What Camcorder to get JUST for In Car Footage?

[christurbo]

I want a digital camcorder to film my exploits.

I want to be able to mount it somewhere sturdy, I have a stripped out clio 172 track car.

What camcorder do you recomend that will have a SD card type of storage?

And what can I get to mount it somewhere?


Thanks

Chris

[zumbruk]

Make sure you get one which can accommodate an external camera and which has a remote control.

These people do mounting prackets;

www.b-hague.co.uk/Mounting%20Brackets.htm

[jacobyte]

A bullet-cam would be ideal, as it's small and light, and can be placed almost anywhere inside or outside the car.

[supertouring]

I use a Sony DVD camera with a bullet-cam plugged into the AV/In socket.

I like the bullet cam as I can put it anywhere on the car and its not a problem if it falls off (it has done a few times but no damage luckily).

I would like to change to a HD recorder like the Archos machines or similar. You can also get specially built sold state/HD recorders for motorsport which are a little more robust (try Demon Tweeks for idea but look around for best prices).

Next step is also a second bullet camera and a switching device to have switchable front and rear views when out on track.

Edited by supertouring on Friday 15th December 18:09

[supertouring]

Example footage here - www.scoobysmacs.co.uk and go to the videos page.

[Fly Boy]

Dai
Some nice vids on there m8.

Which bullet cam are you using?
What resolution, etc.

Looking for one to use with my sony camcorder.
The "dogcam"s seem well made but a bit pricey for the higher res versions. dogcam

FB

Edited by Fly Boy on Friday 15th December 19:40

[supertouring]

I bought the camera from DriveData.co.uk but I think they are the same as the one on the RFConcepts site.

The it is the 480 Sony one I think, but the lense if wide angle which gives a better all round view but makes everything look much further away than they actually are.

My mate bought a video camera recently and found finding one with an AV-in more difficult than it used to be.

[christurbo]

Thanks guys,

I want something that can accomodate a bullet cam and has a remote.

My car is very sparse inside with only 2 x kevlar buckets inside so mounting is a problem - but not if I have a bullet cam.

Im looking to buy one in the new year - I have already been offered a Sony mini DV DCR HC22E for bargain money. I dont know if it has an input for a bullet cam though ?????

How does the Mini DV work - can you transfer files etc to your laptop/PC???

[supertouring]

My video camera is a Sony DVD type, which I would not really recommend. Disks last only 20 mins on High Quality so I have to swap disks every session. I have also experienced bad disks where I have lost footage.

One advantage is that I can just play the disks straight away when I get home in my DVD player.

For cameras that use tape, I beleive you just stream the footage onto a computer to create the file and edit it from there.

[lowpro]

christurbo said:

I want a digital camcorder to film my exploits.

I want to be able to mount it somewhere sturdy, I have a stripped out clio 172 track car.

What camcorder do you recomend that will have a SD card type of storage?

And what can I get to mount it somewhere?


Thanks

Chris

Chris,

Check out this site www.fastfilms.co.uk he's a top bloke when it comes to in-car camera's, we buy all our equipment from him. You can checkout the results here, http://trackaction-online.co.uk anything filmed by stoneyV6 or lowpro is done using equipment from fastfilms.

[supertouring]

Not seen these lowpro, will be spending some money there after xmas

[dappastyle]

christurbo said:

Thanks guys,

I want something that can accomodate a bullet cam and has a remote.

My car is very sparse inside with only 2 x kevlar buckets inside so mounting is a problem - but not if I have a bullet cam.

Im looking to buy one in the new year - I have already been offered a Sony mini DV DCR HC22E for bargain money. I dont know if it has an input for a bullet cam though ?????

How does the Mini DV work - can you transfer files etc to your laptop/PC???

Mr ChrisTurbo,

Here's the traditional route.

Get a camera mount and purchase that camera, the HC22E and put it in a position where you see fit. I would reccomend that the mount is a strong one such as a Manfrotto suction pump mount. I reccomend that you use this only internally.

What you would need to do then is import the footage from that camera and then edit it as you would like to see it. My only concern is that I do not know if that camcorder you mentioned is Firewire enabled. It needs to be to transfer from the camera to your hard drive.

Other route:

Get the bullet camera and a mount and with this u can place it in other areas. Thing is the HC22E is not compatible with a bullet camera. Place the bullet camera anywhere you'd like.

DVD recorders I wouldn't go near as the thought of a laser burning a dvd as you travel around the track won't work as the greatest tool.

If you want to go digital on a SD card, decide if u want to go Mpeg 2 (dvd) or mpeg 4 (lesser quality).

If you need anymore help just drop me a email at [e-mail]

btw, you're not the chap who had an EP3 then bought a VX220?

Cheers!

[christurbo]

I recognise your username MR Dappa!

Yes I still have my 05 CTR, but also got an Elise, then a VX220, and now have a Clio 172 that has been completely tracked out.:-

http://renaultsport-clio.blogspot.com

Thanks for the info .... I have alot to read about!

[slinky]

www.motorsportcameras.co.uk/

Try that for size

[cwk]

Chris, a few weeks ago I asked myself the same question and then spent ages trawling the web in general, and PH in particular.

All I can tell you is what I went for:

A Canon MV960 camcorder from Amazon
Camera pack 3 from rfconcepts www.rfconcepts.co.uk/helmet_cameras.htm
Suction mount from Maplins - their stock code A12CG

Is it any good? Well, I'll get back to you on that one as I haven't had time to set it up yet

HTH

Charles

[dark_helmet]

Any of you have any problems with the event organiser? Most of them say "no video" or am I wrong?

[supertouring]

Never been refused, but I think one circuit (Croft?) does not allow video at all.

All events require camera to be mounted securely (ie. proper suction mounts not some gaffer tape) and some require you to fill in an indemnity form (MSV circuits) to say you will not sell footage.

Once had a marshal ask about one of my bullet cams so I suggested "if you can pull it off then I will remove it" - he tried and failed. No other problems, other than it falling off now and again (but don't tell anyone )

Edited by supertouring on Monday 18th December 22:13

[Fly Boy]

supertouring said:

Never been refused, but I think one circuit (Croft?) does not allow video at all.

NOT true about croft- must be another circuit.
I had a windscreen mounted camcorder - NOT bullet camera but a full size camcorder in full view of the marshalls
NO problem, never said a word.
OK it was inside but no probs.

chris

[christurbo]

slinky said:

www.motorsportcameras.co.uk/

Try that for size

Now were talking! Thats a really good setup.... worth saving my pennies!