Helmet cam

P

pedro_emauz

Member
Hi,
I am in need of acquiring a lipstick cam or similar portable system for action-sports POV filming. What setup do you recommend (PAL)?
If I use a NTSC setup can I easily convert it to PAL using a PC Software without loosing quality?
Regards,
pedro,
lisbon, PT
 
Re: Helmet cam

There are several companies that provide helmetcams. Do a search on "helmet camera pal" and you shall find. For example:

http://www.rfconcepts.co.uk/helmet_cameras.htm

I recommend getting a PAL version if that's what your final output will be. They are as easy to get as the NTSC versions.

Some things to think about:

  • The lenses provided or available
  • If the camera is water proof
  • Number of lines of resolution (recommend 480)
  • Battery pack (rechargeable?)
  • What you will record with.

I've done a bunch of helmet cam work and have started to move away from the lipstick cams. Now I am using a small MiniDV camera. With that I get image stabilzation, manual exposure/shutter, better lens, etc..
 
Re: Helmet cam

Thanks for the info!
About MIniDV cams, what is your prefered model (sony PCxxx) and wha do u use as a bracket to place the cam on the helmet or any other place (bike handle, ski pole, etc). Doesn´t this solution, together with a housing, get a bit too heavy for a rider to use?
 
Re: Helmet cam

[quote author=pedro_emauz link=board=Events;num=1100114467;start=0#2 date=11/10/04 at 13:24:40]what is your prefered model (sony PCxxx)[/quote]

Well, the smaller the better. At the moment I'm using an older Sony. I plan to get a newer Panasonic, but only that brand because I want the same brand as my DVX.

If you plan to use a MiniDV instead of a lipstick camera then you should find a model that's small, has a good lens, allows for manual exposure, and image stailization. There are several models out there with these features.

use as a bracket to place the cam on the helmet or any other place (bike handle, ski pole, etc). Doesn´t this solution, together with a housing, get a bit too heavy for a rider to use?
Click to expand...

You can see the most recent helmet camera mount I created in my avatar photo. Note that I have mounted to a full face helmet. I have found that a full face provides more stability for the camera and counter balance. The shots from the helmet are very steady since the body, legs, arms, act as shocks and dampen the bumps. Shots mounted on the bike itself have a lot of jitter and shake. But, it also depends on the terrain you are riding.

I haven't found the helmet/camera combination too heavy and I'm using a heavier camera at the moment. Lighter is always better.

Btw - You can check out some of my helmet cam videos here:

http://www.hanskellner.com/videos/cycling.html

Most of these were shot with my old low rez lipstick camera. The most recent though use the new setup. Still dialing in all the settings, but it's a better image than the lipstick camera.
 
Re: Helmet cam

Word of caution when adding weight to anything on your head. It will increase dramatically in the case of a prang or any other rapid acceleration / de-acceleration. It can cause serious neck injuries.
 
Re: Helmet cam

I have the entire Viosport kit and it works very well.
 
Re: Helmet cam

You know what I used to do and really works, duct tape and a bike helment. Just strap that sucker on tight.
 
Re: Helmet cam

the viosport kit was actually really cheap... i think i got it on sale for $300.
 
Re: Helmet cam

I bought a helmet cam to use for my mountain biking DVD and have not been happy at all with the results. The problem with the helmet cams that you buy for around $300-$400 are that they adjust exposure by changing the shutter speed rather than have an iris. This makes it VERY difficult to convert to 24p with DV Film Maker or Magic Bullet. It also has an auto white balance that constantly changes and is hard (for me) to correct in post.

I am now testing a helmet mounted camcorder that has a manual shutter speed adjustment and manual white balance. The results have been good so far and I plan on selling my helmet cam setup and buying Panasonic's small 3-CCD consumer camera for the job. I'll post some converted 24p results once I get something I am happy with.

If you want to see some 24p converted footage from a Sony 480 line helmet cam look at the following video....

http://www.southerndiscomfort.net/videos/SnowShoe.wmv

The Helmet cam footage is at 3:03 in the video.
 
Re: Helmet cam

good point.. and not only speed but you really dont have any way to expose manually at all.. so it can get tricky if you say, want to expose through a window or something.
 
Re: Helmet cam

[quote author=Jarred Land link=board=Events;num=1100114467;start=0#10 date=11/11/04 at 13:03:56]good point.. and not only speed but you really dont have any way to expose manually at all..[/quote]

Sorry, I guess I wasn't clear above when I made the same point ;)

The automatic exposure/shutter was the main reason I stopped using my lipstick lens. Especially when I was shooting in mixed lighting like that found on wooded trails. Constant flashing and popping of the exposure. Really made it a pain to clean up the video.

With my new setup, none of those problems and a cleaner image. That's why I recommend using a MiniDV camera if the environment you will be using it in will be kind. :)
 
Re: Helmet cam

i have the viosport kit as well, i got the h2o - waterproof model, it was only a little more and the few times i have used mine so far it was mounted on the bumper of my jeep.

matthew
 
Re: Helmet cam

Thanks for all your replies, especially dolby ands Hans. I must say I comprehend now why these lipstick cams are so less expensive than 3ccd models with manual exposure and CCU. To have portability, one must sacrifice manual exposure and Manual WB.

I'll be using a helmet cam setup in a variety of situations, from Skiing POV shots to Kitesurf (hopefully). So I am inclined to use a mixed setup, ie, a lipstick cam when portability and weight matter, and a PCxxx MiniDVcam whenever possible or in places where light will fluctuate a lot - and when it doesn´t need to be waterproof. When using the lipstickcam, the minidvcam will be the recording device.
Thanks againg for all your input
Pedro

PS- Hey Jarred, what about my batteries ???
 
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