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Which Lipstick Camera?
I have a Mini DV camcorder and I want to add a lipstick camera for track use. I don't know anything about lux, connections etc. so I need some help. Also, should I add an external microphone?
Camera has iLink, Firewire, s-video, RCA IEEE in/output connections. Thanks, John
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02-13-2005, 07:25 AM
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Check with these guys, their specialty is in-car cameras.
http://www.chasecam.com/ If you happen to have an Elise, he also runs www.elisetalk.com. |
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02-13-2005, 09:27 AM
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John, I have been contemplating the same thing for my Sony DV which I bought specifically for the A/V in. I've been using a Hama mount which has limited use for fun runs and can't be used for track. Check www.viosport.com they seem to have all the bases covered.
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02-13-2005, 12:06 PM
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Both of those options seem a little steep. I know I can get a camera from www.spycameras.com or www.supercircuits.com but I don't know which one to buy.
John
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02-13-2005, 01:16 PM
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John, in the spirit of discussion, spycamera.com doesn't seem all that cheap when you compare spec to spec with say viosport's offerings, and supercircuit doesn't list who manufacturers the cameras they sell. From my research, Sony is the brand you want. The other important consideration is lens selection which some of the sellers can recommend for our application and also wiring set-up and quality. www.foresightcameras.com uses a 380 line and has some sample videos on their site(including one from pelican John Sailer), theirs mounts in a slick custom turnsignal housing which would be great for track use, I'd prefer something I could mount anywhere(suspension shots, rear view etc.) I'm still on the fence myself.
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02-13-2005, 02:08 PM
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I just ordered the sony lipstick camera recommended by Moderator Jack Olsen in the following thread.
Camera Mounts? There are some video clips and it was $69 plus shipping fro Circuit Specialists in AZ. Product link here http://store.yahoo.com/webtronics/sosuhadccdco2.htm Just another option. regards, Steve 10/2005 EDIT BY JACK OLSEN: I DON'T RECOMMEND THIS CAMERA FOR IN-CAR VIDEO USE. IT IS TOO LIGHT SENSITIVE, AND 'BLEACHES OUT' IN BRIGHT SUNLIGHT.
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Steve Frequent Pelican Customer 1984 Carrera 3.2 (S. Wong Chip, B&B dual exhaust, Lightened OEM Flywheel, Centerforce Clutch, OEM 930 Rear and Front Sway Away 930 T-bars and sway bars w/OEM susp. bushings,, Turbo Tie Rods, bump steer kit, Adj. Rear Spring Plates, OEM Short Shift, H4s and "City Lights", slotted rotors, 944 Wheels, 225/50/16 and 245/40/16 Dunlop "sneakers," and more 2002 996 TT X50 (H&R Springs) 2002 WRX in WRX Blue Proud Rennlist Charter Member Support and Join Rennlist.com An Expert on absolutely nothin' more than my own opinions! 2002 WRX in WRX Blue Last edited by rbcsaver; 02-13-2005 at 02:40 PM.. |
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02-13-2005, 02:28 PM
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Wide angle is generally better to avoid tunnel vision. Supercircuits has a very cool 170° field of view lipstick camera called the PC221.
http://www.supercircuits.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=4223 I've had good luck with their PC79, but it needed a wider lens: http://www.supercircuits.com/index.asp?PageAction=PRODSEARCH&txtSearch=pc79 |
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02-13-2005, 03:09 PM
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Yup. I have the $69 Sony model, and like it very much. I just bought a second, in fact, so I can do picture-in-picture videos.
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Jack Olsen 1972 911 My new video about my garage. • A video from German TV about my 911 |
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02-13-2005, 03:18 PM
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Yup. I have the $69 Sony model, and like it very much. I just bought a second, in fact, so I can do picture-in-picture videos.
You can get higher-resolution cameras, if watching the footage on a big TV is your priority. But for me, I'm reviewing them (and posting them) on the computer -- so I'm bumping them down in reslution no matter what. (Still, the ones I've taken have looked fine on my TV, too.) Sooner or later, externally mounted cameras are going to take a hit. In that context, $69 makes a lot more sense to me than $250+. 10/2005 EDIT BY JACK OLSEN: I DON'T RECOMMEND THIS CAMERA FOR IN-CAR VIDEO USE. IT IS TOO LIGHT SENSITIVE, AND 'BLEACHES OUT' IN BRIGHT SUNLIGHT.
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02-13-2005, 03:19 PM
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Steve/Jack,
I wasn't sure the resolution was good enough. It looks like it has an RCA cord and some other cord for power. What does the black connector hook to, or how do you power the camera? John
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02-13-2005, 03:22 PM
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You can run it off of your lighter, or hard-wire in a connection. It's 12v.
It has a BNC connection (I think that's what it's called), and you need an adapter to get a RCA attachment. They sell it for a couple of bucks. They also include a pretty good adjustable mount.
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Jack Olsen 1972 911 My new video about my garage. • A video from German TV about my 911 |
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02-13-2005, 03:51 PM
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Souns like the ticket for what I'm looking to do. You can pick-up a 1/2 decent mini dv camcorder today for about $225-250 so you can be in business for $300.
What software are you using to edit? John
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02-13-2005, 04:04 PM
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What about a microphone? Does the $69 job have one built in?
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02-13-2005, 04:39 PM
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Quote:
 The cheapest sony I found with an A/V input was $750! Now I understand the hesitation on the >$150 price tag for a camera. For $69 that moves the camera higher up on my need-to-do list.
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02-13-2005, 04:47 PM
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Dave,
There's an old thread about adding an external microphone for like $12. I need to get the set-up in plce and try it out around town for a while. John
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02-13-2005, 04:50 PM
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Still trying to figure this out. It looks like the lipstick cameras use an RCA jack input and the mini dv camcorders don't seem to have that.
Here's what they have, will someting work? Mini DV In/Out IEEE1394 S-Video Out External Microphone Input USB Port iLINK™ IEEE 1394 PC Interface · DV STUDIO (USB Connection) w/optional cable & software CARD LINK/SD MEMORY CARD SLOT w/optional SD Card Thanks, John
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02-20-2005, 11:38 AM
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The DV camera has to have an A/V output/input. Usually, it's a 1/8-inch mini plug. It's what you use to pipe footage from your camera to your VCR so you can watch the footage on your television, or edit it onto a VHS tape for grandma. The camera will come with a cable that will go from the 1/8-inch mini female port to RCA male plugs for audio and video. Your lipstick camera will need a female RCA plug to connect to this cable.
Again, though: the key is to make sure the A/V port is both out and in. Some only pipe video out of the camera, which won't do you any good. A trick to find it is if there is a record button on the camera with its other VCR-type buttons (not the start/stop trigger). However this isn't always present. My Canon DV camera has the record button on the remote. This is kind of a pain, since I have to keep the remote in my glove compartment. But it does the trick.
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Jack Olsen 1972 911 My new video about my garage. • A video from German TV about my 911 Last edited by Jack Olsen; 02-20-2005 at 03:00 PM.. |
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02-20-2005, 02:57 PM
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John, you'll be using the DV In/out. Most of the helmet cam suppliers sell conversion cables, I don't know if they are custom for this application or not, but they sell them for about $15. Perhaps the're available cheaper elsewhere. check www.viosport.com, they have the cables and some online videos that explain how to hook everything up.
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02-20-2005, 03:02 PM
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I ordered the lipstick camera Jack referenced. Once it's here I'll take with me on my camcorder shopping spree. Another interesting feature I saw on some cameras was to record in MPEG4 format so you can load and e-mail easily.
Thanks for the help, John
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02-20-2005, 03:09 PM
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Quote:
Your camcorder should have come with a cable that looks something like this:  It takes analog video (yellow) and two channels of audio (red and white) from the RCA plugs. The mini plug goes into the camcorder. |
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02-20-2005, 03:17 PM
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1984 Porsche 911 3.2
