Video Recording Gear Suggestions / Checklist ?

[kmfdmk]

Does anyone here shoot video (repeatedly) in car?

If so what gear do you use? Where do you use it? Suction cup mounting? Seat/Headrest straps? Strut bar mount? Roll-Cage mount?

What type of camera? VHS-C, Hi-8, MiniDV, MiniDVD?

Are you using external bullet cams? If so what make/model, and results do you yield? Where did you purchase them and do you have any recommendations?

I know Davis shoots in-car video every month @ AutoX. What kind of camera do you have? I'm looking for one that has Video INPUT just like yours.

Pretty much I'm a professional amateur photographer (I have all the gear I just don't get paid for it). I'm looking to get into filming.

Suggestions anyone?

Also if it were possible to arrange a meetup would anyone want me to ride shotgun & film? Or do chase cam? I really just want to shoot footage and get some experience doing videos...

[Feedman]

I know Davis use's a type of bullet cam hooked up to his camcorder...

I am sure he can add some good info.....

8)

[Davis Silver Sti]

I have a Canon MiniDV camera that has the important video analog inputs that is needed for an external video source. I like Canon products, I've bought 3 G2 digital cameras and a digital video camera. For me they have the best in optics, quality and price.


For action auto stuff, a bulletcam ( http://www.chasecam.com for all the goodies) is conencted to my Canon Elura 200MC MiniDV camera via s-video or analog. Don't get anything other than a MiniDV type tape..it is currently the industry standard and works best with all video editing software. Also a powered mic (see above link) provides the good quality sound. It is VERY small and can be mounted in places such as an engine bay, interior of car (what I use the most) or clipped to an outside point too. It too, is easily connected to the Camera. Certain cables are needed to get everything done correct. See Randy at Chasecam.com; is a fellow racer, AV nut and all around nice guy. I don't get paid anything by him, but I should, hehe!

Let's think of 2 ways that you can approach this subject:
1.using a bulletcam(with mic) or other external type of camera
2.using your video camera as the main source.

#1 Bulletcam (with suction mount)
Pros:
+Its small size allows you to place the camera nearly anywhere that has a smooth flat surface safely. Be creative..fender cam, bumper cam, engine cam, wheel cam,
+If the camera is damaged while in action, you are out $150-200...not $800+ that you would be if it was your main camera.
+Good 480 lines of resolution. Great for DVD playback.
+Cam (not the movfast guy, heh) can be used also as a security camera.
+Can safely attain speeds of 150+mph without loss of camera. (mounted externally)
+ rain resistant!
Cons of bulletcam with mic:
-Wiring/setup can get confusing and time consuming. Especially if you are suppose to be on the track NOW and didn't get fully prepared.
-A bit expensive

#2 A mini DV camera on a suction or rollcage mount:
Pros:
+Ease of setup. Just mount, click record and go.
+Full functionality if you wanted a certain manual setting on the camera.
+Can be used ok on a triple or big single suction cup mount. TRM Shorty aka Troy Morgan, uses his camera and a slick triple cup mount for AutoX'ing. Great video. see. http://www.atabo.com
Cons:
- can lose entire video investment if camera is mounted externally and something happens to it. (can happen if didn't apply suction 100%)
- can lose entire video investment if camera is mounted externally and something happens to it. (yes, I said it twice for a reason..and the main reason I didn't go this route)
- Many tracks/clubs will NOT allow you to mount a large camera externally on a car as it is a safety issue for you and others.
- Will not hold up correctly to high speeds. Professional high speed external cameras (like those used on Top Gear and 5th Gear) are mounted securely to the car with numerous suctions and braces..all of which are VERY $$$$ and not necessary unless you are going to make a high quality TV or movie production. They also look rather funny and is a sure way to get pulled over.

My schedule is packed till the beginning of the new year so meeting up won't happen for me. I will probably make it to the Jan. AutoX and we can discuss things there of course. Perhaps get the bulletcam on your car if you wish.

Please post up any questions you have on AV stuff.

[kmfdmk]

Davis, I can't find that camera on Ebay or online... Where did you go or what did you do to locate a camera that has Video Inputs?

I've tried a couple sites online, and it looks like the Elura was discontinued for the Optura.

[Davis Silver Sti]

Davis, I can't find that camera on Ebay or online... Where did you go or what did you do to locate a camera that has Video Inputs?

I've tried a couple sites online, and it looks like the Elura was discontinued for the Optura.

Actually I believe ALL Canon cameras have that video input. Just find the right Canon camera that fits your budget and preferences and you'll be good to go.

Once you find that camera model, go to http://www.pricegrabber.com to buy your camera. Ebay is good too but there are only some official dealers.

Also, if you are going to get serious about video production, make sure you have a strong enough computer to run video editing progs...it requires a computer that would be similiar to a high-end gaming system. You know about computers stuff so I probably dont need to go further.

I might have the Elura...I couldn't remember at work which I had..I get them all mixed up.

[kmfdmk]

I have 3 Canon Elura 100's that record in Wide Screen miniDV. When I take this 3200 mile road trip back from Cali to pick up my Supra I wanna record the video.

Any suggestions or tips (Davis)??

I was thinking of getting at least one possibly two Bullet Cams and using the suction cup type of mounting method. However I'm concerned about how well they would hold up on extended highway terrain/use. Especially with all the cement interleaves/road-joints trying to bounce the camera off the car. Additionally I'm slightly worried about damaging the paint if the suction cups are uber strong.

Does anyone have any cool ideas for getting unique angles etc?

I was thinking of using a wide angle dome mirror mounted on the front of the car to be able to get a shot of both the car and the landscape together. (I am not going to be able to get that setup for the trip back... as I'll be picking the car up there... no time to install it)

A bullet cam inside on the front right dash facing left to get the drivers view...

I also need to seriously look into a video hard drive recording unit that can handle DV from multiple cameras... or potentially an all in one unit that simply pulls video to DV from multiple cameras and do away with the Canon cameras themselves.

[InterceptorXR7]

heres an interesting concept, its a pretty sweet video

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

[Davis Silver Sti]

I have 3 Canon Elura 100's that record in Wide Screen miniDV. When I take this 3200 mile road trip back from Cali to pick up my Supra I wanna record the video.

Any suggestions or tips (Davis)??

I was thinking of getting at least one possibly two Bullet Cams and using the suction cup type of mounting method. However I'm concerned about how well they would hold up on extended highway terrain/use. Especially with all the cement interleaves/road-joints trying to bounce the camera off the car. Additionally I'm slightly worried about damaging the paint if the suction cups are uber strong.

Does anyone have any cool ideas for getting unique angles etc?

I was thinking of using a wide angle dome mirror mounted on the front of the car to be able to get a shot of both the car and the landscape together. (I am not going to be able to get that setup for the trip back... as I'll be picking the car up there... no time to install it)

A bullet cam inside on the front right dash facing left to get the drivers view...

I also need to seriously look into a video hard drive recording unit that can handle DV from multiple cameras... or potentially an all in one unit that simply pulls video to DV from multiple cameras and do away with the Canon cameras themselves.

Above (back in 05) I mentioned going the mini DV route. While that is still a decent and inexpensive idea, I'd take a serious look at flash memory video capture. If I'd do it all over again that's what I would do.
See http://www.chasecam.com/pdr/pdrss.htm for a PDR. The best thing about the flash memory is that its very good when the ride gets bumpy or in high G-loads.

See http://www.chasecam.com/bulletcam.htm for a 580 line bullet cam. Mine is a 480 line and looks great on DVD. 580 is even better. You can get a wide angle from chase.

Your Canon Elura will work fine. I put mine in the armrest covered with padding and it works 98% of the time.

I have a triple suction, single suction and hard bulletcam mount. The suction mounts work great on a smooth flat surface. There's soo many different camera shots you can do with suction. I've gone up to 135mph at the track with zero issues.
Here's some examples:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=zMKRz5tlA6I VIR bumper cam
http://youtube.com/watch?v=I-zPI-XRZE4 VIR in car cam
http://youtube.com/watch?v=M1EZrA0uR1g multi-angle AutoX
To see all my stuff: http://youtube.com/results?search_query ... rch=Search (http://youtube.com/results?search_query=skuttle+Sti+&search=Search)