USB Flash Drive Camera

[rbelknap]

I went ahead and labeled all my buttons - otherwise I'm likely to have it not recording when I think I am. I've already inadvertently recorded a discussion with my co-worker (we were discussing rockets) after I thought I had turned it off. I deleted that.

This camera may also be pulling duty as a POV cam on a model railroad layout.


Oh, and I have confirmed that you can use a mac to pull files off. I figured you could, but the system requirements list PC only.

 

[mdoering]

Thanks for the video, I especially like your realistic launch simulation. :tongue:

 

[Salvage-1]

Got mine today. Best thing is that you can connect it straight to the PC USB and it acts as a reader too, no lead necessary. So far, it seems slightly easier to use than the 808 camera, but, not quite as good on picture/video quality. I do like the fact that it vibrates when you select options. The 6 seconds vibration gets quite loud when strapped to a 3" rocket.

 

[Derek]

Thanks for the video!

It doesn't appear to be dropping frames, but it seems to have a really bad jello wobble problem.

Is that a youtube compression artifact or does the video really look that way?

 

[luke strawwalker]

Is this thing HD??

Later! OL JR

 

[mdoering]

Thanks for the video!

It doesn't appear to be dropping frames, but it seems to have a really bad jello wobble problem.

Is that a youtube compression artifact or does the video really look that way?

I'm guessing it's the type of sensor used, likely CMOS instead of CCD and it probably has a rolling shutter instead of a global shutter...

 

[Derek]

Is this thing HD??

Later! OL JR

no.

 

[Derek]

I'm guessing it's the type of sensor used, likely CMOS instead of CCD and it probably has a rolling shutter instead of a global shutter...

maybe, but I haven't noticed that on the better 808 keychain cams.

 

[fyrwrxz]

I went ahead and labeled all my buttons - otherwise I'm likely to have it not recording when I think I am. I've already inadvertently recorded a discussion with my co-worker (we were discussing rockets) after I thought I had turned it off. I deleted that.

This camera may also be pulling duty as a POV cam on a model railroad layout.


Oh, and I have confirmed that you can use a mac to pull files off. I figured you could, but the system requirements list PC only.

How did you relabel your buttons? i haven't seen mine yet-which way is 'up'?
(10-4 on the POV camera for MRR!-gotta try that!)

 

[CarVac]

I'm guessing it's the type of sensor used, likely CMOS instead of CCD and it probably has a rolling shutter instead of a global shutter...

They're basically all CMOS nowadays. You don't see the CCD vertical-line blooming anymore, but if you look at the rapidly oscillating exhaust plumes from onboard video, the horizontal lines are the rolling shutter capturing the flickering of the flame. This one seems to be much lower quality than the 808 keychain cams, so its rolling shutter is much more pronounced.

 

[rbelknap]

How did you relabel your buttons? i haven't seen mine yet-which way is 'up'?

On mine, with the lens facing "away" from me, right-side-up images were captured with the power and record buttons on the left side of the unit, the motion activation button on the right. I used a label maker to create "TOP", "PWR" "REC" stickers, as well as an "If found, please call..." label for the bottom. I don't plan on using the motion activated capture, so I didn't explicitly label it. The "TOP" label is on the white accent stripe, the others are near their respective buttons.

Here's a picture:

 

[rbelknap]

Thanks for the video!

It doesn't appear to be dropping frames, but it seems to have a really bad jello wobble problem.

Is that a youtube compression artifact or does the video really look that way?

It's in the original video.

 

[rbelknap]

Thanks for the video, I especially like your realistic launch simulation. :tongue:

Well, I had to add a "woosh" now didn't I?

 

[Derek]

It's in the original video.

bummer. thanks for the response.

 

[peter_stanley]

Just got mine today. It looks easy enough to use. I'll need to make a note of the turn on/record/save/turn off sequence while it's fresh on my mind, or else I'll forget at the field. It feels a little heavier than the keychain cam, but I do like the slim profile and ability to plug directly into my computer. Works great on my mac too.

 

[fyrwrxz]

On mine, with the lens facing "away" from me, right-side-up images were captured with the power and record buttons on the left side of the unit, the motion activation button on the right. I used a label maker to create "TOP", "PWR" "REC" stickers, as well as an "If found, please call..." label for the bottom. I don't plan on using the motion activated capture, so I didn't explicitly label it. The "TOP" label is on the white accent stripe, the others are near their respective buttons.

Here's a picture:
View attachment 102439

Very much appreciated, sir!

 

[rbelknap]

Word to the wise: make sure you have your sd card in your camera before you strap it on your rocket to capture video of the boost.

Go ahead, ask me how I know...

:eyeroll:

It was a pretty cool flight, though. At least I got some nice altimeter data.

 

[fyrwrxz]

How could you have possibly figured that out???? Expiring minds need to know....

 

[rbelknap]

Well, when I went to plug the camera into the computer, and nothing happened, I decided to take a closer look.

The trouble is, I don't remember removing the card.

 

[rbelknap]

I've since purchased a new card (32gb this time.) They were on sale for a pretty good price at RadioShack a few weeks ago. If all goes as planned tomorrow I should have at least 2, and possibly 3 flight videos to share, including one of my Level 1 certification flight.

 

[cwg_at_opc]

so how are you guys attaching the camera to your rocket? are you doing it ghetto and duct-taping it to the side? or are you making a nice, clean mount?

i bought and stripped-down a vivitar(sakar) dvr426hd 720p camera, and am building a window and internal mounting tray for the camera and batteries.
in years past, we would modify 8mm movie cameras and build a prism/mirror hood for the lens assy. this looks to be much lighter and without a protruding hood, less draggy.
i'll post pix when i'm done.

 

[rbelknap]

I'm just taping mine to the side. (Most likely 3M brand blue RocketTape™ - the duct tape would destroy the finish.) Taping to the side worked fine on my previous attempt to capture video. The missing memory card was a bigger issue. :blush:

I would be interested in seeing the pictures of your rocket camera mount. I have building a mount/shroud in mind for a future project, but I'm not certain I want to put the effort in until I get an idea of the quality this particular camera captures.

 

[cwg_at_opc]

my understanding of keychain-style/sized cameras is that there are so many varieties and the quality really varies depending on what firmware and lens are in the one you get.
the 808 #16 with the wide-angle lens is the one i would have gotten, but the ebay site i checked appeared at the time to have been out of stock.
i decided that i would rather get a relatively cheap camera to take apart($19.99) that i knew was getting at least 720p.

theoretically, i'll have the whole thing completed for flying on the 15th or 16th(we'll be out @ El Mirage Dry Lake) - it will be flying in a scratch-built 3" on a G80 or G40.
it won't be pretty, but i've always been more concerned with the functionality before aesthetics. the window is made from a section of a Nalgene clear water bottle mounted to
a crappy hand-made coupler. the tray will hold the camera at a slight downward angle, looking out the window.

i'll try to get a few pix up when i get home from work.

 

[qquake2k]

I've since purchased a new card (32gb this time.) They were on sale for a pretty good price at RadioShack a few weeks ago. If all goes as planned tomorrow I should have at least 2, and possibly 3 flight videos to share, including one of my Level 1 certification flight.

I hope I hear the announcement for your flight. I definitely want to see it.

 

[rbelknap]

Just make sure you look up when you hear "RELEASE THE KRAKEN"

 

[qquake2k]

I need to build a rocket called the "Garthok".

[YOUTUBE]xqOUYuqbN58[/YOUTUBE]

 

[cwg_at_opc]

here's what i have so far:


the cutout in the airframe is a bit crooked, the next one will have nicely rounded corners.
the diameter of the bottle is just slightly larger than the airframe, so when i screw it together it will have a bit of tension; not sure if that's good or bad yet.
i want to angle the camera down a bit so the ground is in view, the window is tall enough to accomodate that.

 

[luke strawwalker]

my understanding of keychain-style/sized cameras is that there are so many varieties and the quality really varies depending on what firmware and lens are in the one you get.
the 808 #16 with the wide-angle lens is the one i would have gotten, but the ebay site i checked appeared at the time to have been out of stock.
i decided that i would rather get a relatively cheap camera to take apart($19.99) that i knew was getting at least 720p.

Yes, that is correct... there are literally tons of different cams out there, and the quality of the images recorded really varies from camera to camera... the chuck lohr website or RCGroups threads on these cams have a lot of information about the different styles and quality... for instance, the "cig lighter cams" don't seem to be very good, nor are the "ink pen cams" or some of the others... the keyfob cams seem to be much better quality than the little "505's" or other styles. The sunglasses cams seem pretty good from most reports.

theoretically, i'll have the whole thing completed for flying on the 15th or 16th(we'll be out @ El Mirage Dry Lake) - it will be flying in a scratch-built 3" on a G80 or G40.
it won't be pretty, but i've always been more concerned with the functionality before aesthetics. the window is made from a section of a Nalgene clear water bottle mounted to
a crappy hand-made coupler. the tray will hold the camera at a slight downward angle, looking out the window.

i'll try to get a few pix up when i get home from work.

Have you tested this setup?? My brother and I were using our boostervision transmitter style camera in his RC monster trucks, and we put it behind the clear plastic windshield of his truck, and the footage was terrible... unless it's optical quality glass or polished plexiglass or something, the minor imperfections that our eyes don't see are picked up by the camera and make it look terrible. I'd do some test footage to make sure that this water bottle plastic will actually work without messing up the footage. Better to find out now rather than later...

Good luck with your project! Later! OL JR

 

[rbelknap]

I've since purchased a new card (32gb this time.) They were on sale for a pretty good price at RadioShack a few weeks ago. If all goes as planned tomorrow I should have at least 2, and possibly 3 flight videos to share, including one of my Level 1 certification flight.

All did NOT go well today. The launch site started out foggy this morning, and it never really burned off, so we were facing an incredibly low visible ceiling pretty much all day. Things finally started clearing up about 30 minutes before our launch waiver was closing, and we were able to launch some mid-power. I only had time to send up one rocket. This flight was the last one of the day. I'm uploading the video now, and it should be visible here soon.

[video=youtube;jDhaEALRY48]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDhaEALRY48[/video]

 

[cwg_at_opc]

unless i can solder some of the leads back on, it's looking like camera may not fly. while building the tray/sled/carrier, two of the wires on the really short ribbon cable between the keypad and the mainboard have come off, one from each end. i'm also not happy with the what i've cobbled together for the angle either, so if it does fly, it'll be a straight out the side. that should also lessen the optical distortion from the bottle. i really dislike mirrors and hoods, although i may end up there anyway despite my efforts.

oh well, so much to remember from 1992. it'll be 20years since i flew anything, so a working video camera would be the proverbial icing on the cake.