HD In-car video

[robmug]

Until recently I've been using a Oregon Sciemtific ACT3K for in-car video footage. Only issue I had was with microphone quality, particularly when the camera is mounted on the exterior of the car. So, I sold the ACT3K.

I had planned to get this AT-1 from Dogcam sport to replace it.
http://www.dogcamsport.co.uk/at-1-wireless-helmet-...
The advantage of this is that the recorder has the microphone, so is inside the car when the camera is outside.
BUT...the video quality is still only 640x480, so I'm not convinced...

So, I'm considering HD camcorder instead - something like this...Toshiba Camileo S10.
http://www.pixmania.co.uk/uk/uk/2312343/art/toshib...
Amazing video quality
BUT..I can't plug an external microphone in for those times when I need less wind noise.

For on-track use, the camera will be mounted on the roll cage, so the Toshiba should be ideal...but what will the microphone quality be like when mounted externally...I'm really not a fan of music overlayed to mask wind noise.

Will the S10 microphone be shielded sufficiently for minimal wind noise?
Where can I find HD camcorders with external microphone socket?


So...any suggestions?

[DIW35]

I bought a bullet cam that comes with a seperate microphone that plugs in to my DV camcorder. Bullet cam mounts outside the car, microphone stays inside eliminating wind noise, and picture quality is as good as the recording camera is capable of.

Example of result can be seen here (this is the version that has had the overlaying music track turned down, so that the engine noise from inside the cabin is more prominent.)

Picture quality on clip isn't brilliant, but that's Youtube for you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKaftMTQx30

ETA These are the guys I got the bullet cam from. http://www.actioncameras.co.uk/

Edited by DIW35 on Monday 20th July 15:28

[Nurburgsingh]

I've just posted my fist video created using the Aldi Traveller HD camcorder thingy...

Recorded in HD and then Uploaded on to youtube as "large"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTpJ49div3o

[robmug]

Nurburgsingh said:

I've just posted my fist video created using the Aldi Traveller HD camcorder thingy...

Recorded in HD and then Uploaded on to youtube as "large"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTpJ49div3o

Looks great picture quality...what's the resolution?

..and what about wind noise? Was that the reason for music overlayed?

How much for the camera?

[Nurburgsingh]

the camera in question is this one...

http://www.traveler-service.com/front_content.php?...

It was £69 from Aldi on one of their Thursday specials.

resolution it was recorded at is 1280x720 ( according to the blurb )

There was quite a lot of wind noise because the windows were open, it was pretty hot in the sun.
The soundtrack was put in simply because I wanted to try something different and a 968 isnt the sexiest sounding car on track!

[Stickers]

I bought myself a Medion 1280x720 HD DV recorder for on bike/in car footage & had the exact same problems with sound quality, all down to excesive wind noise - to solve the problem I taped foam around the mic & hey presto, problem solved.

I also picked up a 'vacuum' camera mount, allowing the recorder to be positioned anywhere.

[Nurburgsingh]

aha.. cunning plan!!!

I am also looking at getting one of these....

http://www.twenty20camera.com/

Multi angle videos here we come!

[robmug]

The Contour HD looks nice, but £300...

Toshiba S10 is £125, and it looks like I'll just have to give it a go and if necessary, tape over the microphone.

I have a mount with 3 suction cups and yes, you can mount the camera anywhere :-)

[robmug]

Stickers said:

I bought myself a Medion 1280x720 HD DV recorder for on bike/in car footage & had the exact same problems with sound quality, all down to excesive wind noise - to solve the problem I taped foam around the mic & hey presto, problem solved.

I also picked up a 'vacuum' camera mount, allowing the recorder to be positioned anywhere.

Is this the £30 offer one? Do you know if it's still available?

[Longers]

Was recently looking for something similar myself. This might help.....
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...

Aipteks pic quality, price, flexibility certainly tick the boxes for me. Still not got round to getting the kit yet but I will soon

Longers

[robmug]

Longers said:

Was recently looking for something similar myself. This might help.....
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...

Aipteks pic quality, price, flexibility certainly tick the boxes for me. Still not got round to getting the kit yet but I will soon

Longers

Ah - interesting - thanks. Looks similar in spec and price to the Tishiba S10, but I notice someone highlighted a few tech differences which make the Aiptek a better proposition...do you know if the Aiptek has an external mic option?

[Nurburgsingh]

Just uploaded one in HD

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7F1yaoe9iM

My soundtrack got removed so i had to pick one out the freebie box.

[Longers]

robmug said:

...do you know if the Aiptek has an external mic option?

Simple answer is some do and some don't! When I do get round to buying one I'll be checking carefully to make sure my chosen model has a mic input so that I can connect one of these..... http://www.dogcamsport.co.uk/helmet_camera_mics.ht...

[Quick silver]

robmug said:

Stickers said:

I bought myself a Medion 1280x720 HD DV recorder for on bike/in car footage & had the exact same problems with sound quality, all down to excesive wind noise - to solve the problem I taped foam around the mic & hey presto, problem solved.

I also picked up a 'vacuum' camera mount, allowing the recorder to be positioned anywhere.

Is this the £30 offer one? Do you know if it's still available?

If you are refering to the Medion, I paid £70 for mine on eBay 9 Months ago - there have been a few kicking about on there over the past few months but nothing at the moment (I checked to add a link).

[robmug]

Longers said:

robmug said:

...do you know if the Aiptek has an external mic option?

Simple answer is some do and some don't! When I do get round to buying one I'll be checking carefully to make sure my chosen model has a mic input so that I can connect one of these..... http://www.dogcamsport.co.uk/helmet_camera_mics.ht...

Same here...but it seems to be impossible to check if it has mic input

[robmug]

Nurburgsingh said:

Just uploaded one in HD

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7F1yaoe9iM

My soundtrack got removed so i had to pick one out the freebie box.

That looks great! HD is noticeably better quality that with bullet cams.

Where was the camera mounted?

[robmug]

Aha...
"The AHD-GVS also includes an external microphone outlet"
From http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001GXR03U/ref=s9...

Looking promising...

[Nurburgsingh]

robmug said:

Nurburgsingh said:

Just uploaded one in HD

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7F1yaoe9iM

My soundtrack got removed so i had to pick one out the freebie box.

That looks great! HD is noticeably better quality that with bullet cams.

Where was the camera mounted?

Camera is mounted on the front NS cage and points out just to the right of the tax disc.

I use a Manfroto superclamp and a two way ball hinged thing from Manfroto as well.

[TheEnd]

As a quick bump,
Singh, those bids are fantastic, it seems strange watching something on youtube nice and sharp, especially a trackday vid.

Has anyone else got some uploaded HD vids? I could search youtube, but i'm more interested in the cameras used rather than the content.