Finished the car cam today
12-30-2006, 04:14 PM
#1
Drifting
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St. Jude Donor '06-'07
Finished the car cam today
Got a 59.99 Tony Hawk helmet cam and 2GB SD RAM for 9.99 for Christmas (mostly paid for by the $50 Gift card to Fry's). Fully self contained, powered by 2 x AAA bateries, 320 x 240 resolution, and almost an hour of recording time with the 2GB.
Went to Lowes today and bought a 2" flexible pipe coupler (includes 2 ring clamps) for $3.97, 2 "L" brackets for $1.84 or $0.92 each, and some velcro for $2.97.
The coupler easily circumvents the hardbar bar and has grooves for the ring clamps. I cut the coupler to allow it to wrap around the hardbar and removed the excess material to allow it to be secured by the clamps. Wrapped the 2 "L" brackets together (back-to-back) with electrical tape to create an inverted "T" shape. Secured it to the hardbar and coupler using the ring clamps. Finally, attached the velcro to the helmet cam and inverted "T" mount.
It was necessary to make a vertical mount to match the default video recording position of the helmet cam. It mounts easily and is very secure.
Did a test run and the audio is so-so, but the video was good. What I liked about the TH Helmet cam is a laser pointer to spot where it is pointed at. I can easily align where I want the camera pointed to with the laser.
Less than $100 for the entire setup.
Pics as requested...
Went to Lowes today and bought a 2" flexible pipe coupler (includes 2 ring clamps) for $3.97, 2 "L" brackets for $1.84 or $0.92 each, and some velcro for $2.97.
The coupler easily circumvents the hardbar bar and has grooves for the ring clamps. I cut the coupler to allow it to wrap around the hardbar and removed the excess material to allow it to be secured by the clamps. Wrapped the 2 "L" brackets together (back-to-back) with electrical tape to create an inverted "T" shape. Secured it to the hardbar and coupler using the ring clamps. Finally, attached the velcro to the helmet cam and inverted "T" mount.
It was necessary to make a vertical mount to match the default video recording position of the helmet cam. It mounts easily and is very secure.
Did a test run and the audio is so-so, but the video was good. What I liked about the TH Helmet cam is a laser pointer to spot where it is pointed at. I can easily align where I want the camera pointed to with the laser.
Less than $100 for the entire setup.
Pics as requested...
Last edited by mcintex; 01-01-2007 at 04:41 PM.
12-30-2006, 06:26 PM
#3
Team Owner
and where did you get it from again?
12-30-2006, 08:57 PM
#4
Melting Slicks
Tony Hawk, best bang for the buck
Cliffie;
I found that you can rotate the picture using Windows Movie" so you can mount the helmet can in any position. Makes life a bit easer. Next time out, I'm to try moving the camera around inside the car, feet on the peddles, dash, driver, then do a little cut & past. If you need a place to post your film, let me know.
I found that you can rotate the picture using Windows Movie" so you can mount the helmet can in any position. Makes life a bit easer. Next time out, I'm to try moving the camera around inside the car, feet on the peddles, dash, driver, then do a little cut & past. If you need a place to post your film, let me know.
12-31-2006, 09:56 AM
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Drifting
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St. Jude Donor '06-'07
Sorry guys, haven't ever posted pics here before. After reviewing the video, I am not too thrilled with it. It looks choppy in places. I went into edit and I am seeing missing portions of the screen on some shots, like it had trouble with the capture. I tried using Microsoft Movie to edit that particular frame out, but couldn't find a way to do it at that granular of a level.
Mikey, thanks. I agree that the versatility of the camera makes it possible to mount anywhere on the vehicle (just need a velcro point). A light source might be needed if you try and capture your feet work.
Mikey, thanks. I agree that the versatility of the camera makes it possible to mount anywhere on the vehicle (just need a velcro point). A light source might be needed if you try and capture your feet work.
12-31-2006, 10:43 AM
#7
Melting Slicks
I agree with the light issue, will have to run a few test as soon as I get the car back on the road.
I'v been thinking about the sound, the mic will pickup voice from a good 20 feet away. I was checking out the video from when I was running down the LS7, the cam picked up
his tires squeeling in the slower corners. I used a piece of foam and tape to cover the mic during one run, didn't help so I gave up. Thinking about it now, maybe covering the mic with just tape and no foam might be the answer, anything to cut down sound level input.
MK
I'v been thinking about the sound, the mic will pickup voice from a good 20 feet away. I was checking out the video from when I was running down the LS7, the cam picked up
his tires squeeling in the slower corners. I used a piece of foam and tape to cover the mic during one run, didn't help so I gave up. Thinking about it now, maybe covering the mic with just tape and no foam might be the answer, anything to cut down sound level input.MK
01-01-2007, 05:40 PM
#11
Le Mans Master
From the FWIW dept., the harness isn't installed correctly on the harness bar.
01-01-2007, 07:14 PM
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01-01-2007, 07:59 PM
#14
Drifting
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St. Jude Donor '06-'07
Yeah I know about the harness. I had it removed because I am getting a new one this year. But I wanted to make sure that the position for the camera would work with me strapped in and wearing my helmet.
Thanks for the note though.
Thanks for the note though.