Tippers
Guest
Have you got pictures and spec on your web site ?
Have i missed it in a previous reply ?
Compact motorcycle camera system
- Thread starter Fitzy
- Start date
Have you got pictures and spec on your web site ?
Have i missed it in a previous reply ?
FFS! Some of the guys were quite interested, they just wanted to see some info about it, or see just what it could do ,especially if its so bloody good. A picture speaks volumes. They were just , in the main, speaking about what they knew of other similar products / systems.
As I said before , good luck with it.
Yours,
What's the problem with posting a picture for potential customers
I have no opinions to speak of but would say there's stacks of systems about which can do pretty much anything, however be aware that any system has to work with other legacy kit like your PC or MAC and finally your TV set and DVD player (mpeg4 offers some very good results) the mpeg 4 codec is not that easy to use with certain editing packages.... Be certain whatever you choose will do what it says on the tin! The samsung whatever 220 thing is ver good and with 720x576 resolution the 640x480 archos based system is good as well but you need to stretch the image to fill the editing window. (Well we do when we make things)
it's horses for courses and if you have tons of money and want the best I can sell you a hitachi HD camera with zoom lens, hot head HD storage and remote package it's top draw broadcast kit and is about 30K plus VAT, installation and basic training to standard user level.
it's horses for courses and if you have tons of money and want the best I can sell you a hitachi HD camera with zoom lens, hot head HD storage and remote package it's top draw broadcast kit and is about 30K plus VAT, installation and basic training to standard user level.
rdover
Registered user
Interim report on the 2 onboard video systems used on Round The Bend.
We were loaned Fitzy's system which is a lovely piece of kit to look at and clearly well put together. You get a bigish box which is the recorder into which you insert a MSSpro card, a remote (wireless) receiver/viewer, 2 cameras and a power supply as well as wee remote control thing. The cameras are fitted by any means you like then fine tuned for view by using the handheld unit to get eh view right. One camera is wider angle for rear viewing (or pointing up at yourself as you ride). The system has a constant picture in picture (PIP) and can handle 3 cameras.
I also procured a Dogcamsport PV-800 package with 1 camera, power supply, mic and wireless remote control. The PV-800 has a 30Gb HDD and an SD slot that can take up 8Gb cards (I used a 4Gb).
For some reason Fitzy's didn't work. Everything set up fine and seemed to be recording but the files were not readable on any of the 4 computers we tried. We did not have time to properly test either system before leaving so this was a genuine test of use in the real world. Fitzy's is a faff to work on the road - in fact you have to stop, set it going and then ride off. There is no way of testing that it has worked except by taking a card and playing the file on a computer (so far as I know). Each time you start you have to switch on, press the PIP button twice then press the big red button on the front and wait for the red light to come on. Ours was missing a vital part and we had to switch on with the wee remote before pressing the red button (this was a parts supply problem). I do not have any video to pass comment on picture quality.
The PV-800 has a screen and will play back videos just as easily as record them. It has the usual rat's nest of cables and connectors but the remote control hub and control itself are very robust. Once fitted all I had to do was press the 'on' button and then after about 5 secs it was recording. The 's' button stopped it but kept the unit running for instant restarting of recording whilst teh 'off' button switched it off. I discovered that teh HDD is easily robust enouogh for rough tarmac roads but the unit MUST be held firmly somewhere or it will skip and freeze adn possibly get damaged. Under severe conditions you simply set it to record onto the SD card (~1hr per Gb as per most systems) and then you copy the files onto the HDD once you stop. There is a problem with this however in the file naming dept - the system names them using the date and recording order so once the SD is empty the next files to be created (on the same day) will have the same file names and you cannot change the names on the unit.
I will post more details and photos soon (once I've done the other 101 jobs waiting)
We were loaned Fitzy's system which is a lovely piece of kit to look at and clearly well put together. You get a bigish box which is the recorder into which you insert a MSSpro card, a remote (wireless) receiver/viewer, 2 cameras and a power supply as well as wee remote control thing. The cameras are fitted by any means you like then fine tuned for view by using the handheld unit to get eh view right. One camera is wider angle for rear viewing (or pointing up at yourself as you ride). The system has a constant picture in picture (PIP) and can handle 3 cameras.
I also procured a Dogcamsport PV-800 package with 1 camera, power supply, mic and wireless remote control. The PV-800 has a 30Gb HDD and an SD slot that can take up 8Gb cards (I used a 4Gb).
For some reason Fitzy's didn't work. Everything set up fine and seemed to be recording but the files were not readable on any of the 4 computers we tried. We did not have time to properly test either system before leaving so this was a genuine test of use in the real world. Fitzy's is a faff to work on the road - in fact you have to stop, set it going and then ride off. There is no way of testing that it has worked except by taking a card and playing the file on a computer (so far as I know). Each time you start you have to switch on, press the PIP button twice then press the big red button on the front and wait for the red light to come on. Ours was missing a vital part and we had to switch on with the wee remote before pressing the red button (this was a parts supply problem). I do not have any video to pass comment on picture quality.
The PV-800 has a screen and will play back videos just as easily as record them. It has the usual rat's nest of cables and connectors but the remote control hub and control itself are very robust. Once fitted all I had to do was press the 'on' button and then after about 5 secs it was recording. The 's' button stopped it but kept the unit running for instant restarting of recording whilst teh 'off' button switched it off. I discovered that teh HDD is easily robust enouogh for rough tarmac roads but the unit MUST be held firmly somewhere or it will skip and freeze adn possibly get damaged. Under severe conditions you simply set it to record onto the SD card (~1hr per Gb as per most systems) and then you copy the files onto the HDD once you stop. There is a problem with this however in the file naming dept - the system names them using the date and recording order so once the SD is empty the next files to be created (on the same day) will have the same file names and you cannot change the names on the unit.
I will post more details and photos soon (once I've done the other 101 jobs waiting)
rdover
Registered user
NB. I have not spoken to either Fitzy or Dogcam about the problems I experienced with both systems. I do not want to give the impression that one is great and the other crap, as I did have hassle getting the PV-800 working and have quality issues with the unit, however I can only report back as I see it.
Problems with Dogcam system
the power input broke and the unit was replaced
the cables had to be taped in place as they would vibrate loose (excluding the remote hub plug)
camera fogged up (seemed to clear though) in 100% dry conditions
limited remote control range (less than 10')
Problems with Dogcam system
the power input broke and the unit was replaced
the cables had to be taped in place as they would vibrate loose (excluding the remote hub plug)
camera fogged up (seemed to clear though) in 100% dry conditions
limited remote control range (less than 10')
rdover
Registered user
EUREKA.
I found the problem with Fitzy's system - the operator!
My power supply has a fuse in it with a broken spring so the system would start fine then power would be lost momentarily as the fuse rattled around in the holder.
I managed to test it and despite being a bit fiddly to use I can assure everyone that the video picture qaulity is as good as any I've seen in this kind of system. I will attempt to youtube a sample when I can be bothered.
I found the problem with Fitzy's system - the operator!
My power supply has a fuse in it with a broken spring so the system would start fine then power would be lost momentarily as the fuse rattled around in the holder.
I managed to test it and despite being a bit fiddly to use I can assure everyone that the video picture qaulity is as good as any I've seen in this kind of system. I will attempt to youtube a sample when I can be bothered.
Cole
Registered user
Dont suppose anyone has tried this new unit from DogCamSport?
http://www.dogcamsport.co.uk/chasecam-pdr100.htm#pics
720x576, MPEG2, solid state, and LANC compatible
http://www.dogcamsport.co.uk/chasecam-pdr100.htm#pics
720x576, MPEG2, solid state, and LANC compatible
Mike,
that doesn't seem a dense question to me.
FWIW,
i'm still experimenting with mine ( the Oregon one).
it's very basic. stick 2 batteries in, the memory cards optional*, and point it
- theres no viewfinder or screen.
thats the best and worst aspect - it's idiot proof and basic.
i like it for that as theres buggr all to fiddle with / feck up
.
so, yes, you could use it for other applications, but it IS basic.
but for €220 inc. 2gb memory card - i think it'll work out for me.
*card expands recording time to approx one hour at 640x480 quality with sound. - maybe more if you can fit a bigger card - dunno yet.
only complaint so far is;
if i'm in bright sunlight and go past shady / darker areas (e.g. the side road where another bike pulled out in front of me last night
) the camera only sees a large dark area.
shame, coz thats EXACTLY the sort of gems i'm hoping to capture for training purposes.
i've fitted a little peak over the top of the lens - _maybe_ that'll cure the problem
hope thats some help.
NEXT!
that doesn't seem a dense question to me.
FWIW,
i'm still experimenting with mine ( the Oregon one).
it's very basic. stick 2 batteries in, the memory cards optional*, and point it
- theres no viewfinder or screen.
thats the best and worst aspect - it's idiot proof and basic.
i like it for that as theres buggr all to fiddle with / feck up
.so, yes, you could use it for other applications, but it IS basic.
but for €220 inc. 2gb memory card - i think it'll work out for me.
*card expands recording time to approx one hour at 640x480 quality with sound. - maybe more if you can fit a bigger card - dunno yet.
only complaint so far is;
if i'm in bright sunlight and go past shady / darker areas (e.g. the side road where another bike pulled out in front of me last night
) the camera only sees a large dark area.shame, coz thats EXACTLY the sort of gems i'm hoping to capture for training purposes.
i've fitted a little peak over the top of the lens - _maybe_ that'll cure the problem
hope thats some help.
NEXT!
Pauly S
Registered user
helmet cam
actually lads if look at this ebay item 300127288582 you will find the helmet cam is £90 reduced by a tenner.
regards Paul
actually lads if look at this ebay item 300127288582 you will find the helmet cam is £90 reduced by a tenner.
regards Paul
