Camera Mount (pic)

[GaryA]

This is a picture of my bullet camera mounted next to the intercooler of my car. When the fascia is replaced, you can barely see the camera. I went with this because I wasn't happy with the videos I shot with the camcorder mounted between the two seats (the mirror and dash took up most of the screen).

I ran the cables through the engine compartment, behind the interior trim and then fed it through the back of the glove box where it connects to my miniDV camcorder. This keeps everything nice and clean in the cockpit and doesn't obscure my view. The bullet camera is weatherproof and has replacable lenses in the event of a rock chip. I also plan to mount one surreptitiously in the back of the car so I can see what's behind me (where most of my competition can usually be found!)

 

[Bruce]

Very nice indeed. Where did you purchase the remote camera and how much?

 

[GaryA]

Very nice indeed. Where did you purchase the remote camera and how much?

I found a lot of sources for the cameras online. I bought mine for about $110 here:

Spy Cameras 4 Less

The output of the camera is standard composite video with an RCA phono plug that plugs into my camcorder. I had to buy a shielded RCA extension cable to get it to the glove box. It also requires 12 VDC. I just tapped into the 12V accessory line so that the camera turns off when the ignition key is off.

I didn't care for the mounting hardware that came with the camera and found a great site on the web that sells really sturdy mounting systems. They can be found at:

RAM mounting systems

They don't sell direct so you'll have to buy through one of their online distributors. RAM's stuff is awesome and was designed for motorcycle and car mounting applications. It's not very cheap though.

 

[Neil - UK]

does it use a AV in socket to overide the camcorder lense ?

 

[Gerald]

Gary, very cool! So the camera is actually in the fascia?? ICan't wait for some VIDEO's. Seems to be the HOT ticket around here now!

Gerald

 

[GaryA]

does it use a AV in socket to overide the camcorder lense ?

My particular camcorder has an A/V input that overrides the camera's lens. It acts like a VCR in this mode.

 

[Daffy Duck Viper]

Wow. Awesome stuff, Gary. Clever. Love the idea. Can't wait to see videos with your new setup. Thanks for the info. I'd like to do that.

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[Torquemonster]

me too - can't wait!

 

[AndyR]

You can buy these at Radio Shack. They have different kinds, color, BW, weather resistant etc. I have one that used an AC adapter that output 12V DC, so I just cut off the transformer and wired it to the car 12V. Easy.

I have that one for a backup camera in my Prowler. This is a great idea for driving videos from the front! Last time out I had my video camera on a tripod and had that strapped to the passenger seat. Video was pretty good but could not take a passenger that way.

I'll be visiting the Shack soon!

 

[Viperzilla]

That's gonna really show the speed you're going, or exagerrate it (ex- you're going 60, looks like you're travelling 100).

 

[joe117]

"843 rwhp 792 rwtq (corrected) on 93 octane pump gas!
10.20 ET @ 141 MPH"

There ain't going to be much to see out front. All the actions going to be behind you... And you better get a telephoto lens for that.

 

[Gerald]

You can buy these at Radio Shack. They have different kinds, color, BW, weather resistant etc. I have one that used an AC adapter that output 12V DC, so I just cut off the transformer and wired it to the car 12V. Easy.

I have that one for a backup camera in my Prowler. This is a great idea for driving videos from the front! Last time out I had my video camera on a tripod and had that strapped to the passenger seat. Video was pretty good but could not take a passenger that way.

I'll be visiting the Shack soon!

Andy, do you have a part number for camera(s) at radio shack that will hook to an existing digital camera?

Gerald

 

[AndyR]

No, but mine ( and most others I assume) have standard RCA jack for video output. Also, my digital video camera can accept analog (either s-video or RCA) input. Yours probably does too.

 

[AndyR]

This is the kind of camera I have.

This I just found at smarthome.com for $150

link to this camera: http://smarthome.com/7654MCS.html

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[Gerald]

So let me get this straight.. I can have a setup like GaryA's (which is sweeet) by just going to radio shack, picking up 2 (one for front and one for rear of car) and wire it up and they can plug into my existing digital cameral which I have mounted on the inside of my car????

Gerald

 

[Gerald]

DAMMDKJLKJTIT #$#$.. I clicked on the link now in the last 5 minutes I've gotten 3 pop ups for digital camera ads..... *** *** ***!! HELP!

G

 

[Neil - UK]

I looked these a while ago after purchasing a DV camera that doesn't have AV in

Make sure yours does, you know some of the better bullet camera's come with a built in microphone as well

 

[AndyR]

Good point Neil. My Cannon digital video camera has a connecting wire to connect analog NTSC signal to convert it to digital.

On a side note Neil, is all of the video equip sold in UK PAL or NTSC based?

 

[Neil - UK]

majority is PAL based over here but the higher end equipment usually caters for both.

My Sony camcorder is only PAL, Mitsubishi TV and VCR does both.

 

[joe117]

Probably wouldn't be too hard to make up a switch so you could go between front and rear view into the camcorder.

 

[GaryA]

So let me get this straight.. I can have a setup like GaryA's (which is sweeet) by just going to radio shack, picking up 2 (one for front and one for rear of car) and wire it up and they can plug into my existing digital cameral which I have mounted on the inside of my car????

Gerald

You can buy them cheaper online than at Radio Shack (see my link above). I paid $110.

Also, if you want a rear view image you should buy a mirror image camera (yes, they make them). That way if you are taping stuff coming up from behind (or more likely being passed) the car will be on the same side of the screen as the image from the front if you decide to combine them into a single video. (Did any of that make sense?).

One last thing, you'll either need two recording devices (camcorders) or you'll need an A/V switch to switch between the two cameras. The obvious problem with the A/V switch is that it's difficult to drive and switch in real time. The problem with two camcorders is size and cost. I tried to find a miniDV VCR but they are two to three times the cost of camera. Make sure the camcorder you are using accepts composite video input (this is the same type of connection that you would use to plug video into your TV.)