Mike O Posted January 27, 2010 Share Posted January 27, 2010 Around HorseTooth Reservoir. I acquired a digital video camera (thanks Santa) and the weather cleared just enough a couple of weeks ago to go for a ride. The camera is the V.I.O POV 1.5. More information can be found here. I like that it's a small camera easily mounted and comes with a variety of mounting options. The other thing I like is that there is a separate recording unit (with small screen) that runs on standard 4AA batteries good for 6+ hours (you can turn it on and let it record). The small remote control is very handy for tagging scenes along the ride. I also previously asked in another forum about video editing software (which was an interesting challenge). This one was edited with iMovie, which provides a better output resolution than other free software. In any event here's my first (crude) attempt riding during a particular cold, overcast and cloudy sky around Horsetooth (west of Ft. Collins). I've learned a few lessons already and plan on a few adjustments for the future... But it was fun none-the-less. BTW, I'm not particularly pleased with the down resolution that you have to put with on Youtube, but its free. If this continues to pan out in the future, I'll upload them to my own server or SMUGMUG. Enjoy... Mike O Link to comment
RichEdwards Posted January 27, 2010 Share Posted January 27, 2010 Nice first video ride. I've been exploring this too. And nice to see some snow (on my computer screen.) Link to comment
bobbybob Posted January 27, 2010 Share Posted January 27, 2010 Interesting. Would love to hear the actual audio and see in full rez. Link to comment
skinny_tom (aka boney) Posted January 27, 2010 Share Posted January 27, 2010 Mike, unless you have a pro account, I've found that the Smugmug video service is too limiting for video. I can't remember the specifics but IIRC the file size and video length constraints didn't work too well for anything but small clips. Some little video tips that I've discovered that may help: Always record using the highest quality image possible from your camera. It cuts down on what you can fit on a card, but it makes for the best images. Every time you re-encode a clip it becomes less quality. Always start from the original if possible, and then create your final project from that. YouTube will now accept some pretty large files... For best YouTube quality upload in a format they accept (I use MPEG2) where the file size won't be too big. Their processors process everything, and if you give them a fairly low-loss format, then there will be less loss when they're done with it. Also, when creating your videos, look for formats that can be shown in larger sizes, so if you upload in a 640x480 (or Standard Def in 720x480) then eventually you'll see an HQ or "480" version. This puts additional processor time on your end, as well as upload time, but the final product is worth it. Link to comment
JR356 Posted January 27, 2010 Share Posted January 27, 2010 I have the POV 1 and like it. Make sure you download the free firmware upgrade that will allow 8Gb SD card usage(may already have this on your 1.5) They also have an inexpensive firmware upgrade that allows some exposure compensation too. VIO also now makes a plug in adapter that replaces the battery cover and allows for 12V power,so you don't need to keep buying batteries.Put that on the birthday list! JR356 Link to comment
Mike O Posted January 28, 2010 Author Share Posted January 28, 2010 Good tips Tom... Thanks for all the feedback. I'll continue to look for a more viable service (I incorrectly assumed smugmug pro had less restrictive resolutions). JR, yes the camera came with all the latest and with the addition of some Sanyo rechargeable NiMH batteries, I think I'll be in good shape. Now just to wait for some 'blue skies' and a bit warmer weather (this season has been particularly cold) Mike O Link to comment
ChrisNYC Posted January 28, 2010 Share Posted January 28, 2010 Really enjoyed your new video! Especially since I haven't been on either bike in weeks. :-( ------------------ Chris (aka Tender Vittles ) Little '77 KZ400 in the Big Apple Black '99 RT for Everywhere Else, such as ... Link to comment
flat_twin Posted February 2, 2010 Share Posted February 2, 2010 Really enjoyed your new video! Especially since I haven't been on either bike in weeks. :-( ------------------ Chris (aka Tender Vittles ) Little '77 KZ400 in the Big Apple Black '99 RT for Everywhere Else, such as ... My thoughts exactly. The motorcycle video gear just gets better and better Link to comment
Kathy R Posted February 2, 2010 Share Posted February 2, 2010 Thanks Mike! You are helping shut-ins everywhere. Link to comment
lawnchairboy Posted February 3, 2010 Share Posted February 3, 2010 thanks, love the sound track Link to comment
Francois_Dumas Posted February 3, 2010 Share Posted February 3, 2010 Been looking for some on-bike video equipment for years and seen these on the Internet. never in real life though. Looks very nice and more than adequate for bike videos. Thanks for sharing the info everybody ! Link to comment
Mike Posted February 3, 2010 Share Posted February 3, 2010 Thanks for sharing . . . it inspires those of us who have hung up our helmets for the winter! One thing I'd note from an audience member's perspective is that those portions where you're doing head checks, scanning the scenery, etc., can be difficult to watch; it kind of makes me a little dizzy. I know you're experimenting with this, but you might want to try a fixed mounting location on the bike and/or edit out some of those portions with more abrupt camera movements. Nicely done. Link to comment
Francois_Dumas Posted February 3, 2010 Share Posted February 3, 2010 I was thinking something a bit similar. If I'd make a movie of some of my favorite roads, I think I'd make TWO. One to show it from a rider's perspective, much as you did. And one to just show it from a travel perspective, i.e. with a fixed camera, showing the road and landscape. I like both, but agree that the 'moving' version is not for everybody. Link to comment
roughwaterjohn Posted February 3, 2010 Share Posted February 3, 2010 Thanks for sharing the video, I really enjoyed that. Where do you live where the weather sits on the ground like that? Is it supposed to do that? I see it's somewhere called Westminster, CO...... must be an abbreviation for COld, but I couldn't find that state in the 50 on my map. Link to comment
Eh2Zee Posted February 6, 2010 Share Posted February 6, 2010 This is really nicely done! Santa got me started with an "entry level" sports video recording set. It came with handle-bar mounts, helemt mounts, etc., so capturing the video is not an issue. But as a novice to this whole process, I do ask what video editing software you used to add the effects, etc. Any recommendations? Link to comment
Mike O Posted February 7, 2010 Author Share Posted February 7, 2010 Join the club (I'm a novice). I experimented around with a couple of applications and (for this video) produced it with iMovie. Mike O Link to comment
ghan Posted February 7, 2010 Share Posted February 7, 2010 But as a novice to this whole process, I do ask what video editing software you used to add the effects, etc. Any recommendations? I'm a complete novice too. I've been using Sony movie studio platinum 9.0 for editing. You can use a free fully functional trial version for 1 month to see how you like it. Use the tutorial and it'll get you through the basics. I use a free program Mpeg streamclip 1.2 for final packaging to upload to YouTube. You can upload files up to 2GB in HD now for free! Link to comment
FLrider Posted February 8, 2010 Share Posted February 8, 2010 I am very intrigued by this toy but not sure I want to spend that much just to see if I would use it. Any cameras that are similar but at a more reasonable cost? Link to comment
LeftCoastMan Posted February 8, 2010 Share Posted February 8, 2010 Really sweet toy. I want one. $599 is a bit rich, but of course, I've spent more than that for a new seat. Link to comment
FLrider Posted February 9, 2010 Share Posted February 9, 2010 Too much for me. Maybe I'll just get a ram mount and rig up something to my video camera. Only problem with that thing is getting the video off the camera and into a format that I can upload to you tube or flicker or whatever. When it records, it saves the file as a VOB or VDO, something like that. Getting onto my pc and in useable (mpeg or wmv) format is beyond my comprehension... Link to comment
skinny_tom (aka boney) Posted February 9, 2010 Share Posted February 9, 2010 Too much for me. Maybe I'll just get a ram mount and rig up something to my video camera. Only problem with that thing is getting the video off the camera and into a format that I can upload to you tube or flicker or whatever. When it records, it saves the file as a VOB or VDO, something like that. Getting onto my pc and in useable (mpeg or wmv) format is beyond my comprehension... Many newer cameras use a USB or Firewire connection to get stuff to a computer. Using the very basic Windows Movie Maker, or iVideo (Is that the name?) you should be able to capture the stream from your camera and have it encoded by the program into MPEG. It works in real time, but it works. Link to comment
mundo Posted February 10, 2010 Share Posted February 10, 2010 Join the club (I'm a novice). I experimented around with a couple of applications and (for this video) produced it with iMovie. Mike O this video footage looked GREAT ! I liked the head turning shots as they gave a real sense of place. A little more editing in I Movie will take out the shaky bits. After I Movie there is no where to go but Final Cut Pro. I like posting to http://www.vimeo.com/ for good looking web video. Link to comment
FLrider Posted February 15, 2010 Share Posted February 15, 2010 OK. After screwing around with this video camera for the last 3 days, I've finally found a freeware program that looks like it does the job pretty effectively and easily. Still not as easy as having the video on an SD card but I guess I will work with what I have. Now just need to find a RAM mount that I can add to the Migsel.... My daughter (16) was watching me play with it in the car. I had mounted it in the dash well. Anyway she wanted to know why anyone would want to take video of the road and scenery. Booorrring. She does have a point. I think if my wife is on the back of the bike, I'll just have her shoot. Maybe get some different perspectives...angles... Cut. Link to comment
beemerchef Posted February 17, 2010 Share Posted February 17, 2010 I wonder if anyone has tried the GoPro HD Wide? Ara & Spirit Link to comment
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.