Video Cams...

[Doc]

I'm thought about installing a Video Cam on the Trike and since so many of you have made Videos or various Rides, thought I'd ask what Video Cams most of you are using. Aerostich.Com had two Cams advertised that are manufactured under the name "EPIC"...both are Wide Angle, the more expensive one being a HD Model. Has anyone in the Group used one of these and/or seen the quality of Video they produce? Looking forward to the feedback...Thanks in Advance

Ed

 

[Doc]

OK...received the Epic Wide Video Cam today...looks like there's some quality built into it,
so Now I'll start doing some testing and will keep y'all posted!

Ed

 

[Papa Zook]

Sounds good Ed. Post a video in the video section.

 

[John Luciano]

I saw a small video cam ( about the size of a " C " cell battery) at Americade sells for $139.00. I almost bought it . I am using a $ 39.00 camera I bought at Walgreens see my videos in the Picture video section. Can't wait to see yours . I mounted mine on the crash rail using the Ram mount.

 

[Doc]

Finially got mine and will try to figure out where to mount for Best View...The Epic price runs all over the place, I first saw it at Aerostich.com for $199.95...searched the net and got it from Walmart.com for $119.00 (the exact same Model and Kit)...so always Shop around! Will post pics ot it mounted and do some Videos next week (the Boss had other plans for the weekend)!

 

[John Luciano]

Perfect spot is right on the side of that front crash bar as high as you can . I mounted mine on my GW using a RAM mount at approx the same height, maybe even a bit lower the video is great, Puts the camera in the center of the road and is not blocked much by bike in front of u

 

[Doc]

Headlite Mount of Epic Wide Video Cam

 

[John Luciano]

Very good . Now go get some video and post it. I can't wait

 

[Doc]

Just need a lesson from Nana on "Videos for Dummies" and we'll get it done!!!
Reviewed the Video and for a Camera mounted in direct contact with the front suspension, it's actually pretty good. Of course I voewed it, now I have to figure how to get it from Camera to Computer and from computer to Forum...LOL!

 

[John Luciano]

Got go to U tube

 

[Nana]

Just need a lesson from Nana on "Videos for Dummies" and we'll get it done!!!
Reviewed the Video and for a Camera mounted in direct contact with the front suspension, it's actually pretty good. Of course I voewed it, now I have to figure how to get it from Camera to Computer and from computer to Forum...LOL!

Doc, at present the only way I know to post a video is to to put a link to YouTube. However, our wonderful tech guy is currently working on programming that should allow that link to embed the video so it shows up as a YouTube video box rather than just the link. Our hope is that he will have that up and running in the next day or two. I believe you will still have to first upload your video to YouTube in order to link it to the forum.

 

[Doc]

He'll probably figure that out before I figure how to get the Video from the Little Camera onto my Laptop...LOL! At least I've managed to watch a few so far and for a Camera Mounted in a manner that subjects it to every bump or pebble in the road, the Video looked pretty good. Now to buy breakfast or lunch for some computer savy buddy and learn what I need to learn! ;-)

Ed

 

[John Luciano]

Camera came with a usb cable this is what you plug into the computer, It also came with a program u load into the computer. U open the program select from camera or device and click up load, It will give you a choice if edit it or not.

 

[Doc]

Did not come with a seperate program to download to PC...pluging in the USB simply opens Microsoft Media Player and you can View the Video...nothing in Media Player about Editing or Downloading....have to read up on Microsoft Media Player...even tried burning to a DVD off the Laptop but "NO GO"...need a PC savy Geek to sit with!

 

[Nana]

Grab the nearest teenager, Doc. I'm beginning to think they were born with a computer in their hands!

 

[John Luciano]

Midea player does nothing but play. Without an edit program the camera is just a play and view. You could go to a Walgeens or Wally World and buy a cheap Video camera for $29.00 and that has the program you need . Before buying it check the box to see if one is included . You can then load that program into your computer and it will allow you to upload the camera and edit it. Your movies must be less than 9min. 58 sec. to load to U tube. U may be able to load a short 7 or 8 min. clip directly to UTube from your camera.U must register with U Tube before U can do this .

User names and Passwords are getting harder to pick as the User DATA base is so huge.

 

[Doc]

Thanks for the Info John....will check it out.

Ed

 

[spiritdream]

Doc,

Here's a link to the owner's manual (I think this is the right camera, anyway). Instructions for downloading are on page 5. According to this manual, you have an SD card in the camera - you remove that, plug it into your pc/laptop, and Windows should open a dialog box that will allow you to view/save the videos to your pc/laptop.


http://epicstealthcam.com/epic_downloads/manuals_drivers/epic_wide_video_cam.pdf

 

[Doc]

Bless you one and all...again, Cheri Thank you so much...I owe all y'all! Never thought you'd hear that from a yankee,,,LOL!

Ed

 

[spiritdream]

Only thing you owe me is some great videos to watch! :yes: (OK, if you make it to Maggie Valley you can buy me a drink. )

 

[Doc]

OK Let's give this a shot

 

[Greydog]

Was reading up on video cams last week when I found this thread so here's a little review of the one I ordered. I purchased the GoPro HD Hero Helmet Cam and it arrived Thursday. Pricey little gem but it appears to be everything they advertise it to be. Comes with several different mounts including the helmet mount and a water proof case to 180'. They don't supply an SD card so I had to pop 50 bucks for a 32ghz card at Wally World. It has it's own built in driver for Windows and super easy file transfer to the computer. You can also use Windows Movie Maker to automatically convert the MP4 files and burn them to DVD. Also has two sets of video/audio cables so you can connect the camera directly to your TV and watch your videos in HD or regular video. It will also send live video from the camera to the TV. It's a really well constructed, durable little camera with several different programable features in both video and still camera modes. Haven't used it on the trike yet but have the mount attached to my helmet and ready to go!!
The only thing I don't like about it is there is no built in LCD monitor; however, there is an LCD BacPac monitor that attaches to the camera that must be purchased as an option. Just finished ordering it.

 

[pmar6004]

I recently have been reading up on POV (point of view) action video cameras and have, after weighing all the pros and cons, decided on the Drift HD170 Stealth, by Drift Innovations. What sold me on the Drift was that it has an LCD screen built right into the body of the camera, it has a remote control to turn on and off the camera thus having the ability of just taking the frames on scenes of your choice and not use up precious space on your flash media card. It has the ability of taking slow motion pictures, which is another unique feature of the camera as well as a jack for a remote mike to improve its sound quality, especially when its mounted to your trike while traveling at hwy speeds. As those who owe a video camera know, wind noise can be a problem which can deteriorate the quality of ones video. What also sold me on the Drift was its price <$180.00 at Crutchfield, who threw in an 8GB SD card, a extra longer life battery and a camera case, to sweeten the deal. Here's a link to Crutchfield drift innovation at Crutchfield.com. where you can read up on the Drift. I think you'll be as impressed as I was when comparing it to the GoPro, Contour, Epic and others. Happy videoing...!ThumbUp

Daydreamer

 

[pmar6004]

bump!

Daydreamer

 

[Greydog]

Wish I had seen that before I bought the GoPro. Could have saved a bunch of bucks!! The GoPro is a great little camera but has a lot of features I will seldom or never use. Also isn't worth crap in low light. Don't think I'll be 180 feet under water either. What REALLY bugs me is they came out with the Hero2, right after I bought mine, that is a 12 megapixel unit for the same price!! Oh well....hindsight is 20/20!!

 

[John Luciano]

All my videos were taken with a $39.00 Camera from CVS . Not waterproof but I don't plan on taking video in the rain. I have to stop to put on rain gear and remove my GPS anyway .Uses a $4.00 2 gig card and takes 1hr of video. Runs on 2 aa batteries .( I now use rechargeable ones ) has a LCD screen . Camera was $29.00. If I falls off the bike and brakes I may go back and get the SD card and stop at CVS for a new one . True it does not take the clear HD video yours does and I am very impressed with what you guys do take . I would love the remote as I do get a lot of junk video I have to edit out . In case you never saw any taken with it .
Just an alternative for low bucks
Motorcycle Trike from driver seat - YouTube

 

[Burbvarmint]

I use a Drift HD and having lots of fun with it. Here is my first video from last August. Not in HD mode on this one.
Motorcycle Ride in Shenandoah - YouTube

Hope this link works.

 

[John Luciano]

Where is it mounted and How ? What are the 2 chrome things in the foreground ?

 

[pmar6004]

This thread is starting to become very interesting and informative as more people add their comments, share their video clips and ask questions. I, for one, am just getting started, with the purchase of my first point of view (pov) action camcorder, a couple of weeks ago. As mentioned in an earlier post on this thread, I chose the Drift HD170 Stealth by Drift Innovations. I'll give Crutchfield another free plug as they were selling the Drift for the lowest price + throwing in on the deal: an extra longer life battery, an 8GB SDHC flash memory card and a camera case + free shipping. They also seem genuinely interested in giving their customers top notched service and tips to improve on the quality of one's video recordings and to make them more interesting and exciting. 12 Tips for Shooting Better Video with Your Camcorder I look forward to reading more about others experiences, from the camera they chose and why, where on their trikes and motorcycles they mount them, the video editing software they use and why... etc. etc. etc. Happy videoing...ThumbUp

Daydreamer

 

[Burbvarmint]

John, for this first video I mounted my HD170 to the handlebars, just peaking around my windshield. I am using a RAM ball mount that has a standard camera screw base feature. Very adjustable wherever I have mounted it since this first video. Biggest issue I have had is the sound. Getting up around 50 mph or so the wind noise gets pretty distracting on the recorded video. The mic input is a small pin hole opening that I cover up with tissue and tape - a makeshift muffler. Of course if I use clips to make a little video like this I can use music so you cant tell. I use Cyberlink Power Director to play with the video I shoot.
BTW, the two chrome thingies are my headlights. I mount the camera a little higher now just for that reason, so they don't show up. Still learning things about the camera and the many ways to use it. That small screen on the 170 is a challenge but I use it mainly for ensuring I am pointed with the correct orientation.