more notes:
hard drive recorders shut-off spontaneously on the track due to the vibrations and g-forces. The same thing happends to the DVD based recorders. Get a Mini DV recorder for best results.
THE RECORDER
Home video has relied on cassette tapes for a long time. The problem is that they involve a lot of moving parts, which can get shaken up badly inside a race car. The Mustek PVR-A1 is a no-moving-parts solution that records MPEG-4 encoded video files to a SD memory card and is about the size of an Apple iPod. It also has a screen, so you can see that your cameras are aimed correctly, and also review your laps right there at the track. It also has a rechargeable battery for when it's out of the car, so you can show other people your laps and exciting off-track excursions.
A $50 SD card holds 3.5 hours of video, and goes right into a $5 reader for the laptop, which means no cables, encoding, or other nonsense when you want to get the videos into the computer.
It's the bargain of my package, at about $95 through Amazon.com.
But this is a world that's changing and improving at a startling rate. Since I bought my Mustek recorder, I've learned about a better option: the Aiptek MPVR Digital Camcorder. (Note: Questionable Quality)
It functions as a standalone video camera, but also has an AV input, and -- importantly -- it can record at the much better 640x480 resolution. The Mustek PVR-A1 could only record at 320x240.
PICTURE-IN-PICTURE
The View-2.com box by RCD Video allows you to combine two incoming video streams into one image. You can have an inset box -- a picture in the picture that shows, in my case, my hands and feet in the cockpit, linked in real time to the larger image of the track. You can change the size and location of the box in the frame, and you can also do half-split frames (horizontal or vertical) if you want to do a front-rear setup. It's a little pricey at $289, because it's not really a consumer item. It's not cheap, but I think there's a real value to being able to see what you're doing (in addition to what the car is doing) in a lap video -- and it's a pain in the neck to post-process two different recordings together.
CAMERAS
I found a cheap source for Sony 1/3-inch CCD HAD bullet cameras, and there's an annoying problem with them that finally pushed me to buy a more expensive model. Many bullet cameras seem to be engineered for low-light photography, which makes them 'bleach out' too readily in bright light use -- like when you're driving at the track. I've finally concluded that the cheap cameras are fine for the cockpit-based camera (since there's less light in the car), so this one is a good choice for that.
But I just found a better solution for the outside-the-car camera. It's a 530-line high-resolution camera with a 1/3-inch latest-generation SuperHAD (whatever that means) Sony sensor. Out of the box, it is less prone to the 'bleaching' effect, and it's capable of high enough resolution so that you could record to DV tapes and have a DVD-like image. But what it also has that's unusual is a wired remote control that you can attach to it which allows you to digitally zoom in or out, and pan or tilt on the digitally zoomed image. That's cool, but it's not all that crucial to lap videos. But the Super-HAD camera also allows you to manually adjust the camera's iris up or down in steps to compensate for a too-bright sky (or a too-dark day, or anything else, really). The iris still responds automatically to incoming light level changes, but the steps allow you to change the range that it's opening or closing the iris within. When you power the camera off, it reverts to its normal settings.
It's $209 for this camera, and another $25 for the remote control. But the manual control the remote gives you is unique among the bullet cameras I've seen, and it holds the settings even after you unplug the remote. This retailer also includes all the stuff the other guys typically nickel and dime you for. You get an AC adapter, a 25-foot video and power cable, a 12V battery adapter, the RCA cables to connect it to a digital recorder or VCR, and a BNC-RCA adapter. I also got an extra lens for $20. It came with a wide-angle 3.6mm lens. I also got a 2.9-mm one that's even wider. I can switch them pretty easily without compromising the camera's weatherproof-ness.
I include the quarter to show relative size. And if I had to do it again, here's a picture of the Aiptek camera with its better resolution.
MICROPHONE
You also need an $8 microphone. It's something you can get at Radio Shack, as well. I have the mic tucked down between the roll bar and the side of the car, down along the B pillar. It's inside a piece of foam, which cuts down on wind noise.
It's worthwhile to make the trip to Radio Shack to put together some 12V power lines from the cigarette lighter or other power source with plugs for the cameras and the recorder.
SOURCES
Here are online web pages for sources for the camera and recorders:
SONY Super HAD CCD Color Bullet Style Camera (VC-805)
$53.95 ea.
http://store.yahoo.com/webtronics/sosuhadccdco2.html
NEW Color High Resolution / High Density Sony 1/3" Super HAD CCD
Weatherproof / Outdoor Bullet Camera with Swivel Mounting Bracket
and 3x Digital Zoom (using optional RMT-3X / 3XL remote controller) M.S.R.P. $299.95
Eyespyvideo.com- Only $209.95
http://www.eyespyvideo.com/color/wea...oof/cc-5hr.htm
Mustek PVR A1 Personal Media Center Recorder
Currently unavailable. None on Amazon.
Pros: price, compact design, great features (with drawbacks)
Cons: clunky interface, has a mind of its own, POOR battery life, poor build quality
The PVR-A1 appears very close in features and form factor to the Audiovox PVR1000.
Aiptek MPVR 6MP MPEG4 Digital Camcorder with 4x Digital Zoom Price: $127.99
Questionable Quality
http://digitalcamera.town-art.com/pr...000AV14J0.html
