Bulet cam/recorder set-up help please!
 

I now have a bullet cam and an Archos Av120 recorder, but I'm a little disapointed with the quality of the final image.

The camera is a high res sony jobbie, recording about 520 lines, I'm sure its more than capable.

I think the limiting factor is with the recorder, which only has a resolution of approx 350 x 250 (thats a guess, don't quote me on that).

So my question is, what do camcorders record like, and is their resolution any better?

Anyone record to camcorder ???

I'm debating whether to sell this unit and get a Camcorder with AV in if the image is better?

I'm not an expert, but I set up a bullet can to Mini DV system earlier in the year. Resolution is pretty good, but if you save it to any form of compressed format, the resolution suffers big time. If you save the Mini-DV tape in a relatively uncompressed DVD format, its fine, but if you save it to a compressed format to provide a smaller file size, it probably ends up exactly the same as you get out of your Archos.

I guess part of the problem is that its a demanding task being attached to a vibrating bike and asked to provide clear pics of fast moving scenery. The Archos is probably fine for fairly stationary tasks, but the extra resolution of a Mini DV camcorder prabably pays dividends for on-bike stuff

...and another daft question.

What kind of formats are out there...I mean, when I last used a camcorder they involved tapes etc...whats the score now?

I assume they now record to dvd or some form of digital? Does that mean the digital recorders use SD cards etc, as I find them a bit of a pain, and they are yet more expense if you need a 1 or 2Gb one?!?!

I wouldn't bother with anything other than tape if I was you, DVD cams won't be suitable for bike applications due to vibration etc, and SD cams although solid state probably can't get the data stored quick enough so will use some hefty compression to perform the task in hand, tapes cheap and reliable IMO

Yes, the Archos is only 352 x 288 pixels BUT this is the same quality as VHS - 352 lines at a (rough) 4:3 ratio!

You could always go for one of the higher spec Archos players, as the AV120 is quite old now, such as the AV500 which offers DVD quality (720x576 @ 25 f/s for PAL) recording in a 30GB or 100GB package.

Before you moan - PAL is 625 line, 25 frames a second (50 field), 50HZ system, but it's interlaced to give 312 lines, and that's why the Archos gives the same quality as VHS.

Harv - where do you put it on the SP? Or is it only on the DR to date?

I use a bullet cam and a mini mike feeding into a digital 8 sony handycam. Its a bit of a house brick but gives good results in a car, never tried on the bike .........yet.

From what I have seen TV co.s avoid the vibe issues in the machine they are recording onto (as opposed to cam vibe issues) by using an uplink to an aircraft or helicopter, Bit OTT fer a trackday unless of course you are Lord R.

Guido on here and maybe a few others are well into "bike cam" setups.

Ray.

...so how does this all compare to a typical camcorder set-up? Any ideas?

and when you say its the same quality as VHS, I don't really understand what that actually means in real terms.
:puzzled: All I know is when saved to my PC and then straight onto DVD, the fianl picture quality on TV is not all that. On the PC, when played in a smaller window then it looks OK (ish).


I've only had it on the DR to date, actually on my helmet, so no issues with vibration etc. When I have a go on the Duke, I imagine it should be pretty straight forward to locate somewhere on the nosecone, or on the seat unit for rear facing action!

It will be as good as most analogue cameras, although the definition on something like a Hi-8 camera will be better as that's around 380 or more lines.

If you go for a miniDV camera, than you're looking at between 400 and 520 lines, which is equivalent to DVD quality.

Be careful that you're not compression the video when you transfer it onto DVD, as this compression reduces the quality of the image. You should create your DVD disk at the maximum/best/uncompressed quality to ensure the best picture.

I used the following setup on my bike at this years DSC trackday at Cadwell.

The bullitt cam kit was from here

http://www.sports-camera.com/helmet_camera.htm


I then attached it to a Cannon MV 730-i

http://www.canon.co.uk/for_home/prod...730i/index.asp

This was placed in a foam box & sat under the seat unit where the tooltray normaly sits

The Camcorder was purchased fro the cannon Refubished company web sit on e-bay

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Canon-Outle...eNameZl4QQtZkm

Have you wondered where all the camcorders, camerars, printers etc went to that you seee & touch in Camet, Curry's etc, they end up going to be refurbished, new softaw re, full warrenty, & put up on the above e-bay site, bargains to be had intime for christmas.

If you have a DVD recorder that has a i-link socket then you can transfer you tapes via the DV outlet socket on the camcorder to the i-link socket of the DVD recorder for first class recordings. I have just bought this Sony RDR-GX210 for christmas

http://www.sony.co.uk/view/ShowProdu...DV D+Recorder

And when I get my tapes back from Guido (who is using some of the footage, his own on bike footage & I believe Mr C's onbike footage plus other contributions to make a DVD of the day as per the one he made last year) I will be downloading it direct to recordable DVD's.

Attached is a pic showing the bullit cam on the bike, under the noscone at Cadwell.


Chris.:burn:

[Edited on 13-12-2005 by chris.p]

Thats the same place I got my camera from Chris.

So, I know its difficult to quantify in words, but what kind of image quality do you end up with, with this et-up. If I thought it better than what I have now, I would consider a camera like yours.

Hi Harv,
I have not been able to record my cadwell tapes yet as guido has them, but i do have another test tape from when i fitted the bullitt cam & tested it out on the local roads
:o, i will try to do a recording sometime this week & let you know, but I have been told it will be the exact copy of what you see when you attach your camcorder to your tv to watch what you have taped, that is why i bought the DVD recorder as a Crimbo prezzie:D

Chris.:burn:

Cheers for that Chris.

Will keep an eye out...I have a few Irons in the fire as we speak!

Harv, was thinking more about the recorder, you have one of those big P-puter-thingies under the seat too I think, so where does it go other than backpack/bumbag...thinking trcakdays??

I use an av420 same res as a mini dv, really gud mounted the camera on the end of the swinger and vibrated it to death! Ekk! But if you want a quality you could use a 35mm panaflex!

But back to archos av420 you can pick one up of ebay for £250 so cheaper and smaller than a DV camera.
Just my thoughts though.

SORTED, Tried the DVD recorder with my camcorder attached today, recorded direct from the tape in the camcorder via DV out from the camcorder to the i-link/ DV in socket of the DVD recorder, & recorded directly onto a DVD-RW disc.
Brilliant the image is exactly the same as when you attach your camcorder to the telly to play back what you have recorded, result:cool::D


Chris.:burn:

Any chance of posting a link to some footage...only a few secs just for a look at the quality?

Glad you got it sorted!

Being a techie numpty, I am unable to do that as yet, plus the other problem is that I am about to install my new DVD rewriter as I do not have one fitted, but I will give a go when i have fitted it, that is if someone would be good enough to tell me how to do it;) Sample a bit & upload it that is.
But like I said the quality is as per when you attach your camcorder to the TV to watch what you have just recorded.

Chris.:burn: