motorcycle cameras: options and reviews: post your riding video's

[hydra]

This was for work, right?  I now hate my job even more 
BK

LOL, yes i'm here for work but it's not for video and that's the hotel i'm staying at.
i'm a producer and engineer of music and my client has his studio here. i can't say who it is but he's obviously sold a bunch of albums 

[BK_856er]

Thanks for posting that, hydra.  Looks great!  Now I'm certain that I want one.  Looks like the POV1.5 will be out next week (same basic thing, smaller camera with fixed cable, still $$).
BK

Here's a test video with my new POV.  This is fun stuff.  The video clip is just a few minutes of about 1.5hrs, and it's a tight downhill section towards the end of the ride (one of my favorite roads for the monster - Page Mill Road).  I had the integrated microphone/cable on the right side, so whenever I hung off a little on that side the wind noise really took over.  I definitely need to figure out a more ideal arrangement for the audio.   The video quality is unimpressive on youtube, far better on a local computer and really fantastic played directly from the recorder to a flatscreen TV.

BK

PMR downhill

[Mash]

Wow, that's a great way to watch the suspension work.  If I knew how to tune suspension systems, I'd probably like to see the travel like that.

[dutchy73]

Anyone running this set up? Plugs right into the camcorder or you can buy it with a DVR.

http://www.sportzshot.com/helmet-camera-pvs1.php

I'm thinking about picking this one up. Thoughts?

[hydra]

Here's a test video with my new POV.  This is fun stuff.  The video clip is just a few minutes of about 1.5hrs, and it's a tight downhill section towards the end of the ride (one of my favorite roads for the monster - Page Mill Road).  I had the integrated microphone/cable on the right side, so whenever I hung off a little on that side the wind noise really took over.  I definitely need to figure out a more ideal arrangement for the audio.   The video quality is unimpressive on youtube, far better on a local computer and really fantastic played directly from the recorder to a flatscreen TV.
BK

nice vid BK! BTW, where is page mill rd?
so you ended up sticking with the pov.1.5 afterall. i think you made a good choice.
i'm quite happy with my pov.1 although i haven't had time to do any shooting since that first test video.
i like the fact that it uses standard AA's so you can be anywhere and you won't need to worry about having access to AC to recharge your cam.

and i think i'm going to buy an external mic so i can place it wherever i want it. having it connected to the same cable as the cam really limits where you can place the mic.

the only other thing is i wish you could adjust your own exposure...

[Mojo S2R]

Great vid BK.  Thanks for posting that.

[BK_856er]

nice vid BK! BTW, where is page mill rd?
so you ended up sticking with the pov.1.5 afterall. i think you made a good choice.
i'm quite happy with my pov.1 although i haven't had time to do any shooting since that first test video.
i like the fact that it uses standard AA's so you can be anywhere and you won't need to worry about having access to AC to recharge your cam.

and i think i'm going to buy an external mic so i can place it wherever i want it. having it connected to the same cable as the cam really limits where you can place the mic.

the only other thing is i wish you could adjust your own exposure...

Yes, this is from the POV1.5.  It has a few quirks, but so far so good.  Let me know what you figure out for the mic.  Proper audio is a must!  The "new" Vio tactical line has exposure adjustment, so maybe that will find its way into a future firmware version.

Page Mill Road is north of San Jose and connects the valley to the coastal ridge.  Very twisty and somewhat goaty.  Zero margin for error and often many surprises.  Fun stuff and great views.  I hate it on the SBK, but the Monster eats it up!  Lots of great riding here in the Bay Area and now finally some dry weather.

BK

[BK_856er]

Great vid BK.  Thanks for posting that.

Thanks!  Here's another.  Same day, different roads - more open.  This is my first attempt at creating and merging clips.  Tried to include some roll-ons so the exhaust would come through.  I have a new respect for the time/effort/space involved in performing even the most rudimentary video tasks!

BK

84W 35S

[dbran1949]

A cheap fix for wind noise is to put a piece of blue painter's masking tape right over the mic, it blocks the wind but still lets the low frequency engine sound through

[BK_856er]

A cheap fix for wind noise is to put a piece of blue painter's masking tape right over the mic, it blocks the wind but still lets the low frequency engine sound through

I had several wraps of black electrical tape over the mic.  Is painters masking tape preferred?  I'll definitley try it.

BK

[dbran1949]

I had several wraps of black electrical tape over the mic.  Is painters masking tape preferred?  I'll definitley try it.

BK

Don't know about preferred, but it has worked in the past for me. I used it initially because I could get it removed without residue. If you already tried electrical tape maybe it won't be any better. The point is it has to be applied in such a manner so it won't vibrate otherwise it just transmits the wind noise.

[BK_856er]

Some updates on my POV1.5M setup...

I rigged up the bike power lead, so no more worries about running down the AA batts, although basic AAs were giving about 4-6hrs of runtime.

Bought an 8GB SDHC card for literally hours of video storage.

Picked up the vio mount kit and case and found a good place to stick the recorder.  It's convenient to stick it in a jacket pocket, but I really disliked being tethered to the recorder.

Got an Audio Technica MT-830 subminiature omni mic for more placement options.

Here are some pics and a new video that covers the same stretch as my first video.  The audio is much better with the remote mic.   I still need to experiment with mic placement - I think I'm getting too much induction noise with the mic behind the cluster.  I'll try under the seat next.  The mic is super nice.  The recorder wedges in securely and attaches using the elastic straps of the case - it's stealthier than it looks in the pic.

BK





pmr 2

Added this clip of the same section going uphill for more throttle:

pmr 4 new mic uphill

(If you get an error on playback, select a lower HQ setting along the bottom of the video)

[Pink]

Wow, this stuff is very cool. Definitely got me interested in the POV.1 to document my ascent to reasonably proficient motorcycling!

I think the mic placement sounds perfect on that last one BK.

[BK_856er]

Wow, this stuff is very cool. Definitely got me interested in the POV.1 to document my ascent to reasonably proficient motorcycling!

I think the mic placement sounds perfect on that last one BK.

I moved the mic under the seat, clipped to the wiring sheath just behind the voltage regulator.  Good wind protection.  Better and more "motor" sound as the RPM changes.  Nice driveline whine on deceleration.  More exhaust note.  Sounds like a serious dry clutch at idle!  On the negative side, the induction growl is almost totally gone and the shifting clunks are very pronounced.  I think behind the cluster is the better overall compromise.  Realistically you probably need more than one mic to capture all the mechanical goodness, but I'm drawing the line at just one.  I'll keep experimenting with placement.  All the clips sound pretty mean from decent speakers and a subwoofer!

BK

[MsTek]

Hahah.. you know I was thinking about this lately but not for the same reasons.

I've been wanting to record some of the conversations I am having with myself on my motorcycle and post them. Usually in response to some jackass in Chicago traffic.  I come up with some colorful stuff sometimes and just wish I could post it.