Onboard cameras on trackdays
 

Whats the score with these then.

I have access to a small digi camera, and would love to get some shots on a trackday.

I know of two options

1: To fit the digi camera on the tank via a special bracket. How is this viewed by trackday organisers? At the last trackday I was at I saw this...so I'm guessing some allow it some don't?

2: The kind of set-up used by Guido etc...with the small pencil camera. How do these work? Are they attached to a digi camera that is stashed away somewhere safe or do they work by some other techie means?

Would be interested in how much it would cost to do something like this. Would be an added to bonus to any trackday i guess.

Anyone done it...have any suggestions?

cheers vman

I have since the post been searching through the old message board and there is some good stuff on there. Should have done it first really...doh!

Anyone got any footage I can view from one of the RF concepts bullet cameras...they look just the job for a not so serious amatuer like myself.

vman what software are you using?
I know Premiere and Final Cut pretty well, if you have any questions just ask- BTW the xvid or divx codec is better if you want to keep file size down and quality still high :)

Buy the video of our DSC trackday last year at Mallory and you'll see some excellent footage and editing possibilities, as superbly done by Guido.

Alternatively, wait for this year's version from Cadwell next week - it will be a while before it's available mind you as it will take ages to collate and edit all the footage.

Or come along to Cadwell and see it for yourself - there's still room and there will be plently of people there with pencil cameras.

WeeJohnyB

I'm already booked on WJB..or at least I hope I am...you got me worried now!

Will tank mounted cameras (with proper brackets/fixings) be allowed on the DSC day?

I'm interested in that too. I've arranged to borrow a mate's one and it has a sucker tripod mounted thingy which he has used successfully in the past.

What is the go with these things? I am quite keen to have some footage with the tacho and speedo in the foreground (even if it only has a max of 5kRPM and 100mph ;))

Can we have some sort of direction on this. If they aren't allowed then it would give me some time to sort out an alternative mount or whatever ...

Cheers,

TP

I've heard that Brands Hatch used to prohibit camcorders on bikes or at least charge for their use. I think this was just a scam by Octagon to cash in on the burgeoning interest in onboard videos. Might be different now that Jonathan Palmer has taken control. Worth a check first if you're planning on going.

I have 3 bullet cams on my bike all controlled by a remote 'switcher' unit on the bars (see below) and linked into a Sony PC3 camcorder.



The beauty of the switcher means that you can literally' switch' from view to view as you ride along.

I used to have the tank tripod but:-

a) feared my £1500 camcorder would end up flying off over my head at 100mph+

b) Didn't like the restrictive viewing angles attained by this device

c) Dreaded coming off the bike on a trackday and mincing the camera as well as the bike

If you're camcorder is small enough (like the PC3 or a simillar model), you can get the camera itself under your seat (even on a space-absent 748/9**).

Forget bumbags or rucksacks - Trackday organisers don't allow them.

I have my camcorder in a small bumbag which is strapped to my top yoke. It obscures the lower clocks a little but this doesn't matter to me on the track. As long as the bars are uninhibited that’s all that counts to me.

Vibration and heat can be a problem for mini cams so be aware where you locate them on the bike. Use Blu-tac or foam to help cushion the unit.

I have some footage on my site taken with my cameras. I did buy the best camera RF Concepts had (£175). This took 3 months to arrive initially and has since stopped working (it was supposed to be waterproof, bombproof, whatever!!!!).

If you want to take the onboard video seriously, you’ll no doubt want more than just the lenses. I found it easier personally, to get my gear from Phillip Mace at Highview Electronics. Not only is he a Duke rider who has tested his products on his Duke, but he is also an electronics wiz and has his own firm specialising in them. If you need enhancements to your system or advice on attaching the lenses to third-party devices (such as switchers etc) then Phillip can advise on this and also make the components needed up for you. Not sure RF can offer such a ‘one-stop-shop’ type of service

Samples of my onboard stuff can be seen HERE – you will need the DIVX codec though to see the video files (i.e. without the codec you’ll only get sound but no picture). This can be downloaded via a link on the video pages of my site which you will arrive at with the aforementioned link.

Highview can be contacted via here http://www.highviewelectronics.co.uk/

Shout with any queries.

Guido

I can second all of Guidos comments above - dont bother with the tank mounted option, go for the RF Concepts or Highview bullet cams - *very* good quality. Like VMan, I just havent got round to figuring out how to get into PC formats yet!!!!

and dont go for the bum bag thingy either - i got black flagged at Cadwell last year doing this. Most new-ish palm-held vidcams fit under the seat in just fine (make sure plenty of padding).

Theres going to be plenty of us there with cams, so I'm sure if asked nicely/bribed) you can borrow one for a session and avoid all that outlay. :):):)

[Edited on 27-4-2004 by JasonBoswell]

Tracktime promotions won't allow tank mounted cameras. This came up at croft recently. Too many have ended up lying on the track after the mounts have let go.
They also said that they cause chest injury in the event of a crash. They said they woulkd look at other setups and make a decision on a case by case basis. No one at croft I saw tried any filming on bike.

It might not just be a case of clearing it with the organisers, the circuit themselves may have something to say on the matter.

Ray

As Ray says, some organisers will let you on track with 'surface-mounted' cameras once they have personally inspected your bike in pit-lane and checked how secure the attachment of the devices is.

As my camcorder and lens is out of sight they didn't even know it was there until I showed them - that was Tracktime at Croft. If you're straight with them, they should be straight back. If your gear looks like it could come off and injure yourself or a third party, they'll not allow you on track or in Jason's case get you off it pretty sharpish by the dreaded skull and crossbones!!!!

If you do have the sucker-mounted tripod device, then secure it by means different than the suction pads (i.e. velcro straps, mini-ratchet tie downs etc.....).

In my view tho, you're better off spending the extra £50-£70 and getting a bullet cam Vs the tripod. Saves any hassle on the day then if the trackday organisers want to be arsy.

I too can recommend Phil at Highview.....
 

.....a top guy and very helpful..

Tim:frog:

Excellent thread, so who can help me?

I have a Sony Digital Video Handycam DCR-PC1E, it is about 5 years old and doesn’t appear to have a “video in”.
The input/outputs are as follows;

S video out
DV out (Sony I link)
LANC
Mic (plug in power)
Audio/Video out

Is there any way that this can be adapted to take video in from a helmet cam???
Or is my only option a tank mount for the camera?
And if so where do I get a good one of these?

Cheers, Roy

Roy,

Not too sure about the PC1E. If you bring it to Cadwell with you we can check it with one of my mini-cams to see if you get a picture when you turn it to the VCR mode.

I know you can 'reverse' the DV-in setting on the camera's main board as this used to be 'de-activated' on some European models of camcorders due to licensing rights etc.

Cheers Guido, will do.

Roy

any views on my digi cam...a JVC GR-DX25EK.

Since discovered (I think!) that it does not have the required AV in.

Can anyone more techie confirm this and is there anyway around it?

As for the camera mount Roy...I see in Demon Tweeks mag they have them for about £35...worth considering if you go down that route.

A mate of mine, an engineer, actually made up his own that bolted to a couple of points on the bike around the Dash area (on a ZX6). May be worth considering if worried about stability and being rejcted from trackdays because of this?

I still have my old suction tripod if anyone wants to borrow it for Cadwell (i.e. Roy A)

Just let me know and I will dig it out.

Gc

Cheers Guy, that would be great.

Anyone know if they are allowing them on track?

Good question Roy...Monty, WJB...anyone.

Time for a couple of U2U's me thinks.

[Edited on 29-4-2004 by Harv748]

Roy,

here's a link that I was talking about above that does mention enabling DV-in on the Sony PC1E

http://www.megavizyon.com/DVfree.htm

Hope it helps.

Regards, Guy

Thanks Guy, but I remembered that a couple of years ago I bought a DV Enabler from Jessops, but I couldn't get it to work. Had a hunt around and found it, re-read the instruction and hey presto DV IN apears on the screen. So I will bring it to Cadders and if I may, try one of your mini cams in it, don't want to splash on one if it doesn't work, but it's looking promising:sing:

Cheers, Roy

All these miniture cameras are analogue camera and will not work with a DV in. I have the same issue and tried it. No go, I am afraid. I've also put in quite a bit of effort searching for such a camera with a DV out, i.e. digital, but they don't seem to exist. If anyone know of one, I'd be eager to know.

:(

That was my impression as well Felix...AV in required.

Roy...any chance we could 'share' guido's tripod on the day...if I bring along my Digicam also?

WJB suggests that we may be OK if it is securely fastened...and we may need to sign a special indemnity form...but it could be a goer. I guess its just take it along on the day and see.

No problem Harv, whatever Guy is happy with is ok with me. Still got fingers crossed that my analog AV out becomes AV in,s when it is DV in enabled:(

Will be interested in your findings Roy...although mine is a JVC and not listed in the above link:(

This looks intriguing......

Camera Mount

Andy

My JVC GR-D70EK has got DV in and out and it also has AV in. The only thing it doesnt have is a mic socket. Cost me £318 on the net or you can get the same camea from Argo or Dixons for £499!!!

Andy,

That Spectre mount is an interesting option although I'd hate to think what damage you get on your bike in the event of on 'off'. Also doesn't seem to have much option on changing the camcorder angle/position. Looks fixed.

The tripods sold here in the UK and the one I have are based on a 'parallelogram' configuration so at least you get some options in moving the camera into different positions unlike that Spectre mount.

Paul



Not sure that you need a mic socket, mate. The AV in socket takes both the video and audio signal - so if you use one of these bullet cameras then both the camera lead and the external microphone lead will plug "2 into 1" into the AV in socket.

Yeh thats maybe true. I havent got a cam for it yet, i've spent far too much on the trackday already!! Anyhow the mic on the main camera will still work i think and the bike is loud enough to still be heard!
Just need to find somewhere to hide the JVC on the bike. I was kind of planning on the bum bag route but apparently thats not allowed.

Available here soon http://www.3rhm.com/sportbikecam.html not for the 999 though:(

or here now http://www.sportbikecam.com/ still not for the 999:(:(:(:(:(:(:(

[Edited on 1-5-2004 by Triple Nine]