OT: VIO pov.1 video cam review

[agypsy]

hello folks,

i took a quick test vid when the weather finally cleared just before i had to leave for the bahamas
but the island i'm staying at has really weak internet service so i haven't been able to get it uploaded onto youtube until today. it took about 3 hrs to upload this.

video looks good but you need good lighting for best picture. i actually came out to the island for work so i really haven't had time to experiment and play around with it except for this little vid and a couple more i shot the other day as the sun was setting. i'll try and upload them in the next couple of days so you can see the different lighting scenarios.

so as i said, this was a quick test so it was also a rush mounting job as well. but i wanted to get at least one video of it mounted on my bike before i went away. i mounted it to the left radiator elbow tube on my ducati. not exactly sure what that part is called but it's at the bottom of the radiator and the hoses clamp to it. not a bad angle to film but the camera was not pointing exactly where i wanted.

looking forward to experimenting with mounting from different angles. the camera in this vid was pointed slightly inward and down toward the wheel. the day had no sun as it was drizzling and it had rained for 2 days. it cleared long enough for me to do a quick ride.

youtube compression really takes the quality down but you can tell the video is not that bad. on my com in fullscreen mode it looks pretty good even with the poor lighting that day. to me, the quality could be better but it's good enough. for the price i wish it had more recording options like zoom in/out and exposure.

here it is. i just noticed youtube has a feature where you can watch in "high quality". looks better with less artifacts but it's a bit more jumpy. turn your sound down halfway as it's mostly wind noise until i get on the throttle. need to find a better place to mount the mic.

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

[agypsy]

more facts:

i think i'm going to order the 73 degree lens. it comes with the wider 110 lens which gives it a bit of a fisheye effect. i think i'd prefer a more realistic, less distorted view. it's hard to tell the sense of speed as well as distance and the angle of a turn with the 110 lens.

the video is saved as an AVI file. the software that comes with the pov doesn't work on mac so i had to get software to be able to convert videos to MPG4 for youtube. there's a blog on the VIO site where they recommended some free software called MPEG Streamclip. works great and it's free but it takes some time to convert files.

a pricey little package but, for me, it's worth it. and yes, the pov 1.5 is coming out. main difference, it's a more compact lens and it also comes with the 12v adapter and more mounting options. but otherwise same video quality. i'd be pissed if they up'd the quality to HD and i was stuck with the lower res package.

[signit98]

The POV is fairly expensive, Russ... for that money you DO get an HD camcorder with a separate camera setup... however, I like the fact that the POV is rugged and waterproof...

Don't you hate all the choices one has these days?

Which island are you on?

[agypsy]

hey ralf

how are you man? hope you're good!

i'm on Eleuthera with a population 3500 people! i'm recording an artist here (can't say who it is though).

yea, i was considering the canon HF100 HD cam but i went with the pov.1 for the shockproof and weatherproof features. i plan to use this on little snowboarding, water sports and MC adventures...we need more ralf trackdays

i didn't want to have to worry about damaging the cam while i'm out and about. i like the compact size as well, better for mounting in tight places...
beleive me, i researched the crap out of everything before deciding on this one. yes, too many options can be a drag!

i'm uploading a vid from my cottage taken when the sun was setting a couple days ago. i'll post it as soon as it's uploaded.

[signit98]

...Eleuthera is beautiful... but to crowded!

No trackdays but you can come down for the TC ride...

[chewie]

not a bad 1st time effort Russ!

I don't mind that angle. What are you going to do about the wind noise? Can you plug a long mic lead in somewhere and place the mic behind your back out of most of the wind and close to the pipes?

[agypsy]

Originally Posted by signit98

...Eleuthera is beautiful... but to crowded!

No trackdays but you can come down for the TC ride...

yes, the traffic here is horrendous

i've been wanting to join you guys in the TC rides but haven't been able to clear my schedule. but better to be busy these days...
i'll make it eventually. hope you're well ralf.

[signit98]

I am doing ok, Russ... I have canceled my carribean sailing trip this year in light of the - slightly longer - road trip I'll be taking in June/July/August... kinda of miss the warm water a little right now.

How long are you going to be at the Bahamas?

Dude, I was serious with the crowded part... go down the Exumas and visit places like Staniel, Little Farmers, Black Point or Rum Cay and such... then you'll know why I refered to Eleuthera as "crowded".

Granted, every freaking high-rise in Fort Lauderdale has more people in it that any of these islands have inhabitants, but still, after a while places like the one you are at, seems crowded.

Have fun and enjoy... if you need a helping hand, let me know... I'll "Play for Pay"

[agypsy]

Originally Posted by chewie

not a bad 1st time effort Russ!

I don't mind that angle. What are you going to do about the wind noise? Can you plug a long mic lead in somewhere and place the mic behind your back out of most of the wind and close to the pipes?

thanks chewie! no not a bad angle but it's pointed a bit too much towards the wheel.

yes, there is an external mic input and you have the option for stereo recording so maybe i can put in between the pipes and have stereo duc sounds
that's not a bad idea to place it behind my back.
i might build a wind filter for it as i do record for a living. i can't stand having bad sound

i'd recommend this cam if you have the cash. my brother got the oregon scientific ATC3k which shoots in 640x480 and only goes for $140! but it's not as compact but also does the job. i tend to go with the top of the line

here's the video from the hotel at eleuthera. you can see when i'm in the shadow's how dark the image gets but i guess that's the nature of these cams.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlIr4u4Zu44

[onekiwi]

Rub it in ,why don't you Russ!! raining cats and dogs here in socal

[agypsy]

Originally Posted by signit98

I am doing ok, Russ... I have canceled my carribean sailing trip this year in light of the - slightly longer - road trip I'll be taking in June/July/August... kinda of miss the warm water a little right now.

How long are you going to be at the Bahamas?

Dude, I was serious with the crowded part... go down the Exumas and visit places like Staniel, Little Farmers, Black Point or Rum Cay and such... then you'll know why I refered to Eleuthera as "crowded".

Granted, every freaking high-rise in Fort Lauderdale has more people in it that any of these islands have inhabitants, but still, after a while places like the one you are at, seems crowded.

Have fun and enjoy... if you need a helping hand, let me know... I'll "Play for Pay"

aaah i see what you mean. i haven't had much time to really explore that area. my client's got his own private beach and we go there on our breaks. it is a beautiful island though. too bad i'll be leaving tomorrow where i'll be going to amsterdam then paris, back to amsterdam then to NY and finally back to La la land.

LOL, you're on a long list or people who want to be my assistant. i prefer females though, you know...

hope to see you soon ralf...have fun on your travels too! i'm sure we'll be hearing and seeing all about it!

[agypsy]

Originally Posted by onekiwi

Rub it in ,why don't you Russ!! raining cats and dogs here in socal

hey Carl!

yes i left at a good time. i was away the last time you invited me riding, but i'd be up for some riding when i get back in early march. you can help be my test subject for my camera

hope you're well...

[signit98]

You guys let me know when you are going riding...

[agypsy]

Originally Posted by signit98

You guys let me know when you are going riding...

will do ralf...
i just noticed you're selling your R12???

[onekiwi]

get the chip Ralf?

[signit98]

Yes, Carl... thank you...

Yes, Russ... but it is spoken for (by a board member). Funny, how I really did not actively try selling it but I have gotten a ton of PM's. I assume you are talking R12S... because I am selling a GS as well.

[onekiwi]

Ralf, I have some crashbars for a 1150 gsa somewhere.Would your buddy be interested?

[signit98]

the bike has some, i believe... but i'll ask him none the less...

[IvanTT]

Russ,
Nice first try on the bike.
I actually like the angle and focal length. I always thought a narrower field of view will make it harder to get that sense of speed.

I would try raising the mount point up and tilting the camera down just a few degrees so you still see the horizon and still get that sense of the road and curbs rushing by.
just my 2 cents.
I really like watching the suspension movement

What resolution is the camera? What rez are the AVI files?

[squall_line]

I agree with Ivan. I only watched the first minute or so, but the suspension absorbed some pretty serious bumps, and the camera didn't jar one bit. It was pretty fun to see that happen from that angle, sorta like an angle you'd see in a chase scene.

Also agree with the microphone issue, though you obviously know that you want to address it (the sound of you walking was a bit distracting in the second vid, too). I heard that beast growl once or twice in the calm air as you came out of a slower turn, and I can only imagine that more of the same engine sound would be great, even if it's not a Beemer.

And thank you for not adding a trance/techno soundtrack to the flick. As much as I actually enjoy that type of music sometimes, I'd rather hear the engine.