In-Car Video Camera
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,491
Likes: 2
From: North Royaton Ohio
In-Car Video Camera
Posted in C3 as well, but I figure C5 guys race their cars the most, so here goes...
I'm looking to get some sort of Digital Video Camera that I can mount in my car for dragstrip and roadcouse and maybe even a little street use. I'm not worried about how I'll mount it, I'll figure something out. I've used a generic Aiptek digital video camera in the past, but it wasn't all that great. Looking for something with enough quality that it isn't choppy when I shift gears or take a hard turn. Also, it needs to be able to plug into my computer, and it'd be great if it took still pictures, too, so I could use it for more than just the car.
My price range is ~$200. Any suggestions?
I'm looking to get some sort of Digital Video Camera that I can mount in my car for dragstrip and roadcouse and maybe even a little street use. I'm not worried about how I'll mount it, I'll figure something out. I've used a generic Aiptek digital video camera in the past, but it wasn't all that great. Looking for something with enough quality that it isn't choppy when I shift gears or take a hard turn. Also, it needs to be able to plug into my computer, and it'd be great if it took still pictures, too, so I could use it for more than just the car.
My price range is ~$200. Any suggestions?
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,904
Likes: 29
From: Vancouver Washington
The Panasonic PV-GS180 will do everything you want. You're going to want an external microphone input, a dv input for the computer, and a mini DV camera. I don't think $200 is going to get you there.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,251
Likes: 16
From: Phoenix Arizona
here you go!!!! damn good deal - killer stablized wide screen 30 fps video!
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 1,396
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento CA
Take a look at this one
Take a look at this one:
http://www.goprocamera.com/index5.htm
My navigator for open road racing is selling these. He also can get Hans devices, Fire suppression system, and the like. If interested I will PM you his email.
Jeffy'
http://www.goprocamera.com/index5.htm
My navigator for open road racing is selling these. He also can get Hans devices, Fire suppression system, and the like. If interested I will PM you his email.
Jeffy'
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,447
Likes: 6
From: Los Angeles
Aiptek sells a HD camcorder for 150 bucks (got mine at Target) and it saves directly to an SD card. An 8 GB SD card will give you about four hours of HD quality video. It is cheaper because it doesn't have much of an optical zoom. It is very light and would be perfect for in-car use. It also takes 8 megapixel stills. With a 200 dollar budget you could get a 1-2GB SD card and still have plenty of record time.
http://www.aiptek.com/Merchant2/merc...&Store_Code=AS
http://www.aiptek.com/Merchant2/merc...&Store_Code=AS
Last edited by DefenderC5; Dec 21, 2007 at 11:01 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 30,897
Likes: 45
From: Picking on the weakest kid in the yard.
I paid $179 for mine at Wal-Mart. It's a JVC unit but I'm not at home right now so I can't tell you the model. You want one that records to tape, not mini DV. Those will skip during hard driving. The clarity on mine is okay, not great, but plenty good for youtube videos. It plugs into the computer via a firewire cable that is not included. The point is $200 WILL buy you what you need to get the job done. Shameful thing is I spent around $350 to mount my $179 camera. 
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Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,904
Likes: 29
From: Vancouver Washington
I paid $179 for mine at Wal-Mart. It's a JVC unit but I'm not at home right now so I can't tell you the model. You want one that records to tape, not mini DV. Those will skip during hard driving. The clarity on mine is okay, not great, but plenty good for youtube videos. It plugs into the computer via a firewire cable that is not included. The point is $200 WILL buy you what you need to get the job done. Shameful thing is I spent around $350 to mount my $179 camera.
Another thing to keep in mind is that no matter what tape machine you buy, stick with one manufacturer's tape. Sony uses a different coating on their tapes than the rest of the world. If you use Sony tapes then use one of the other manufacturers, say Maxell, Panasonic, or the like, the two differing solutions react and gum up your tape heads resulting in very poor video.
Last edited by Last C5; Dec 21, 2007 at 05:47 PM.