VholdR and Oregon Scientific Helmet Cams

[Greg Mitchell]

What are all you guys using?????

Dont know if I want to fork out for another video camera, mine does not hace a AV input, so bullet/lipstick cams are out unless I spend more.

I reckon 480 TV lines is good enough for watching back on the TV, Yes No?

http://www.vholdr.com/shoot/camera/samples

This is a pretty flash little set up. POA. No units in stock at present time.

No need for cables and power packs plus carring your own cam corder etc.

Cheers,

Mitch.

Here is a great little unit for a great price which gives good TV DVD at 480 lines

Camera Action Product Oregon Scientific*Action Cam ATC-2K

http://www.auctioncityaustralia.com.au/p/324360/helmet-camera-oregon-scientific-atc2k-helmet-cam.html

Interesting to note I can get ATC-2K for $99 USD with 2G card and xtras
if I buy locally, $185 AUD, then buy all the extras on top at further cost.:noidea: Crazy World!

Fellas I am really keen to get a good quality DVD out of my flying videos, so point me in the right direction and/or set me out.

Appreciate the help.

Mitch

Mitch

[Greg Mitchell]

FlyCam One and FlyCam Two

I've seen video of flycam One and I wouldn't waste my time.
With an upgrade Card, Ibelieve they say it will give 380 or might ave been 420 TV lines...the thing sells in Oz for around $75 AUD with upgrades as extra cost.

Not for me, though a nifty gadget.

Cheers,

Mitch

[barnstorm2]

Greg,

I have been looking at that USB camera. I like the 640x480 but the slow frame rate is what worries me.

[Gyro_Kai]

Hello,

some mountain-bikers tested different bullet-cams with VCR and the Oregon Scientific 2000.
The english page is not quite correct (e.g. the OS2000 was not connected to a vcr) but the videos are interesting. OS 2000 doesn't look great when light isn't good.
http://www.ride-downhill.com/camvergleich_engl.html

Careful, huge files.

Kai.

[Timchick]

If you're looking for good video to make DVDs with the best video will be from your camcorder itself. Find a way to mount it on your gyro and test it. Below is a one way to mount a camera onto the landing gear legs. You could look into making a mount to clamp onto the mast above your head. The next best video will be the small bullet cameras. These videos were shot with one of those. I think it is rated for 480 lines of resolution.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLgC9WFEb88

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-z6iEDp9qjc

The Oregon Scientific ATC-2000 records at 64kbps and the video is not DVD quality. I didn't pay anything for my camera and I wouldn't waste my money on one. The video does not look real smooth. The prop and rotors look weird. Here is a video recorded with it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yo8qzqw6gMo

My daughter received a Flip Video mpeg4 camera ( http://www.theflip.com/products_flip_ultra.shtml ) and the video quality is better than the ATC 2K camera but I didn't have a chance to burn it to a DVD to evaluate it. I think Birdy tried an mpeg4 video camera and he didn't seem to like it.

[Friendly]

Tim,
I took a video with my hand held Sony Handy Cam attached to the mast. The video shook so bad you would fall out of your chair just watching it.
I then mounted to the axle as you showed me. It still shakes, but not near as much. Here is a link I just posted. Keep it small on you tube, as you know it looses quality faster than a gyro can climb.
I am still open for suggestions for a better set up , like Mitch
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zHKcy3etdg

[Timchick]

Good video. Maybe that Rotax just doesn't run as smooth as a Mac. :D Are you coming to Bensen Days? We can do some experimenting there.

[Friendly]

Good video. Maybe that Rotax just doesn't run as smooth as a Mac. :D Are you coming to Bensen Days? We can do some experimenting there.

Do you think the shake will be less with more sunlight or will it be more noticeable? It would help to clean the lens also. I don't know yet about Bensen Days , Mon is still in Hospital for a week plus . I have a new gyro trailer almost finished so I can take a road trip.
I wish I had Shawn's HD camera and he had a feather in his pants leg. Then we would both be tickled to death.:tape:

[Greg Mitchell]

Hah Ha Ha! LOL. Friendly.

Tim O, I looked at some video on you tube of the flycam 2 and I wouldn't waste my $ for flycam one or two. Not bad strapped to your RC helicopters and the like.

Tim C,

Strapping to the Gyro is the Go Go! Thanks. I'll have a st, st, stab at that.

The VholdR claim full screen TV quality and looking at what is compressed on the web site and youtube.....I'm liking what I am seeing.

The old sony Hi8 digital tape is soon to go flying.....whoo hoo!

Mitch.

Cheers,

Mitch.

[ultracruiser41]

I thought someone on this forum tried one of those cameras and found it was junk!

[Greg Mitchell]

Tim,

Re VholdR

"Video:
Video Processing: FineLine™ Hardware Encoding
Video size pixels (lines):640x480 (480 lines)
Frame rate: 30fps
File Type: mpeg4
Video rate: 50min/GB
Avg. battery life: 2 hours "

Nice camera mount arrangment. What tune do the horns 'play'?

Mitch.

[Greg Mitchell]

Friendly,

I downloaded your video...Mate, very enjoyable.:hail:

I thought the onboard stuff was excellent.

Was that a Michael Bolton :eek: song I was actually enjoying :tape: ( Good Grief!)! LOL:lol:

Very enjoyable.

Cheers,

Mitch.

[Friendly]

Thanks Mitch,
Birdy should love it since its a low flying gyro. You can PM you address and I will send you a DVD for your TV which is better than the U tube. Yes it is a relaxing song for a relaxing flight.

[barnstorm2]

Great vid Mark. I love the low fly over the taxi ways.

[RockyMeLad]

Good quality but not cheap, and it only takes it's own camera without an adapter.
Does more than just DVR if you want.

http://www.archos.com/products/gen_5/index.html

[Timchick]

Do you think the shake will be less with more sunlight or will it be more noticeable? It would help to clean the lens also. I don't know yet about Bensen Days , Mon is still in Hospital for a week plus .

How are you mounting the camera to the axle? Do you have a photo of your mount? It's hard to say where all your shaking is coming from. Hopefully you'll be able to come to Bensen Days and we can see if we can get the bugs worked out.

[Friendly]

Great vid Mark. I love the low fly over the taxi ways.

Tim,
When I look at your pictures, I get nose bleed . I will make it up there someday. The low stuff is like riding a flying horse. That airport has two closed runways and several taxiways. I flew for 1 and 1/2 hours and not a plane in site. Just my friend with his PPC and he landed after an hour. He uses the helmet cam from Oregon Scientific. It is hard on batteries and it gets a wave in the video that looks like you are looking through plastic.

I have some more footage of my axle camera, but that dirty lens gives the image a bad view. I bought some new software because my computer would lockup when I tried to burn DVD. Last night I found out it was my DVD burner. I did not know how to clip the video or work the sound very well. That's why I left the landing so loud at the end and an abrupt finish.
Thanks for the encouraging comments.

[Friendly]

How are you mounting the camera to the axle? Do you have a photo of your mount? It's hard to say where all your shaking is coming from. Hopefully you'll be able to come to Bensen Days and we can see if we can get the bugs worked out.

Tim,
I will take a picture and post. I just used a piece of scrap 1/4 alum that was bent in a z shape and bolted it directly to the axle then bolted the camere to the plate.

Isnt the gyro shaking from the rotors?

[Timchick]

Sometimes the way the camera is mounted can magnify the shaking. My camcorder gets more shaking at certain engine RPMs. Do you feel a lot of rotor shake from your rotors?

[Friendly]

here are a few pictures of the mount. It is crude, but I was in a hurry to get to the airport. It is very stiff with the bends so I don't think it is flexing.
These rotors do shake more than my last set. I hardly noticed any shake in the first set but this set does not string well even when they were new. But it is not a bad shake, just more noticible than my last set. My last set was plug and play.
The shake I was referring to was the shake that all rotorcraft seem to have due to the way rotors fly. My stick probably moves about an inche when I am flying. There is still lots to do to fine tune the machine. I just put a trim spring on it after Marksville Flyin.

[Timchick]

I think your mount may be allowing some vibration to be telegraphed to the camera. It would be best to just have a flat plate mounted on the axle and then the camera screwed to the flat plate. With a flat plate you could use 2 mounting clamps, one on each side of the camera. Also use plate thicker than that mount material. I used unistrut with a camera quick release plate.

[barnstorm2]

.......my friend with his PPC and he landed after an hour. He uses the helmet cam from Oregon Scientific. It is hard on batteries and it gets a wave in the video that looks like you are looking through plastic. .

That is a shame. I was thinking about getting one of those...

Has he tried mounting it with foam or rubber?

Here is a little Blast from the past...

The 1970 version of what we are doing now....


http://gyrowiki.com/Main%20Photo%20Library/Wiki%20Web%20Graphics/1970%20Camera%20Mounts%20on%20Gyroplanes.jpg
.

[Friendly]

It comes with a head band that fits around your helmet. he had it attached to the upright pole on his ppc. I looked at that camera but decided I would do better if I just mounted my handy-cam to my gyro or helmet. The handy cam has a remote that will let you zoom, record and play back features so I will keep trying to work something out.
I don't think anyone responded about the light and it effect on shake.
Will the light increase or decrease the effect of the shake. I know a regular camera it will increase the shutter speed which freezes action but what about camcorders?

[Friendly]

I think your mount may be allowing some vibration to be telegraphed to the camera. It would be best to just have a flat plate mounted on the axle and then the camera screwed to the flat plate. With a flat plate you could use 2 mounting clamps, one on each side of the camera. Also use plate thicker than that mount material. I used unistrut with a camera quick release plate.

I will try that Tim.
What about the distance from the keel. Will it vibrate more on the end of the axle on near the center ?

[Timchick]

I will try that Tim.
What about the distance from the keel. Will it vibrate more on the end of the axle on near the center ?

Don't know. I've only tried mine where it is. As far as light is concerned, I haven't noticed any additional shaking light or no light. The iris auto adjusts for the light conditions unless it's put in manual mode.

[barnstorm2]

Mark,

Did your PPC friend try mounting the Oregon cam with some foam to reduce the vibration lines?

I am getting close to talking myself into one of these little buggers.

Here is one that "LOOKS" like it has the quality of the oregon but is much cheaper and in a small package for R/C electric heli's.

I am not looking for something to replace video from a sony handy cam but rather something easy to get quick video from cool angles.

Here are the two current contestants for my money:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230218793518&ssPageName=MERC_VIC_RCRX_Pr4_PcY_BIN_IT&refitem=230213959494&itemcount=4&refwidgetloc=closed_view_item&usedrule1=CrossSell_LogicX&refwidgettype=cross_promot_widget

and

http://www.atc2k.com/

I like the revews and stats on this but I think it is to delicate for me (and expensive):

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290178180181&ssPageName=MERCOSI_VI_ROSI_PR4_PCN_BIX_Stores&refitem=160201636872&itemcount=4&refwidgetloc=closed_view_item&refwidgettype=osi_widget

[Timchick]

The flip has better video quality than the ATC2k but it looks more difficult to mount.

[Greg Mitchell]

Agreed Tim C,

Tim O I have been investigating for some time these little devices and IMO whilst the ATC2k looks the goods the video quality always seems less viewable than others rated at the same res etc.

The flip looks the better contender for me so far.

The little number strapped to the RC helio is pretty damn good for what it is.

Still Looking....because next week they'll have something even better on the market.

Mitch

[Friendly]

Tim O
I don't think he did, but he did move it to another location and he is very satisfied with his results. He made another video, but I have not seen it yet. The video you shared with the RC plane was pretty good I though. It seemed to keep focus . It the flip is better than that, I would like to see some video of it .

[Rotor-Head]

My new gimbal may not even work, but here's a mock-up mounting of my camera gimbal on my Air Command...

[barnstorm2]

That is stunning!

I hope it works!

[barnstorm2]

I have posted a video sample of the eDVR on this thread:

http://www.rotaryforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=15949

[Timchick]

Hey Tim, check out these cameras: http://www.goprocamera.com/

[RotoPlane]

That camera mount is really neat, but draggy. Prepare for a slip to the right.

[barnstorm2]

Hey Tim, check out these cameras: http://www.goprocamera.com/

I looked at that but I ended up with the OS. It is very neat esp. if you photo water sports.

[RGTerill38]

I've tested a few different cam's since I got my license last year. My buddy let me borrow his VholdR cam and I was able to get some excellent quality footage. The camera comes with a variety of different mounts so I was able to experiment a lot to find out what worked best. I would recommend this easy to use camera to anyone interested in taking some quality footage in the air.

[Friendly]

I've tested a few different cam's since I got my license last year. My buddy let me borrow his VholdR cam and I was able to get some excellent quality footage. The camera comes with a variety of different mounts so I was able to experiment a lot to find out what worked best. I would recommend this easy to use camera to anyone interested in taking some quality footage in the air.

how about some videos posted and also the link for the camera??

[RGTerill38]

Here's a vid of me and some of my buddies messing around with my VholdR... I was able to get the best footage by attaching it to my helmet....

http://www.vholdr.com/node/5778

The VholdR site is actually pretty cool, there is a whole online adventure-sports community that is featured amongst VholdR users... def worth checking out...

[AKopp87]

Here's a vid of me and some of my buddies messing around with my VholdR... I was able to get the best footage by attaching it to my helmet....

http://www.vholdr.com/node/5778

The VholdR site is actually pretty cool, there is a whole online adventure-sports community that is featured amongst VholdR users... def worth checking out...

+1

I also own a VholdR and the video quality is pretty amazing! So far I've only taken it biking, but will surely test it out in the air this weekend... Based on my bike rides, the VholdR does very well with resistance to vibration and shocks. Plus the fact that it auto-focuses and adjusts according to light makes it a lot easier for me to operate!

I saw it on amazon for $299 (normally $350) so I'm thinking about getting one for my nephew this christmas.

http://www.amazon.com/VholdR-1102-Wearable-Camcorder-Black/dp/B0019Y8AAI/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1229471076&sr=8-1

[RGTerill38]

I have the VholdR...Takes great videos and really easy to use. I never saw myself using one of these until I got one and now I use it every chance i can...They actually just went down to $299. Really affordable... I would suggest it