track video camera

[ecumike]

Joe... what's up... of course I remember.

so blah blah.. here's the skinny.

Get a Sony, or canon DV cam - something with line-in recording, and LANC capability. (allows you to use a remote control). Cost ~300-400.  I have the Sony DCR-HC32 MiniDV, tons of them for sale on ebay. ~$350.

Get a onbike.tv Pro 480 Video Kit (bullet cam, 2, yes 2, rechargeable batts., mic, mount, everything you need) - $300

Done.

Currently I have 1 bullet cam mounted in the nose... cut a hole in the fron fairing nose and mount it on the top of the underside of the front fairing.  My second camera is mounted on the top of the tail.  You can move them around and mount them wherever... nose, tail, side fairing, helmet, front wheel fairing, etc... That's the beauty of having a bullet cam. you can get all kinda cool angles. Just mount it with strong velcro, and wrap a piece of duct tape over it for added safety. 2 years ago, I mounted it to my swingarm, and got that slide-n-slide crash video.

AS for the DV cam, I wrap it in bubblewrap and shove it inthe nose of the front fairing.  There's no vibration, I've never had problems and this is my second DV cam I've used.  Unless you like the shitty quality of watching them compressed, use HI RES. They are AWESOME when you watch them on a DVD on your TV.  WAAAAAYYYYYY better than the quality what you see on the net.

I'll be at Jennings this weekend, CMP, in 2 weeks, and Summit May 6 wknd, if you want to come check out my setup.

Here are some older pictures I took of how I mount the one in the front..

[HPT]

By acceptable do you mean video quality or compression?

well- that is the point, more compression alters the video quality relatively.... so to determine the level of compression that IS acceptable, take a look at the compression used....we found most people compare DVD, or Cable TV (sometimes digital) so our systems use MPEG2.....MPEG4 is simply not ready in any known consumer device....the samsung unit is close, but no cigar....not yet.

On the topic of the recording device.....ecumike suggests using a DV cam, or miniDV....the problem goes with all systems that utilize moving parts.... adverse conditions such as road racing does tremendous damage to the mechanical units beyond the damage to the footage being encoded....

hence the consideration for solid state memory, ala no moving parts.... its the way to go....more pricey at the onset, but cheaper in the long run and better all around.....

Over the last couple of years, we not only had multiple onboard crashes (unamed racers, instructors, videobike pilots) we did not lose a frame during the situations....nor did the capture units themselves receive any damage...

any camcorder, miniDV that has mechanical / moving parts, most likely would have experienced some damage to the unit or captured footage.... our systems did not....

capturing to a solid state memory is best for adverse conditions such as road racing, hands down.  

[StumpysWife]

Over the last couple of years, we not only had multiple onboard crashes (unamed racers, instructors, videobike pilots) we did not lose a frame during the situations....nor did the capture units themselves receive any damage...


  

WHAT?!!!?!!!

VIDEO BIKES DON'T CRASH!!!   ;D

[HPT]

WHAT?!!!?!!!

VIDEO BIKES DON'T CRASH!!!   ;D

well - they're not supposed to!!@!@

MOST video bikes dont crash... (supports the mantra)

Heather, say hey to stumpy, hope to see you guys out here someday ;-)

[HAWK]

well- that is the point, more compression alters the video quality relatively.... so to determine the level of compression that IS acceptable, take a look at the compression used....we found most people compare DVD, or Cable TV (sometimes digital) so our systems use MPEG2.....MPEG4 is simply not ready in any known consumer device....the samsung unit is close, but no cigar....not yet.

I don't understand, the samsung is solidstate, no moving parts, uses mpeg4 at bitrates upto 6Mbps (I believe DVD is 8 ) and 22 min at 720 and 6Mbps with 1G memory stick pro. What is it about the samsung that is not there yet? The remote bullit cam is not going to cut it as it is a cmos device and very low res but the samsung will accept any of the remote cameras you have recommended.
I realize that the equipment you are using is higher quality (it is also paying for itself) but I think for the racer that wants this as a tool to replay his session in a calmer enviroment I think this is a very viable package. I understand racerx196's sentiment about the $500 price tag but honestly I don't see anything else even close in terms of price.

[HPT]

I don't understand, the samsung is solidstate, no moving parts, uses mpeg4 at bitrates upto 6Mbps (I believe DVD is 8 ) and 22 min at 720 and 6Mbps with 1G memory stick pro. What is it about the samsung that is not there yet? The remote bullit cam is not going to cut it as it is a cmos device and very low res but the samsung will accept any of the remote cameras you have recommended.
I realize that the equipment you are using is higher quality (it is also paying for itself) but I think for the racer that wants this as a tool to replay his session in a calmer enviroment I think this is a very viable package. I understand racerx196's sentiment about the $500 price tag but honestly I don't see anything else even close in terms of price.

To a certain extent, I agree with you, including pricepoint; the only consideration you should think about is how do you suppose you will watch your sessions or archives? As it relates to the format (mpeg4 versus mpeg2) this is an important detail.  On a computer, no problem....on a TV using DVD....well.....

If you decide that you will burn a DVD, then you will have to transcode the format from MPEG4 -> MPEG2 which will have a *cost.....either time...conversion of the format, which MIGHT have a quality consideration as well....just some things to consider....

I too am impressed with the Samsung device...only downside is lack of mpeg2 support and the discussion on transcoding from 4 -> 2.....

[HAWK]

I don't think you're going to see mpeg2 in a memory type camera in the comsumer market/price range soon. the cost in file size for mpeg2 is too high.

I have software that can convert the mpeg4 from the camera to mpeg2 and create a dvd. The quality is probably not good enough for you to sell as a professional product but then I think the same could be said for all the camcorders in the consumer market. I haven't had this camera to the track yet but playing with it in the back yard I think it will do fine for personal consumption.

I wish I could afford to pay for someone else to video all my sessions with the finest professional equipment but I can't and to me this is the best out there when price/durability/quality are all considered.

[HPT]

we already have;

panasonic units which do support mpeg2 are as low as 650.00, IF YOU CAN FIND EM.....

http://www.shentech.com/pasvdvmwemsd.html

slightly more than the 550.00 price point for the samsung device...additionally, the same units have SD chip support, upwards of 2Gb, which provides 88 min. of captured footage, so I disagree with you on this point.  


However, using one of these devices you will also require a lipstick cam, albeit higher quality resolution, another 300.00...

conversely, the mpeg4 samsung unit captures 380 lines of resolution.....versus 480 & 520 lines of resolution on the higher quiality stuff...

Hawk you said it; if it is acceptable by the user/viewer then its a good deal & slightly cheaper....you get what you pay for.

If you decide you want something comparable to DVD or TV with little or no damage to the quality of the archive from a transcoding requirement (DVD format is mpeg2) results might not be what you expect.  

[Protein Filled]

Yeah, Video bikes DO NOT crash....


Hey Mike, Whatcha up to?

[HAWK]

I had looked at that unit but if you read the specs carefully you notice some descrepencies. First off mpeg2 in itself does not provide DVD quality.  In order to obtain the 20 min of DVD quality mpeg2 stream they claim from 512 MB internal storage would require a 3.5 Mbps bitrate. The resolution they are using is 320X240, often refered to as 1/4 DVD, any higher and the artifacting would drive you insane. There would be no point in attatching a 480 or 520 line camera to such a device. While this device does have the capability to encode mpeg2 the lower resolution and higher price steered me to the samsung, which btw comes with a, albeit poor, bullit cam.

Again I agree that this is a personal solution, not something that would be viable in the professional arena.

[ecumike]

heheh, yea I've crashed several times... never damaged the DVcam.

[HPT]

Yeah, Video bikes DO NOT crash....


Hey Mike, Whatcha up to?

hangin out at a race track Edgar...how you doin fella? Look forward to seeing you round these parts....HPT or BHF my new home(s).....

btw, wait til you see the new stuff @ HPT....pretty cool...I'll call you off line to catch up...