DIY Video recording system

[BEN]

just some more info that people have requested,
here is a basic internal power wiring diagram, its very simple inside.



Ben.

[Daveee]

Thanks heaps for the posts Ben!

[msgofast]

Here is something i found, flash memory, and SD card mp4 recorder with lcd display, comes with camera and sound recorder, less than 200 landed.

http://www.chinavasion.com/product_i...dio-recording/

Can't see why this wouldn't be a good thing?

I have a bullet camera already, sound is off the intercome via RCA into the jack for the recorder, DC power converter and it would be set.

[BlueRex]

Originally Posted by msgofast

Here is something i found, flash memory, and SD card mp4 recorder with lcd display, comes with camera and sound recorder, less than 200 landed.

http://www.chinavasion.com/product_i...dio-recording/

Can't see why this wouldn't be a good thing?

PMP/MP4 specifications

• Memory: 1 GB Flash Memory
• External Memory: SD/MMC Card Slot
• Display: 2.5 Inch TFT Screen
• Video Format: 3GP, MP4, AVI (DIVX, XVID), MP4
• Video Resolution: 320x240
• FPS (Frames per Second): 25 FPS
• Music Format: MP3/WMA/WAV/AAC
• Bit rate: MP3 8-320kbps, WMA 5 to 192kbps
• Picture Format: JPEG
• Camera: 2.0 Mega Pixel, F=4.3mm
• Built in MIC
• Record Format: .amr
• Earphone Jack: 2.5
• SNR (Signal to Noise Ratio): 90 dB
• Output of earphones: 2 x 5mW
• Languages: English Chinese
• USB: USB 2.0 (Full Speed)
• System: Win 98/SE/ME/2000/XP/ IBM Compatible

[msgofast]

What about this?
http://www.vosonic.com/product.php?P...&kind=1&id_1=8

less than 200 au.

[BEN]

Yep, that will work Michael

Seem pretty good looking at the specs, as it will do 720x576, a little more expensive than a V-mate, but for the extra resolution it may be worh it.

Ben.

[Kris]

Hi,

I'm interested in doing one of these setups, as long as it doesn't exceed about $500 total. For that, what video recording unit and camera would you recommend?

I gather what you want is -

Video Recorder: -
At least 640x480.
2 audio inputs (1 for a mic and 1 to take an audio feed from the intercom)
1 video input (preferably more).
Capacity of 4GB+ Cards.

Thoughts on this thing: http://www.neurostechnology.com/recorder-2-series

[BEN]

As i wrote in all my previous post, the V-mate is probably your best bet, as they are available and they are cheap and they work and will do all thie things that you have put on your list

As for really decent camera's
I have ordered some of these for myself and some systems i am making up for people,

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI....Category=20589

so by the time you get a recorder $100 delivered, camera $100 delivered, and other consumables to make it all work, your only looking at realistically about $275

Ben.

[The Fazz]

Ben,

That camera has a BNC output connector. Are there readily available BNC to RCA adapters or do you just need to make one yourself?

[Kris]

Cheers Ben, I can understand why you recommend it, but I'm still going to hunt around for other options to get an understanding of what's available, though almost all look like they are more (to much more) expensive.

http://www.stackltd.com/tdivdvrharsh.html#specs

http://www.datatoys.com/mdvr2.htm

http://www.qualityvideogear.com/index.php?cPath=20

http://www.hireshelmetcams.com/produ...products_id=22 (A reasonable option for the resolution and build).

http://sekai-electronics.com/recorders/ADV-21ARK.htm (sounds great but probably need to sell your children for medical experiments and capture the jade monkey under a purple moon in order to locate where you can buy one).

Bit of information here though nothing to startling about a setup used in 4X4 racing: http://www.rumblemotorsport.com/misc/camera.shtml

Retail store but stock quite a few different DVR's and cameras etc: http://www.dogcamsport.co.uk/products.htm

[Corty]

Glenn,



BNC - RCA connectors, Easy to get Tricky dicky, Jaycar etc.....

[BEN]

Yep convertors available at Jaycar,

Keep those options coming Kris

Some of them are really good, i do like the SDVR-600 for an option for higher res recording.

Ben.

[BEN]

The Sony Camera's arrived today from the seller i previously mentioned

They are very sturdy, and a lot stronger then the $50 camera previously purchased. They are all Metal housing, including the base, and they also threw in BNC to RCA connectors.

I will test them at the Excel Day at Oran Park on Saturday, and upload the results.



Ben.

[Kris]

Sounds good for the money, looking forward to seeing the video.

[DaveTrees]

Just by way of comparison, this is the old system I have floating around in the shed.

It was originally built by the late Paul Flintoft - he made several versions over the years ... this was one of his early systems (which I borrowed in 2003 & never did get around to giving back ... which I feel sorta bad about now )

Consists of a 12V VHS recorder + a custom built power supply. The power supply unit is pretty neat - it has a 12V input (can plug into cig lighter socket, or mains with a 240V adaptor), a 12V SLA battery & charger module inside, and 2 x 12V outputs (camera + recorder). Keeps working even if you stall the car mid stage, and also buffers any electrical interference. It also has 3 x audio inputs (mixable) + 1 x audio output to the recorder.

The whole system sits inside a plastic storage tub with foam padding, and has a long power/video/audio cable to run to the camera.

Also has an extension lead for the video remote control sensor, so the unit can be mounted in the back of the car (or even in the boot) & the RC sensor stuck to the dash or wherever.

I fired it up today after 4 years in storage and it still works, but the VHS recorder is pretty tired - too much accumulated rally dust I suspect. Sound was pretty cr@ppy too ... I think the built in mic on my camera might be the wrong impedance, or maybe the circuitry is just old.

I seem to recall Paul saying that it cost him the best part of $1000 to put this system together (inc. camera) back in the late 90s. Technology has certainly come a long way in a short space of time !

I am thinking of modifying the power supply box by ripping out the audio circuitry and installing a Jaycar 12V -> 4.5V adaptor inside to run a V-Mate, which could be just stuck to the top of the box.