Hey guys, I bought a new camera the other day it’s a JVC. What a better way to test it out then put it on the layout and run it around a couple times. Check it out and leave comments! Just gotta figure out how to record in HD now.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaNxMyUfKKA
Chad
Chad:
Very cool. I was wondering how big the camera is–probably not too big if it fits on a flat-car. I’ve got one from Micromark that I use, but sometimes I get interference on it if the rails aren’t squeaky-clean. If you could post a photo of the camera, I’d sure appreciate it. If it would fit through my tunnels, it might be worth getting hold of.
Nice layout, too. Looks 'user friendly ’ to me, LOL! I’ll be interested to see how you change it.
Tom [:D]
Tom, here is the camera, it’s small enough to fit nicely on a flat car. Same width and length.
Chad:
Thanks for the information, that looks like a nice, compact little camera that will fit through my tunnels. I’m going to check it out.
Again, best of luck on the new layout. Looking forward to see how you progress.
Tom
Cool, glad you enjoy the new camera! Looks good. I like the Rock work you did along the back! Have good luck & fun building the new plans on your layout!
Wonderful stuff !
Chad, that is beyond cool. I always think about buying a camera and do just what you did. This thread and the video may just have inspired me to do it.
I have one sort of technical question. Is it possible to position the camera so that when the train is going around a curve the camera is not filming away from the layout?
I wonder if it would show even better if you positioned the camera, say, in the second car instead of the first car
That’s not meant to be a criticism of the video because, as I say, it is just too cool.
Keep up the good work.
Rich
Rich:
I’ve taken some track-view videos with the little camera I got from Micromark, and I’ve found it’s really cool if you actually put the camera back on a flat or gondola about 3 or 4 cars into the train. I’d show you guys, but unfortunately I haven’t found out how to capture the videos off of the monitor onto the computer. But with about 3 or 4 cars plus the locomotive ahead of the camera, the view is pretty broad. You might need to adjust the camera so that it focuses just a little over the top of the locomotive (something like viewing a train from a Vista-Dome car, LOL) . I’m going to go over to Best Buy and check out those JVC mini-cams, see what model would work best for me–that way I can get them loaded onto the computer and my website. As I told Chad, if the camera will fit through my tunnel portals, then I’m free to go.
Tom
A few of you asked me how I set up my “ride along” video, here is a pic of how I did it. Took my JVC Everio and placed it on two flat cars side by side and ran it around. On a side note, finally figured out my HD setting so I shot a HD Ride along that I’m currently uploading. Check out my Youtube channel for the video! http://www.youtube.com/user/UP5491?feature=mhee
That’s what I did with my little minicam here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRvHSVCHdY4
The minicam is much smaller than the JVC, but the tradeoff is a much lower video quality and poorer reception for the wireless signal.
Jim
Jim:
Question:
How did you get that video loaded from the minicam onto your computer and then onto the web? I’ve tried running my minicam through a reciever onto a DVD recorder, but after that I’m at sea at how to get the DVD uploaded onto my computer.
Neat layout, BTW. Lots of running room. I like that.
Tom [:D]
Chad,
The HD is a huge improvement, very nice!!
I hope to someday do something that cool! Great job!
Hi Tom
Actually, I just got lucky. The cord for the receiver unit has RCA plugs and a USB plug. I have one old laptop that, for some odd reason, recognizes the USB unit as a video recorder, so I can record the minicam directly into Windows Movie Maker. That laptop now has a broken screen and inoperable battery, and would have been gone long ago were it not for that little quirk. No other computer I’ve had will accept the USB video input like it does.
Jim
Chad,
Can you measure your video cam and tell me the approximate height and width of the camera?
Thanks.
Rich