In-car video recording

[MegatronUK]

I've contemplated using on old hi-8 camcorder in the Escort at rally track days and practice events before, but never got round to it because the camera was too bulky and I couldn't figure out how to mount it to the roll cage properly...

... anyway..

I'd quite like to get something up and running for the Elvington track day in september... and have been looking at cheap, 2nd hand mini dv cams on ebay... my word they're cheap these days! 50 quid for a 2 or 3 year old Canon or Panasonic model!

So, wondered what peoples thoughts were? I like the idea of mounting a remote camera down in the front bumper or grill in either of my mk1's, and using the camcorder as either a second video recording source, or purely just as a vcr, stored safely inside the car. The only problem I see with this is the cost... the camcorder is around 50-60 quid, but a decent mini camera seems to be around the 100 quid mark!

Who out there has done this kind of thing before?

[MartG]

What about a webcam in the grill connected to a laptop inside the car

[Lauren]

What about a webcam in the grill connected to a laptop inside the car

Webcams are crap quality at the best of times though, so don't reckon you would get a decent image particularly so when moving.

Other option John is to properly mount a camcorder in the car, though the cost of a decent mount (unless you make your own) is going to be close to that of a bullet cam and i think the bullet cam would give better results only because in-cockpit camera footage doesn't give an impression of speed like a bullet cam on the bumper.

[ChrisW]

I've just installed an in-car camera myself. Eventually I'll put up a web page with all the details and photos, but here's the short version...

- I bought Camera Pack 1 from http://www.sports-camera.com and mounted it on top of the CD tower between the seats.

- I bought a Mustek PVR-A1 and a 512MB SD card from Amazon.

- I built a small circuit to supply regulated 12V to the camera and 5V to the PVR.

It's had a test run, recording my journey to work. Results are quite good, but the microphone included in the camera kit is a bit pants - too sensitive so the sound is distorted. Once I've got a new mic I'll be all set for Elvington!

[MegatronUK]

I noticed tons of solid state based digital cameras and comcorders on ebay.. but i've always thought they were a bit naff. Whats the specs on that thing you've got... stuff like resolution, capture format etc..

Ah, don't bother found it... seems its 320x240? is 'ASV' format??? wierd...

[ChrisW]

Yes it's 320x240 and the file format is ASF, which is a standard Windows Media streaming video format. The encoding is actually done in MPEG 4. Quality's not amazing, but good enough considering it only cost 70 quid.

[phild]

When I was at Rockingham a few weeks ago, I saw quite a few race cars with cameras gaffer taped to the roll over bars inside the cabins, I would say that a great place to put a camera in a MR2 is on top of the central storage area between the seats (against the back window), it would give a great drivers eye view !!

[BenF]

Yes, done lots of trackdays and video'd them in my Mk2 Turbo, Mk1 and am just sorting something out for Elvington in the Roadster.

For info on my setup, and some video clips from Donnigton last December see :

http://www.imoc.co.uk/forums/viewtopic. ... ight=canon

[MegatronUK]

Cheers Ben, I was thinking along the lines of the Canon MV series before reading your description.... I'm bidding on an MV530i bundle now; multiple blank tapes, boxed, remote control, battery, charger, av cables, firewire pci card etc..

I'm right in thinking that all the MVxxxi series take analogue in, and it's the MVxxx models that have that facility removed?

Probably going to go with the same kind of bullet cam too; I was very impressed with the quality of the video from your recent Nurburgring footage. The wide angle view looks fab! Just like playing computer games Which lens have you got on that one?

[BenF]

Sounds like a nice bundle of kit there. The MV5xx should come with a remote control, software, one battery (although you can get additional equivalents for £15 or so).

Tapes - I'd get the best you can afford. There are plenty of shops online that do DV tapes - I've used higher-end TDK and Panasonic tapes for the last few years and not had any problems, even when they've been re-used a few times. Just make sure you get a tape head cleaner too and use that every so often

Yep, the Canon -i series have the Fierwire in capability - usually this means they will also have an Analogue PAL input too - but I'd double check that with the Canon website.

The bullet cam was quite expensive, but being a High Res CCD you get good source video quality for the footage which helps.

Lenses for the camera are really quite cheap - I got one 'wider' and 'narrower' than the one supplied with the camera, as they were only a few quid. You can also get replacement lens glass covers should the camera get hit by a stone - I've never had that problem though - I think the footage for the Ring and Donnington was with the 'wider' angle lens.

Have a chat to the folks at RF Concepts, they'll be able to advise what works

The only tip I've got is that once you've got a lens installed, you don't want to swap it out at a trackday as the focus is set by how far you wind the lens in and out of the Bullet Cam casing.

It will be good to get some footage of the Mk1.5 on track

[shawnpurple]

Hello if your looking for a decent mini DV camcorder to mount in the car for track day then i suggest you use an older sony unit possible the hc range lens quality and build quality are better than the canon MV series of camcorders. As for mounting the camcorder take a look at the Manfrotto website as the guys produce some good strong solid clamps and mounting brackets.

[Rich]

I like the idea of mounting a remote camera down in the front bumper or grill

Had one in mine a while ago, get some great footage there. Had one of them little webcams mounted in the old bumper, nice and cheap, plugs direct in to laptop, hit a button and off we go recording. Quality wasnt too great though which is why I didnt put it in the veilside bumper.