Topic: Bike Mounted Video Camera (Read 5776 times)

hard10 · « **on:** June 09, 2009, 12:55:23 AM »

I saw MagicRat online yesterday and it got me thinking about a camera again. My buddy Tommy found one about a year ago that looked really cool. I'm looking at several and was wondering if anyone had any input? Pros & Cons? I'm looking for a complete system with a bullet camera and mount, utilizing SD cards for storage.

POV.1 Adventure Video Camera

Twenty20 VHoldR CountorHD

MOTOCOMM DSR-100 Camera and Digital Recorder System

edited to fix links

hard10 · « **Reply #1 on:** June 09, 2009, 02:07:41 AM »

Here's the POV 1.5 MOTO. This one is $649 w/ free shipping.

Twolanerider · « **Reply #2 on:** June 09, 2009, 02:34:49 AM »

Video from the saddle is something I've never done AJ. Admired the efforts of others though. I just keep shooting boring square pictures though. When you figure out which cool new toy you're going to play with be sure and share the video

.

hard10 · « **Reply #3 on:** June 09, 2009, 03:06:23 AM »

Quote from: Twolanerider on June 09, 2009, 02:34:49 AM

Video from the saddle is something I've never done AJ. Admired the efforts of others though. I just keep shooting boring square pictures though. When you figure out which cool new toy you're going to play with be sure and share the video .

I'm in awe of some of the videos I've seen. I just thought it might be something neat to do. After I make a discussion, I'll be sure to post.

I just found the new Motocomm DSR-1003G for about $349. A little more reasonable price range.

magic-rat · « **Reply #4 on:** June 09, 2009, 08:36:39 AM »

Howdy all.

On bike cams. It's a matter of personal preference really.

Cost aside, the most important decision you have to make is wether or not you want to make high quality DVDs or just post on the Internet.

High quality DVDs mean you need to film in at least NTSC resolution (720x480 px). If you just want to post on the Internet, then you can do with less resolution (like 512x384). Also, you need a camera that is fast enough to keep up with the action, so you need at least 30 frames per second (fps).

ANYTHING LESS THAN 512x384 px and 30 fps is a TOTAL WASTE OF TIME (... and unfortunately that's most of them out there).

So, my choices are:

For high quality: POV 1.5 MOTO ... http://www.vio-pov.com/products/pov_15m.php[/url

For Internet posting: GoPro or GoPro-Wide Motorsports Hero ... http://www.goprocamera.com/index.php?area=2&productid=5

For the money, the GoPro is pretty damn hard to beat. If you want to film bikes in front or behind you, get the standard GoPro. If you want to film you on your bike going down the road (eg., speedo shots, hand shots, butt-cam, face cam), then get the "wide" version.

... or just get both. LOL. Cameras are like Pringles ... you just can't get away with just one.

mrmagloo · « **Reply #5 on:** June 09, 2009, 10:31:08 AM »

If you have a 'modern' camcorder, which most are rather small nowadays, you can use a Techmount. I normally use the Techmount for my Valentine 1, but it does have the screw fastener thingy and hole for mounting any kind of camera or camcorder. Even through the windshield it's pretty good, as long as you set the focus to manual - infinity. Sure beats buying a bunch of new equipment if you already have a camcorder.

T MAC · « **Reply #6 on:** June 09, 2009, 10:38:32 AM »

Cool New Toy! It would be cool to have mounted for trips! It would also be a neat idea to film the mods that are being done to the bike - that might even be a business idea.

It would add a whole new dimension to the GREAT MEMORIES our bikes/rides bring us.

hard10 · « **Reply #7 on:** June 09, 2009, 11:02:31 AM »

Quote from: T MAC on June 09, 2009, 10:38:32 AM

Cool New Toy! It would be cool to have mounted for trips! It would also be a neat idea to film the mods that are being done to the bike - that might even be a business idea.

It would add a whole new dimension to the GREAT MEMORIES our bikes/rides bring us.

Maybe we can get a discount?

Quote from: mrmagloo on June 09, 2009, 10:31:08 AM

If you have a 'modern' camcorder...

That's just it, I don't hence the need for this type.

While the GoPro Wide looks good, I'm leaning towards the Motocomm right now.

magic-rat · « **Reply #8 on:** June 09, 2009, 03:03:16 PM »

FYI. The MotoCom has only "320x240 at 30 Frames per Second Resolution" ...

Gone Fishin' · « **Reply #9 on:** June 09, 2009, 03:51:19 PM »

Anyone interested in on-bike-video should take a look at this thread http://www.cvoharley.com/smf/index.php?topic=33975.0 .
I think he has it figured out quite well.

Ride safely,
Louis

hard10 · « **Reply #10 on:** June 09, 2009, 06:13:17 PM »

Quote from: Louis on June 09, 2009, 03:51:19 PM

Anyone interested in on-bike-video should take a look at this thread http://www.cvoharley.com/smf/index.php?topic=33975.0 .
I think he has it figured out quite well.

Ride safely,
Louis

He is using the second one in my list: Twenty20 VHoldR CountorHD

hard10 · « **Reply #11 on:** June 09, 2009, 06:26:48 PM »

Quote from: magic-rat on June 09, 2009, 03:03:16 PM

FYI. The MotoCom has only "320x240 at 30 Frames per Second Resolution" ...

Well I guess that changes things.

Sklywag · « **Reply #12 on:** June 09, 2009, 07:37:55 PM »

Check out this post on Pashnit.

The GoPro HERO Vid Cam. And Tim is selling them at a discoiunt on Pashnit

http://www.pashnit.com/forum/showthread.php?t=21832

magic-rat · « **Reply #13 on:** June 09, 2009, 09:32:32 PM »

Quote from: hard10 on June 09, 2009, 06:13:17 PM

He is using the second one in my list: Twenty20 VHoldR CountorHD

Yup, that's a 320X240 video. For posting to the web, that's OK ... but bigger is better.

Why?

Well, because you can go from a big picture to a small one and retain quality. But, you can't go from a small picture to a big one and keep quality.

You have probably seen this type of phenomonon with pictures on your computer. If you have a small lo-res picture and you try to make it bigger, it gets blurry and loses quality. But, if you have a large hi-res picture and shrink it, the quality is preserved.

Golden rule: you can make a big image/video smaller ... but you can't make a small image/video bigger

So, with standard video, the magic numbers for resolution are 720x480. That's the minimum for what I will call broadcast quality video. Below those resolutions, you will have problems trying to play back on television sets and with DVDs ... and with editing in general. Almost all the video editing programs I know of are set-up to use 720x480 as optimum settings.

If you can't get 720x480, the next best setting is 640x480 ... and then 512x384 ... and then 320x240.

Trust me on this. If your videos are good, people will ask for copies. The conversation usually goes like this:

   "hey, that was a great video, can I have a copy"

   "sure, I can give you a downloadable file (at 320x240) that you can play on your computer"

   "well, I wanted a DVD I could play in my DVD player"

   "I can do that, but it's going to be like watching the video from the bottom of a swimming pool."

Higher resolution is better ...

I shoot everything at 720x480 ... and then compress my videos to smaller size for posting on the Internet. That way I can make DVDs, downloadable files, or streaming flash videos ... all with good quality.

The lowest resolution I can reasonably use is 512x384 ... and that is pushing it.

So, if you plan to spend $179 or more, that's why I feel the GoPro line is better than most of the others ... you get substantially higher resolution.

Here's RAW 512x384 from a GoPro ... note the black border around the picture ... that's the delta from true NTSC at 720x480. The file is 229MB (huge), so "Right-click" on the link below and choose "Save Target As...". It will take about 15 min to download, but you'll be able to see the size quality that comes out of the camera.

http://www.magicratvideos.com/Temp/OneLap/OneLap.avi

Here's the same file, but compressed to .wmv format ... it's only 22MB.

http://www.magicratvideos.com/Temp/OneLap/OneLap.wmv

Be sure to stretch the videos. Make them bigger and smaller and see what that does to the quality. Then try that with the 320x240 video from the other post. Pay attention to the size of the windows when the file is open.

hard10 · « **Reply #14 on:** June 09, 2009, 09:42:01 PM »

Rat, you seem to be favoring the GoPro for obvious reasons. Would you go Standard or Wide? Are they both 720x480? Is there an option of adding a remote bullet camera later? I ask because I'm thinking of where to actually mount the camera.
Thanks, AJ

hard10 · « **Reply #15 on:** June 09, 2009, 09:56:32 PM »

Quote from: magic-rat on June 09, 2009, 09:32:32 PM

...
Here's RAW 512x384 from a GoPro ... note the black border around the picture ... that's the delta from true NTSC at 720x480. The file is 229MB (huge), so "Right-click" on the link below and choose "Save Target As...". It will take about 15 min to download, but you'll be able to see the size quality that comes out of the camera.

http://www.magicratvideos.com/Temp/OneLap/OneLap.avi

Here's the same file, but compressed to .wmv format ... it's only 22MB.

http://www.magicratvideos.com/Temp/OneLap/OneLap.wmv

Be sure to stretch the videos. Make them bigger and smaller and see what that does to the quality. Then try that with the 320x240 video from the other post. Pay attention to the size of the windows when the file is open.

That first file sure is big! I'm watching the smaller one now. Are you really doing 250+mph?

SBB · « **Reply #16 on:** June 09, 2009, 10:11:45 PM »

Quote from: hard10 on June 09, 2009, 09:56:32 PM

Are you really doing 250+mph?

A fully modified twin turbo Hayabusa will struggle to go 250.

hard10 · « **Reply #17 on:** June 09, 2009, 10:18:38 PM »

Quote from: SBB on June 09, 2009, 10:11:45 PM

A fully modified twin turbo Hayabusa will struggle to go 250.

kph? Kilometers?

SBB · « **Reply #18 on:** June 09, 2009, 10:24:13 PM »

Quote from: hard10 on June 09, 2009, 10:18:38 PM

kph? Kilometers?

mph AJ

Quote

8-B MPS/BF-1650/4 Yancy Racing Wayne Pollack Apr-05 253.835

253MPH on a Hayabusa

www.ecta_lsr.com

253 is cooking!

hard10 · « **Reply #19 on:** June 09, 2009, 10:45:53 PM »

Quote from: SBB on June 09, 2009, 10:24:13 PM

mph AJ

253MPH on a Hayabusa

www.ecta_lsr.com

253 is cooking!

Cooking? He!!, unless they're as big as me, they'd be airborne. Good thing for gravity!

magic-rat · « **Reply #20 on:** June 10, 2009, 05:42:00 AM »

Quote from: hard10 on June 09, 2009, 09:42:01 PM

Rat, you seem to be favoring the GoPro for obvious reasons. Would you go Standard or Wide? Are they both 720x480? Is there an option of adding a remote bullet camera later? I ask because I'm thinking of where to actually mount the camera.
Thanks, AJ

It's one of the few I favor (see post #5 in this thread) ... because of low cost and 512x384 resolution (the absolute lowest I would go).

If you want to film bikes in front or behind you, get the standard GoPro. If you want to film yourself on your bike going down the road (eg., speedo shots, hand shots, butt-cam, face cam), then get the "wide" version.

There's no option for mounting an external bullet camera, but at least you won't have to screw with wires ... and the camera is pretty small.

magic-rat · « **Reply #21 on:** June 10, 2009, 05:45:29 AM »

Quote from: hard10 on June 09, 2009, 10:18:38 PM

kph? Kilometers?

Nope, not KPH ... it's actually MPH ... BUT ... it's all screwed up.

Arnie put different sprockets on the bike to give him more low-end. That causes the speedo to read incorrectly.

He's hitting about 160 mph on the big straight section and in the slow corners (1 & 4) he's prolly getting down as slow at 65 mph).

hogasm · « **Reply #22 on:** June 10, 2009, 07:10:50 AM »

Quote from: hard10 on June 09, 2009, 09:42:01 PM

Rat, I ask because I'm thinking of where to actually mount the camera.
Thanks, AJ

AJ you even scare me sometimes

Glad you have been asking these questions....been wanting to put a camera on the bike to film Spoiled pulling Jade

hard10 · « **Reply #23 on:** June 10, 2009, 07:38:11 AM »

Quote from: hogasm on June 10, 2009, 07:10:50 AM

AJ you even scare me sometimes

Glad you have been asking these questions....been wanting to put a camera on the bike to film Spoiled pulling Jade

Should I film the Passat pulling/ carrying Jade as well?

hard10 · « **Reply #24 on:** June 10, 2009, 08:21:37 AM »

I've noticed that my little camera (Panasonic DMC-FX07) will shoot video in 848 X 480 30fps. Only problem is that it's not weather proof. I may just try to find a mount for this and try experimenting with it to begin with (while it sunny

).

aushog · « **Reply #25 on:** June 11, 2009, 10:41:57 PM »

I have the gopro wide. Works pretty well, but limited to about 1 hour. They say a firmware upgrade is on the way to double the time.

I had trouble finding a mount location that worked. I wanted to put it behind the windshield, but he mount wouldn't fit there. Tried in front of the windshield, which mounted easily, but the engine vibrations caused distortion in the images. Tried it on my helmet, and pics were OK, but I felt like a geek in a sci-fi move. Finally put it on the front fork, just below the fairing (I have an ultra) and it works well there. Occasionally there is some distortion at idle but usually OK.

If you use the gopro, and probably any other, get the best batteries you can buy. They don't last long.

Best thing about it, I work in transportation, and sometimes do road surveys. The engineers need pics of local roads, so they hire me to survey. I mount the camera, ride the roads, and get paid to ride! Nice work if you can find it!

hard10 · « **Reply #26 on:** June 11, 2009, 11:51:59 PM »

Quote from: aushog on June 11, 2009, 10:41:57 PM

I had trouble finding a mount location that worked. ...Finally put it on the front fork, just below the fairing (I have an ultra) and it works well there. Occasionally there is some distortion at idle but usually OK...

I'd love to see a picture of how you mounted it.

SBB · « **Reply #27 on:** June 12, 2009, 10:32:56 PM »

Keep it coming guys, this is good info!

hard10 · « **Reply #28 on:** October 01, 2009, 01:43:26 AM »

Well, I've been diddling around with this and dragging my feet.

I'm still using the same non-weatherproof Panasonic DMC-FX07. In doing so, a new HD camera has now become available! See, sometimes it pays to procrastinate.

I got an email from pashnit.com about their group buy for a GoPro HD Motorsports Hero. For $300 smackers this looks almost too good to pass up on. They're not shipping until November 1, 2009.

wonbyone · « **Reply #29 on:** October 01, 2009, 08:12:08 AM »

I have tried a few different cameras, this is the current and best I have found.
http://www.vholdr.com/ does HD and standard definition. Best regards, --Bill

mrmagloo · « **Reply #30 on:** October 02, 2009, 09:55:01 AM »

I mounted my HD Sony XR520V to my Techmount and using the built in hard drive, the vibrations wouldn't even allow it to record. I switch over to the 8GB Duo Pro Memory Card, and it recorded, but as others mentioned in many RPM ranges and speeds, there was considerable shaking making the video not even worth watching. I would imagine after 10 minutes viewers would get nauseous. I'm not that interested in buying different cameras to mount to my skull or other goofy areas, to continue this pursuit, so I'm chalking this up to a big fail on my part. Carry on guys!

SBB · « **Reply #31 on:** November 08, 2009, 08:51:21 AM »

Twolanerider · « **Reply #32 on:** November 08, 2009, 10:11:29 AM »

Quote from: SBB on November 08, 2009, 08:51:21 AM

bump

Good shocks help that.

mrmagloo · « **Reply #33 on:** November 11, 2009, 10:35:41 AM »

Ah - Humor!

Author Topic: Bike Mounted Video Camera (Read 5776 times)

hogasm