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Anyone have any suggestions on a good performing mid priced mini DV video camera???? JVC or Samsung preferred.

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Paint don't make it go any faster.

I have one of these

http://www.jvc.com/product.jsp?modelId=MODL027121&pathId=26

Its pretty nice. I havent had it too long. I've been using it lately to tape runs at events.. If you are going to be at sanford feel free to find me and you can check it out if you want. I have a silver old 5 series bmw.

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'88 bmw 535is
'98 honda civic ex

For really good pricing go to ECOST.com. I bought a refurbished digital JVC camcorder from them and it works quite well in the car. As I recall was something around $230.

Ron

I've used a low end Canon model for a couple of years, works fine. Three pieces of advice:

- A remote comes in handy since the controls may or may not be workable when you're strapped in.

- A cam that does *not* bottom load he tape would be nice (mine isn't) as you can change tapes w/o mounting/unmounting the camera.

- Even with it zoomed "wide", a .5X wide angle lens is a big benefit.

Frank

VERY USEFUL advice Frank....THANK YOU!!!!!!.....

I am going to try a few out and make my decision in the next week or so.

Those details are exactly the kind of info that I needed. I now have a new check list and I will try to find my tripod and cage mount at the same time...to check fit

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Paint don't make it go any faster.

Last piece of advice:

I bought the IO port mount. About $100. You could probably fab something with a standard Bogen cam mount and brackets. To pass a Solo tech you also need a second restraint, typically a strap.

Frank

I bought a used HI-8 Canon camcorder on ebay three years ago for about $175 if I remember right. It has image stabilzation, which I do recommend.

I wouldn't recommend an expensive unit for in car footage because the shock and vibration loads it will see at our sites are not trivial.

I would get a digital8 next time because the timer is to nearest 1/100 so timing runs or getting lap times becomes a little easier off of the tape.
I suspect the same is true of miniDV since it is also digital.

I improvised a mount with a tripod and some brackets. The image stabilization does an incredible job. I can see the camera bouncing all over the place and the video quality is still excellent.

I agree with Frank- the remote is essential. Also, I find that in parking lot courses a wide angle lense is helpful. For runways, it really isn't needed. For track use, the wide angle can also be helpful.

You are welcome to find me in the white Corvette at Sanford and take a look at the setup.

good luck,

Miles Beam

I've just purchased the IOPort mount as well, and will be using it with my Sony MiniDV camcorder in Sanford. You are welcome to take a look. The shortfall my camera has is it is bottom loading - a pain if you have to change tapes. However, seeing as how the camera gets <10mins of usage during the day while it is mounted in the car, it's not REALLY an issue.

FYI, I found a speed shop in Atlanta who has the IOPort mount for ~$95+FREE (2-day) DHL SHIPPING. If anybody needs the site, let me know and I'll go find the info. They were a great company to work with.

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Dustin Fredrickson
-- I'm a nobody --

Talking about Discovery Motorsports?

If so yes we deal with them alot, Ron is a great guy

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91 Jetta GLI STS/DSP 111
85 Porsche 944 ASP 11
http://www.blackforestindustries.com

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=5161&is=REG

That's what I use with my Sony DV. Great price on a great piece of gear.

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Not spectacular just decent.
I'm not sure what I'm driving.
Maybe an ITR in DS.
Or half-assed STX prepped 330.

Yup, that's the place.

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Dustin Fredrickson
-- I'm a nobody --

This may not be a problem with your camera at autocrosses, but it was a huge pain with mine at rallies: If the camera is left on "standby" for I think 3 minutes, it would turn itself off as a power-saving/tape-stress-relieving function. Consequently I had to keep the remote handy and make sure to "toggle" it every couple of minutes while we were waiting to make sure it didn't cut off.

The simple and effective answer was a wired LANC remote, which in addition to toggling the record mode, can also turn on and off the power.

I got mine from Viosport.com- it works great!

http://viosport.com/store/customer/prod ... ctid=16131

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Carl Fisher

Be Cool to the Pizza Dude:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/stor ... Id=4651531

Just an FYI guys... I work for ESPN (Im an audio engineer)... I also install a lot of systems for consumer and pro AV. My father-in-law owns Technical Video Systems with a satellite office in Cary NC.

All this adds up to great access to pro AV gear... not that I have the money for any of that stuff.... But mounts and dongles abound....I can get a lot of stuff out of the parts bins for making remote switches and mounting hardware....If you have any needs for spare parts or hard to find connectors....Email me.

If any of you are interested in real 1/3 inch 3CCD high speed/ high resolution/ low noise cameras.... just Email me... we often have used and demo models for sale....just keep in mind that they are extremely expensive. We have a used JVC 3CCD "lipstick" camera good for fender mounting with several lenses and power pack (no tape drive) for around $3500. there are also several used proffessional (Sony and Ikegami) "ENG" style camera bodies and several Fujinon lenses available for under $10K. Some of the cameras have hard drives or tape drives in the body and will work with regulated 12V 5amp power.

I cannot even afford used up-worn out pro gear..... and the TVS sales guys know very little about consumer products....thank goodness I have you guys to bounce this off.

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Paint don't make it go any faster.

I know that some people have reported success with the cheaper consumer version of the tiny cameras. I tried a cheapo wireless version and wasn't very happy with the outcome.

The smaller consumer cameras have these obstacles:
- no image stabilization
- lightweight and low mass means they are more vulnerable to high frequency vibrations
- mounting in a vibration free mounting is quite a challenge....
- separate recording device must be supplied

I'm sure all these can be overcome with enough skill and the right budget, but I abandoned my efforts in favor of a more typical camcorder.

All that said, I've seen some footage that Ron Spencer took with a small mini camera mounted in the headlight of his car... and though the quality couldn't match that of a Hi-8 camcorder, it was pretty cool and the view from up there of the track was very Hollywood (no car in the way).

Miles