camera recommendations

#21

Here is a snippet from a post from a local NASA racer who knows his video stuff…

[quote]As for camera equipment, I’m running a ChaseCam high-res which comes with a wide-angle lens (so I’m really not quite that far behind), plugged into a Neuros Recorder 2 PLUS and using a 12V->5V car adapter for a Sony PSP (but a battery pack might be a better idea). Chris and Chuck are using Aiptek digital camcorders, with Chuck’s being plugged into an external bullet camera (iirc he got it off eBay).

Chuck’s setup is a good way to get decent quality video on the cheap. The only issue with it is that the Aiptek recorders don’t compress the video at all, so it takes a lot of space and requires you to re-encode the video before it’ll play smoothly on most computers. My stuff was a bit more expensive, and it does produce a sharper picture with richer colors, but it’s not as big of a difference once you compress the video enough to put it on the Internet, so Chuck’s really has more bang-for-the-buck. The Neuros recorder I’m using makes MP4 files, which is nice for putting videos on cell phones, PSP’s, iPod’s, Macintosh computers, etc., but not as nice for a Windows PC… QuickTime will play it, but editing it often requires conversion first.[/quote]

#22

Bruce Leggett wrote:

[quote]Here is a snippet from a post from a local NASA racer who knows his video stuff…

[quote]As for camera equipment, I’m running a ChaseCam high-res which comes with a wide-angle lens (so I’m really not quite that far behind), plugged into a Neuros Recorder 2 PLUS and using a 12V->5V car adapter for a Sony PSP (but a battery pack might be a better idea). Chris and Chuck are using Aiptek digital camcorders, with Chuck’s being plugged into an external bullet camera (iirc he got it off eBay).

Chuck’s setup is a good way to get decent quality video on the cheap. The only issue with it is that the Aiptek recorders don’t compress the video at all, so it takes a lot of space and requires you to re-encode the video before it’ll play smoothly on most computers. My stuff was a bit more expensive, and it does produce a sharper picture with richer colors, but it’s not as big of a difference once you compress the video enough to put it on the Internet, so Chuck’s really has more bang-for-the-buck. The Neuros recorder I’m using makes MP4 files, which is nice for putting videos on cell phones, PSP’s, iPod’s, Macintosh computers, etc., but not as nice for a Windows PC… QuickTime will play it, but editing it often requires conversion first.[/quote][/quote]

Bruce, do you understand any of that??? I’m starting to think I’m too dumb to be a Spec E30 guy!

Bottom line is I used a Aiptek camera I got at Best Buy for $149 and it worked fine.

I’d sure love to have something cooler, but I’m going to need tires soon so, no cool cameras!

#23

yes, I do understand it (I’m an engineer), but, since you’ve experienced the Aiptek first hand and it works for you, then none of that matters!
cheers,
bruce

#24

So do we have any first hand video from the Aiptek and the RRR Race? (Geiger) Has anybody used the remote with this thing? Im getting closer to buying one, just wanted to get some more input on them first regarding actual usage in the car.

Anyone have theirs hardwired via the car charger?

#25

Brian Jones wrote:

[quote]So do we have any first hand video from the Aiptek and the RRR Race? (Geiger) Has anybody used the remote with this thing? Im getting closer to buying one, just wanted to get some more input on them first regarding actual usage in the car.

Anyone have theirs hardwired via the car charger?[/quote]

The camera works in either charging mode or in normal mode. You can not record while it’s charging. I just recharge in between sessions. The camera has a mini-USB port so any car charger with mini-USB connector will work.

The remote works fine but it does not have a power on/off function. I just leave the camera on as I head to the grid and then start the recording using the remote as the session is about to start.

If you do get the camera, it will work fine with SD-HC type cards for 4G size.

I don’t have any race videos (since I’m not a racer) but here is a short video from last weekend at Barber. I got distracted by an entering car and made a bad downshift.

Original

Google video

Oh, my windscreen over the mike fell off so there is lot of wind noise on the video.

#26

Ok, so I finally got off my lazy a$$ and uploaded some video… These are taken using the GoPro Digital Hero III (http://goprocamera.com). I also finally looked at the instructions and figured out why it failed at Roebling this past season (I had a setting wrong). I think it’s going to work well for 2008, however, there are some pros and cons. Apparently, they are coming out with a suction cup mount for it as well. Anywho, the first link is to fast loading, low quality Google Video version, second is to high quality versions, on my (slow) server and require Quicktime to view (haven’t sorted out smart codec solutions just yet… maybe divx?)

Roebling Test and Tune day with camera zip tied to the kidney’s:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6017782328873769231&hl=en

http://brandnewengine.com/bmw/video/ (right click save as on "rrr_tt_grillmount.mov"

Roebling test and tune day with camera mounted to the roll cage:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8231429175747866509&hl=en

http://brandnewengine.com/bmw/video/ (right click save as on "rrr_tt_cagemount.mov"

#27

Damn… those just make me sad we’re not going to have more than one race at Roebling :frowning:

Nice video BTW

#28

Scott, bust out the tissues…More footage from the gopro digital hero camera at Roebling:

Jim Robinson’s car with the camera mounted to the rear license plate at Roebling (Club Race practice) aka "Rear View Cam" (don’t get excited JP… it’s not that kind of rear view):

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4449718629121489181&hl=en

Roebling BMWCCA Club Race with camera mounted to roll bar in Brendan Digel’s B Mod car (old E12):

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7629058720806740688&hl=en

Lastly, same event, with "Kidney Kam" (camera mounted to front kidneys) of Brendan’s E12 (no sound since it’s just wind noise):

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-355912346400451578&hl=en

They just came out with a "motorsports" version which means a better case design and mounts. I am going to purchase the mount kit to make mine easier to use.

#29

I got it!!! I just got the Aiptek camera for Christmas. What an Awsome Wife! I got the Pocket DV 5800. Under the battery the Model is DZO-V58. I read on here to get a 4 gig card but the instructinos say max 2 gig. Will the 4 gig work? Also, is there a way to wire it to the car? I understand that the car adaptor just charges but will not record when charging. Any way to hardwire? Anxious to get it up and running.

Michael

#30
#31

If it’s a DZO-V58N, then 4G SDHC card will work.

You can wire in a switch on the charger. One position to charge and the other to record.