Helmet Cams - Spydereye

I just received an e-Mail from Motion Research announcing their new helmet camera "Spyder Eye". Looks very cool, but seems a bit on the pricey side; however I haven't any feel for the relative value for on board video capabilities.

These are the folks that brought the world Sport Vue Heads Up Display Unit. I have one and have been very happy its performance. I know a lot of you do video so this might be right up your alley. I would be interested if someone who knows a lot more about video than I do could have a look at the web site and then give an opinion on their technology and some inside to the pricing. Here is the site:

http://www.sportvue....duct.php?pid=24

The price is not bad considering you get the hard drive recording unit with it.

Cool Stuff. :thumbsup:

Kind of cool! :thumbsup:

MiniDV format video occupies about 13GBs of storge space per hour.
High Def is roughly 40GBs of storage per hour.

This camera rig records 1 hour to 1GBs, that is about a 13:1 compression rate. More than likely using MPEG-4 compression which is passable at best as long as you don't reencode the video. For $849 I don't find this a very good deal here is why.

Auxiliary input compatible MiniDV camcorder - $399
520 TV Line (Highest Res) Bullet Cam - $175
LanC Remote for camcorder - $60
Pelican Case for Camcorder - $40
Mounts, Cables, Tapes etc. $100

Total: $774

Now it is a $100 less and this rig will produce 10 times the quality of the hard drive based rig and leave you the flexibility to edit and compress as you choose.

You decide what is better.

[image: View Post]Synaptic Misfire, on Feb 6 2007, 12:45 PM, said:

Now it is a $100 less and this rig will produce 10 times the quality of the hard drive based rig and leave you the flexibility to edit and compress as you choose.

You decide what is better.

Excellent Info! Exchanges of information like this make this board one of the best in motorcycling! :thumbsup:

Thanks for the comparison. I would want High Definition anyway....hoping the price drops on those new small High Def camcorders soon.

[image: View Post]Hobie1dog, on Feb 6 2007, 01:18 PM, said:

Thanks for the comparison. I would want High Definition anyway....hoping the price drops on those new small High Def camcorders soon.

Don't get me started on what they are passing off as High Def camcorders in the consumer market. :pissed:

You want true HD its starts at $4000 and goes up from there.

Biggest hurdle to going HD on motorcycle recording is no one is making HD bullet cams and I don't forsee anyone starting to. So logic goes if you cannot get the best out of the HD recording I would take advantage of the reduction in price for high quality minidv and jump in there.

[image: View Post]Synaptic Misfire, on Feb 6 2007, 09:45 AM, said:

MiniDV format video occupies about 13GBs of storge space per hour.
High Def is roughly 40GBs of storage per hour.

This camera rig records 1 hour to 1GBs, that is about a 13:1 compression rate. More than likely using MPEG-4 compression which is passable at best as long as you don't reencode the video. For $849 I don't find this a very good deal here is why.

Auxiliary input compatible MiniDV camcorder - $399
520 TV Line (Highest Res) Bullet Cam - $175
LanC Remote for camcorder - $60
Pelican Case for Camcorder - $40
Mounts, Cables, Tapes etc. $100

Total: $774

Now it is a $100 less and this rig will produce 10 times the quality of the hard drive based rig and leave you the flexibility to edit and compress as you choose.

You decide what is better.

You know your stuff. Could you lend a little more advice? What do you think about this guys setups?

Chase cam

http://www.chasecam.com/pdr100-rear-72dpi.jpg

Looks like you add this add this and another cam for PIP.

http://www.chasecam.com/ss/SS1000front.gif

http://www.chasecam.com/ss/run7.jpg

Do you know of any other way to get PIP?

[image: View Post]Synaptic Misfire, on Feb 6 2007, 12:45 PM, said:

MiniDV format video occupies about 13GBs of storge space per hour.
High Def is roughly 40GBs of storage per hour.

This camera rig records 1 hour to 1GBs, that is about a 13:1 compression rate. More than likely using MPEG-4 compression which is passable at best as long as you don't reencode the video. For $849 I don't find this a very good deal here is why.

Auxiliary input compatible MiniDV camcorder - $399
520 TV Line (Highest Res) Bullet Cam - $175

Could you tell me where to get that bullet cam at the price you listed? Thanks!

Pimp,

Of all of the Flash based DVR systems that is the best I have seen. Things I like:

It uses a relatively cheap commonly available media.
CF cards are extremely shock and vibration resistant.
Ease of use it appears fairly plug an play.

Cons:
Expensive
Still produces a lower quality video
Lacks flexibility, you can take a camcorder out of the box and tape off bike events this is limited.

If PIP is your ultimate goal you can use the video processor you've shown with any bullet cams and recorder combo.

Hope that helps!

Sebastian,

Ebay is blocked here at worked so I cannot look up the sellers name. But if you search you will find ads for a 520 line bullet cam that look like they were written by a caffeine overdosed 6 year old. The sellers name is Dennis6za or something there in. Price is right the quality is spot on and the seller is good. One suggestion pop for the neutral density filter gel it makes a world of difference, they were not available when I set up my rig and I wish they were.

He also has a nice reference chart for which camcorder have the necessary inputs to use a bullet cam.

Let me know if you guys have anymore questions. I will try to upload some video I shot on the gap last year from my friends gixxer with the above described rig.

I seriously want the Chase Cam for the mere fact that it does seemless loop recording. I'm looking for something small, shock resistant, and "looks" where I look, for those inattentive "drivers" (aka, retards) on the road that ignore me when its most convenient for them. I can set it to loop mode, and continually record the last hour (or 2, or 3) of a ride. Just that little extra insurance sould someone try to put the blame on me for their vehicle running me over. <_<

[image: View Post]DownAndOutNYC, on Feb 7 2007, 11:28 AM, said:

I seriously want the Chase Cam for the mere fact that it does seemless loop recording. I'm looking for something small, shock resistant, and "looks" where I look, for those inattentive "drivers" (aka, retards) on the road that ignore me when its most convenient for them. I can set it to loop mode, and continually record the last hour (or 2, or 3) of a ride. Just that little extra insurance sould someone try to put the blame on me for their vehicle running me over. <_<

Not a bad idea :thumbsup:

[image: View Post]Synaptic Misfire, on Feb 7 2007, 10:48 AM, said:

Pimp,

Of all of the Flash based DVR systems that is the best I have seen. Things I like:

It uses a relatively cheap commonly available media.
CF cards are extremely shock and vibration resistant.
Ease of use it appears fairly plug an play.

Cons:
Expensive
Still produces a lower quality video
Lacks flexibility, you can take a camcorder out of the box and tape off bike events this is limited.

If PIP is your ultimate goal you can use the video processor you've shown with any bullet cams and recorder combo.

Hope that helps!

Sebastian,

Ebay is blocked here at worked so I cannot look up the sellers name. But if you search you will find ads for a 520 line bullet cam that look like they were written by a caffeine overdosed 6 year old. The sellers name is Dennis6za or something there in. Price is right the quality is spot on and the seller is good. One suggestion pop for the neutral density filter gel it makes a world of difference, they were not available when I set up my rig and I wish they were.

He also has a nice reference chart for which camcorder have the necessary inputs to use a bullet cam.

Let me know if you guys have anymore questions. I will try to upload some video I shot on the gap last year from my friends gixxer with the above described rig.

Thanks, I found the seller, but I didn't see if they were compatible with my camera, a Panasonic PV-GS36... :unsure:

Seb,

That camera does not have an a/v input which is required to run a bullet cam. Sorry Bro.

I am thinking of putting together a ready to rock and roll rig and selling it here price would be around $750 for everything. Any interest??

[image: View Post]SEBSPEED, on Feb 6 2007, 04:40 PM, said:

[image: View Post]Synaptic Misfire, on Feb 6 2007, 12:45 PM, said:

MiniDV format video occupies about 13GBs of storge space per hour.
High Def is roughly 40GBs of storage per hour.

This camera rig records 1 hour to 1GBs, that is about a 13:1 compression rate. More than likely using MPEG-4 compression which is passable at best as long as you don't reencode the video. For $849 I don't find this a very good deal here is why.

Auxiliary input compatible MiniDV camcorder - $399
520 TV Line (Highest Res) Bullet Cam - $175

Could you tell me where to get that bullet cam at the price you listed? Thanks!


try this:

http://www.bulletcam.com/

[image: View Post]Synaptic Misfire, on Feb 7 2007, 11:39 AM, said:

Seb,

That camera does not have an a/v input which is required to run a bullet cam. Sorry Bro.

I am thinking of putting together a ready to rock and roll rig and selling it here price would be around $750 for everything. Any interest??


i would have......

of course I just bought a used and refurbed JVC GR-D93 unit on ebay so I am out...i have been loooking into this for 6 weeks. wish you would have been a week earlier :D

That company builds their cams with RJ-11 telephone jacks which work until stressed or wet. Otherwise their prices are reasonable.


Story of my life day late and a dollar short :salesman:

[image: View Post]Synaptic Misfire, on Feb 7 2007, 02:40 PM, said:

That company builds their cams with RJ-11 telephone jacks which work until stressed or wet. Otherwise their prices are reasonable.


Story of my life day late and a dollar short :salesman:
I would be interested in the system - we should talk more about the possible requirements.

Martina

I am also considering a "helmet cam" setup for MC as well as skiing. I have a Sony Handicam HC60 that has the Sony 10-Pin AV input. It's a good camera but requires an adapter. The system i would like to go with is something like this:Xtreme Recall They have a whole system including waterproof inflatable protection for the camcorder, pack with water reservoir, stereo mics, rechargeable batteries, and is available with the sony 10-Pin connector. a bit pricy ($588 <_< ) but for skiing, seems like i would need all the protection i could get. your thoughts?

Martina drop me a PM and we will talk.

Amhopf,

Your camcorder already comes with the adapter it should have the 10 pin connector on one end and a red, yellow and white RCA jack on the other end. The one that xtreme recall sells has been modified to have a low profile right angle 10 pin connector to prevent damage to the plug in a fall as they are designed to be worn while skiing, boarding etc. I think they did a good job designing it, that tells you they really think about the details.

I just set up a system on my helmet, (dirtbike helmet so far), and I can tell you that I did it for much cheaper. I bought a P-DVR from Circuit City for under $100, 2 one gig SD cards for $25 on Buy.com, a 480 super HAD bullet cam from E-bay for $110, and rechargable batteries and charger for $20. this records in 640 by 480 at 30 FPS. The quality is as good as any digital storage medium, but the DV tapes do look better. The only down side is the wires can be a bit much, so I just stuff them in my rock block. Adding a switch to the battery pack would also be nice and I may do this later. Oh, there is also a microphone to capture all the instant reactions.

[image: View Post]Synaptic Misfire, on Feb 7 2007, 09:39 AM, said:

Seb,

That camera does not have an a/v input which is required to run a bullet cam. Sorry Bro.

I am thinking of putting together a ready to rock and roll rig and selling it here price would be around $750 for everything. Any interest??

Yes, more details please. Other wise with the features the Chase Cam set up offers I'm buying it. The loop thing is a big selling point for me also.

[image: View Post]Throttlepimp, on Feb 7 2007, 08:38 PM, said:

[image: View Post]Synaptic Misfire, on Feb 7 2007, 09:39 AM, said:

Seb,

That camera does not have an a/v input which is required to run a bullet cam. Sorry Bro.

I am thinking of putting together a ready to rock and roll rig and selling it here price would be around $750 for everything. Any interest??

Yes, more details please. Other wise with the features the Chase Cam set up offers I'm buying it. The loop thing is a big selling point for me also.

I just bought an RCA Lyra Digital Media Player/Recorder for $100 on ebay ($15 shipping), I bought a $480line CCTV Bullet Camera for $50 shipped (not the best but good), A/V cable/power/integrated mike for $28 shipped and I'm using a couple 12V rechargeable NiCad batteries and/or I can use my motorcycle 12V power ($2.50 adapter) and in-line fuse for power. Oh, I needed a BNC to RCA adapter too...$2.50. So, for less than $200 I have a fairly good quality camera system...now I only need to machine up a mount/armored housing for the bullet camera...I have scrap aluminum and a machine shop at word...I'll post some pics when I get it all together...

Matt Roth