iPOD Catapult - Video Capture Device

telebay

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Has anyone seen this? I follow this forum pretty closely and I've not seen it mentioned.

URL: http://bella-usa.com/Catapult.htm

Says it will support HDV (which doesn't fit the HVX, of course), but it also says Panasonic. So, clarification may be required by Bella on this?

Price: Under $300
Release: Latter 2006

Anyhow, here's the description:

Catapult is the world's first device to allow capture of video footage from DV or HDV video cameras directly to iPods or virtually any USB drive, and begin editing immediately. A battery powered device not much larger than a Blackberry, the Catapult eliminates the time consuming and tedious task of digitizing video footage.

Advanced Features Expand Functionality
Catapult adds exciting features to capturing digital video including time lapse and trigger-based events, as well as pre and post record functionality – all of which are impossible to achieve with standard tape-based recording methods.

Time Lapse Recording
The completely configurable Time Lapse feature allows the recording of frames of video at specific intervals. For example, recording only a few frames per minute would show a flower blooming, while a longer duration could be used to document building at a construction site.

Remote Trigger Allows More Freedom
The Catapult offers Remote Trigger Recording, which allows either a remote switch or a motion detector to trigger recording on the Catapult. This can be particularly useful in recording nature and wildlife events, and also for surveillance operations.

Pre & Post Record
Pre-record and Post-record settings are two of the most exciting features of Catapult. With the Pre-record setting, users can set Catapult to begin recording for a preset amount of time prior to actually hitting the “record” button on the camera. This is feature is great for use with live action, such as sporting events allowing you to capture that winning point every time.

The Post-record setting is useful when used in conjunction with a remote trigger, such as a motion detector. For example, to record hummingbirds visiting a feeder, the motion sensor would prompt the Catapult to begin recording, and the Post-record feature would allow recording to continue for a pre-determined amount of time.

Extended Recording Time

Utilizing built-in rechargeable batteries, the Catapultis capable of continuous recording in excess of three hours. The Catapult can also be powered with the included AC adaptor.

Easily Set Up With Presets Included

The Catapult can be configured using either a Windows or Macintosh computer. The Catapult "Configurator" allows you to save settings for up to four presets that can easily be accessed "in the field" on the Catapult.

Broad Compatibility

The Catapult is designed to work with DV and HDV format cameras that include a FireWire connection, such as those from Sony, Canon, JVC, and Panasonic.

Pricing and Availability

The Catapult will be available in the second half of 2006 and will be priced under $300.
 
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Not the same old question...

Not the same old question...

When I read the title, I first thought "Oh, another guy asking if you can off-load footage to an iPOD!" But this sounds cool! I hope it will work with the HVX. May be a much less expensive alternative to the Firestore!
 
I would just think that their would be some serious wear-and-tear on the iPOD hard-drive. From all I've heard, you'd go through hard-drives pretty quickly and wear them out.
 
Having several IPODs, I have some experience with hard drive failure.

I'vd had two IPODs I've used for only music, and I've never had a problem with failure. I've had three that I've used to backup some hard drives daily, and they've all failed.

Simply, IPODs are not meant for heavy usage or daily data transfers/backups, besides music .

MC
 
Amen... same experience here with me and all my friends. Ipods are not meant to be constantly spinning HDDs, they dont have the cooling or battery capacity to do so. Also, at $700 for 60GB... why not buy a used laptop? If you INSIST on using an Ipod, see my other thread for a potentially dumping P2 off to iPod...



ash =o)
 
mandycastro said:
Simply, IPODs are not meant for heavy usage or daily data transfers/backups, besides music .

So it's okay to transfer 60gb of music a day, but not video files?
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Hmm. Who transfers 60g of music a day on their ipod? You transfer the music, then listen to it as you go. The music is cached in the Ipod memory, and the drive gets to spin down, only spinning up when you change tracks or shuttle. That's a whole lot different than dumping/offloading 60g a day, as you would with it attached to a camera.
 
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