Z06Vette.com - Corvette Z06 Forum - In-Cab camera setup

atoyf · 02-28-2004, 11:15 PM

Hello,

I'd like to purchase a camera to video tape my track sessions from inside the car.

I need to know what would you recommend. I'm looking for mid-priced camera, not the top notch, but at the same time the one that would produce a quality video.

I need to know everything from camera mounts to the camera itself.

Also i'd like to monitor my RPMs and MPH, i know PFYC or CorvetteStore guy has such or similar setup.

Please suggest/recommend.

Subdriver · 02-29-2004, 08:33 AM

I bought one last year for the same purpose and used it to tape most of my races last year.
See this link for example:
Subdriver in car Video, Lap 1 2003 SCCA Valvoline Runoffs

Lots of video cameras fit your needs.
I bought a Sony Mini DV DCR-TRV38 for the following reasons:
- Image Stabilization mode (which I always use)
- Widescreen mode (my TV is 57" HDTV)
- Integrated 1 Megapixel digital camera (I didn't have digital camera and wanted something to snap quick pix of work on the car)
- Fairly small and light

For a mount, I bought the I/O port camera mount. It bolted right to my roll cage and worked great all year.

atoyf · 02-29-2004, 09:56 AM

Great, thanks for the info, how aobut this:

What's this and where do i buy it - I/O port camera mount?

I don't have roll cage - where do i buy something/(roll cage) that would serve me just to bolt my camera to?

Penforhire · 03-01-2004, 10:46 AM

I bought a RD Dynamics harness bar because it had a flat plate in the center for a camera mount. I bolted on cheap ($15 Bogen) 3-axis tripod head (try a camera shop) and was good to go (added a safety strap). This was significantly cheaper than the "other" brand harness bar plus their camera mount. I also added a camera quick release but that's just a luxury. I run a cig lighter adapter cord to power it.

I second the need for image stabilization. Makes a much better driving video (strip and auto-x for me). I use a Sony TRV-series (TRV-17?) camcorder. I've also tried a wide angle adapter lens on it but because of where the cam is mounted it didn't give me much benefit (wanted to see the tach).

phantasms · 03-01-2004, 11:21 AM

I also have the TRV38 and love it. The still pictures aren't that great but that's to be expected with any camcorer. Does anyoen know how to hook the cars computer into the camera so it shows the speed, rpm's, brakes, gas, everything, on the bottom of the screen. PFYC has this setup.

Gene

atoyf · 03-01-2004, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Penforhire
I bought a RD Dynamics harness bar because it had a flat plate in the center for a camera mount. I bolted on cheap ($15 Bogen) 3-axis tripod head (try a camera shop) and was good to go (added a safety strap). This was significantly cheaper than the "other" brand harness bar plus their camera mount. I also added a camera quick release but that's just a luxury. I run a cig lighter adapter cord to power it.

I second the need for image stabilization. Makes a much better driving video (strip and auto-x for me). I use a Sony TRV-series (TRV-17?) camcorder. I've also tried a wide angle adapter lens on it but because of where the cam is mounted it didn't give me much benefit (wanted to see the tach).

Do you have the web address of the guys you bought your setup from? I just want some light bar with camera mount.

I would add a full harness bar with belts and everything, but that too much weight for me and i dont need it as of yet.

Thanks guys

rpallas · 03-02-2004, 12:53 AM

I have the Sony TRV22 and love it. It's similar to the TRV33 and 38, but less expensive. I picked it for a couple of reasons. One was that it has a more sensitive CCD, so it's better for low light situations. That was important to me for shooting indoors. It also has a slightly better wide angle than the TRV33 (don't know about the 38 so much). The still pictures suck with low resolution, but I didn't buy it for that. I have a dedicated digital camera for stills. The 38 had the larger LCD screen from what I remember, but I liked the more compact size of the 19/22/33 series. The price was also right. I think my camera listed for $699, but I got it for quite a bit cheaper. I think prices have come down now.

I forgot to mention that I use the B-K camera mount attached to my B-K harness bar. There is less ultimate adjustability compared to something like the I/O Port Racing mount, but it's easier for me to put on and take off and there is no metal to metal contact, so I don't have to worry about the mount scraping my harness bar. If you don't have a roll bar or harness bar, I don't know how you'd safely mount a camera mount inside the cockpit.

Bob

Penforhire · 03-02-2004, 11:11 AM

I got the RD bar from West Coast Corvette in Placentia CA. They had it in stock.

When I bought my TRV-17 Sears was offering a price match to ANY internet vendor on any product they carried in the store. They hassled me a little, making me prove my best web offer was not refurbished or a grey import. In the end I got that $1300 camcorder for $800. You might check and see if Sear is still doing it.