Microlighters

What is a simple inexpensive video camera setup that I can neatly install in my Bush Baby. If possible I need to fit 4 cameras permanently onto the airframe.

Hi don't know if you after DVD quality but I am very happy with my little Oregon atc-2k self contained video cam needs a 2 gig SD card giving 1 hour of filming, I have two and fit the in various locations on my trike,

Have a look at my youtube video on the link below and click on view in high quality, the one downside for me is that it does not like filming through the prop arc giving strange results anybody suggest a fix for this.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=KbBlfYO46mI

Nick.

Hi Bennie,

Thanks for the chat, John will be in contact soon.

Regards,
Jaco

Hey Bennie,
Buy a few pencil camera's. PM me for details on this!
Then mount them with ram-mounts - http://www.cycoactive.com/gps/gallery/parts.html (part D)
A better option would be to buy 4 Sony High Def video cameras and attach them with ram mounts!
Bottom one provide cyrstal clear footage!
PM me for more info me for more info!

There are now some wireless options available. I was planning to mount these using power from the strobes as I would then not have to opne the plane up. Check Ebay. cmos camera's are not great. Try get CCD. If you want to record all 4 channels it will cost, else get 4 way RX. Most have a timing fundtion of sorts to switch between them. I have played with camera's a bit. I was planning shoulder cam which looks over my shoulder, U/C cam below the tail looking forward at the U/C, a tail cam and a wingtip cam looking at the canopy. I have a cheap Origan Scientific sd cam which is great for establishing position before your wire it all up...

PS
Also consider laptop as alternative to dedicated PVR, although I found Achros (sp?) works better.

I have a new Sony High Definition video camera that records directly to a hard drive that gives me many hours of HDMI footage. All great in theory or for "on the ground" use. The problem is that after a couple of minutes the front lens cover closes as it is activated by the wind flow into the lens. Clever but not useful as there is no storm approaching!

Any tips?

Fly safe

Ok so am I correct in saying 4x pencil cameras and a dvr unit should do the trick?

Isn't there something smaller than a laptop or a dvr that can connect to external cameras?

I need to have space for my pax as well.

And can you fit some sort of pan and tilt camera of some sort?

Sure there are...
http://www.archos.com/?country=global&lang=en


I have one of these. I got on Bidorbuy for R2500. They are cheaper in USA, but finding someone to ship to SA is a problem... Only 1 input, but wired to a switch box you can select which camera... I have 20gig and it records around 4 hrs on high. Battery does not last that long, but with a head cam it great fun, especially on mountain bike, snowboard...

Bennie

You want inexpensive but you also want pan & tilt?

Best place for bullet cams is www.rfconcepts.co.uk - they are based in Ireland if I remember correctly but their service is excellent! I have two of their cameras.
Next you want to run your cameras through a selector switch - there are numerous models on the market and you can probably get this from your nearest electronic component store or over the internet. Get one that does not need a power supply!

You then need to feed your video (& audio signal if you want) into your recording device. The best option as a recording device is a camcorder with a video in connection - used to be standard on most high end Sony's but no longer. Otherwise a PVR/DVR type device but remember it must have video in connection! I have used one of these - Neuros Technologies' MPEG4 Recorder 2 Plus www.neurostechnology.com/recorder-2-series. All depends on what kind of quality video you want. If you want "broadcast" quality then you are going to pay much more for each component of your system. Do some research on the web before deciding on this - there are some really nice pieces of kit out there specifically designed for "rugged" applications. Best bet is to search for helmet camera or car racing sites - you can pick up a lot of tips there.

Remember you also need to power all these gadgets so either you get a seperate battery or run everything off the aircraft's electrical system but through some kind of regulator / rectifier to make sure they are all protected from voltage spikes - see www.powermate.com.au.

For expert advice visit Damien Beresford's site www.emuvideo.com - he has a video on how he set up his video system www.emuvideo.com/videos.php?page=trike20060704. He was the inspiration for my video setup.

Lastly - for a pan and tilt camera mount for our kind of flying I have come across these two sites - www.skyeye.com / www.ultralightnews.ca/camera-mount maar die goed is duur!

Cheers

Sebastian

Oh yes - as trikenut said you then mount everything with RAM mounts - they are the best thing since they invented sliced bread!

I agree with what has been said, when taling cams Damien Bereford is the oke to talk to, and RAM mount are the best

Damian uses helmetcamera.com bullet cams - I have had one for 2 years but not mounted yet They sell DVR and camera in a set or seperate

www.emuvideo.com
www.helmetcamera.com

Where will I find a switch box?
Nice and Compact? Webites?

Found the cam.... used in R/C aircraft!

http://www.flycamone2.com/index.php?id=20&L=3

Agent for FlyCamOne2 is Eric Arnaud in KZN.

Eric Arnaud
Arnaud and Sons ( Pty ) Ltd
PO Box 448, Gillitts 3603
KwaZulu Natal
South Africa
CELL: O83 463-8472
TEL: O31 767-1610
FAX : O31 767-0279
E-MAIL: arnaud@icon.co.za

RV4ker,
Can you give me a direct link to then Achros video recorder? The link in your previous post takes me to a model difernt to yours? A internet tablet me thinks!
Also, as per my previous post, does anyone know of switch boxes? Sites please?
Can some one please explain to me how the whole recording from a Mini DV (tape) camera through a switchvbox and then onto an external Hard drive e.g. RV4ker's Achros??? Help!
Cheers
Ross

Thank you guys. I will investegate, invest and feed back.