Video Camera/ Recorder to Visually Record Glider Flights From PilotsViewpoint

[[email protected]]

Is anyone aware of miniature a cam-corder on the market that can be
used to record up to 10 hours of flight as seen from the glider
cockpit ? What I have in mind is a product like National Geographic's
"Critter Cam". The recording unit could be placed somewhere in the
glider connected by cable to the camera, and battery-powered. The
camera might be head-mounted or shoulder height mounted. Any ideas?
Thanks, 7

[[email protected]]

On Nov 15, 5:15 pm, wrote:
> Is anyone aware of miniature a cam-corder on the market that can be
> used to record up to 10 hours of flight as seen from the glider
> cockpit ? What I have in mind is a product like National Geographic's
> "Critter Cam". The recording unit could be placed somewhere in the
> glider connected by cable to the camera, and battery-powered. The
> camera might be head-mounted or shoulder height mounted. Any ideas?
> Thanks, 7

Yes, I just bought a "bullet" cam that will connect to my existing
camcorder for this very purpose. You can find lots of them on Ebay.

[Frank Whiteley]

On Nov 15, 5:18 pm, wrote:
> On Nov 15, 5:15 pm, wrote:
>
> > Is anyone aware of miniature a cam-corder on the market that can be
> > used to record up to 10 hours of flight as seen from the glider
> > cockpit ? What I have in mind is a product like National Geographic's
> > "Critter Cam". The recording unit could be placed somewhere in the
> > glider connected by cable to the camera, and battery-powered. The
> > camera might be head-mounted or shoulder height mounted. Any ideas?
> > Thanks, 7
>
> Yes, I just bought a "bullet" cam that will connect to my existing
> camcorder for this very purpose. You can find lots of them on Ebay.

I'm not aware of an HD bullet cam yet. Camcorder needs an AVI input
or A/V dubbing to use a bullet cam. All bullet cams are not equal, go
for 480 lines.

This camcorder is high res, good price, excellent audio. MiniDV tapes
work above 10,000msl (most HDD are not rated above this, DVD lack the
quality). Tapes are 60min, though there's an option to record 80min,
but not sure that works for dubbing in the audio and video. 1.3mp
1/6" CCD.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/365540-REG/JVC_GRDF550_GR_DF550_Mini_DV_Camcorder.html
Factory battery lasts just an hour, however, the Energizer ER-C720
after market battery lasts about 7.7 hours. Not cheap.

If you want 1080i, you're going to spend a lot more. Pro stuff is
more still.
A friend buys most of his stuff here. Never tried them personally but
the specs pages are informative.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com

Frank Whiteley

[Simon Taylor]

At 23:18 15 November 2007, wrote:
>Is anyone aware of miniature a cam-corder on the market
>that can be
>used to record up to 10 hours of flight as seen from
>the glider
>cockpit ? What I have in mind is a product like National
>Geographic's
>'Critter Cam'. The recording unit could be placed somewhere
>in the
>glider connected by cable to the camera, and battery-powered.
>The
>camera might be head-mounted or shoulder height mounted.
>Any ideas?
>Thanks, 7
>

An unothodox option is the CHDK 'firmware update',
available for many compact Canon cameras:

http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/CHDK

It's an unofficial piece of software that loads into
program memory (gone when you switch off the camera,
unlike a real firmware update, so low-risk) adds a
ridiculous amount of features - and removes many of
the limitations - of these cameras. The limitations
on the movie lengths are removed, for example, turning
these digital camera into neat little camcorders. Parameters
such as focus and zoom are also scriptable, so for
example it should be possible to have the camera continuously
cycling focus between pilot and landscape.

Unfortunately it's not possible - yet - to make the
camera switch from movie to still mode without manually
turning the dial on the camera, which would be a nice
facility.

Resolution and video quality will vary between cameras,
but something like the Powershot A620 should give you
good quality video at 640x480, 30fps (non-interlaced)
with vivid colours.

10 hours of video might be a bit of a stretch, but
you can create a cable release with a USB cable and
a 3v battery that could toggle recording on/off (or
any other function).

[Del C]

No, but if there is please don't make a 10 hour long
video of your flight viewed from the cockpit! Far better
just to film the interesting bits, e.g. aerotowing,
running close to a ridge, close formation flying with
other gliders and landings. About 6 minutes is about
as much as most people can take, although this can
be stretched out to about 30 minutes if you include
some outside shots, and add some titles, commentary
and music to make a decent documentary out of it.

Del C


At 23:18 15 November 2007, wrote:
>Is anyone aware of miniature a cam-corder on the market
>that can be
>used to record up to 10 hours of flight as seen from
>the glider
>cockpit ? What I have in mind is a product like National
>Geographic's
>'Critter Cam'. The recording unit could be placed somewhere
>in the
>glider connected by cable to the camera, and battery-powered.
>The
>camera might be head-mounted or shoulder height mounted.
>Any ideas?
>Thanks, 7
>

[Eric Greenwell]

wrote:
> Is anyone aware of miniature a cam-corder on the market that can be
> used to record up to 10 hours of flight as seen from the glider
> cockpit ?

For what purpose do you want 10 hours of recording? Would this be during
one flight, or several flights?


--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA
* Change "netto" to "net" to email me directly
* "Transponders in Sailplanes" http://tinyurl.com/y739x4
* "A Guide to Self-launching Sailplane Operation" at www.motorglider.org