DVD Camcorder?

[mcmmotorsports]

Anyone using one to record your in car footage?

I have recently been scammed on eBay and need to change my plans for recording my next event at VIR. So, I am going to buy a decent camcorder and have found a Hitachi DVD for $339. Any comments?

[GAC]

I'm currently looking into an in-car cam too. My research says to get a Mini DV type with an input for a lipstick cam.

[mcmmotorsports]

Just got a reply on another forum that says they tried it and it did NOT work. Thanks.

[white_2kgt]

Just got a reply on another forum that says they tried it and it did NOT work. Thanks.

 

haha, shocking, imagine a laser trying to write to a place on a silver platter less than the width of a hair while going 130mph in a bumpy ass race car.

 

MiniDV or CompactFlash is what you want, with the prefrence on CF.

[mcmmotorsports]

Chad, are you using the ChaseCam digital recorder?

[99HOSS]

... go to the Chase Cam forum and search on camera types that are acceptable for the bullet cam use, as it takes an analog input.

I have a Sony Hi-8 and a Canon Mini-DV, and the Sony is the easiest to use and to edit from.

 

Here's a SHORT VIDEO using the Canon in the car, and here's a LONGER VIDEO with the Sony and the bullet cam

[zuperdave]

There is a nice write-up on this topic in another NASA forum.

 

Try this http://www.nasaforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=9599&start=0

[GAC]

... go to the Chase Cam forum and search on camera types that are acceptable for the bullet cam use, as it takes an analog input.

I have a Sony Hi-8 and a Canon Mini-DV, and the Sony is the easiest to use and to edit from.

 

Here's a SHORT VIDEO using the Canon in the car, and here's a LONGER VIDEO with the Sony and the bullet cam

 

Do you find the Sony easier to use and edit from because of its Hi-8 format or something else? Is the Canon better in any way?

[mcmmotorsports]

Is the Hi-8 format good for use in a race car?

I thought that miniDv was the best.

There are tons of Hi-8 cams still available for cheap and I can pick one up if they will work okay.

[99HOSS]

... the Canon uses the scan card (when using an external camera) and the quality isn't as good. You also need a special cable to go from the camera to the RF Modulator to the computer, whereas the Sony uses RCA jacks right on the camera.

 

I like the Canon for other reasons. Stability when used by itself in the cockpit of a loud race car. Check out THIS VIDEO of Chip Herr at Road Atlanta. REMEMBER - TURN DOWN YOUR SPEAKERS FIRST

 

Yes, the Hi-8 is better for racing. And you get a decent camera for a lot less. My Sony was got for 179.00 on ebay.

[GAC]

... the Canon uses the scan card (when using an external camera) and the quality isn't as good. You also need a special cable to go from the camera to the RF Modulator to the computer, whereas the Sony uses RCA jacks right on the camera.

 

I like the Canon for other reasons. Stability when used by itself in the cockpit of a loud race car. Check out THIS VIDEO of Chip Herr at Road Atlanta. REMEMBER - TURN DOWN YOUR SPEAKERS FIRST

 

Yes, the Hi-8 is better for racing. And you get a decent camera for a lot less. My Sony was got for 179.00 on ebay.

 

So if you use a lipstick cam you can't record to the Mini-DV?? On the Elura 100 too?

[mcmmotorsports]

Check out THIS VIDEO of Chip Herr at Road Atlanta. REMEMBER - TURN DOWN YOUR SPEAKERS FIRST

 

Was this made using Hi-8?

[white_2kgt]

Whatever you get make sure it has a LAN-C Port on it. You can mount the button on the dash and never have to bend your arm around to turn the camera on/off.

[Eric J.]

Many new cams come with an IR remote that allows you to do the same thing.

 

When I was looking at cams I got advice from some professional production folks that recommended MiniDV. That's worked out quite well for me.

 

Here's a lap at Firebird main with a Canon ZR200 MiniDV, internal mic, compressed to wmv using crappy Pinnacle software. WMP seems to be a better compression engine these days.

 

Firebird with a MiniDV

[mcmmotorsports]

Is Samsung worth a DooDoo?

[GAC]

I'll likely go with the Canon...is expandable for a lipstick cam and is rated very highly.

[mcmmotorsports]

Thanks for all of the tips. I am going to order a ZR500 from BuyDig.com.

$249 shipped.

[white_2kgt]

Many new cams come with an IR remote that allows you to do the same thing.

 

My cannon has an IR remote. It will NOT turn on the camera. The camera already had to be ON, and if I turn it on before I belt in then sit in the pit lanes for a few minutes it turns itself back OFF. Useless. With LAN-C you push the button once to turn on the camera, light turns green. Push again it starts to record, light turns RED. Push again to stop recording, light turns Green, push and hold light blinks, release, camera turns off. You cannot do that with an IR remote. Also, IR remote is pretty useless when the camera is in a bag ziptied to the rollcage b/c you are using lipstick cams .

 

Get LAN-C for ANY in car recording.

[99HOSS]

mcmmotorsports - that video was shot with the Canon MiniDV mounted to the rollbar and the stability on.

[mcmmotorsports]

mcmmotorsports - that video was shot with the Canon MiniDV mounted to the rollbar and the stability on.

Thanks.