Very small wireless video cameras - demo movie

[simensays]

Nice Chris!

I think the little shaking in your movie was acceptable, the lighting issue will as you said, probably be better on overcast days, or if you just keep it in the sun or in the shade, not both?

I uploaded my AVI file into Flash MX (at 320x240 or similer, 18fps), didn't import with sound but put on a sound track (Mp3 wich is compressed great and set to stream) - file size was reduced from 8,5MB to 1.2MB for a clip of 58 secs - it's really easy to make controllers for stop/play/ff/rw etc within the flash movie to control it and make it integrate better with the webpage!

I can't really say what tune you're featuring Chris, but mine was the sound track from the Starky & Hutch series...

[TWINSET]

For anti-shake mount, try either a very slightly inflated baloon, or a baloon filled with some air and water.

You'll still get movement, but not as severe

[simensays]

I actually think that will only result in a more bouncy feel - the best way as I see it, is to fasten the cam as tight as possible and rather focusing on the shocks on the actual car. By making them a bit softer etc. (this may not apply to bigger, heavier cameras, but the cameras in question are very light weight and vulnerable to movement)

I remember from film class, that we use to fasten a weight under a small handycam when filming while moving (based on the SteadyCam principle). If you hold a small light weight cam in your hands and run - it will shake a lot more than the same cam with some weight added, which will result in a more stable shot. I think by reducing moving elements the clips will be better.

Besides - like I said, I don't think the shaking in Chris' test movie (or mine) was too much - it gives it a little action feel! []

[TWINSET]

How about a 1/10 scale steadicam rig - shouldn't be too hard for you guys[] Front suspension off a frog, a couple of counterweights and a few strategically placed bungees.

Or a baloon filled with summat thick like swarfega?

[mr_lister999.]

I just get a message box saying "class not registered"??? Whats up?

[bholio]

The video didn't look too bouncy for me because the camera was was reasonable well attached to the chassis. The shock mounts up front were mostly stable within the frame which made it look like something solid was in a bumpy environment (which it was).

If you isolated the camera from the chassis in an attempt to damp it, you would have no solid frame of reference in the image.

[Not2Night]

Chris, Great video! Do you know if your camera is 2.1GHz?

Anyone, What are the benifits of the 2.1GHz cameras over the others?

Thanks.

[BeetleMeister]

The camera only has a short range, so if you want to capture the footage you need to have some sort of mobile TV/video unit, is this correct? Surely this is a pain in the hiney, so do any of you know if it is possible to connect the cameras reciever to a video camera and record that way? Other wise you have to be within 100m of the reciever/TV/video.

I have seen pics from similar cameras to this on some other web sites and the quality is pretty good....they can definately be mounted in some interesting places, but your right...the light to dark responce is not great....specialy if it keeps going light/dark light/dark light/dark [:I]

[netsmithUK]

I connect my reciever directly into my Sony DV digicam (only via analogue port though) and record to it directly (can also preview on lcd panel of the video camera)

[simensays]

quote:Originally posted by BeetleMeister

The camera only has a short range, so if you want to capture the footage you need to have some sort of mobile TV/video unit, is this correct? Surely this is a pain in the hiney, so do any of you know if it is possible to connect the cameras reciever to a video camera and record that way? Other wise you have to be within 100m of the reciever/TV/video.

---

id="quote">id="quote">

here is what the seller states on Ebay : With weight only 20 grammes , this wireless professional camera can transmit COLOUR video back to the base station up to 1000ft. ( I have placed one in my R/C car, and the car runs out of range before the picture goes!) With a high resolution of 380 lines, picture quality is excellent.

[c_a_r_t_e_r]

Hey Guys.

Right... I've done some investigation into these cameras, and the findings are quite interesting.

There appear to be many flavours of this new type of CMOS colour pinhole camera, with varying power output. I believe the one we're talking about is the 200mW version, with a built in transmitter for a range of about 100M.

There's one with audio the same size, but the built in transmitter is only 50mW, presumably because it's broadcasting audio as well... so approx 1/4 the range!

I found one which was 800mW and a range of 500M, but the transmitter was external to the camera, and looked big and beefy.. I also found a very chunky 1500mW version, this has a range of 1000M. I can't imagine a 9V battery lasting very long though!

Most eBay sellers seem to be charging around the £65/£70 mark for the basic 200mW version without audio.. but I've just ordered one direct from Hong Kong for £33 including postage!

We'll see if it arrives anytime this year..[]

Hope this info helps someone out, I've seen quite a few auctions on eBay which are (probably unintentionally) misquoting the range of their cameras... it's all rather confusing! [:I]

Tim.

[Not2Night]

I am looking at two similar cameras, here in the states.

This sellar includes two adapters, so you do not need a 9V battery.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...item=3012114097

This seller says it is 2.1GHz good up to 1000 feet (~300 meters). But does NOT include any adpaters.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...item=3016947016

Are they both really the same?

[c_a_r_t_e_r]

Hi there.

Yep.. both those cameras look exactly the same as the 200mW version I ordered direct from Hong Kong.. in USD it costs $20 for the camera and receiver, and $25 for post and packing. The guy seems really efficient and friendly, I believe the company is called "Eonon".

I'm sure the range is only 100M though with this power output.. if it had a greater range, then the camera would have an external transmitter attached as mentioned above.

Although I'm sure that most of these figures aren't particularly accurate anyway.. on a clear day in line of sight it probably transmits much further - and indoors it might only just work in the next room down the hall! Anyone tested it yet?

One interesting point to mention, is that I was told by one seller that ALL the cameras have a built in microphone, you're just paying extra money for the receiver with an additional Audio output.

Some of the cameras are sold without the audio being mentioned (some kind of eBay "spy" restriction?!), but you can clearly see an audio-out on the receiver. I also found one for sale with Audio officially mentioned, but the camera unit had a mini-microphone mounted externally, and hanging from it by a wire!

Hmm. The truth is out there somewhere!

Tim.

PS: These things are so cheap, it wouldn't surprise me to see the same circuit board used for both versions of the receiver.. I'm sure with a little investigation and some soldering, Audio could be enabled...[]

[netsmithUK]

I've tried mine in a number of environments and ranges - not scientifically though...

I had a friend carry the camera to the lower floor of our office and then walk outside with it. He came back before it went out of range. I suppose it was no more that 50ft in distance but it was going through, walls, floors and glass to do it.

Might try some distance tests this weekend - I have a very long garden []

The reciever has audio out on it, but I've not tested it to see if anything comes out of it yet. Instructions are in very 'pidgeon' english and are very sparse - they don't really go into an detail at all.

CARTER - how about posting a link to the HK supplier?

[c_a_r_t_e_r]

Hey guys.

Here's the link to the one I bought:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...3018130671&rd=1

It'll be interesting to know if you get any sound out of your Audio connection Netsmith - and I'll post an update on how I get on with hacking mine for Audio when it arrives!

BTW, I'm intending on using it with my Sony DV cam.. rather usefully it accomodates both input and output for DV and Analogue signals. I knew that analogue input would come in handy one day..[]

Tim

[Not2Night]

Hi,

It was sunny today, so I updated my HummerCam video.

http://home.rochester.rr.com/hosie/HummerCam.mpg

It is 4 clips in one MPG video. I used a Kodak MC3 to make the videos. I am still going to get a "spy" camera.

Enjoy.

[Not2Night]

To Greg,

My email (reply) to you bounces back with "Invalid recipient".