Mounting Brackets (cameras, etc.)

[oneal]

Pretty sweet deal going on at circuit-city right now.

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Canon-Camcorder-ZR200/sem/rpsm/oid/116765/catOid/-13063/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

Nothing great, but it looks like it has A/V-input and firewire/USB2.

They're not showing it available in any stores around me, but it might be worth looking into.  Damn these things are getting cheap!

[prudolf]

I was at radio shack the other day and they had a manager's special (last one in stock)on panasonic miniDV cam for under $200.  I meant to check the specs on it but now I forget what model # it is.  There may be a good deal at your local radio shack.

and now I came across this in the weekly ad:  http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Specifications-of-JVC-MiniDV-Camcorder-GR-D750/sem/rpsm/oid/170896/rpem/ccd/productDetailSpecification.do#tabs

[TGriffith]

Thanks - I was going to order that cam corder from Circuit City - but then realized that according to the specs, there's no output (which is not logical for a digital camcorder).  So I investigated... most other sites list that model as having a FireWire Input (not analog).

Although, Circuit City does appear to have the best deals - so I'll keep checking them out (and I'll check out Radio Shack).  Before I know it - I'm going to run out of time... and our first track day will be here before I have a cam corder!  YIKES!

[TGriffith]

Well - 1 month until the first track day, and I still need a camera!
I did find this nifty site, which shows all cameras (from their database) that have analog input:
http://camcorderinfo.resultspage.com/display.php?p=Q&ts=v3&w=*&af=+ai_yes&ccdsz=&ccdcnt=&zoom=&still=&lcd=&mi=&ai=yes&hd=&styp=&fmt=&rvp=&rllp=&rsp=&rv=&rh=&reou=&ra=&rac=&romc=&rb=&submit=Submit
(Ian's camera is on the list - and is still going for $300)

[oneal]

That's a neat little database - wish I had seen that before I bought my camera.

BTW, mine's an Elura 100.  The only complaint I have is that it has no LANC (remote start/stop) control.  The battery lasts at least two hours, which is plenty for a track day.

[oneal]

So Tom, did you get the new camera in?  I started mounting my gear last night and decided to put the camera on the front for next weekend.  How did you plan to set yours up?

[TGriffith]

I got the new external lens this past Friday.  It appears to be working just fine, but I still need to install it.  I ended up with this one:
http://www.videosecu.com/itemdesc.asp?CartId={AC6BDC2F-A811-4D85-8A0D-189ECB533EVERESTD9D}&ic=BC21s&eq=&Tp=

As far as mounting goes - I'm guessing that it will be much easier to follow the person you are taping (as opposed to them following you) - but, I think that they might like a video from the front more than a video from the rear.  So, I want to mount the lens on the back of the bike... I just hope I ride at the proper speed for whom I'm recording.

[TGriffith]

Samsung Sports Cam (google it) appears to be a decent way to capture on board video.  I've read some bad reviews on it, and heard some complaints about Samsung support - but, I've also seen some video from the Samsung Sports Cam - and it looks good.  It appears to be a great way to capture onboard sportbike video... and heard positive feedback form guys on sportbikes... but, based on other reviews I've seen, I would recommend googling and reading some reviews for yourself.  I'd like to test the product myself... maybe next year?
One thing I can say - I know that with my setup, I miss out on vibrant colors, and end up with a darker contrast... and I don't have an optical zoom (which I really miss when not shooting on-baord video).
Actually - after doing some googling myself - it appears that production has haulted on the SportsCam - due to the quality not being in par with the price.
But, I did find that Circuit City is currently selling the Samsung SC-X300L (which includes an External Lens) for $385 (this camera also has a 10x optical zoom).  I haven't read any reviews on this product, so I can't make any comments.  But, I can say that external bullet cams are getting expensive - and you still need a recorder!