Mounting Brackets (cameras, etc.)

[TGriffith]

Since we're starting to gain interest in this topic, Paull suggested we start posting some of our findings here - related to mounting brackets, and camera lenses, etc.

As far as Lenses go, Ian got a bullet-cam lens from eBay (maybe here:) http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQfgtpZ1QQfrppZ25QQsassZvideocamerasecurity, or here: http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQfgtpZ1QQfrppZ25QQsassZcloseoutcctv  And, he mounted it on the inside of the front fairing (as far as I can tell... with some spare metal lieing around the garage).

I got my lens from a security and survailance specialist.  The lens is only black and white, and the picture isn't great - but it was free to loan!  I also mounted it using spare metal lieing around the garage.

As far as mounting brackets go, Paul found this nifty site: http://www.techmounts.com/.  They appear to make most any mount you can think of.
Another place for camer mounts is: http://sportbikecam.com.
The cheapest place is eBay: http://motors.search.ebay.com/_W0QQfgtpZ1QQfrppZ25QQsassZrrbarna
Personally - I'll try getting some sheet metal from Lowes and cutting/bending to the desired size/shape.  The nice thing about this bracket is you mount your camera - and there's no need for an external lens - of course, the down side is that you have this camer in your way whilest trying to race!

[oneal]

Been meaning to do a writeup of the equipment I was using.  I still don't haven everything mounted/wired correctly which explains why the video would tend to cut out.

I'm using a cannon Elura 100 miniDV for recording.  It has video inputs which is great because it allows me to use a bullet camera mounted either to the front or rear of the bike.  Battery life is about 2 hours, which is pretty good considering its size.  For the price, I couldn't find a better camcorder.

I'm not exactly sure what model bullet camera I have.  The box says its a Luxor LX-805DN.  The specs claim it has 525 lines of resolution.  The camera requires a regulated 12V, so an external battery pack is required.  You also need a BNC-to-RCA adapter to hook it upto the line-in on the camcorder.  You can find all the necessary stuff to power and connect this camera at radio-shack.  You can usually find the camera alone on ebay for anywhere from $45 to $80.  Some people sell kits (also on ebay) which include battery packs and all the connectors.

Because i'm using the line-inputs on the camcorder, you need an amplified microphone (if you want sound).  I'm using this microphone from "Supercircuits".
http://www.supercircuits.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=4123
It seems to work fairly well.  It also requires 12V, so I have it spliced into the same power-pack as the bullet cam.  The bullet camera and microphone combined require less than 150mA, so you can expect 8 AA batteries to power the whole rig for at least 8-10hrs.

Mounting everything seems to be the biggest problem.  I have the camcorder and battery pack strapped down in the storage space under my seat.  You want easy access to this so you can start/stop recording (no lanc on this camcorder).  For the bullet camera, i found some scrap metal laying around the garage.  I just found a mounting point either on the frame or the headlight bucket that was sturdy.  It would be nice to have some sort of clamp-mount, so the camera could be moved around between sessions.

I'll post some pictures soon of how everything looks when installed on the bike.

[TGriffith]

Well, the damn security camera I mounted on my bike ended up not working at the track!  (I think the wires may have melted 
But, I may have another solution.  Wade Killen (from www.KillenKarting.com told me that he simply takes the $80 Aiptek Pocket DV from Target: http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/sr=1-2/qid=1153275709/ref=sr_1_2/601-4242590-6196117?%5Fencoding=UTF8&asin=B00009W2GL and mounts it to his kid's helmet.
I think I'll go that route, and get the cam corder, and velcro it to the bike (since it's so damn tiny).
Of course, you won't get the same video quality as a $300 cam corder - but you won't notice any difference in the quality of video over the internet.  The other downside (which you will notice) is that the camera only shoots about 15 frames per second.

[TGriffith]

I took the compact security camera off the bike this morning.  Lots of junk rattling around inside it!!!  (I guess it was made for teddy-bears... not high-speed sport bikes!)

[oneal]

I got my lens from a security and survailance specialist.  The lens is only black and white, and the picture isn't great - but it was free to loan!

How are you going to explain the rattle noise when you return the camera??? 

[TGriffith]

Finally broke down and got a real lens from eBay.
Although, now that I'm back in this forum - I just realized that Ian's lens is a whopping 520 lines of resolution!  The one I got was only 420 lines for $50.  The ones with 480 lines were going for about $100 and the 520 was going for about $150.
Either I got mine at a bad time - or Ian got his at a great time (and for a great deal).

[TGriffith]

www.BulletCam.com recommends the Aiptek PVR... a rugged device with no moving parts.  http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7867472&st=aiptek+pvr&type=product&id=1142301544192
only $150.  Although, you will also have to purchase at least 1GB of SD memory (for an additional $30).  and, you can use it to listen to MP3s in between sessions.
Although, from the reviews I read... you get what you pay for!  (the indoor video quality is poor, and the outdoor quality might be questionable).
But - since I'd be hooking up an external lens anyway, then the video quality doesn't matter - so I think I'll give it a shot.  I think I'll be able to fit 4 20-minute sessions on a 2-gig memory card.

[oneal]

Hmm... I've heard about those before, but didn't realize it supported line-input so you could use it with a bullet cam.  Might be worth a try.  Flash memory is getting cheap too.

[prudolf]

Here's a VERY good DV/Helmet cam FAQ posted in the vids section on KTMTalk.  They kept it a sticky there if we ever lose this link...

http://ktmtalk.com/index.php?showtopic=149008

enjoy!

[oneal]

I'm tired of all these forums that require registration just to read the damn thread. 

Someone will have to summarize for me.

[prudolf]

http://www.familyriders.org/camcorder.pdf

Thats pretty much what his post was from.

[TGriffith]

OK, here's my opinion I've developed based on my research and on reviews... the Aiptek is an awesome camera if your goal is to put video on the internet.  Reason: it's cheap, and the video quality is VHS, and the camera doesn't work well in doors.  Hence, if your goal is to simply put "internet"-quality video on the internet, then this is the best bang for your buck.
     But, since we plan on making DVDs - I will need to get a MiniDV to get the better quality (and since I'll probably use it to video the kids).
The Sony HandyCam is a great price ($250), but the 1 I checked out before only had digital line input (and bullet cams are only analog).  The one I checked out was the DCR-HC21.  BUT - the $250 at BestBuy is the DCR-HC42.  This should do the trick.  Another neat feature of the DCR-HC42 is that you can use the cam-corder to convert analog to digital, and pump that signal straight to your PC.  So, you can easily convert your old VHS tapes, and hi-8.  Then, maybe me and the wife and kids will actually watch them!
  Now - I regret getting a bullet cam with only 420 lines of resolution.  MiniDV's record at 520 - so, hopefuly we don't notice the lower quality.

[prudolf]

480p is standard DVD quality and max standard def television, and what's the std for broadcast tv, 380?.  I think for you to take 'good looking' video really depends on the quality of the lens and optics, 420lines should look ok I'd think.

[oneal]

I don't think you'll really notice the difference in resolution.  I looked at the different bullet cam specs before and most people said it was a gimmick and you most likely wouldn't notice the difference.  I think the sensitivity and shutter speed are far more important for a bike cam.
The NTSC format has only 480 lines of resolution.  I believe DV records at 500 lines (theoretical max of 720). 
The advantages I see to a DV cam are:

1) Uncompressed recording.  If you read the article Paul posted, it talks about how compression can reduce framerate.  This is very noticable when you recompress high-motion video down to WMV or mpeg.  20 mins of DV is approx 4GB.  I don't even want to think about buying 12GB of flash memory just to record 1 hour of high-quality video.

2)  It's more flexible.  You can use the cam for capturing and editing your old VHS tapes (any DV with line-in will do this).  It's also nice to have a normal camcorder that you just plug into your PC and start editing.

3)  It may be cheaper in the long run.  I never reuse my DV tapes, so the cost of media would be less than buying tons of flash cards.  DV tapes are going for about $5 for 1 hour.  I realize you could just dump everything on a hard drive, but I feel better keeping all my video backed up on the original tapes.

Disadvantages to DV:

1) DV is still mechanical and it's not shockproof.  You saw in my first videos that vibration from the bike was causing some problems with sync on the tape.

2)  More expensive equipment.

3)  Bulkier.  In most cases a DV cam would be larger than the solid state recorders.

[TGriffith]

Just got back from BestBuy, they don't carry the Sony Handycam HC42 anymore  :'(  Actually, they said that they really aren't selling cam corders with line input anymore    (They don't even carry the Aiptek).  The Aiptek is at Target.com (not sure if it's in local stores).  I was hoping to find it at a local store in case something breaks.