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Posted by: dhines
I actually have a helmet cam that I just used for the first time in a race this last weekend. It worked pretty dang well! I am using some of the gear from HelmetCamera.com. Their helmet mount is especially useful.
I can probably help you out if you have some questions.
Regards,
Dennis
Posted by: dhines
Yeah, what you saw was probably a 1/8 external microphone port. You actually need the A/V RCA jacks. If you go to helmetcamera.com they have a list of the Sony camcorders that have RCA input capabilities. I am using a old Sony EVO-210 8mm recorder. I run the cords from the camera and microphone from my helmet and down into a backpack that I wear. I keep the recorder in a zip-lock bag to resist water and dust and bundle it with a towel or some bubble wrap.
Jiga,
I would recommend against trying to keep the recorder on your ride. It would get the heck beat out of it. Your body provides pretty good shock absorption and it is best to wear it in a backpack or something similar.
Regards,
Dennis
Posted by: dhines
98Lakota,
What's up? So you were at Charlotte too? One of these races we're going to have to meet! Yeah I got some footage of the race - about 10-12 minutes worth. Everything worked great until I was going up that long whooped out hill and aparently the camera battery bounced against my recorder and hit the stop button. Man I was mad when I watched it later. I'll have to wrap things up better next time.
Still, what footage I do have is really pretty killer. I'm going to try and get it digitized here in the next week or so. I'll make sure and post it here.
Dennis
Posted by: dhines
Brian,
Make sure that the RCA connectors are for AV-IN and not OUT. From what you've described, it sounds like those connectors would be used to play out to a TV.
Dennis
Posted by: retro
RCA jacks are about 1/4" diameter. They are yellow for video and red and white for audio. I think some of the newer camcorders use the same jacks for input and output.
ERIC
Posted by: 98Lakota
Dhines,
Did you use the camera in the race at Charlotte?? Man that was a rough course, not too difficult, just rough. Can you post the video on the web? I'd like to see it.
Shane
Posted by: 98Lakota
Dhines,
Yeah..I was there. That hill was rough, the whole course was rough.
I'll be at some of the Winter Series as well. If you can't find me, look for the guy on the Yellow 400EX(only one I've seen at the races)he'll know where I am. It's the only modded Lakota I've seen. I'll keep my eyes open.
Yeah, get that digitized or maybe I can watch it at the next race.
Later
Shane
Posted by: BrianWSNC
Jiga,
if you mount it, be sure to use foam rubber or something around it to absorb shock. don't try to mount it directly to the rack.. you could jar the internal workings of the camera loose.
Posted by: briancwatkins
I've been looking into this too. I think the two sites you listed seem somewhat expensive. Basically, it seems as though they are just selling you a camera with a power pack.
If you do a search for mini cameras, you should find more options available to you. I've been able to find cameras (color, cylinder type, weather proof) for about $170.
Keep in mind; you need some type of receiver capable of capturing the images your camera views. I am purchasing a Sony HandyCam, which has both video and audio input jacks.
With the limited research I've done, it seems like I should be able to attach the camera to the HandyCam without a problem. Most of the cameras come with RCA connectors, which will plug into the video/in jack.
I really want to find someone local who I can talk to about this. Regardless, I am purchasing the HandyCam. It's not being purchased for the exclusive use of "helmet cam riding", but it is nice to know I have the option.
Here's a site I found that seems to carry something I think would work after some modifications: http://www.securityideas.com/securitycam/colcylcam.html
Posted by: briancwatkins
Funny you should mention that DHINES. I just stopped by Best Buy last night to check out the camcorders.
They do have video/in and audio/in, however, they were not RCA jacks; I don't think so at least. I suppose it would be helpful if I knew what exactly the RCA jack's size should be. The jacks available on the camcorder were more like the type of jacks available on a Walkman. I am wondering if this is an "RCA" jack?
The camera you have; what do you plug it into? Do you use a camcorder? On your camera, not camcorder if using one, what are the connectors like?
Posted by: briancwatkins
Just purchased the Sony DCR-TRV320 Digital camcorder. Now things are somewhat clearer. The camcorder came with an A/V connecting cable.
Basically, I have two options to transfer information to and from the camcorder. As mentioned above, the A/V connection and the other is an S-Video connection.
The A/V connecting cable has a 1/8" male plug (type you would find on your headphones to your Walkman) at one end which plugs into the camcorder and the other end is equipped with 3 (Red=Right Audio, White=Left Audio, and Yellow=Video) 1/4" RCA male plugs.
The S-Video cable is a cable that is approximately the same thickness of a cable TV cable and both ends look like the end found on a PS2 computer mouse plug (new mice that come w/ computers). This cable produces much better transfer of video and audio to and from the device. The drawback is that you need to have fairly new electronic equipment to reap the benefits. Basically, both pieces of equipment must be S-Video capable.
My next move is to find a small mountable camera that I can attach to the A/V connecting cable. It would be great if I could find a camera that connected via S-Video, but doubt this is available.
I assume that the RCA connectors that come with the mountable cameras are male.
Is this the case? Can you find Male-to-Male RCA adapters in the store? This is probably what I would need in order to connect the camera to my camcorder.
Posted by: briancwatkins
DHINES,
It's actually two way. The camera is capable of recording as well as transferring if that makes any sense.
It accepts video-in and video-out. I just need to get a handle on the cabling and reread my manual to make sure I can do it through the semi-RCA cable.
Posted by: JIGA
What im wondering is if a regular minicamorder that I have will work ok, the ones that use the small tapes.
I was planning on mounting it on the quad somewhere and just be really carefull when I ride, heh. Would that cause to much vibration for it?
Posted by: aar0
I am looking for some information on a good helmit camera and I have looked at the ones from www.helmetcamera.com and also www.customvideocameras.com
I would like to know if anyone has used either one or if they have any other that they would recommend.
Thanks in advance !!!
