Video Options

[Canuck]

Just looking for some advice on where to spend my tax return on something that can record in car video.  Opinions are key.  I'd like to get a look at what I'm doing and I see lots of stuff stuck on cars or in cars.  What are the options?

[94boosted]

Are you simply looking for video or something a bit more sophisticated that can also record parameters (speed, throttle input, brake input, G-Force etc.) and overlay it onto a video?

[Canuck]

I was just looking at the Garmin Virb-XE - I do like the idea of being able to overlay speed and g-forces in one package.  I've also used older gopro's and their interface was not the greatest.  I'm sure that's been fixed over the years.  There's no way for me to record throttle/brake though that would be interesting (no OBDII)

[Mkelder]

I've got an ion pro 3 wifi from Walmart. Took a chance, $100-$150 cheaper than the gopro version with same specs. I like their tubular design over the gopro box plus it came with various mounts and is by itself weather proof where as the gopro requires an extra $50 on top of already high price for their cover. They have lower end ones but this one records 1080p at 60fps and the quality seems good from my vids, also the built in mic works quite well too. After buying one I am going to get another one.

Nick was giving some Chinese copy of gopro a try at the last event. I really liked how small they are. Interested in hearing his review on them soon.

[NickST]

This is what I brought out this past weekend

http://www.banggood.com/Original-XiaoMi-Yi-Z23-Version-Ambarella-A7LS-BSI-CMOS-WIFI-Sports-Action-Camera-p-995831.html

I reviewed the video briefly, it looks really nice. I am swamped with work this week though so I haven't been able to really dive into it just yet.

Instructions were all in Chinese, it is fairly simple, but you need to know somebody to translate it for you. You can only change modes through a wifi app which is annoying, luckily there is an English version of the app on Google Play.

Pretty good camera, it does 2K at 30 frames per second, and 1080p at 60 frames. If you want really slow motion, it will do 120fps @ 780p. It is really cool to watch stuff in ultra smooth slow motion!

I will post something up once I get stuff edited a bit

[majormojo]

SJCam SJ4000 is another decent budget option for a knockoff GoPro. You can get them for around CAD$100 on Amazon, I imagine even less on dx.com or aliexpress.com if you're willing to wait. I'm thinking of picking up a couple to add additional views. I have a GoPro Hero 3+, and yeah, UI is a nightmare and battery life sucks, but it's a "standard" and well supported by apps for remote triggering etc. Most of the knockoffs are compatible with GoPro accessories and mounts.

[Canuck]

Thanks guys - lots of options for me to look at.  Quite tempted by the cheaper options.  Anyone running a cell phone app like Harry's Lap Timer?  I'm looking at those options - but wonder about making my life more complicated at the start line than it needs to be.

[Tom M]

i remember seeing a smartphone app Trackmaster that could overlay video with data

[Terry Johns]

I downloaded HLT for the Iphone several years ago but haven't used it. Going to have play today.

[94boosted]

I use the Track Addict App (iPhone) for lapping as I believe it needs a start/finish line to start/stop recording lap times and then a couple GoPro's for autocross. The big suction cup mount for the GoPro's is a really nice piece and it allows you to mount the camera just about anywhere on the car for filming some neat angles.

[majormojo]

I've used HLT for autocross and it kinda works, but isn't great. It requires you to mark where the start/finish is and can sometimes get confused if the course runs close to the finish (ie, it terminates the run too soon).

My favorite is CSM laptimer Pro (http://stoppani.net/). It's iOS only. It does not require setup and can use wifi to control a GoPro or to receive data from OBD2 and can use a high resolution Bluetooth GPS unit. Aside from video (from phone or GoPro) with easy overlays, it has good data analysis tools. I'd consider it a good data logger first, and video capture second. Here's a vid made with CMS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyU66YTyJsQ And another where I used iMovie on the phone to do a PIP overlay with a second video stream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKMA_ta2bsQ

On Android (and iOS), TrackAddict is pretty good. It also supports external GPS and OBD2 and can control GoPro and Garmin external cams in addition to recording on the phone. It's better for track/lapping than autocross but still a good option.

You're not wrong about making life at the start line more complex than it needs to be. Futzing with cameras and data logging and debugging bluetooth and wifi connections and swapping batteries etc can get to be a bit much. KISS, as they say...

One big advantage of the external GoPro type camera that I learned last season was using the "over the shoulder" view to observe what my hands were doing and look for bad habits and un-smooth movements.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pd3ctFalEGM

[Canuck]

Very cool - thanks  Jim.  CMS appears to be Android compatible now and I have to upgrade my phone anyway. 

[Canuck]

Just a few of my first efforts.  No fancy processing - I'll figure that out later.

Pretty impressed with the results...with the camera considering I didn't have the gyro on and the date stamp is wrong.  All sorted out now.

https://youtu.be/bLY7ut3Di7I

https://youtu.be/gX19x4ItTBc