Calling the video camera brigade...
- Thread starter silverbow
- Start date
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jonredhornet
Active Member
I think it all comes down to how much you're willing to spend, and Thomas if he's about can probably give you some good advice as he's reviewed a few different systems.
I have a VIA POV 1.5 which I'm pretty pleased with. I opted for that system as it took AA batteries so I could change them in the field (if I'm doing a day event for instance) and was pretty rhobust. You can get a better res and video quality from similar priced systems such as the HQR-2 with a Sony HQ2 cam (Like Downfader has, the quality of his vids are very impressive).
One down fall of the POV 1.5 is it reacts badly to light sources and the entire image can remain very dark until it 'wakes up' again. Difficult to describe really. Also, images in general seem darker than other systems.
HTH
I have a VIA POV 1.5 which I'm pretty pleased with. I opted for that system as it took AA batteries so I could change them in the field (if I'm doing a day event for instance) and was pretty rhobust. You can get a better res and video quality from similar priced systems such as the HQR-2 with a Sony HQ2 cam (Like Downfader has, the quality of his vids are very impressive).
One down fall of the POV 1.5 is it reacts badly to light sources and the entire image can remain very dark until it 'wakes up' again. Difficult to describe really. Also, images in general seem darker than other systems.
HTH
HLaB
Marie Attoinette Fan
At the lower/ cheaper end of the spectrum are the ATC I've got the 5K. Its solid robust, has no wires and is self contained but its sizeable and weighs a fair amount, its pretty poorawful in low and the sound recording is pretty terrible. You tube compresses things but this might give you an idea.
thomas
the tank engine
- Location
- Woking/Norwich
silverbow said:
Ta Da - http://www.action-cameras.co.uk
I've got an atc2000 which is okay. It works for me, but there are much better cameras now which aren't that much more expensive.
At the cheap end you've got something like the Muvi Micro by Veho:
http://www.action-cameras.co.uk/muvi-micro-camcorder/
It's only £80 from Firebox and the footage I've seen looks pretty good (posted a link to a youtube review in the helmet camera forum).
The ATC range from oregon are always a good bet at the lower end. Maybe an atc3000 or atc5000 to start off.
Though, a VIO POV 1.5 like Jon has is a nice bit of kit...but it is a bit more expensive. Jon gave me some good demo footage of the POV 1.5 which I need to get up on the site this week.
There are some cameras in between price wise which are pretty good too. I need to get some more videos up on the site. The ATC section of my website is the most finished, the rest still needs some work.
addictfreak
Guru
- Location
- Boldon, Tyne and Wear
What exactly do these systems consist of? Is it just a small unit that fits to the helmet, or are there wires leading to recorder?
Forgive my ignorance but I have not seen or used these cams.
Forgive my ignorance but I have not seen or used these cams.
HLaB
Marie Attoinette Fan
Depends what unit you get, the better ones tend to be wired (a wire/s running to a recorder) but the cheaper ones like my ATC are a self contained unit which I attach to my bars but other folk attach to the helmet, I think its a bit big for that.addictfreak said:
lazyfatgit
Guest
- Location
- Lawrence, NSW
I've got an ATC2000, been pretty pleased with the unit for what i paid for it. £70 odd quid from Costco last november.
It's think it a bit big for helmet use - i've got mine bar mounted. Pretty bad in poor light, have never tried it in the dark. Field of view is a bit too narrow, also tends to make stuff right in front look a bit closer. Sound about as much use as a chocloate teapot. The recording time on highest res mode is now a bit short for my average ride.
Some of these issues have been addressed by the later models.
That aside, it takes AA's, SD cards and seems pretty waterproof - I've had no problems over the summer, and I've been soaked through for a couple of hours several times.
I didn't buy it particularly to record "incidents", in fact i dont use it when i'm on the Brompton as I'm too lazy to sort out a second bracket or mounting. My interest was caught by some of the exploints on here, and It's certainly been useful for reviewing my road positioning speed etc. when i have had a tangle or two. Never felt compelled to go public on Youtube (yet)
It's think it a bit big for helmet use - i've got mine bar mounted. Pretty bad in poor light, have never tried it in the dark. Field of view is a bit too narrow, also tends to make stuff right in front look a bit closer. Sound about as much use as a chocloate teapot. The recording time on highest res mode is now a bit short for my average ride.
Some of these issues have been addressed by the later models.
That aside, it takes AA's, SD cards and seems pretty waterproof - I've had no problems over the summer, and I've been soaked through for a couple of hours several times.
I didn't buy it particularly to record "incidents", in fact i dont use it when i'm on the Brompton as I'm too lazy to sort out a second bracket or mounting. My interest was caught by some of the exploints on here, and It's certainly been useful for reviewing my road positioning speed etc. when i have had a tangle or two. Never felt compelled to go public on Youtube (yet)
thomas
the tank engine
- Location
- Woking/Norwich
the atc2000 is all right on my helmet. It is noticeable, but I tend to forget about it.
lazyfatgit
Guest
- Location
- Lawrence, NSW
Thomas, do you have it mounted on the side or perched on top? Maybe I'll give it a try.
thomas
the tank engine
- Location
- Woking/Norwich
lazyfatgit said:
When I first got it I stuck it on top, but the footage you get is crap. When you turn your head you'll just get sky. I've now got it on the side of my helmet. I've got some photos here. Go on my youtube channel in my sig to get an idea of what it is like.
I personally prefer helmet mounted videos as I find you get a better idea of what happened. With handlebar mounted ones you can almost miss a lot of stuff if it happens at the side.
To mount it I first used the long velcro, but the small one actually works better as I don't need to wrap it around so much.
I don't notice the velcro in my helmet (that would be very annoying). The weight of the camera might become noticeable but I wouldn't say it is a problem.
It's worth a try...though it'll take forever to get it positioned just right!
Let me know how you find it on your helmet.
Sh4rkyBloke
Jaffa Cake monster
- Location
- Manchester, UK
I have an Archos 605 recorder, coupled with the Sony HQ1 camera and the extra powerpack. Also needed to get the Travel Adapter to be able to use the recorder with the camera, and a head mount along with a larger SD card for recording purposes....
There are lots of cables to route everywhere, and a recorder/powerpack that both need recharging separately, and it wasn't cheap... but I'm very pleased with the results it gives.
My vids are available to view here
There are lots of cables to route everywhere, and a recorder/powerpack that both need recharging separately, and it wasn't cheap... but I'm very pleased with the results it gives.
My vids are available to view here
captainhastings
Guru
- Location
- West Wales
Sh4rkyBloke said:
Good quality of films there
On another note you dont half motor this one made me cringe I was just waiting for some thing nasty to happen
View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqsVCjwk1rA
Being a new guy i dont get up much speed
TwickenhamCyclist
Guest
Re the article – coulden’t get past the first eight words “My hero, the great and alarming Lord Tebbit…” dear oh dear 
Re the cameras – have the ATC3K myself – great for sub £100. Good in daylight, not worth using at night and the technical term for the sound is ‘a load of pants’.
Ink to a video clip using the camera: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKYhD6UaWfc&feature=channel_page
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKYhD6UaWfc&feature=channel_page
Re the cameras – have the ATC3K myself – great for sub £100. Good in daylight, not worth using at night and the technical term for the sound is ‘a load of pants’.
Ink to a video clip using the camera: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKYhD6UaWfc&feature=channel_page
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKYhD6UaWfc&feature=channel_page
hackbike 666
Guest
I've got an ATC 2000 and I have just put it on my helmet (fnar fnar) for the first time via nylon tags and it seems fine.The motons are going to have a shck when I pan round to them using their mobile phones.
It's going to be an interesting experiment as the camera is visible.
It's going to be an interesting experiment as the camera is visible.
