I got no help in Audio/Video so I figured I'd ask here.
Something with a wide abgle lense and light so theres less weight to shake it around?

 

Sony DCR-TRV240 Digital8 with wide angle attachment.

 

I think mine is the same or very similar to JohnG's but in reality, I'd advise you to find the least expensive Digi8 you can on Ebay because you will shake the begesus out of the thing. No point in spending a ton of money to rattle it to death. JMO

 

Id adree with Adam, I had a very nice panasonic pv-dv951d. That still records well, but dosent like to take more than one digital still at a time, and only plays back video when it wants. (kinda like the o.g. nintendo)

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by johng &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Sony DCR-TRV240 Digital8 with wide angle attachment.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

Mine is very similar....... I have the standard lens and (useless for cars) telephoto lens.

I used 16:9 recording mode on mine, good replacement for wide angle lens, looks cool on my widescreen TV too!

I'd give it a thumbs-up over analog recorders. Digital rocks.

 

I'm using the Mustek PVR-A1 ( http://www.mustek.com/html/prod_pmc/PVR-A1.html ) w/ a bullet cam from Chase Cam ( http://www.chasecam.com ).

The Mustek records MP4 video on an SD card, or it can be used as an MP3 player or any number of fun things that you can use while waiting on the grid for them to clean all the Spec Miatas off the track. That and there are no moving parts....go pounding the rumble strips and the picture doesn't go out for a brief second.

I decided to go this way after my $800 Mini-DV Sony (which had an amazing picture) gave up the ghost. Funny that it lasted through so many on-track incidents (like flipping 3 times) but died when I dropped it about 1ft. in my truck.

Mustek: $120
1GB SD card: $80
Chasecam w/ Mic: $255
Total: $455

 

It really seems liek thats the way to go!
Thanks

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Balled S2K &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I'm using the Mustek PVR-A1 ( http://www.mustek.com/html/prod_pmc/PVR-A1.html ) w/ a bullet cam from Chase Cam ( http://www.chasecam.com ).

Mustek: $120
1GB SD card: $80
Chasecam w/ Mic: $255
Total: $455</TD></TR></TABLE>

Interesting solution. How long can you record to that SD card? 1 hour?

 

Sony DCR-TRV 120
Has worked flawlessly for me for 5 years, and the view pretty good for the stock lens.

HPDEs, I'm sorry for not making that clear. but it also sees alot of other uses.

 

I am assume that you are using the I/O port camera mount. Is there any camera mount available that damps the tremendous vibration and impact loads on the camcorders? The I/O unit has a hard urethane piece that seems to be too hard to effectively damp much vibration or impacts.

 

Mine is an IO Port. I actually notice more vibration coming through it from sound than the big hits. It *seems* like that's just as much a killer to the camera as the suspension (or the occasional/not so occasional curbs). Not saying that sound is THE killer, just seems to play a big role (I never noticed any problems when I ran the same camera + mount in the 944 which is barely audible over wind noise but has a semi rigid suspension). Just speculation however.

There's another thing too - its the safety strap. I am not certain of this either BUT I think if you make it tight to the roll cage structure, you will kill the camera extra quick. Now if you make it loose, not sure how much good you are doing yourself in the event its necessary. I think it needs to be just shy of tight but still have no significant slack to both be safe and non-destructive. But this is just big opinionated unsolicited and unconfirmed BS

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Johnny Mac &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I am assume that you are using the I/O port camera mount. </TD></TR></TABLE>

I've been using the IO Port mount for about 4 years, and my current camera for almost 3 with no issues at all. Some have had bad luck with the IO Port mount while others haven't. I think track surface has a lot to do with how well any particular mount will work. Our local tracks like Portland, Spokane and Bremerton are all pretty smooth, while Seattle is so-so in places.

$.02

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Johnny Mac &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I am assume that you are using the I/O port camera mount. Is there any camera mount available that damps the tremendous vibration and impact loads on the camcorders? The I/O unit has a hard urethane piece that seems to be too hard to effectively damp much vibration or impacts.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I use the SVTek mount that SJR(I think?) recommended.. No vibration issues at all.. fitament wasn't perfect, but that's because I went cheap on the bar size specific model.. the new generic one will not have that problem..

My camera is a Sharp 430.. I've had it for like 3 years now, just started using it on track and it worked fine..

 

Yup, about 1hr on a 1GB card at the higher of two resolutions. I would suspect about 1.5 to 2hrs on the lower res. I'll try to post something up in the near future.

 

I use a Canon ZR65 miniDV camcorder and a lipstick camera (formerly mounted to the rollcage, now mounted to the roof).

Camcorder is stored in a padded box on the floor - feed the remove video into it.

$300 for camcorder
$165 for lipstick camera
$15 for remote mic
$10 for box on floor

I'd call the quality "very good."

Jarrod

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by bluegsr &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I use a Canon ZR65 miniDV camcorder and a lipstick camera (formerly mounted to the rollcage, now mounted to the roof).

Camcorder is stored in a padded box on the floor - feed the remove video into it.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

I think this is more & more becoming the preferred way to go.

 

I have been using a Sony DCR-HC20 on an I/O Port mount since last season and I'm very happy with this setup. My only complaint is that I NEED a wide angle lense (which this camera will accept) to get the frame I want.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Balled S2K &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Yup, about 1hr on a 1GB card at the higher of two resolutions. I would suspect about 1.5 to 2hrs on the lower res. I'll try to post something up in the near future.</TD></TR></TABLE>

what are the available resolutions on this machine? It seems like a great solution!

 

Funny, but none of their documentation has it. I'll report back when I get home tonight.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by bluegsr &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I use a Canon ZR65 miniDV camcorder and a lipstick camera (formerly mounted to the rollcage, now mounted to the roof).

Camcorder is stored in a padded box on the floor - feed the remove video into it.

$300 for camcorder
$165 for lipstick camera
$15 for remote mic
$10 for box on floor

I'd call the quality "very good."

Jarrod</TD></TR></TABLE>

Is there something special that the camera needs to have in order for this to work, like a certain kind of input? I'm really happy with my video, but there's no doubt that the camera is safer in a padded box vs. on the cage. Do the lipstick camera's have a wide angle option?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by travis &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Is there something special that the camera needs to have in order for this to work, ?</TD></TR></TABLE>

It needs to have video input. If you can hook your camera to your TV/VCR and record, you can use a lipstick cam.

 

I have a sony high 8 or whatever the standard is..

I bought it from best buys for $399 on an open box and took the 4 year extended warranty for another $90. Basically I got 1 driving school out of the first camera ( woot.. extended warranty) and then took it and got a comprable replacement. So basically my *** is coveref for 4 years! Even against droppage ( I mean wreckage)

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by johng &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

It needs to have video input. If you can hook your camera to your TV/VCR and record, you can use a lipstick cam.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

Well, that's just the thing. My camera is on the newer side (meaning more damn complicated) and I'm not sure what would work as an input. I'm looking at ports that say USB (well, it's just the USB symbol), iDV (?), A/V Out, LANC (?), and MIC. So I dunno.... I guess I'll have to check/find the manual.

 

I have been happy with my JVC mini-dv and like the 3D noise reduction filter that knocks out all the wind noise but keeps the motor sounds in the audio. Put a screw on wide angle lens which not only lets me see both hands but the footage looks faster on wide angle than it does with the "normal lens" (which makes 120mph look like 40mph).

Barry H.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by travis &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Well, that's just the thing. My camera is on the newer side (meaning more damn complicated) and I'm not sure what would work as an input. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Travis, I googled the model you listed and found this. Don't think it has inputs, but read your manual to be sure.
http://www.camcorderinfo.com/c...w.htm