bullet camera I got from Hong Kong via eBay using a home made cable.
I also use the same Camera via a Sony camcorder and a lanc controller
And I mount the camera on a suction mount
Model SM2 from these people
http://www.b-hague.co.uk/camera_suction_pads_vacuum_mounts.htm
The mount is stuck on the front mudguard of my 1150GSA and I got some really good results from that
All powered from the tank bag via.
http://www.powerletproducts.com/products/ptb.php
The bullet camera is connected through AV in on the camcorder setup is the best for me, as I can pause it or turn it of and on the recording process at will and shut down the camcorder when I like via one simple button.
I got a custom lead from USA which plugs into the camcorder and has a 5pin din on the other end and a built in mic (it is designed for their own bullet camera setup.
I and converted the bullet camera lead from phono to this din type which makes connection a snap.
I also made a two way switch to enable me to have two bullet cameras connected to the camcorder and switch between them i.e. one on the helmet one on the bike or one in the front or one on the back it does work but needs refinement
The only thing I found to be a problem was the mic on the cable is way too sensitive It just ends up clipping the sound.
I need to find a way of reducing the gain for that mic, work in progress.
I will try to take some photo and post them for you If you like
Hi I use an old Archos AV320 and a bullet camera I got from Hong Kong via eBay using a home made cable.
I also use the same Camera via a Sony camcorder and a lanc controller
And I mount the camera on a suction mount
Model SM2 from these people
http://www.b-hague.co.uk/camera_suction_pads_vacuum_mounts.htm
The mount is stuck on the front mudguard of my 1150GSA and I got some really good results from that
All powered from the tank bag via.
http://www.powerletproducts.com/products/ptb.php
The bullet camera is connected through AV in on the camcorder setup is the best for me, as I can pause it or turn it of and on the recording process at will and shut down the camcorder when I like via one simple button.
I got a custom lead from USA which plugs into the camcorder and has a 5pin din on the other end and a built in mic (it is designed for their own bullet camera setup.
I and converted the bullet camera lead from phono to this din type which makes connection a snap.
I also made a two way switch to enable me to have two bullet cameras connected to the camcorder and switch between them i.e. one on the helmet one on the bike or one in the front or one on the back it does work but needs refinement
The only thing I found to be a problem was the mic on the cable is way too sensitive It just ends up clipping the sound.
I need to find a way of reducing the gain for that mic, work in progress.
I will try to take some photo and post them for you If you like
Yodagoat
Registered user
i have a friend who uses an rf concepts camera on his caterham. its pretty good.
http://www.rfconcepts.co.uk/helmet_cameras.htm
http://www.rfconcepts.co.uk/helmet_cameras.htm
rocks
Registered user
Solid state unit recorder..
A friend of mine uses one of these units in his Lotus elise and caterham track cars. The video quality is good and unit seems pretty robust from casual inspection.
http://www.chasecam.com/
the bullet cam he uses with it came from these guys..
http://www.fastfilms.co.uk/
I guess its another unit to add to the list of considerations..
A friend of mine uses one of these units in his Lotus elise and caterham track cars. The video quality is good and unit seems pretty robust from casual inspection.
http://www.chasecam.com/
the bullet cam he uses with it came from these guys..
http://www.fastfilms.co.uk/
I guess its another unit to add to the list of considerations..
Fitzy
Registered user
Or log on here for a specific solution designed for single seat racing cars and motorbikes - solid state so no vibration problems, no camcorder needed as all recording onto Pro Duo card so no spaghetti of wires and they fit into a standard tank bag. £799 inc. two bullet cameras, Wireless monitor and garage security camera plus all Ram mounts as necessary. www.theeperienceorg.co.uk
Attachments
I think you'll find that www.theexperienceorg.co.uk works a little better, although there's not much to see.
tested mine today
wow the quality is ace, using a migic box bought on ebay for 85squid and a 420 line bullet cam from dogcam. awsome results, no drop in quality right upto 110mph (well i had to test it
)best £150 i've spent.
wow the quality is ace, using a migic box bought on ebay for 85squid and a 420 line bullet cam from dogcam. awsome results, no drop in quality right upto 110mph (well i had to test it
)best £150 i've spent.
wow the quality is ace, using a migic box bought on ebay for 85squid and a 420 line bullet cam from dogcam. awsome results, no drop in quality right upto 110mph (well i had to test it
What's a migic box, mate?
Well I've gone and done it!
Whilst saving my pennies since I last posted in this thread I've been following-up some of the advice given, checking-out the alternatives and eventually settled for a complete package purchase from http://bikecameras.com
I opted for a Sony 42 camcorder and two Sony DSP water-proof bullet cams, all the leads, AC & DC re-chargers, remote camera switch and LANC controller.
I've never owned a camcorder before today, so I'm busy reading the manual and will spend a bit of time "playing" with it before I try it all out on a bike.
I wanted a video set-up primarily for when travelling. Seeing a great view means stopping and taking a number of shots with a stills camera. Sods-law dictates that a mile further on the views are even better but to keep stopping becomes a chore.
I'll mount one camera to the bike for those great stretches of road and one to my helmet for capturing views as and when they appear.
Hopefully I'll then be able to select footage for keeping/editing and also to select some still images from.
The camera came with a Sony software programme. I haven't loaded it yet and my question to the wise is this:
What editing programmes are available (I may wish to add script, music or audio commentary) and what would you recommend?
In time I may wish to try and match the quality of some of the video's others have shown us here (Timolgra's link to a Moroccan trip has been one of the benchmark's IMHO).
I have yet to explore the possibility of embedding video into my blog entries, I guess YouTube is the way to go for that sort of thing?
Any advice from the wise would be gratefully accepted.
Whilst saving my pennies since I last posted in this thread I've been following-up some of the advice given, checking-out the alternatives and eventually settled for a complete package purchase from http://bikecameras.com
I opted for a Sony 42 camcorder and two Sony DSP water-proof bullet cams, all the leads, AC & DC re-chargers, remote camera switch and LANC controller.
I've never owned a camcorder before today, so I'm busy reading the manual and will spend a bit of time "playing" with it before I try it all out on a bike.
I wanted a video set-up primarily for when travelling. Seeing a great view means stopping and taking a number of shots with a stills camera. Sods-law dictates that a mile further on the views are even better but to keep stopping becomes a chore.
I'll mount one camera to the bike for those great stretches of road and one to my helmet for capturing views as and when they appear.
Hopefully I'll then be able to select footage for keeping/editing and also to select some still images from.
The camera came with a Sony software programme. I haven't loaded it yet and my question to the wise is this:
What editing programmes are available (I may wish to add script, music or audio commentary) and what would you recommend?
In time I may wish to try and match the quality of some of the video's others have shown us here (Timolgra's link to a Moroccan trip has been one of the benchmark's IMHO).
I have yet to explore the possibility of embedding video into my blog entries, I guess YouTube is the way to go for that sort of thing?
Any advice from the wise would be gratefully accepted.
RadioActive
Guest
How did your setup work out in the end Mike? I've been going through the same decision process and have ended up at a similar choice to yours but haven't parted with the cash yet. I need to take the plunge soon for a trip in July though.
Chris
Chris
Chris,
I'm very pleased with it. Some minor glitches at first and the end results are good enough.
If you want to use a system by July, I think that you need to make a move soon. There are a few things that will take time to sort out satisfactorily. Primary issues I had were where to mount the bullet-cams. The bike mounted camera needs to give a good view and not be routinely effected by vibrations. The helmet camera needs to be aligned as near as possible to your eye-line.
Next is where and how to stow everything in a manner that makes it usable. The last thing you want is to spend so long setting it all up that it puts you off using it.
I've only really had one major failure and that was caused by me not understanding that the bullet-cams draw power as long as they are connected. If you use rechargeable or dry-cells, it soon drains the power.
Where and how you mount the bullet-cams will depend on your helmet type and your bike. I went out with the cams in different places until I had the best positions sorted.
I have now modified a tank-bag to house all the camcorder stuff. I use Powerlet connectors to make it easy to supply power. In the bag, as well as the camcorder, I have a permanent bike supplied 12v to the bullet-cams and a re-charger with a second camcorder battery.
I also use the tank-bag for stills camera, phone, iPod etc, so the power to it is more than just for the video gear.
Of course, none of this stops at the video (if you are anything like me!). There's video editing software and then DVD's to burn, label and cases to do!
santrix
Registered user
I have one of these, personally, with extra cards and batteries its great for the price.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SAMSUNG-MINIKET-VP-X300L-DIGITAL-CAMERA-NEW-RRP-299_W0QQitemZ170199053607QQihZ007QQcategoryZ11724QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SAMSUNG-MINIKET-VP-X300L-DIGITAL-CAMERA-NEW-RRP-299_W0QQitemZ170199053607QQihZ007QQcategoryZ11724QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
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