Onboard Video Recording

[Motocam360]

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[BlueRex]

Hi, I checked your web site, could not see anything about camera systems there...

[BlueRex]

Kidding aside, there are a few points I would like clarrification on (some of these are particular to Rallying - as distinct from track or circuit competition)

• Runtime - 3 hrs between service is not unusual (maybe 1 hr actual recording)
• Simple Remote control - At the start line the crew has enough to worry about in their 3 minutes without fussing with the camera gear
• Camera vibration - your mounts look great, but I worry about the amount of movement when clamping on a ball-joint at the end of the camera body.
• Resolution - Sponsors want DVD quality, what line res are your cameras and the DVR?
• PAL - Not NTSC in Australia (sorry that one was obvious)
• Audio - Cabin and interface to the crew's intercom

That'll do

Charles

[Motocam360]

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[Edgecameras]

Originally Posted by BlueRex

Kidding aside, there are a few points I would like clarrification on (some of these are particular to Rallying - as distinct from track or circuit competition)

• Runtime - 3 hrs between service is not unusual (maybe 1 hr actual recording)
• Simple Remote control - At the start line the crew has enough to worry about in their 3 minutes without fussing with the camera gear
• Camera vibration - your mounts look great, but I worry about the amount of movement when clamping on a ball-joint at the end of the camera body.
• Resolution - Sponsors want DVD quality, what line res are your cameras and the DVR?
• PAL - Not NTSC in Australia (sorry that one was obvious)
• Audio - Cabin and interface to the crew's intercom

That'll do

Charles

Check out www.edgecameras.com.
At the moment we are only offering a 2 camera system that has a pip system which hardwires into a car battery or cigarette lighter, so that part will never run out of power. The dvr will run for 2-3 hours on the standard battery, that can be exchanged with a higher capacity or if you want a custom ordered system we can manufacture it with the dvr power tied into the vehicle power so it wont need batteries. the length of recording time would then be based on the sd card used. 1-4 gig sd cards with about 1 gig recorded per hour. very easy to swap sd cards. We offer 3 dvr choices. lowest resolution 320x240 for internet video uploads, 640x480 which is the standard dvr to come with 2 camera system, and 720x480 25-30fps which can be custom ordered to fit the 2 camera system and the only one which comes with a remote.
We use ram mounts which are rubber coated balls mounted on the camera so there is no metal to metal contact which should cut down on the vibration.
As for resolution. we offer 480 and 520 cameras and the 3 dvrs above. Currently the mic is built into the box and still picks up voices and engine noise without the extra wind noise. We can also offer an external mic if that is more your preference.
Our systems can switch between pal and ntsc
Depending on what you want and need with the system we might have to redesign it a little and that might take a little longer to build and ship it out to you by a couple weeks, so if you place an order with changes from the stock system then realize it wont be shipped to you within a day or two.

[dysolve]

I am working on some thing atm looks like it will involve a 6MP 30+ FPS digital camera hooked up to a modified x-box. this should allow a few mic's and the camera. this mean the camera will be very light and easy to mount I just have to find a system to mount it on. ATM the x-box has an 80gig hdd in it so you can have great quality with long record time. I am currently working on few things.

1. running the x box off 12v with out the need for an inverter
2. making the camera at least start and maybe stop via a terratrip foot switch
3. getting a digital video camera with GREAT quality

I had the x box running Linux so I could install heaps of different bits off software. I have had the system working with a $20 web cam all worked well but quality was crap. I am also working on removing the ROM drive from the x box and using a laptop hard drive instead of desktop one in there now. This would allow me to make the x-box half the size it is now. And all off this is done with an off the shelf x box with no mod-chip. I had the x box running GPS and in-car "entertainment" when I had my 4WD. I have also found a co-drivers stopwatch for Linux so maybe I can run that at the same time as the camera. I have not work on the project for a while I have been trying to get a certain website working!

[mroberts]

Originally Posted by dysolve

I am also working on removing the ROM drive from the x box and using a laptop hard drive instead of desktop one in there now. This would allow me to make the x-box half the size it is now.

My guess would be the laptop drives are more vibration resistant too. Have you considered going full solid state for the storage, or for the capacity you need is flash memory jsut too expensive ?

[dysolve]

the quality I want to record at takes up about a GIG every 20 minutes. It will be completely uncompressed 30 to 40 frames per second at least 700X500. with 3 separate audio recordings @ 320kps each.

[rowdytoot]

given how often my lappy HDD goes into self protection mode I doubt a lappy HDD would work well or for long in a rally car

[dysolve]

I had my xbox mounted in my old 1984 4wd hilux and it never once skiped with a normal desktop drive. But it will be a case of test and test again before "going-live"

[rowdytoot]

yeah testing definately required. I'm happy to test it at bega if you like? :
I reckon you'd be better off working out how to record to something solid state- like a 4 gig flash drive..which seems to be the current go..

[dysolve]

4 gig would be to small for a whole day, unless some one at each service replaced the card, but do people really need to worry about more at service? I want this to be DVD quality and a DVD movie takes up 4gig and thats compressed.. what will mine be like uncompressed?

[rowdytoot]

as it is with tape recording to a mini DV cam, everyone is replacing tapes at service so I don't see the big deal.

[Edgecameras]

Edge Cameras is now available for purchase for our single camera systems. We are working on a 4 camera system that will allow you to record 4 inputs on a single dvr all enclosed in a shockproof, and waterproof container.
www.edgecameras.com

[Edgecameras]

Hello,

We have our single 480 and 520 single camera systems, as well as two, three, and four 520 bullet camera systems available to purchase. All record on a 640 x 480 30fps resolution DVR with external microphone or rca cable to plug into your intercom and have it overlayed on the video recording. The 2,3,and 4 camera systems allow you to use a remote to change from single view up to quad view for the recording picture. You wont find a better product for the price and quality.
Edge Cameras is also participating at Pikes Peak International Hill Climb 2007, so be sure to check out some of video footage from the events.

Edge Cameras