Helmet/Bullet Cam Advice needed please - confused?!

[skibum]

Hi All,

I was hoping to gain some valuable advice from the guys and gals here about Video Camera's.

I'm looking at getting a Helmet/Bullet camera for my Skiing and also driving. Currently I have no camcorder or video devices at all.

I've done some research and as far as I can see I need to get a Bullet Cam and then will be able to connect this to either a Camcorder via AV in or alternatively I can connect it to a Portable Media Player/Recorder.

I'm working on a budget but want fairly good quality video rather than a blocky pixelated video with rubbish detail.

What would be my best route? I'm unlikely to use it for anything other than skiing/Mountain Biking and Driving.

Thanks in Advance

Rich

[GetCarter]

Hi

I'd buy a cheap small camcorder (with AV in as you say) and a sony bullet cam from www.rfconcepts.co.uk

Then if you have win XP, you'll have movie maker in which to edit.

Sorted.

BTW... this done in that way:

www.stevecarter.com/highlands2.wmv

Steve

edited to add.. the above wmv is squashed to hell for a download, the AVI looks great on the PC or the TV - this is 8% file size (broadband only!)

www.stevecarter.com/highlands3.wmv

Edited by GetCarter on Tuesday 17th October 15:48

[randlemarcus]

Something like this will save you buying and carrying a camcorder with analogue in. Am looking at something like this myself at the moment. Buy in the UK, mind, but this was the first link I found.

[jagdpanther]

Contact Tony at his website

www.brayspeed.co.uk/cam.htm

They're proven in tests during hillclimbs and sprints

[Parrot of Doom]

www.paramountzone.com/action-camera.htm#

[skibum]

Great video Steve - that's certainly the kind of stuff I want to do with my car.

I've seen the Single Units like the Tony Hawks one and the other one listed, but am concerned that the quality is going to be poor at best. There's no point shelling out over a hundred quid for video quality that is marginally better than a mobile phone.

I think I'll look at the Camcorder and Bullet Cam option. A decent Bullet Cam is about £125 so just need to find a camcorder that has an AV in and can maintain a reasonable quality.

Thanks for the hints and tips.

Rich

[custardtart]

I used a rfconcepts bullet cam (£100'ish) connected to a Canon 650i camcorder (£185'ish) with AV in to capture the following.

You can pick one of these up on ebay for a lot less now or the new one I think is an 800i or similar - just make sure it has AV in.

This clip http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fus (adobe v.9 needed to view) was then edited through Windows Media Maker as suggested by Steve. Worth noting it has much better quality when viewed straight off the camera through a TV.

This link has more details on connecting it all up. www.mycaterham.com/66828/44306.html?*session*id*key*=*session*id*val*

I'm taking mine skiing and plan to mount the helmet with simple velcro and dumping the camcorder in the backpack.

[skibum]

agree - I've got quite a few items on watch on eBay - I was very surprised at how much people are letting them go for.

I also found a very handy website that lists camcorders from Sony, Canon, JVC and Panasonic and tells you wether they have AV-in - its saved me lots of searching through specs.

I think I can get a half decent camcorder and bullet cam for about £125-£150 and will then be up an running!

[cone]

Hi , got my helmet cam from Action cameras 480 version , i run it through a canon MV6i camcorder which has a lanq connection VERY handy, buy a rechargable battery packet , they use a lot! got some realy good footage so far , i use it for mountain biking , going to use it snow boarding this winter.

[pikey]

Went through this recently.

Only function to lookout for is "AV-in". If it also has "LANC" (remote control), this is useful.

I bought a Sony HC33 from ebay (with some bits) for £185 (brand new condition, 11months old) and a bullet cam pack from bikecameras.com for £105.

It all works very very well. I just keep forgetting I have it, that's all

[bobthepsycho]

I'd recommend FastFilms

www.fastfilms.co.uk

Fishydave is very helpful, can't fault the service or advice from him.

[Gruffy]

I concur. Speak to FishyDave.