on board camera?

[martin_14]

I've been using a "normal" video camera, a Canon FS-100, with a RAM-mount attached on top of the tank. I replaced the front of the 5 bolts attaching the keyed cap to the fuel tank, with acceptable results. I even attached a fisheye to the camera.
Problem is, it's still a home camera with tons of features and although not HD the quality is superb, no interlacing, no stupid rolling shutter, no distortion, and even with a line-in for an external microphone (which I still didn't get around to install next to the exhaust  ). But! it is delicate and it's just a matter of time until the vibrations kill it, and I honestly paid too much for it 3 years ago to see that happen.
So I thought of this little thingies like the ATC-2000, the Contour, the GoPro, etc., and I'm planning to mount it in 3 alternative positions, depending on my mood that day:
- somewhere on the tank with the revs and speedo on frame; I want the camera to lean with the bike. My Ram-mount right now is too short and, although the view is good, the clocks block the lower half of the frame. So I'm willing to get a longer one or find some creative solution.
- on the side of the bike, low, so due to the wide angle of the lens you can see, besides the road ahead, the front wheel.
- on my helmet, probably on top.
I just would like to hear what you guys are using and how you like it, and any suggestions you might have.

[stewart]

I have a ContourHD GPS. I brought it for Snow Skiing primarily, the bike is just a cool use.

I'm happy with it.

[Barry]

I mounted mine with a suction cup to the windscreen.  In FRONT of the screen.  Lot of wind noise, but good view.

[MikeERideWNC]

I was just discussing this with another forum member in PM's.
Here is the advice I gave him from my experiences:



Don't even get me started about ContourHD...
I bet I have dropped 1000.00 on crap for my cameras.

The suction mount and camera is all you need to mount to the bike.
You don't need the waterproof case unless you are going deep sea diving. You camera will resist most weater conditions.
I have ridden in massive rain storms with mine. I have a video somewhere of me doing Deal's Gap in the rain at speed on a BMW K1200LT.

I have pretty much all the shwag for the camera. Several different mounts, waterproof cases, batteries and memory.

When I ride solo, I really only use the camera, the suction mount, two batteries and two 16GB SDRAM.
However, I have two cameras which I regularly use, well, three? I gave one to a riding buddy but don't plan on taking it back.

I can get two hours about 12GB of data per battery.
I shoot at 1080p 60 FPS on every ride.

Now we have to talk about rendering software.
Everything until now has been editted with Quicktime PRO. It is a 30.00 down load from Apple.
The free Quicktime does not allow cut and paste of the video clips. This is a must because on a four hour ride there will only be ten minutes which you will ever want to see again.

I just started using Sony Vegas Movie Studio HD Platinum 11.0. This is a 94.00 download from Sony.
There is a free trial period. I have only just begun editting with it and it does everything that Windows Media Maker did with the old .AVI data.
I wish WMM were more friendly with .MP4 and .MOV files. That software was simple to use.

When I edit I save at 1080p and upload that to YouTube.
When you watch my videos on YouTube they are usually defaulted to 360.
Choose 1080p option and see how clear they are.

Good luck and feel free to bounce any of you questions off of me.


Second Reply:


Windshields tend to wobble too much at speed. That wobble will blur the picture.
I like to mount the camera to something solid.
Also, if you are shooting through the shiel, sometimes you will get a nasty glare or shadows.
You will find that 1080p will pick up every annoying defect it can find. They are not as forgiving as VHS camcorders were twenty years ago.

Don't video your speedo. The PoPo can write tickets for thing they see on your video.
I have heard stories from a couple of NC Troopers I know of tickets that they wrote for out of staters who video'd themselves doing stupid stuff prior to crashing.
Another reason I try to keep my camera stealthy while riding.
Under the left mirror is the best place I found. The only down side is it looks like you are riding the yellow line. It is easy to control while riding.
I thought about mounting it on the right, but then people would think I was offroading.


Camera - 134.35
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002QGSYZ4/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&m=A1729W3053T57N
Mount - 29.99
http://www.amazon.com/Contour-2800-Windshield-Mount-Kit/dp/B002HDUHM4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1316292315&sr=8-2

I suggest getting 2 16GB Micro SD and an extra battery this will get you four hours.

[MikeERideWNC]

I ready like the concept of the GPS.
But that allows everyone(PoPo) the knowledge of where you ride and how fast you are going.

Some on this website do not do the speed limit on their, "old farts bike."
I should rephrase that to read some people on this site do not get 10K miles out of their tires.

[timbo]

Could you run a power wire from the camera(when mounted under the mirror) to the power socket so you wouldn't have to depend on the battery?

[COGnosticat0r]

I was just discussing this with another forum member in PM's.

And I appreciate the advice 

My ContourHD should be to be next week.  I already have the Panavise suction mount so I ordered the universal moutnt to allow the 1/4-20 screw

I was wondering if I can use the camera while having a power source plugged into it, as I have the cigar lighter plug charger coming also.

[MikeERideWNC]

Could you run a power wire from the camera(when mounted under the mirror) to the power socket so you wouldn't have to depend on the battery?

No... The camera goes into computer attached mode when a USB cable is connected.
You could wire a battery charger to your bike and drop it in the tank bag.

[jonathan]

No... The camera goes into computer attached mode when a USB cable is connected.
You could wire a battery charger to your bike and drop it in the tank bag.

Does it go into slave mode when you plug in the USB cable with nothing on the other end? I think it would only become a slave if it detects a data signal. So you should be able to use a USB adaptor/charger on the bike that just provides power and not data.

[Khrome]

When I edit I save at 1080p and upload that to YouTube.
When you watch my videos on YouTube they are usually defaulted to 360.
Choose 1080p option and see how clear they are.

What name and or title are your videos under?

[MikeERideWNC]

Does it go into slave mode when you plug in the USB cable with nothing on the other end? I think it would only become a slave if it detects a data signal. So you should be able to use a USB adaptor/charger on the bike that just provides power and not data.

Maybe so... But if you have the back cover off so your USB power is in, how will you turn the camera on while riding?
The button on the camera is tiny.
You need the cover to be able to push the button with gloves on.
No one wants to stop and turn on the camera...

[MikeERideWNC]

What name and or title are your videos under?

ON youTube my username is RideWNC.

Idiot Cage Driver
This is a video I just built with the Sony Vegas software.
Eventually I will get better.

[COGnosticat0r]

ON youTube my username is RideWNC.

This is a video I just built with the Sony Vegas software.
Eventually I will get better.

Were you on the C14 in this video?  If so where was the camera mounted?

I think I am going to try PowerDirector9 64 bit when I get my ContourHD
http://www.cyberlink.com/products/powerdirector/overview_en_US.html?&r=1

The guy in the car is crazy and definitely didn't want you to go around him/her

[MikeERideWNC]

I riding a Ducati 848.
The camera is mounted on the right front side of the tank shooting over the fairing.

There was no way that I was going to pass him.
I got on his butt so I could get his tag number then I backed off. We were not going the speed limit, 55mph.
I try to hold 55mph on that road and it is nearly impossible. The speeds were 45 - 50.
Sadly, I must admit that I was hoping he would crash while I had video running.
His driving and faulty equipment made it bad for public safety.
Jerks like this would be walking or riding a scooter once their car is totaled.

[COGnosticat0r]

Maybe so... But if you have the back cover off so your USB power is in, how will you turn the camera on while riding?
The button on the camera is tiny.
You need the cover to be able to push the button with gloves on.
No one wants to stop and turn on the camera...

I downloaded the user manual yesterday and saw that you have to have the back of the camera open to charge it, then I knew that I could not use the camera while it was plugged in.  Oh well, more batteries   

[lt1]

I riding a Ducati 848.
The camera is mounted on the right front side of the tank shooting over the fairing.

There was no way that I was going to pass him.
I got on his butt so I could get his tag number then I backed off. We were not going the speed limit, 55mph.
I try to hold 55mph on that road and it is nearly impossible. The speeds were 45 - 50.
Sadly, I must admit that I was hoping he would crash while I had video running.
His driving and faulty equipment made it bad for public safety.
Jerks like this would be walking or riding a scooter once their car is totaled.

I must have missed the faulty equipment, but the double yellow vioaltions were pretty obvious and could have been deadly to oncoming traffic.  Why not indicate the time and place and send the video to the state police?

If there is a personal concern, next time send the video in to the police instead of posting it publicly, or at least post it anonymously,

[MikeERideWNC]

I must have missed the faulty equipment, but the double yellow vioaltions were pretty obvious and could have been deadly to oncoming traffic.  Why not indicate the time and place and send the video to the state police?

If there is a personal concern, next time send the video in to the police instead of posting it publicly, or at least post it anonymously,

Yeah... Watch the video again... The first five seconds are the Tag, date and time.
On YouTube is has the location.
The left rear tire is a spare.

I don't believe in NC that the video will do any good with the laws.
However, any video shot which shows the camera operator breaking laws will earn fines and points...

[martin_14]

when I see this kind of drivers I learned that there are two viable options: either I try to stretch my luck and get past him, or stop for 5 minutes and let him go away. I obviously choose the second. It allows me to stay away from stress and stupidity (both mine and from others) and enjoy the road. It also takes away from him/her the satisfaction of blocking somebody that is actually quicker.