Helmet Cam Project

[tomcycle]

The Helmet Cam Project started about 18 months ago and I still need to iron out some small details, but all in all this system works pretty good.

The Camera

This was the easiest part, the camera is a bullet camera that we use in the security industry. Cost is about 200.00 and available through my company. The camera comes with a 3.6mm lens. I thought that lens was too wide so I replaced it with a 6mm lens for about 30.00. The camera is water proof and mud proof as you can see by the picture. This is the second one I have had to get because the first one was destroyed by a branch. (cracked the lens then let water in during the Baja 2004 trip)The mount is a custom piece so you will have to figure your own mount, make it adjustable up and down because when you stand on the pegs you tend to look at the ground.

The Archos AV320 Multimedia Recorder Player

This is no longer available but you canget the AV420 whichis about500.00 with better resolution. This is a cool piece plays MP3 Photos Videosstores files Check out all the Features at http://www.archos.com/and http://www.hotmp3gear.com

First thing is get the screen protector, it scratches over time as you slide this in and out of you pocket. I use this thing almost every day, I have all my music on it andhave a FM car kitto use it in my truck. I have many of my trip pictures on it and it plays a great slide show. Ican also load videos andyou can play them back on this as well. This unit can also be hooked up to you AV system at home and you can record you favourite TV shows and play them back through your TV In fact you can play anything on the Archoson your TV. Time to throw out that VCR. This is EZ to use andif you put it in aZip Lock Bag it becomeswaterproof.

Battery Pack for Archos

I found the battery life while recording videos was lacking and we tried a few things. The first was a charger connected to the bike, this worked but was clumsy and the connectors took a beating. So I bought some 4AA Bater holders and NiMH rechargeable batteries. This works very well and has extended the recording time to over an hour and I carry an additional battery pack with me just in case. I also have a 12V battery charger for the AA batteries so I can charge on the go. Still need to do some work on the connectors.

Camera Power Supply


Similar to the Archos Aux power as it used AA rechargeable batteries but it is velcroed to the back of the helmet. Holder is worth about 2.00. Bater life is more than 24 hours

Last but not least is the Mic. I have yet to figure this one out. But plans are in the works

If you haveany questions just post them here and I will try andanswer them

Also if you have any good ideas on how to improve this set up I am very interested



Tom Timmerman

 

[joker650]

imported post

imported post

So does this setup not have a microphone?



I seem to remember some of ur vid's had sound?



what other options are there for a package with sound?

 

[Roaddane]

imported post

imported post

Neat set up Tom. You've obviously come a long way, I seem to remember riding with you when you had a Sony Handi-Cam strapped to your chest.

Paul

 

[tomcycle]

imported post

imported post

NO sound yet, but it is in the works. You can add sound to the finished product with your video editing software.

TT

 

[tomcycle]

imported post

imported post

Roaddane wrote:

Neat set up Tom. You've obviously come a long way, I seem to remember riding with you when you had a Sony Handi-Cam strapped to your chest.

Paul

Yea that handycam was heavy and ate batteries. This is much simpler

 

[joker650]

imported post

imported post

Have you tried one of these Tom?

:X

:mad3::X:mad3::wi::wi:

This aint werk'n!!






Samsung SCX105L MPEG4 Sports Camcorder w/10x Optical Zoom

Product Features:
• 2 inch LCD
• Instant "power on"
• MPEG4 video recording
• Super lightweight
• Waterproof





Rating: 5 (out of 5)
Summary: cool dude
Comment: It is a great camcorder for what I wanted, however the battery is not long enough. It is also hard to find the typ of battery. The memmory is good, and you cand just erase all of the bad action scenes you filmed, however the batery will not keep up w/ the memmory. But mainly it is an excelent camcorder and has tons of extra things on it like being an mp3 player, a recorder, digital memmory storage, and a cammera. I only reccommend this for extreme sports or hiking because of the battery and memmory not being long lasting.



Rating: 5 (out of 5)
Summary: Being waiting for this product!!!!!!
Comment: Finaly got mine for a great price here in Chile. The only difference is here we get the SCX110L, which means it has 1GB internal memory. This would solve almost all of the gripes in the reviews. I am getting more memory (1GB MSticks are the way to go, as the 2GB are still 3 times the price) however that was not the bottleneck.

Anyway, I use it for Enduro riding (attached to the googles strap) and works perfectly!!!!!! No more messing with a camcorder, bullet cam, batteries, LANC, cables, etc... All in 1 package, and sturdy!!!!!!

The only problem is the battery, as it last for less than 2 hours (recording with breaks in between). I am looking for the optional SB-P180A battery, however I have had no luck yet. Solving the battery issue this is THE perfect camera for motorbikers!!!!!!


Rating: 4 (out of 5)
Summary: Great camera- need extra storage and battery
Comment: This thing is awesome. It's smaller and lighter than my RIM Phone!! Easy to throw on the charging station, grab and go. Something that never happend w/my old Video Camera. Had to grab the whole bag, overnight charge of the battery, etc... This thing charges in an hour or two. Quality of the LCD is excellent, even on the soccerfield under direct sunlight. Quality of the video, even on normal (has 2 higher settings) is good.

Downsides: only 2 I can come up with. Definitely need to purchase extra memory cards. If you are going to take on vacation w/out your laptop to download the video to, then you will probably want to purchase another 2GB's. That would give you 2-3 hours of video over a week trip. Also, you will need an extra battery. It's only great for about an hour (I run through it in a single 8yr old soccer game). Problem right now is that I cannot find an extra battery to order anywhere. Accessories aren't really out yet (as of end of May). So, plan on another $300 to make it really livable. That all said, it's the coolest gadget I own. Haven't tried the helmet cam yet, however am already planning it.

 

[640in604]

imported post

imported post

Looks cool, quanto es? $$

 

[joker650]

imported post

imported post

Product Description[/b]

From the Manufacturer
The Samsung SC-X105 features a durable, rubberized body that is water resistant and built to withstand harsh conditions. The pocket-size chassis and streamlined design provide maximum portability for the modern on-the-go lifestyle, fitting directly into pockets, backpacks, and other athletic gear. An extra sports-camera module provides hands-free shooting capability and can be mounted on a helmet or other stable surface for extreme-sports recording.

The SC-X105's extra sports-camera module Samsung understands that today's customers lead adventurous lives and that they want to capture every second on video. The SC-X105 is the first video camera of its kind, developed to record every thrill, even in rugged conditions.

Adjustable straps let you wear the lens on your body. The SC-X105 epitomizes Samsung's reputation for innovation in the field of digital convergence technology. The camera features 10x optical zoom with a 680K movie-optimized CCD lens for superior color precision and image detail. In addition to producing sharp, realistic movie footage, the SC-X105 allows users to capture digital stills up to 1,280 x 960 resolution.
The SC-X105 combines innovative design and pro-caliber video capture capabilities with Samsung's latest usability enhancements. The Instant Power ON option means that users never have to worry about missing crucial moments of footage waiting for the device to warm up. When Instant ON mode is selected, the camera becomes ready-to-shoot 0.9 seconds after pressing the button. And Samsung has taken the guesswork out of managing battery power with an up-to-the-minute battery arc display that lets users know exactly how much recording or playback time they have left.
The SC-X105 also incorporates all the features consumers expect from Samsung's quality camcorders. A two-inch 211-pixel color LCD screen allows video playback and still image viewing. The Image Stabilizer function compensates for slight shaking movements caused by an unstable position and ensures smooth footage even in sub-optimal conditions. 512 MB of built-in memory and an MPEG4 recording option help users maximize the amount of footage they can capture before downloading their movies. MPEG4 recording offers the additional advantage of allowing users to share their files quickly via e-mail.

Product Description:
Samsung Consumer (DVD/TV/etc) (SCX105L) Samsung 3.5" LCD Mini-DV Camcorder

 

[joker650]

imported post

imported post

The Sears catalog has it on for $849.00 !

 

[tomcycle]

imported post

imported post

Very interesting product, not cheap though $549.00 usd

Reading the reviews it has the samelimitation my Archos has, sub par video quality with the remote camera. Paul is buying the newer Archos AV420 with higher resolution so I am waiting to see how that turns out. At 369.00 and all the additional features this is quite a bit more versitile so if you decide not to do videos you can use it to listen to your music.

www.archos.com or http://www.hotmp3gear.comthe Canadian distibutor

Battery power is alway a problem but I think I have solved that with the extra battery pack. Still I have to develop a remote record button or a better way of carrying the recorder, right now I put it in my pocket.

 

[tomcycle]

imported post

imported post

Just on the Archos site and see there new digital recorder AV500 30gb @ 499.00

I think I have to get one

Features & Specifications



[font="arial, Arial, Helvetica"][/font]



[font="arial, Arial, Helvetica"]Capacity[/font]
[font="arial, Arial, Helvetica"]store up to 130 hours[suP]1[/suP] of video, 85 movies[suP]1[/suP], 15 000 songs[suP]1[/suP] or 300,000 photos[suP]1 (30G) or [/suP]Store up to 400 hours[suP]1[/suP] of video, 250 movies[suP]1[/suP], 55 000 songs[suP]1[/suP] or 1,000,000 photos[suP]1 (100G)[/suP][/font]

[font="arial, Arial, Helvetica"]Display[/font]
[font="arial, Arial, Helvetica"]4” LCD 480x272 pixels, 262 000 colours and TV output [/font]

[font="arial, Arial, Helvetica"]Video recording[/font]
[font="arial, Arial, Helvetica"]MPEG-4 SP and stereo sound, optimised resolution for TV up to 640x480 @ 30 f/s, in AVI format. [/font]

[font="arial, Arial, Helvetica"]Video playback[/font]
[font="arial, Arial, Helvetica"]MPEG-4 SP with B-Frames (compatible with DivX[suP]®3[/suP] 4.0 and 5.03) with stereo sound. Near DVD quality up to 720x480 @ 30 f/s (NTSC), 720x576 @ 25 f/s (PAL), AVI file format. WMV9 (including protected files) up to 352x288 @ 30 f/s, and 800 KBit/s[suP]4[/suP]. [/font]

[font="arial, Arial, Helvetica"]Music recording[/font]
[font="arial, Arial, Helvetica"]From an analog source in stereo sound for WAV (PCM & ADPCM) format. [/font]

[font="arial, Arial, Helvetica"]Music playback[/font]
[font="arial, Arial, Helvetica"]Stereo MP3 decoding @ 30-320 kb/s CBR & VBR, WMA (including protected WMA files), WAV (PCM & ADPCM) [/font]

[font="arial, Arial, Helvetica"]Photo viewer[/font]
[font="arial, Arial, Helvetica"]JPEG (except progressives) or BMP.
Download photos from computer through USB 2.0 port.
Transfer photos from digital camera[suP]5[/suP] through USB Host port.[/font]


[font="arial, Arial, Helvetica"]AV connections[/font]
[font="arial, Arial, Helvetica"]Earphones / Audio & Video line out.
TV pod with video pass through, AV in & out cables (SCART In & Out for European version) and IR emitter cable for tuner control of VCR, cable box or satellite receiver. [/font]


[font="arial, Arial, Helvetica"]Speaker[/font]
[font="arial, Arial, Helvetica"]Yes - built-in [/font]

[font="arial, Arial, Helvetica"]Interfaces[/font]
[font="arial, Arial, Helvetica"]USB 2.0 high-speed device, compatible USB 1.1, PC & Mac.
USB Host port compatible Mass Storage Device.[/font]


[font="arial, Arial, Helvetica"]Battery life[/font]
[font="arial, Arial, Helvetica"]Up to 15 hours[suP]6[/suP] for music.
Up to 4.5 hours[suP]6[/suP] for video on built-in LCD.

Removable battery [/font]


[font="arial, Arial, Helvetica"]Scalability[/font]
[font="arial, Arial, Helvetica"]Download firmware updates from www.archos.com [/font]

[font="arial, Arial, Helvetica"]Minimum system requirements[/font]
[font="arial, Arial, Helvetica"]For TV, VCR, Cable box, or satellite receiver connection:


Audio & video in/out RCA jacks (connection TV cable(s) provided in box – including SCARTs for EU version)



For computer connection:



Minimum computer configuration:

PC with Windows® ME, or 2000, and USB 2.0 port. Macintosh® G3 with MAC OS v10.2.4 or higher, Macintosh® G3 and USB 2.0 port.



Minimum configuration for Playsforsureâ„¢ content:

PC with Windows® XP SP1 or higher operating system, Windows Media® Player 10 or higher, and USB 2.0 port. [/font]


[font="arial, Arial, Helvetica"]Power source[/font]
[font="arial, Arial, Helvetica"]Internal: rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery.
External: AC charger/adapter[/font]


[font="arial, Arial, Helvetica"]Dimensions[/font]
[font="arial, Arial, Helvetica"]approx.: 7.6 x 12.4 x 1.8 cm - 3” x 4.9” x 0.7” 30G or approx.: 7.6 x 12.4 x 2.4 cm - 3" x 4.9 x 0.9" 100G[/font]

[font="arial, Arial, Helvetica"]Weight[/font]
[font="arial, Arial, Helvetica"]255 g - 8.99 oz[/font]

[font="arial, Arial, Helvetica"]Package includes[/font]
[font="arial, Arial, Helvetica"]AV 500, USB 2.0 cable, USB host adapter, AC adapter & charger, stereo headphones, protective case, user guide and TV Cradle, remote control (with batteries), audio/video cables (SCART in and SCART out for European version),
[/font]

[font="arial, Arial, Helvetica"][/font]
[font="arial, Arial, Helvetica"]* 1GB= 1 billion bytes; actual formatted capacity less.
(1) On average; based on 3.5 mins/song & 64 kbits/s WMA (for better quality 128 Kbit/s or more recommended), on 500 kbits/s MPEG-4 audio/video encoding and 1h30/movie (for near DVD Quality 1500 Kbits/s encoding or more recommended), on JPEG, VGA.

(2) External video output disabled for Macrovision[suP]®[/suP]-protected contents.

(3) Read DivX[suP]®[/suP] 4.0 & 5.0 files compatible with MPEG-4 SP with B-Frames AVI ( (MPEG-4: ISO tandard by Moving Picture Experts Group ; AVI: audio/video file container by Microsoft ; DivX[suP]®[/suP] registered trade mark of DivXNetworks, Inc). MPEG-4 SP with B-frames AVI up to 704x480@30f/s NTSC or 720x576@25f/s PAL.

(4) Microsoft WMV9 SP up to 352x288@30f/s and 800 KBit/s ; supports WM DRM.

(5) Only cameras compatible with Mass Storage Class USB.

(6) Battery life may vary with use.
[/font]

 

[Mechanic]

imported post

imported post

I’ve had the AV420 for a week and just received the travel adaptor leads today.

I bought a pinhole security cam on ebay, which I’ll pick up from my mailbox this weekend. Got it for $30 with postage so if it’s NBG then no great loss.

The idea is that it’s so small that I can tuck it in by the forks or engine and hopefully get some novel perspectives. Remains to be seen what picture quality is like. Roll on Sunday

I’m just working on a hard case to protect the recorders soft underbelly, if you know what I mean. Don’t want to destroy it on my first recorded get-off!
Bullet cam to follow…off to the garage to start making some mounts:mi:

 

[tomcycle]

imported post

imported post

Mechanic wrote:

I’ve had the AV420 for a week and just received the travel adaptor leads today.

I bought a pinhole security cam on ebay, which I’ll pick up from my mailbox this weekend. Got it for $30 with postage so if it’s NBG then no great loss.

The idea is that it’s so small that I can tuck it in by the forks or engine and hopefully get some novel perspectives. Remains to be seen what picture quality is like. Roll on Sunday

I’m just working on a hard case to protect the recorders soft underbelly, if you know what I mean. Don’t want to destroy it on my first recorded get-off!
Bullet cam to follow…off to the garage to start making some mounts:mi:

I am in the security business and the pinhole cameras at that price are usually cmos type and low quality. but for that amount of money who cares Also they use very little power.

cmos cameras are the wave of the future because they are all digital all the time, now all we need is a recorder with a digital input. There are high quality cmos cameras out there but very expensive. Cant wait to see your videos.

TT

 

[joker650]

imported post

imported post

Tom is that $400 cdn?

I don't see it listed anywhere about an external mic.......... not available?



oooooh!!!:shoot: What am I going to buy in the spring????????? GPS or Cam ""

 

[tomcycle]

imported post

imported post

joker650 wrote:

Tom is that $400 cdn?

I don't see it listed anywhere about an external mic.......... not available?



oooooh!!!:shoot: What am I going to buy in the spring????????? GPS or Cam ""

All prices are in $USD$

GPS and take your old digital camera:ss:After riding with Ian and his GPS I have to get one, they lead you down the wrong path, but thats OK because its fun.:TTT:

TT

 

[Mechanic]

imported post

imported post

Haven't been able to try the pinhole camera on the bike yet as the weather has been so British. However, just wandering around with it, the range seems pretty good and the picture quality acceptable. As it's wireless the tuning knob on the receiver is VERY sensitive, so I need to put a lock on it so that it can't move with vibration.

I'm looking forward to putting it in a model plane as well.

Tom - is it likely that this receiver is capable of receiving most similar devices if they are in range? - and vice versa :shock:

 

[640in604]

imported post

imported post

This month Dirt Rider magazine compares a bunch of helmet cams,they have the reviews plus some guides and other stuff on their website. They also have video captures from the different cameras.

Good info: http://dirtrider.com/av/141_0511_helmet/

Enjoy!

Paul