Bullet Cameras - what do I get?
Discussion
Hi,
I want to purchase a bullet cam (or two) to shoot video on drives out in the TVR. I currently have a Sony digital 8 camcorder that has AV/In. Looking on the web I've found a couple of products:
Camera 6 kit on RF Concepts
www.rfconcepts.co.uk/helmet_cameras.htm
Dogsport Zoom or standard 520
www.dogcamsport.co.uk/dogcampro520.htm
www.dogcamsport.co.uk/Pro_digital_zoom_helmet_cameras.htm
I would like a good quality picture that is as near to the camcorder's quality as possible (if possible).
Ideally I'd want to spend under £200 for camera, kit and both suction and clamp mounts as I'd like to have a range of possible shots.
I would like to operate a separate, wind-baffled microphone (directional?) that I can mount anywhere on the car without suffering constant SSSSHHHHHHHHWFFFSSHHH from the wind; however, I cannot work out if I need a separate connection to the camcorder for this or whether there's a 2 into 1 box that goes between the bullet camera and microphone and the camcorder.
Is there such a thing as a switch box where you could have 2 cameras linked that you could switch between them from the driving seat?
The zoom feature on the Dogsport one seems good because the RF one is varifocal rather than proper zoom... but of course it's more expensive...
Any help in deciding what I need and where to get it from would be very helpful.
Thanks very much.
edited cos I buggered up the bold formatting
I want to purchase a bullet cam (or two) to shoot video on drives out in the TVR. I currently have a Sony digital 8 camcorder that has AV/In. Looking on the web I've found a couple of products:
Camera 6 kit on RF Concepts
www.rfconcepts.co.uk/helmet_cameras.htm
Dogsport Zoom or standard 520
www.dogcamsport.co.uk/dogcampro520.htm
www.dogcamsport.co.uk/Pro_digital_zoom_helmet_cameras.htm
I would like a good quality picture that is as near to the camcorder's quality as possible (if possible).
Ideally I'd want to spend under £200 for camera, kit and both suction and clamp mounts as I'd like to have a range of possible shots.
I would like to operate a separate, wind-baffled microphone (directional?) that I can mount anywhere on the car without suffering constant SSSSHHHHHHHHWFFFSSHHH from the wind; however, I cannot work out if I need a separate connection to the camcorder for this or whether there's a 2 into 1 box that goes between the bullet camera and microphone and the camcorder.
Is there such a thing as a switch box where you could have 2 cameras linked that you could switch between them from the driving seat?
The zoom feature on the Dogsport one seems good because the RF one is varifocal rather than proper zoom... but of course it's more expensive...
Any help in deciding what I need and where to get it from would be very helpful.
Thanks very much.
edited cos I buggered up the bold formatting
Edited by V8S on Wednesday 21st February 17:21
If you want good wind protection, put the microphone under the bonnet, or inside the car.
If you want it outside the car, I often tell people that a litre bottle of diet coke with a few holes drilled in the sides, covered with a thick wooly sock, with the microphone suspended in a cats cradle of rubber bands, is a good DIY solution.
Even Rycote baskets and socks can't block out 50mph wind.
If you want it outside the car, I often tell people that a litre bottle of diet coke with a few holes drilled in the sides, covered with a thick wooly sock, with the microphone suspended in a cats cradle of rubber bands, is a good DIY solution.
Even Rycote baskets and socks can't block out 50mph wind.
Parrot of Doom said:
If you want good wind protection, put the microphone under the bonnet, or inside the car.
Seconded, run the wire from inside to near your door hinge onto the scuttle panel, give you a really good engine noise with no wind.
I have quite a funny trick I use play - I ran powered mic in this position into the AUX in on my Headunit - you could turn the volume and bass up and it sounded like a Griffith with a decat straight thru from in the cabin, it was hilarious.
V8S said:
Fast films looks to have everything covered. 
I'm even taken with the mini solid state recorder they have for about £110. My digital 8 Sony is a PITA for downloading to the PC through USB.
POD - some good tips, ta muchly.
I'm even taken with the mini solid state recorder they have for about £110. My digital 8 Sony is a PITA for downloading to the PC through USB.
POD - some good tips, ta muchly.
I bought a MobiBox at the Autosport show and it's very good. Only VGA (640x480) but fine for vids to post up on t'interweb. Also handy for if you upgrade to a more expensive solid state recorder as most don't have a screen and you just need something to line up the camera.
Add in the fact that it has a built-in MP3 player, radio, picture viewer and you can record to it from your video/DVD/HDD so you can watch last night's 24 on the train into work and it's a real bargain.
I use an rf concepts bullet cam with standard lens but would go for a wide angle if doing it again.
This plugs into a Canon MV800i with AV in and attached to the rf concepts mic and battery pack.
I store the camera in a ali CD case padded with Audo foam and bolted to the floor of my westfield.
I simply velcro the bullet camera anywhere I want
All works well but eats batteries.
Sample here but much better quality when played straight from camera.
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fus
This plugs into a Canon MV800i with AV in and attached to the rf concepts mic and battery pack.
I store the camera in a ali CD case padded with Audo foam and bolted to the floor of my westfield.
I simply velcro the bullet camera anywhere I want
All works well but eats batteries.
Sample here but much better quality when played straight from camera.
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fus
Edited by custardtart on Wednesday 21st February 20:23
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