Video and Helmet Cameras

[TonyBKK]

tonykiwi wrote: How complicated is she process of editing the video, adding music etc and uploading. What extra software is needed

T

To be honest it's pretty tedious and time consuming- (which is why I keep my editing to the minimum). I just cut out the boring parts, throw in some transitions and a soundtrack and that's about it.

I use Adobe Premier which is one of the better video editing software packages out there, but there are many others.

Editing video requires a fast computer a good video card and a lot of memory so make sure your machine is up to the task.

Ride On!

Tony

 

[tonykiwi]

Thanks heaps Tony

I guess that just like photos, some of these videos are a wonderful recollection of moments in our lives, and as such are worth collecting. Perhaps the editing is for the cold winter evenings when little else to do.

Personally, I feel blessed to be able to enjoy these rides and opportunities in Thailand and want to share the experience with friends and family as much as possible. This adds another dimension to the experience and when I am old and crusty, will be fun to look back on with my grandkids.

I'll be in Bkk for four days in May so if any of our Bkk based guys are up for a grog let me know.

T

 

[ray23]

Really gives you a feel for the ride that way. I think I better stick to my camera person much more fun to cuddle with at night anyway :wink:

 

[dirthonk]

tony,
the process is really very easy. I am well know as a useless turd when it comes to anything computery.

however using windows movie maker i am rejuvenated with confidence, it is that easy. just simply import the video and music onto movie maker and then muck around to your hearts content.

 

[madjbs]

Maybe a Long Way Round style GT Rider Tour documentary/story should be made. That would be a fun project to ad to the GTR inventory.

 

[tonykiwi]

Thanks for that Luke, I'm not a techie either so the easier the better

cheers

T

 

[TonyBKK]

dirthonk wrote: tony,
the process is really very easy. I am well know as a useless turd when it comes to anything computery.

however using windows movie maker i am rejuvenated with confidence, it is that easy. just simply import the video and music onto movie maker and then muck around to your hearts content.

+1 to that- Windows Movie Maker is super easy to use BUT it can't open all video files so check compatibility first. (I had a Sanyo Xacti DV Camera that recorded in MPEG4 which Windows Movie Maker can not read).
I understand we'll soon be able to embed videos on the GT-Rider site which will be nice :mrgreen:
Happy Trails!
Tony

 

[pseacraft]

I use Adobe Premiere and Cyberlink PowerDirector. For a quick and dirty video I have heard that the Windows "tool" is simple but I have never used it. Nearly all of my video work is with Adobe but I have issues with it on HD video and Vista as a whole. I am running 4GB of RAM and Vista is a memory whore - looking into expanding my RAM in the hopes to cure some issues with this. My XP machine can no longer cope with video processing which stinks as run Adobe well and I never had a problem with it unlike Vista. PowerDirector is a nice tool for HD video and I am still learning it as I just got it.

With Adobe it will take 20 - 30 hours to edit an average of 5GB of raw footage for me which is about 4-6 hours in raw avi format. This includes titles, music, credits, and such. This is not HD footage, my Adobe chokes itself to death on HD regardless of file size.

I have about 15 GB of video to process right now so looking for some of those long cold winter days... :shock:

 

[tonykiwi]

Hi again folks

Looking at the GoPro series there seems to be a bit of choice there and I wonder if anyone has comments on the following.

I am assuming that anything with HD in the title is a High Definition camera and as such we should expect better quality. For someone looking at recording their adventures see a notable difference between the standard definition playback and the High definition playback?

Some indicate a wide view. This sounds a 'nice to have' however has anyone knowledge as to whether the wide view cameras distort the view?

Any comments on the different varieties available (motorsport hero, helmet hero and surf hero) They all seem to do the same sort of job but i guess are specialist towards the titles use.

Cheers, not long now!!!!

 

[Blue Max]

tonykiwi wrote: A few of the guys on the site have posted links to their video recordings. I wonder if some of the ideas around equipment could be shared on the forum.

I have only researched on the internet but am getting some ideas now. My original belief was that the helmet cam part would be fairly small, almost just a camera and the it would be linked to the unit by cable and the unit stored somewhere else. Is this sort of thing available?

The ones I have found on the net seem to have the entire unit attached to the helmet or bike. From the pics I have seen, these do not seem to be particularly small units.

I also wonder whether there is an option of an integrated camera which serves the purpose for both video and still photography. I know my small point and shoot panasonic can record a small amount of video so I am sure that the concept is out there somewhere.

Any help or guidance could be apprecated.

Cheers

T

Tony, this camera review should help:

Well, a lot of people have wondered and asked about what bike camera I've been using out to record my adventures and travels about in Thailand, well here it is:

The Tachyon XC 2010 Sports / Helmet Camera.

Part 1


Part 2


The Video is in two parts (due to Youtube having a 10 minute cut-off) and I've done also done some video footage comparisons between the old one I used (The helmet mounted version) and the new one that's reviewed (fuel tank-mounted version).

I edit all my movie footage with Sony Vegas, a very good utility for video editing and transitions.
Good for music editing too at a pinch.

 

[pseacraft]

Distorted image - my GoPro HD does not have any perceivable edge distortion.

Model - they are all essentially the same unit the difference is what mounting accessories the unit comes with in the box.

Image Quality - the HD models will and do provide a better image quality. They also use up more space on the SD card due to this fact. The older models also have a lower quality with regards to the audio recording which has been improved in the HD models.

 

[tonykiwi]

Well, after heaps of deliberation I went middle of the road pricewise and bought the Tachyon XC. Looks to be a nice small unit, doesn't do stills like the GoPro but the clarity is good so there we are.

The instructions say the usual, don't use rechargable batteries because they may get stuck. Any ideas on how to use them and downsize, bit id emer or something? They do fit but to be honest they are tight and I wouldn't want a problem. Ideas anyone

Also, anyone know the cost of 32Gb SDHC cards (class 6) in Thailand? They seem bloody costly here but I have little to compare with apart from ebay. If worth while I'll grab some in Bkk when I arrive in May

Cheers

T

 

[tonykiwi]

For web based storage, what are the best options around at present. I have looked at youtube but also wonder whether a site such as Vimeo or Flickr would be better given the fact that youtube is available for the great unwashed and the others I think are by invitation only?

What ideas are out there for the finished article

T

 

[Pounce]

Tony, www.photobucket.com do video aswell, & you have the option of locking account so not all can see it, only those you want.
Trouble is, clarity is shite.

 

[tonykiwi]

Pounce wrote: Tony, www.photobucket.com do video aswell, & you have the option of locking account so not all can see it, only those you want.
Trouble is, clarity is shite.

Thanks for that. I have a Photo Bucket account for the stills I have posted on the board but it seems to go down more often than I would like. I am not against paying for a service to get decent quality and support. Just want a fair price for a good job.

Cheers
T

 

[TonyBKK]

Vimeo is a cool site but unless you pay for premium service you are limited to 500Mb uploads (which isn't a lot if you record in HD)
Youtube has it's faults but is still at the top for good reason- unlimited uploads (with a 10 minute time limit per video), handy editing and annotation tools, and you can upload in HD.
Here's the most recent vid I uploaded to youtube riding the fantastic 1081 in Nan:

 

[tonykiwi]

Great video Tony and good reproduction. I have used my tachyon today for the first time and done my first upload to youtube, just to see how it works.

Was your video here done with the little cheap job you got in Pantip?

The tachyon has good visual reproduction and the interface for editing is simple to do. The downside is the sound which is not at all clear. Yours seems to have good sound reproduction whereas on reading the manual, the sound id likely to be muffled and distored on my camera because the microphone is located inside due to the underwater capabilities of the camera. It is more than likely that my videos would have music or commentary attached rather than the actual audio of the ride. Shame really and a bit disppointing, but it may be somehting I can work on and experiment with.When I get more accustomed to the unit i'll upload a few of my rides here in New Zealand, coastal rides and some bush, offroad areas.

Other thing is that your video camera appears to be bike mounted rather than helmet. The screen seems to not cloud then image as i thought it would. I'll try that myself and see what happens

cheers

 

[pseacraft]

I use Vimeo and do not have to worry about the gestopo on youtube.

 

[TonyBKK]

tonykiwi wrote: Great video Tony and good reproduction. I have used my tachyon today for the first time and done my first upload to youtube, just to see how it works.

Was your video here done with the little cheap job you got in Pantip?

The tachyon has good visual reproduction and the interface for editing is simple to do. The downside is the sound which is not at all clear. Yours seems to have good sound reproduction whereas on reading the manual, the sound id likely to be muffled and distored on my camera because the microphone is located inside due to the underwater capabilities of the camera. It is more than likely that my videos would have music or commentary attached rather than the actual audio of the ride. Shame really and a bit disppointing, but it may be somehting I can work on and experiment with.When I get more accustomed to the unit i'll upload a few of my rides here in New Zealand, coastal rides and some bush, offroad areas.

Other thing is that your video camera appears to be bike mounted rather than helmet. The screen seems to not cloud then image as i thought it would. I'll try that myself and see what happens

cheers

Cheers TonyKiwi,
Yes- took this video with the 1800 Baht camera from Pantip. It's not bad for the price. May pick up a GoPro HD when I go back to the US in the spring, but for now the cheapy from Pantip is adequate.
Didn't know the mic on the Tachyon was internal... Ah well, like you said, just throw in a soundtrack and it's sorted.

Look forward to seeing some of your vids!

Happy Trails,

TonyBKK

 

[TonyBKK]

pseacraft wrote: I use Vimeo and do not have to worry about the gestopo on youtube.

Gestapo on youtube??? :?:
I know they're pretty strict about people that violate copyright or trademark and of course no nudity and probably a limit on profanity and hopefully racism, but how would that ever affect those of us who just want to post up motorcycle vids?

 

[tonykiwi]

[quote quote="TonyBKK
Cheers TonyKiwi,
Yes- took this video with the 1800 Baht camera from Pantip. It's not bad for the price.
Excellent value and certainly better quality than the Tachyon. I hope to get one when i am in Bkk in May. I'll be in touch nearer to the time to clarify model and place to purchase, if you can help it would be appreciated.

Cheers

T

 

[TonyBKK]

tonykiwi wrote:

Excellent value and certainly better quality than the Tachyon. I hope to get one when i am in Bkk in May. I'll be in touch nearer to the time to clarify model and place to purchase, if you can help it would be appreciated.

Cheers

T

I'll be back in the US for the first 2 weeks of May, but if I'm back when you're in Thailand I'll be more than happy to show you where to pick up a MiniDV camera in Bangkok. Hope to meet you then.
If you're here while I'm out of the country, it's still pretty easy to find. Go to Pantip Plaza in Pratunam, Bangkok (every taxi knows where this is) and when you enter on the ground floor stay LEFT and walk until you see a couple of shops selling surveillance video cameras. The SECOND shop has a display case out front with all kinds of "spy" cameras like cameras in belt buckles and in pens and watches, etc. In this case you will also see a number of different MiniDV type cameras. Who knows, by May they might even have something better than the one I got. Ideally I'd like one with image stabilization and a wider angle of view.
Ride On!
TonyBKK

 

[Pounce]

TonyBKK wrote: [quote quote=pseacraft]I use Vimeo and do not have to worry about the gestopo on youtube.

Gestapo on youtube??? :?:
I know they're pretty strict about people that violate copyright or trademark and of course no nudity and probably a limit on profanity and hopefully racism, but how would that ever affect those of us who just want to post up motorcycle vids?
If you have trouble with youtube muting any music you may have borrowed to enhance your video...

So I have made a couple of videos lately blah, blah,blah...you want your sound back here is the answer (it does work I have done it with 3 of my videos and the audio is now fine...takes a couple of days before copyright message goes away but sound on mine was back on within a day)

" First of all, it takes TIME for your audio to come back.
Sorry if your videos are getting blocked because of Video copyright claims, I don't think there's anything you can do about it. This only helps if the problem is your AUDIO (music specifically) on your videos.

Now onto how to actually get the audio back.
1) Go to "My Videos".
2) Select "Resolve Copyright" on the video you are having copyright issues with. OR, go to the video itself and choose "resolve copyright" from there.
3) Scroll down and pick the option "I want to learn more about this dispute process".
4) Scroll down and pick the option "Take me to the dispute form".
5) Pick option #2 and PASTE the following statement into the text bar next to it;

"Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use."

6) Fill out the rest of the info on the page. Use your REAL name where it asks for it. Choose "Continue" when all information has been filled out.
7) Scroll down on the next page and select "Submit dispute".

Within 2-3 minutes your video's audio should be back!

Occasionally this will not work. This copyright covers 99% of copyrighted entertainment. Also, this will ONLY apply if you are not making any profit off your videos. If you intend to become a youtube partner, I would not suggest doing this."

p.s this was a copy paste job i'm not taking credit for it or encouraging you to use it just showing you an option.

I have sucessfully used this, so it may work for you too.

 

[mastamax]

TonyBKK;252158 wrote: Just found a little camera at Pantip in Bangkok for only 1800 Baht- Looks very similar to this (but not identical)-

30FPS and 720x480 resolution. Advertised 2.5 hour battery life.

Bought it on the ground floor at Pantip (left side as you enter) for 1800 Baht with 4Gb memory card included.

Sure it's not HD and definitely has it's limitations, but for 1800 Baht, well, I really can't complain :mrgreen:

Will try to take some sample video later today so you can judge the quality for yourselves.

Happy Trails!

Tony

Hi,

Anyone has seen this kind of camera in Chiang Mai? Looking for a cheap solution. Went to Pantip CNX, a lot of shops are selling the gopro, but the cheapest is 8500baht.

Thx,

Maxime

 

[jethro69]

Did anyone spot this one in Thailand, I like this over the GoPro, as you can operate it via remote control plus it has the tiny screen to adjust, and the lens you can turn too.