Camcorder for Boat Videos?
04-03-2008, 06:03 PM
#23
Registered
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,067
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I got it and was going to run it in st pete but ran out of time . it looks pretty simple and the test video i ran with it seemed ok not super impressed with the pic quality, but i've still got to play with it . i'll update you as soon as i run it .. maybe try it on the car this weekend
04-03-2008, 07:29 PM
#24
Registered
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Eastlake, Ohio
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Helmet Camera option
I messed around a little last season with a couple of Hoyttech helmet cameras on "Traffic LIght" in the OPA Offshore racing series.
I had bought the cameras for screwing around with on the snowmobiles but figured I would give them a shot on Ed's Green ride.
The basic system was one Helmet cam (with microphones) into a Sony HC96 camcorder using a LANC remote to turn the recorder on and off remotely in the boat.
After the first couple of races we upgraded to a pair of cameras one facing forward and one facing aft. with a Multiview-2 processor to split the images going into the recorder to create a picture in picture affect on the tape. The images could be configured in multiple formats depending on what you are recording. (half screen horizontally forward/ half screen horizontally aft, full screen forward with quarter picture of throttles or speedo or whatever in any corner etc. etc. etc.)
I also picked up what they call a G-Box that superimposes multi axis G-forces, lap times and other data over the image while it is recorded. Haven't had a chance to use this yet.
I was not happy with the helmet cam mounts available so I adapted a rifle scope mount that worked out well.
The system is pretty durable and the image using the Sony recorder was excellent (better than a DVR hard drive/SD card type recorder). The helmet cam itself is 580 line of resolution.
If you are familiar with "Traffic Lights" mishap in Key West during the worlds this year the camera was on-board at the time she flipped in the harbor at 100mph+. The helmet cams and microphones survived the flip and salt water immersion and I used them all winter snowmobiling with a DVR recorder (no where near the picture quality of the HC96 but less bulky to stick in a pocket). The cameras where mounted to the top of the canopy so they took the full brunt of the flip. The Hoytech housings for the Sony "lipstick" cams are very durable. As for the recorder and the multi-view we didn't have them properly secured in a watertight containment so they did not survive the mishap.
Anyway, the system has worked out pretty well and I am looking to replace the damaged pieces and set the "Traffic Light" up again this year.
If any one is interested in seeing what kind of quality the images are I have footage from the "TL" transfered to DVD from the HC96 as well as some snowmobile footage from the DVR on DVD for comparison.
Don't ask, the tape from the flip in KeyWest was destroyed by the saltwater and not recoverable.
I had bought the cameras for screwing around with on the snowmobiles but figured I would give them a shot on Ed's Green ride.
The basic system was one Helmet cam (with microphones) into a Sony HC96 camcorder using a LANC remote to turn the recorder on and off remotely in the boat.
After the first couple of races we upgraded to a pair of cameras one facing forward and one facing aft. with a Multiview-2 processor to split the images going into the recorder to create a picture in picture affect on the tape. The images could be configured in multiple formats depending on what you are recording. (half screen horizontally forward/ half screen horizontally aft, full screen forward with quarter picture of throttles or speedo or whatever in any corner etc. etc. etc.)
I also picked up what they call a G-Box that superimposes multi axis G-forces, lap times and other data over the image while it is recorded. Haven't had a chance to use this yet.
I was not happy with the helmet cam mounts available so I adapted a rifle scope mount that worked out well.
The system is pretty durable and the image using the Sony recorder was excellent (better than a DVR hard drive/SD card type recorder). The helmet cam itself is 580 line of resolution.
If you are familiar with "Traffic Lights" mishap in Key West during the worlds this year the camera was on-board at the time she flipped in the harbor at 100mph+. The helmet cams and microphones survived the flip and salt water immersion and I used them all winter snowmobiling with a DVR recorder (no where near the picture quality of the HC96 but less bulky to stick in a pocket). The cameras where mounted to the top of the canopy so they took the full brunt of the flip. The Hoytech housings for the Sony "lipstick" cams are very durable. As for the recorder and the multi-view we didn't have them properly secured in a watertight containment so they did not survive the mishap.
Anyway, the system has worked out pretty well and I am looking to replace the damaged pieces and set the "Traffic Light" up again this year.
If any one is interested in seeing what kind of quality the images are I have footage from the "TL" transfered to DVD from the HC96 as well as some snowmobile footage from the DVR on DVD for comparison.
Don't ask, the tape from the flip in KeyWest was destroyed by the saltwater and not recoverable.
04-03-2008, 07:42 PM
#25
Registered
iTrader: (3)
I got it and was going to run it in st pete but ran out of time . it looks pretty simple and the test video i ran with it seemed ok not super impressed with the pic quality, but i've still got to play with it . i'll update you as soon as i run it .. maybe try it on the car this weekend
04-03-2008, 08:27 PM
#26
Registered
Platinum Member
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Cincinnati
Posts: 2,499
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We use the ones made by oregon. You can get them at sharper image and a buddy of mine bought a bunch to get a discount if you need a couple... They are so cheap now it's crazy what you can do.
04-04-2008, 10:03 AM
#27
Gold Member
Gold Member
I've used this company's helmet cam since 2000 on my street bike, dirt bike, and mountain bike with no problems. My recording unit is a Sony Digital8 Handicam. Not as hi-tech as some of the other products listed here, but figured I'd add the info.
They didn't have waterproof when I bought mine. They've since added it as well as higher resolution. But man, HD would flippin' sweet.
http://www.helmetcamera.com
They didn't have waterproof when I bought mine. They've since added it as well as higher resolution. But man, HD would flippin' sweet.
http://www.helmetcamera.com
04-14-2008, 06:05 PM
#29
Registered
iTrader: (3)
I got it and was going to run it in st pete but ran out of time . it looks pretty simple and the test video i ran with it seemed ok not super impressed with the pic quality, but i've still got to play with it . i'll update you as soon as i run it .. maybe try it on the car this weekend
