Making Motorcycle Videos

[robsryder]

The Fred link doesn't work.

Try it again... Did you get any of the others to play? I checked it with a PC using IE and a mac OS X with two different ISPs and it worked ok. You may have to hold the "control" button (shown as Ctrl on most keyboards) down concurrently with clicking the link - at least I have to do this on a PC due to the pop-up blockers that I have running.

 

[sfarson]

Have two helmet cam set-ups. The first was a bulletcam from helmtcamera.com feeding a Sony DVD in a tank bag. Good performance but talk about a nasty network of cables. So bought a Samsung X-105L sportcam last spring. Nice small form factor. Fits in a pocket. Nice to travel with, but the quality, battery life, and available storage are "opportunity areas".

If not on a dual-sport ride (shaking, vibration, high dash), my favorite recording option is simply connecting a camcorder to the gas cap ring. Sportbikecam.com has a BMW mount. Highest quality (If the screen is clear), use all kinds of lens/filters, can play with microphone options, etc. But it isn't for every situation. Have good results with any MiniDV camcorder with digital image stabilize. Optical image stabilize is too fancy for motorcycle vibrations and delivers a fuzzy image.

Steve

 

[kbasa]

Try it again... Did you get any of the others to play? I checked it with a PC using IE and a mac OS X with two different ISPs and it worked ok. You may have to hold the "control" button (shown as Ctrl on most keyboards) down concurrently with clicking the link - at least I have to do this on a PC due to the pop-up blockers that I have running.

Seems to be working OK now. I was getting a busted link.

Nice to see Fred yakking away there.

 

[robsryder]

How close to stand?

Another observation that I'll offer on making motorcycle videos of others concerns personal safety. When making videos of action events there is a compromise between getting "close" to the action and risking your safety.

Following is a clip of a video that I made last summer at the AMA's Vintage Days of a stunt rider named Christian Pfeiffer.
http://tinyurl.com/ajqqk

This guy is an obviously skilled stunt rider, but after standing at the temporary barrier to get "up close and personal" I got to thinking that that was really stupid. (Not to mention the folks that laid on the ground and let him jump his bike over them!!!)

Frankly I'm surprised that the AMA would expose themselves to potential lawsuits had something gone amiss and folks gotten injured. For all subsequent viewings (2 more) of Christian Pfeiffer's stunt riding I stood behind a chain link fence and behind a stout steel pole.

Another bit that I videoed at the Vintage Days was of a Trials Riding Demonstration by Tommy Ahvala. In this case I was well back on a slight rise. As can be seen I did get a pretty good view of the controlled riding, balance, and riding over some impressive obstacles.
http://tinyurl.com/7z9cn

 

[robsryder]

Sidecar Racing Video - with zoom and auto focus

I've placed yet another little clip on the 'net. This one was taken of the sidecar racing at the 2005 AMA Vintage Days at the Mid-Ohio track. The clip shows the end of the race and the "victory" lap. See:
http://tinyurl.com/cfesx

In this video one can observe the difficulty in filming an action subject when using a hand-held camera with a large amount of zoom dialed in. Clearly it would have been more desirable for the camera to have been mounted on a tri-pod. But, I didn't have a tri-pod and I did want to catch a bit of racing.

I actually have edited this clip to include some of the more clear (i.e., in focus) shots. Of interest to those unfamiliar with sidecar racing is the degree of movement by the "monkey" or sidecar passenger.

I kept the camera on the autofocus mode. It might have been better (or maybe not!) to have done focusing manually. When there was a chain link fence between me and the sidecars, the autofocus tended to make the fence clear and not the sidecars.

 

[kbasa]

I've got a Sony DVD203, which writes to DVD and doesn't seem to have an input for an external lens. Do you guys have any idea where I might find some decent video specific mounts for this thing? I've got a remote for the camera, so I can put the camera just about anywhere, I think.

 

[robsryder]

I've got a Sony DVD203, which writes to DVD and doesn't seem to have an input for an external lens.

I checked with Sony's website (sony.com) for the specifications for the DCR-DVD203 DVD Handycam Camcorder. There is an audio/video input capability. This is usually a small (about 3 mm dia) plug which allows an external audio and video source to be connected. It may be necessary to lift up a plug or other cover to access this input port.

A nice right-angle plug can be purchased for use with the Sony (or Canon) video cameras from Jones Camera.
http://www.jonescam.tv/accessories.php

Look for the Super Audio/Video Cable| VMC-20FR for $20. You might also wish to obtain a holder for the power source for the video camera - 8 AA batteries is what I use. This is the 8 Cell AA Battery Case With 2 power cables | Case-8AA. A splitter or two for the power and one or two microphones might also be desirable.

Jones Camera seems to have a nice camera, but it doesn't come with the protective mount that helmetcamera.com sells.

A less expensive, but 480 line lipstick camera can be obtained from vendors of security cameras. I've obtained a couple from:
http://www.scdlink.com/shop/shopexd.asp?id=1226
The camera shown is $140 - you have to create a free account to get the prices to display. This camera is nice but has a fixed lens that is a fairly wide angle. Another option is:
http://www.scdlink.com/shop/shopexd.asp?id=1227
That camera is a 480 line of resolution (LOR) that can be zoomed. The zooming is done manually prior to riding, i.e. the user sets the focal length by adjusting a lever. This is useful if you desire to see more of the road and less of the cockpit.

The camera sold by helmetcamera.com (and perhaps by Jones Camera) have lenses that can be changed out to alter the focal length. The good news is that the lenses are not terribly expensive (around $15 to $20). The bad news is that changing the lens on a lipstick camera ain't like changing the lens on a 35mm camera. Changing the lens on a lipstick camera is more akin to fiddling with carb jets or replacing the points on an airhead. Uh... well you oilheads and k-bikers, probably won't understand that simile...

 

[robsryder]

I've got a Sony DVD203... Do you guys have any idea where I might find some decent video specific mounts for this thing?

The second part of your query dealt with mounting the camera. I've used the RAM mounts to place my camera. The folks at Cycle Gadgets carry the RAM mounts as do the folks at Whitehorse Gear. I've gotten very good advice and purchased different mounting bases from each vendor.
http://www.cyclegadgets.com/Products/RAM/?Item=RAM
http://www.whitehorsepress.com/index.php?cPath=1_171

I would point you to the RAM website, but to be honest I didn't find their information to be as illuminating as it could have been. I'd suggest calling one of the vendors mentioned above.

There are other mounting options discussed (with links to vendors) on the excellent Pashnit website.
http://www.pashnit.com/more/cameramount.htm

A word of caution about mounting the camera - in my experience the vibration from the bikes can have a negative effect on the quality of the video.

Post #11 of this thread has a couple of example video clips made with two different types of cameras mounted to the handlebars of a PD.

 

[robsryder]

Making "movies" without a video camera

If you only have photographs that can be scanned or have a digital camera it is still possible to create quite nice videos. While these "videos" aren't "movies" in the strict sense, there can nevertheless be a feeling of motion.

I saw just such an example yesterday and I was mightily impressed. It is of a fellow celebrating his first 100,000 miles on his GS. I found this on the advrider.com website.

http://users4.ev1.net/~trailace/Videos/GS Riding First 100000 Miles.wmv

I just watched this again and dang if I'm not ready to get out an ride my GS. BMW should use this as a sales pitch for the GS!!!

 

[kbasa]

thanks!

I bought this camera at a pretty large discount ($200!), so I was kind of bummed when it didn't really have an obvious way to hook up a lipstick cam.

Now I've got something to do this winter.

 

[sfarson]

Dave,

I have an oldish Sony DVD300 camcorder. Learned early on DVD camcorders to not like the high frequency buzz and shaking of a motorcycle. They are however, excellent for taking the feed from a bullet cam. For GS rides I connect a cam from helmetcamera.com to the Sony sitting in a cushioned tank bag or fanny pack. The Sony comes with all the necessary ports, including LANC controller, so you can turn off/on recording with a switch. My guess is your Sony would be very similar. HTH.

Steve

 

[eric2]

I missed this thread somehow from the other forum but wanted to share my
observations. I too am using the helmetcamera.com set up
with a sony trv460 camcorder. Had the aiming and wires
coming loose issues. Largely solved these with velcro straps
from REI.
Although audio still isn't what i would like i've found putting the mike
in the tankbag does OK, i still think I'm getting some feedback
because its too close to the camcorder. I also ended up getting
an extra battery for the camcorder, its good for 3 hours plus.

I wish I had the Lanc remote as getting the remote cam
recording is a genuine PITA.

I've been using windoze movie maker with some success,
can't get any subtitles to work though.

Putfile.com now allows up to 25mb files, downside is it
can disappear suddenly or stop working. Full screen mode
is pretty easy but doesn't work with IE? wtf?
http://www.putfile.com/eric2

I'm impressed with youtube
and its 100mb limit, which will allow a full track session
http://www.youtube.com/videos/better4it
but getting it to go full screen is lame. It does have
a d/l progess bar though.Not as many file formats as
putfile though.

Great videos everyone! keep 'em coming

Eric
Austin

 

[robsryder]

Yet another reason to make moto videos :-(

This is just incredible! A female bike rider wearing a helmetcamera.com setup was recording whilst going down the road. She "filmed" an accident happening right in front of her that unfortunately involved her. Good news is that she was not badly hurt.

The jerkwad driver tried to claim that she hit him. No kidding! Right after he turned / skidded into her.

Link for multiple locations to fetch the video and follow the thread at:
http://socalsportbikes.info/xmb/viewthread.php?tid=34948

Or use the following links to watch the vid:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0aIasXHYDAk
http://media.putfile.com/Accident96
http://www.ridebehindvideos.com/videos/Accident20060210.wmv

 

[tessler]

Downed R1

This is just incredible! A female bike rider wearing a helmetcamera.com setup was recording whilst going down the road. She "filmed" an accident happening right in front of her that unfortunately involved her. Good news is that she was not badly hurt.

The jerkwad driver tried to claim that she hit him. No kidding! Right after he turned / skidded into her.

Link for multiple locations to fetch the video and follow the thread at:
http://socalsportbikes.info/xmb/viewthread.php?tid=34948

That's pretty friggin scary.

The socalsportbikes.info link above was posted by the woman herself and she provides some adept written commentary as the thread plays out.

.