Which helmet, snake, bullet, spy etc. cam? at DVinfo.net
DV Info Net

Go Back   DV Info Net > The Tools of DV and HD Production > Open DV Discussion

Open DV Discussion
For topics which don't fit into any of the other categories.

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old May 16th, 2009, 07:00 AM   #1
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Upstate NY, USA
Posts: 138
Which helmet, snake, bullet, spy etc. cam?

After quite a bit of searching I'm still a bit confused as to what would work best.

We need a relatively inexpensive color camera/monitor system that could be used in a small Cessena class airplane to look straight down and feed a display the pilot could view. We have an SLR in place and would like to be able to see what the SLR is seeing.

Any advice as to what/where to look would be much appreciated.

Tim
Tim Ribich is offline   Reply With Quote
Old May 18th, 2009, 09:41 PM   #2
Inner Circle
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Atlanta/USA
Posts: 2,515
Sony Product Detail Page - HXRMC1/ACC
__________________
Ervin Farkas
www.AtlantaLegalVideo.com
Ervin Farkas is offline   Reply With Quote
Old May 19th, 2009, 03:50 PM   #3
Major Player
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Salt Lake City, UT
Posts: 256
Take a look at the ZigView and see if it will work for you. As I understand it, you hook it up directly to the viewfinder of the SLR and it will output a video feed so the pilot could see exactly what the SLR is seeing. The price is about $400.
Lloyd Coleman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old May 23rd, 2009, 03:19 PM   #4
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Upstate NY, USA
Posts: 138
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ervin Farkas View Post
Appreciate the link Ervin, but this unit is WAY beyond what we're looking for.
Tim Ribich is offline   Reply With Quote
Old May 23rd, 2009, 03:31 PM   #5
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Upstate NY, USA
Posts: 138
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lloyd Coleman View Post
Take a look at the ZigView and see if it will work for you. As I understand it, you hook it up directly to the viewfinder of the SLR and it will output a video feed so the pilot could see exactly what the SLR is seeing. The price is about $400.
Hi Lloyd,

I have done a fair amount of research on the ZigView but feel there's better & more flexible systems that one can put together. Seeing thru the lens is not a requirement although I have read about do-it-yourself ZigView-like systems that can be built for a fraction of the cost with readily available parts. Unfortunately, I can't find that info now that I need it.

While the size is right, it looks like the typical helmet cams captures video directly to a media card. Not sure whether it can feed a small monitor. (?) The snake cam might prove useful for other applications as well, but just not sure how well built they might be for our purposes.

But my main source of confusion is how any of these cameras would work 1-2k feet over terrain? I get the impression they work best in an indoor setting and whether they would work at all ourdoors... Haven't found any info to confirm or rule out either way.
Tim Ribich is offline   Reply With Quote
Old May 23rd, 2009, 10:20 PM   #6
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Bloomington, MN
Posts: 167
Well, Being the type of guy I am I am very resorceful...

Ritz Camera just shut down tons of stores... So I went around to the closing stores to look for deals. After getting a nice lighting kit I noticed they had security cameras on sale... Swann brand.

I took a risk and got one... It was like half off for $30

I get home, Open it up, throw on a 9V battery, hook it up to the AV input on my XH-A1 and amazingly, I have video!

Now, This is nothing HD... It is like 380 lines, so, crappy... But it works for any shots I need that I don't want to stick $3,000 worth o' camera in.. Such as under a moving 4 Wheeler.

It is "weatherproof" so... rain, moisture, dust... not a problem, as the lens is protected.

Comes with RCA video out, and one audio output (Can't vouch for audio... never used it.)

But here is a link to the product... I think it goes for about $60 or so in stores....

CESell.com :: Security Devices :: Physical Security :: BULLET CAM BY SWANN

(I think it is outdated now... It took forever to find that link... But they all work the same)
__________________
Canon XH-A1, Rode NTG-2
DIGITAL NOIR PRODUCTIONS
Scott Nelson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old May 23rd, 2009, 10:22 PM   #7
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Bloomington, MN
Posts: 167
Here is the link to the manufactures page

Swann Security - Home & Business Security - BulletCam - Compact & Sleek Color Security Camera
__________________
Canon XH-A1, Rode NTG-2
DIGITAL NOIR PRODUCTIONS
Scott Nelson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old May 24th, 2009, 08:56 AM   #8
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Upstate NY, USA
Posts: 138
Quote:
Originally Posted by Scott Nelson View Post

Now, This is nothing HD... It is like 380 lines, so, crappy... But it works for any shots I need that I don't want to stick $3,000 worth o' camera in.. Such as under a moving 4 Wheeler.
Well there 'ya go! Under a 4 wheeler.. or attached to a Cessna aircraft.

Thanks much for the information. As for the resolution, "crappy" would be good enough as it's only for reference. But I'm wondering if a cam line this was connected to a field monitor of some kind would that be sufficient res to identify the same kinds of objects one's eye could? For example, looking down at 4k feet you can make out buildings & roads. Would these be apparent as well?

Bottom line is given the relatively low expense I'll just go ahead and pick up something like this and do some experimenting-- but any insight as to what one realistically could expect would be appreciated.
Tim Ribich is offline   Reply With Quote
Old May 31st, 2009, 08:35 PM   #9
Inner Circle
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Saskatchewan
Posts: 3,048
Good evening,


curiously, could the vga plug go into a camcorder and then record that video footage?
__________________
DATS ALL FOLKS
Dale W. Guthormsen
Dale Guthormsen is offline   Reply
Reply

DV Info Net refers all where-to-buy and where-to-rent questions exclusively to these trusted full line dealers and rental houses...

B&H Photo Video
(866) 521-7381
New York, NY USA

Scan Computers Int. Ltd.
+44 0871-472-4747
Bolton, Lancashire UK


DV Info Net also encourages you to support local businesses and buy from an authorized dealer in your neighborhood.
  You are here: DV Info Net > The Tools of DV and HD Production > Open DV Discussion

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

 



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 02:48 AM.


DV Info Net -- Real Names, Real People, Real Info!
1998-2024 The Digital Video Information Network