Track day vids with old camcorder

[GarryM]

I’d like to video some track days this year and create a DVD of those bits worth keeping using my PC. The trouble is I know almost nothing about how to do it!

I have a 6 yr old Panasonic miniDV NV-DS5b camcorder but have no software or cables to link it to my PC. I have the manual but that only refers to the DV out needing an IEEE1394 compatible DV input terminal. It gives no further clues! If that’s firewire then I know my PC doesn’t have that.

I also noticed a problem recording some GT cars at Castle Combe last year when the picture became distorted when particularly loud cars went by (TVR especially )) Is this likely to mean my aging camcorder is done for?

I can imagine it may be easier to just buy a new camcorder which for all I know may come with everything needed to do this but if I can do this on a low budget then that would be preferred! I have found a good clamp system to fit the camera to the car (b.hague), it’s the camera / PC interface and s/ware that is beyond me. Any help will be much appreciated.

[m12_nathan]

it is firewire. B Hauge do a load of different mounts, I use the suction one on trackdays.

[GetCarter]

Hmmmm

You can buy a firewire card for your PC and then download your movies.

I have to say, 6 years old is old for cameras... even a £250 cam these days will be better than a £750 from year 1999/2000.

Best tip...sell the wife or G/F and buy a new PC and camcorder and do lots of trackdays with your excellent b-hague mount (and a bullet cam from www.rfconcepts.com. Well it is getting out more isn't it?

[GarryM]

Thanks. It looks like I need a new cam then. I couldn't make that link work but is a bulletcam worth it for just a home video? I guess a mic would be good to reduce wind noise.

Sell my wife? It would cost me too much!

[HankScorpio]

Try this one:
www.rfconcepts.co.uk/

Bullet cam allows for some great footage (as Mr GetCarter can demonstrate in spades www.stevecarter.com/news/default.aspx#videos)

Allows you to put it other places on the car you wouldn't put a full size camera, poking out the radiator grill, gaffa taped near the wheel arch etc.

A couple of good vids here as well:
www.chasecam.com/
Check out the suspension travel on this one:
www.cpdserver.com/conecam/video/allon.wmv

[juliann]

I've just got a new camcorder, mount & s/ware for in-car footage, as follows :

JVC Everio 20GB Hard Disc Camcorder. No tapes, DVD's etc... so it's nice and light and can record 4.5 hrs of DVD quality material (or 25hrs of internet quality) before you need to download. A 12dc car adaptor power lead can be purchased for this. About £399

B Haigh mount as you describe

The software with the camcorder (Powerdirector Express) is a little basic, but I upgraded it on the net to the full version (5) which gives plenty of manipulation tools such as speeding up footage and compressing to various file size / formats. £35

The disadvantage over bullet cams is that the system is less flexible ref positioning the camera, the advantage is the obvious multi-purpose usage & portability of the camcorder. Some camcorders; (mine doesn't) allow AV-in which means you could connect a bullet cam also.

[m12_nathan]

4.5 hours of footage is not great though is it, and I'd be worried about a hard disk getting buggered with any curb riding or visits to the grass on trackdays, what format does it record in?

[GetCarter]

m12_nathan said:

4.5 hours of footage is not great though is it, and I'd be worried about a hard disk getting buggered with any curb riding or visits to the grass on trackdays, what format does it record in?

None of us would ever vist the grass though [/cough]

>> Edited by GetCarter on Saturday 14th January 12:10

[m12_nathan]

Absolutely

[juliann]

m12_nathan said:

4.5 hours of footage is not great though is it, and I'd be worried about a hard disk getting buggered with any curb riding or visits to the grass on trackdays, what format does it record in?

I can't see why you'd need more than 4.5 hrs before a download, but you can also use SD cards. The camcorder has a g-shock system to auto protect the HDD. Works fine in my race car (much stiffer than the CSL) with usual bumps etc... Format is mpeg-2 with dolby digital. 720x576 pixels, 8.5Mbps. 'std' mode is 4.2Mbps and gives 10hrs record time. There are higher Gb Hdd models - about double the above times.





>> Edited by juliann on Saturday 14th January 13:33

[m12_nathan]

I'd rather have tapes so I could edit in an uncompressed format regardless but still wouldn't trust a hdd in a harsh environment. 4.5 hours isn't enough for me, weekend at the 'ring followed by spa would use more than that.

[Kingpleb]

Hey there,

Sorry to but in but i know of a new startup company called FastFilms, www.fastfilms.co.uk who do this kinda stuff.

The guy is a member of the FCCUK lot and im sure if you give him a bell would be quite good on prices and such like if you say ive sent you to him

[GarryM]

Thanks again. The set up you have Juliann does sound ideal. I must admit, I have had lots of trouble with hard drives in PCs over the years but I guess the one in your camera is much better. I need to educate myself on the bewildering choice out there! It seems I can get a firewire card on eBay for a few quid so I'll do that first and get used to using XP's Movie Maker (only just realised it is on my PC!) with my old cam. Hopefully, I'll then know what I need in a new camera/software.