On-Bike Video Cameras

[Global Rider]

After years of touring the Alps and missing some great video footage of the Alps passes, I decided to look into the equipment required to do so. I've come up with what I consider to work quite well.

Of primary importance was a stable image and the protection of the video camera in case of an accident. Both issues were dealt with by storing the camera in a tank bag and by using a remote CCD lipstick camera which was then mounted to the helmet using the supplied mount. Mounting the CCD lipstick camera on the body of the rider provides a stable image as compared to mounting the camera on the motorcycle. The body makes for a good damper.

I purchased a Sony DCR-TRV720 Digital 8 video camera because I wanted an upper end camera with image stabilization, a larger (4") LCD screen and a colour viewfinder. When you get right down to it, all you need is a video camera with AV in and outputs. The camera itself is used in the VTR mode as a mini recording VCR when the CCD lipstick camera is connected.

The video quality of the CCD lipstick camera is excellent, but the audio quality of the built-in microphone is useless. I couldn't connect an external microphone because the AV input that I was using for video disabled the MIC input to the camera. Connecting the microphone to the audio of the AV input didn't work either because the signal from the microphone was too small (the AV inputs are LINE inputs). The solution? A battery powered "Stereo Amplified Listener" from Radio Shack, product number 33-1093A. This device fits in the palm of your hand, has dual built-in electret microphones, a volume control, a balance control, an Off/On/Hi (boosts high frequency) switch and a 1/8" stereo headphones jack that is then connected to the AV input to the camera via a 1/8" stereo plug to dual (white & red) phono jack adapter.

The "Stereo Amplified Listener" should be mounted behind a fairing to keep wind noise down. Open cell foam can also be placed around the microphone area to eliminate wind noise.

The CCD "lipstick" camera was purchased from HelmetCamera.Com. The three foot lead from the camera is terminated by a yellow phono jack (video), a white phono jack (left audio) and a black 5.5mm/2.1mm DC power plug that requires 12 volts at less than 150 mA.

I hope this information helps anyone out there from having to reinvent the wheel.


------------------
Alex

Alex's BMW Motorcycle & Global Touring Page http://www.ott.igs.net/~ace

[Julio]

Thanks for the info on video your trip. I am hoping to video my trip through Africa and have just purchased a Sony PC5 which a very compact. As going through Algeria, I will need to hide it or get it confiscated.

Do you know if accessories you mentioned will be compatible with it as I'm a total novice with video cams.

Thanks

Julio

[Global Rider]

As long as your video camera can be operated in the VTR (Video Tape Recording) mode, that is, it can be connected to another VCR to record from it to your video camera, it will work.
You will have to use a "lipstick camera" that is compatible with your video camera format. (ie: NTSC, PAL, SECAM)

HelmetCamera.Com supplies NTSC units. You would have to e-mail them and check if they carry other formats.

As far as compatibility with the accessories that I mentioned, the "Stereo Amplified Listener" that I am using will certainly work.

[Chris Scott]

Thanks for the HelmetCamera.Com info, Global, it's just what I have been wondering about this week. I tried taping my Sony 900 to the helmet but it made my neck ache and as you say, a camcorder is vulnerable out of the bag on a bike. I do hope they make a PAL version.
If watchable, the results will be available on a vid on my AMW site before Xmas.

Chris S

------------------
Author of Sahara Overland and the Adventure Motorcycling Handbook, among other things

http://www.sahara-overland.com

[Global Rider]

Bad news. Buyer beware.

Two days before I set off for a month long tour of the Alps, my Helmet Camera that has seen less than two hours of use, has packed it in.

The only use it has seen so far is on-bike testing for proper mounting angle on my helmet and for sound quality.

With the Helmet Camera connected, the screen on my Sony TRV-DCR720 video camera shows a screen going from bright on the left fading to dark on the right. My Sony video camera plays back to my TV via my VCR without problems, so I know it isn't my Sony video camera or cable.

I did notice that videos taken by the camera showed a slight fluctuation in brightness when I first tried it out. I wonder if these were signs of failure.

In today's competitive market with great warranty coverage, who would think to check what Helmet Camera's warranty would be, which happens to be a comical 48 hours. No wonder they fail to state that on their web site.

I just e-mailed Helmet Camera a few moments ago asking them if they would agree to an exchange. If they do, it'll have to wait till I return. If they don't, rest assured I'll make full use of the power of the internet.

Slightly miffed!!!


------------------
Alex

Alex's BMW Motorcycle & Global Touring Page http://www.ott.igs.net/~ace

[Photog Rob]

Hi Alex,

I don't know where you are based, but here in Spain a "48 hr. guarantee" is just a bunch of bs, and all products MUST be guaranteed for a minimum of 6 months, whether the manufactures likes it or not.

Over here, it would only take a call to a consumer protection office and you'd be in business. I know many European countries have similar laws, and if the camera came from the States, blow me if you can't get your way in attorneyland! I just won't believe you'll get screwed so easily, so do check with your local consumer bureau AND the one overseeing the camera company's area.

Keep on trying!

Roberto.

[Global Rider]

Hi Rob,

Unfortunately, I don't live in attorneyland USA. I live in Canada. In any case, due to the dollars involved, it wouldn't be worth the time and cost.

I haven't received a reply to my e-mail to Helmet Camera. I'll call them when I get back from the Alps. If they refuse to be reasonable, trust me, I'll muddy up their company name and product on the internet.


------------------
Alex

Alex's BMW Motorcycle & Global Touring Page http://www.ott.igs.net/~ace

[Chris Scott]

Helmetcam DIY

I've given up on this '48 hour' mini helmetcam - I've been warned that the relatively cheap stuff is not worth it and the CCTV or professional TV gear from what I can tell costs a packet or isnt sharp enough.
Instead I've gone ahead and properly attached my camcorder (heavier than most) to the side of a helmet with a couple of shelf brackets and a bit of wood using a quick release tripod head screwed into it. This set up needs a counter balance so I got two 1kg bags of lead shot from a diving shop for a fiver strapped the opposite side. It looks crap - you wont want to do it to your £300 Arai - but all in all cost less than a tenner and will give shots of compatible quality with the off helmet footage.
I can also conform that with a SOLID mount on the bars or wherever you can get very good moving footage with a camera, even on bumpy ground - some of you may have seen Robbie Marshall's RTW bike vid - and it certainly worked recently on the dashboard of my car in the desert.

Chris S

[Global Rider]

I did receive an e-mail from Helmet Camera requesting that I return the camera and the battery that I am used to power it up.

I will be returing the camera, but not the YUASA Sealed Rechargeable Lead-Acid Battery, NP7-12, 12V 7.0 Ah due to shipping weight.

Furthermore, I don't see how the battery could have anything to do with the camera's failure.

Helmet Camera specifies a 12V requirement for their camera. Any voltage specification will carry at least a +/- 10% tolerance.

------------------
Alex

Alex's BMW Motorcycle & Global Touring Page http://www.ott.igs.net/~ace

[DogTag]

Hey All,

My friend just got back in town and told me to try SuperCircuits for ultra-lightweight video camera gear. I checked out the website and found their products to be quite inexpensive, carry a 90 DAY WARRENTY, and are quite broad. Unfortunately, they don't really offer a "Turn-Key" solution like helmetcamera... but with a little work I believe their components could provide a higher quality image at a lower price.

Bill

[Global Rider]

I finally received my replacement "lipstick" camera from Helmet Camera along with a letter of apology.

I connected the camera up yesterday and it seemed to work well until the picture started to cut out. Movement of the camera cables caused intermittent operation. I tracked it down to a bad power connector.

Over the next few weeks, I will be running the camera while on my motorcycle. I'll keep this post informed as to the reliability and operation.

------------------
Alex

Alex's BMW Motorcycle & Global Touring Page http://www.ott.igs.net/~ace

[Chris Scott]

I've just come back from filming a Yukon video - I tried my biggish camera on the helmet (L-brackets with a 2kg counterweight on the other side) but it was relatively crap) - after that I just held it in my hand and pointed (a bit tricky/risky on creek crossings but it survived!)
After all, too much wobbly bike riding footage gets a bit dull and even sickening (anyone else nauseous during Blair Witch 1?) tho
maybe on the bike is much better and solid.

My ersults available soon - see my website

Chris S

------------------
Author of Sahara Overland and the Adventure Motorcycling Handbook, among other things

http://www.sahara-overland.com

[iswoolley]

Check out the AdrenalinTrip website, which caters for dirt bikers and mountain bikers, and has a couple of articles on building a HelmetCam on the cheap. They've got a load of video footage from MX tracks around the UK, and seem to use their camera in exacting situations. If it can survive being roosted around an enduro track, it'll probably work okay cruising through the Alps.

Iain.
http://www.adrenalintrip.net
http://www.adrenalintrip.net/xml/Sit...e,TYPE:article

[Global Rider]

Chris!

While on my last tour in the Alps, I too hand held my video camera while driving. It was quite shaky in comparison to the Helmet Camera that I mounted on my helmet.

In fact, the last time I took my Helmet Camera for a trial run, it was down a very bumpy paved backroad. The image on the TV when I later viewed it, was very stable.


------------------
Alex

Alex's BMW Motorcycle & Global Touring Page http://www.ott.igs.net/~ace

[adrenalintrip]

Yeah a helmetcam is the way to go. We've used it on mountainbikes and crossers, and even while racing enduros. We've got some very smooth roadbike footage but we've never published it for fear of prosecution!!

The best bits about a helmetcam vs a static mounted camera are that you where the CamCorder in a bum bag isolating it from some of the impacts/vibrations and the because the actual camera is taped to your helmet you get a much better view.

------------------
Si@adrenalintrip.net