iSight as a helmet cam at DVinfo.net

Jason Gurwin · July 14th, 2006, 12:36 PM

I am climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro, and was wondering if it is possible ot use a iSight with the Sony HVR-A1 as a helmet cam? I know you can do DV-in to the camera, but the iSight needs power (and the 4 pin firewire into the camera does not supply it, at least I think).

I won't have access to the iSight until 3 days before I'm leaving, which won't give me enough time to get a real helmet cam if neccessary.

If someone has an iSight and a Sony HVR-A1 or similar camera, could you test it and see if it works?

Lastly, if this solution isn't possible, what are the best helmet cams (under $150), that use a camera as the recording source?

Dan Shaffner · July 14th, 2006, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason Gurwin

I am climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro, and was wondering if it is possible ot use a iSight with the Sony HVR-A1 as a helmet cam? I know you can do DV-in to the camera, but the iSight needs power (and the 4 pin firewire into the camera does not supply it, at least I think).

I won't have access to the iSight until 3 days before I'm leaving, which won't give me enough time to get a real helmet cam if neccessary.

If someone has an iSight and a Sony HVR-A1 or similar camera, could you test it and see if it works?

Lastly, if this solution isn't possible, what are the best helmet cams (under $150), that use a camera as the recording source?

Cal randy Chase at chase cam

www.chasecam.com

Boyd Ostroff · July 15th, 2006, 08:06 AM

Jason, I could be wrong because I've never used an iSight, but I don't think it shoots DV25 like a camorder. It probably has some sort of custom data format that can only be interpreted by a computer program and it wouldn't work by plugging it into a camcorder.

For another idea, take a look at a recent issue of DV magazine where they reviewed the A1. There's a picture showing the whole camera mounted on a helmet while the author rides a bicycle.

July 14th, 2006, 12:36 PM	#1
Jason Gurwin Regular Crew Join Date: May 2004 Location: United States Posts: 33	iSight as a helmet cam I am climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro, and was wondering if it is possible ot use a iSight with the Sony HVR-A1 as a helmet cam? I know you can do DV-in to the camera, but the iSight needs power (and the 4 pin firewire into the camera does not supply it, at least I think). I won't have access to the iSight until 3 days before I'm leaving, which won't give me enough time to get a real helmet cam if neccessary. If someone has an iSight and a Sony HVR-A1 or similar camera, could you test it and see if it works? Lastly, if this solution isn't possible, what are the best helmet cams (under $150), that use a camera as the recording source?

July 15th, 2006, 08:06 AM	#3
Boyd Ostroff Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mays Landing, NJ Posts: 11,787	Jason, I could be wrong because I've never used an iSight, but I don't think it shoots DV25 like a camorder. It probably has some sort of custom data format that can only be interpreted by a computer program and it wouldn't work by plugging it into a camcorder. For another idea, take a look at a recent issue of DV magazine where they reviewed the A1. There's a picture showing the whole camera mounted on a helmet while the author rides a bicycle.