Jump to content
SAU Community

Recommended Posts

Ash did the GoPro have the full back on it or the one with holes, was the rubber seal in there?

There is a firmware update for the GoPro which allows you to record automatically once the camera is turned on, which is great for getting around the double press and moving into photo mode which was a pain.

Contour will sync with iPhone as well now.

GoPro has an expansion pack for LCD screen, can use on the HD and HD:2 and an extended battery. I've used the LCD pack it's great. Though does increase the weight of the camera...Though I did use it on the back of the car around Winton as it was find.

It was Simon's... There was a rubber seal around the internals of the case itself. So it was the waterproof one.

Was a HD2 IIRC. Not sure about holes on the back or not, didn't take notice.

The Contour might sync with a iPhone, but they didn't sync with Android like Contours very own App claims it does :)

GoPro

and POV

Damn you Ash, posting between my two posts. I was just trying to show 3 vids of the same car using different cameras in pretty difficult situations

AND , what is it with SAU not liking youtubes one day, but fine the next? I am missing something?

You're dead right about YouTube dumbing-down HD footage Roy.

I watch RadCam or GoPro HD footage on my 50" TV beautifully, but when I watch the same footage via YouTube (uploaded in HD), on the very same TV, it's rotten.

New update fixes the youtube problem... its a forum code issue.

Also you have to upload to YouTube in hd in a certain format or they compress it to the shit and even 'hd' fails miserably

I've just googled up a bit of a discussion in a forum concerning the external mic ability that the Gopro 2 HD Hero has (since i'm strongly considering purchasing one).

http://forums.corvet...o-hd-hero2.html

They get a bit in depth with the whole mono/stereo thing but one individual provides an interesting solution and results, the external mic he used is the Audio Technica Pro24CM which with a long enough extension cable can be run just about anywhere in your vehicle and provides a considerable upgrade in audio quality when compared to the previously posted videos.

The last video he post's at the bottom of the first page is the money video.

Here's some tips for best format for the tube.

Codec: H.264 or quicktime MOV

Bitrate: at least the same rate as the original, typically around 10,000 Kb/sec for 1080P and 8,000 Kb/sec for 720P

Framerate: 25 or 30 FPS to match the original framerate. If recorded at 50 or 60 frames per sec, then convert to 25 or 30 respectively as youtube only plays in 30fps maximum.

Use MPEG streamclip to quickly trim video with no quality loss or AVS Video Editor or Avid Studio for more complex editing.

Here's some video using these settings. Set to 1080P for best results

If you put the GoPro inside the car and have the correct back on it, no problems. If you use the water proof back you will hear sweet FA! If you don't have the back with holes with you, just take the seal off the back and it helps a little.

As for video quality, the GoPro is much better than the Contour in every way.

If you want too youtube, pay for an editor. I use Premier Elements.

This is a 1080p clip taken from the back of the car, with the water proof back on.

[/url]

This is on the side in the wind, with the audio tweaked a little, with the water proof back on.

http://www.youtube.c...BGONkbnOEY&hd=1

Same position with the Contour

http://www.youtube.c...Pyy6oO0leM&hd=1

I've watched some of that YouTube footage on a 60" 1080p TV and it was better IQ than most of the stuff you see in TV here in Aus.

  • 2 months later...



Just to add another brand in the mix - The AIM Smartycam is not a bad piece of kit.

Upsides are:
1. If you have a digital dash - especially an AIM one but will interface with most types - it will pick up data (both from dash and ECU connected to dash) in real time and overlay it for you over your video. No messy software work when you get home. Use their easy to use SmartyManager software to configure your display. Can also get loom to connect to most ECU's and can display a vast amount of data on-screen if you wish. (I had upgraded firmware in this video and neglected to set the brake parameter correctly so this is why it's not showing on this video)
2. Has in-built GPS and 3-axis accelerometer so picks up speed and G's (I don't have speed sensing in my car so I use the Smartycam to feed road speed to the dash) This allows you to create GPS track map but unfortunately only if have a logging dash. Will however do lap timing in stand-alone mode via setting GPS beacon position.
3. Will auto turn on and off (via programmable speed sensing) so no effort is needed in this department. Important in a race situation as there's enough to do without remembering to turn your camera on, especially if it's hard to reach from your seat.
4. Cable that connects to dash also provides power so no battery to worry about.
5. Can be used in stand-alone mode or interfacing with dash/ecu. If in stand-alone mode uses in built rechargeable battery which seems to last well 3hrs is claimed). Is reasonably compact considering how powerful it's functions and simply mounts via rollbar mount or suction cup mount or various other mounts.
6. Reasonable sound quality - newer versions do allow for use of external microphone which may help further or give option of intercom pickup.
7. Picture quality is pretty good. (Though not HD)
8. Records onto MicroSD that slots into back of unit. As you can get 32GB cards now, one card will easily do a day's racing (especially with it's auto on/off feature)

Downsides:
1. Probably mainly cost. (I've had it now for a few years and can't remember exact price locallly but is $999 on Ebay from US). For this reason I'd be reluctant to hang it outside the car.
2. GPS feature won't allow stand-alone track mapping which is a shame. May appear in future updates?

I have a ChaseCam system fitted in the car as well (pointing rearwards) and this is OK but is not as functional or does it provide as good quality video as the SmartyCam. Edited by Nissanmania

there is a full HD camera in this weeks Big W catalog for $78, can't find it on the web site but with the price of a half decent camera around $300 now with all the bells and whistles if you are putting a camera in the car why not just buy something like this?

Did a search and this seems to be some video from the $78 one from Big W

really unimpressed with the Radcam I have - if you lose power without turning off the video, the resulting file is corrupted. I lost 2/3 of the runs on the weekend, including the quickest ones.

Radcam fail, buy something else.

really unimpressed with the Radcam I have - if you lose power without turning off the video, the resulting file is corrupted. I lost 2/3 of the runs on the weekend, including the quickest ones.

Radcam fail, buy something else.

I had the same issue with my first Radcam. It died on me and the replacement has worked fine...inc not saving files when power/battery drops out. The batteries seem to take forever to charge and no time to die. I have two batteries, one works far better then the others. I know your frustration. I have lost laps at Spa, drive through Stelvio Pass in the Cossie...worst thing is battery says full, then 10mins later is dead and file corrupted. If the battery indicator was 1/3 then i would understand...but meh...my replacement unit works miles better than my original radcam

It's funny you guys mention that issue.

Mine used to be fine, but last time I used it, I had the EXACT same issue of the battery all of a sudden dying and losing the file that was being recorded.

Super shameful as it was footage I'd been chasing all day of a 70ft racing Trimaran flying two of it's hulls in the Brisbane to Gladstone yacht race.

To say I was pissed is an understatement!

hmmm saved some of both files with this. http://grauonline.de/cmsimple2_6/en/?Solutions:HD_Video_Repair_Utility Still pretty damn annoying.

Interesting that some people are having no trouble with their units....I paid more and bought locally, so I might see if the seller can help resolve the issue.

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now



  • Similar Content

  • Latest Posts

    • OK, so again it has been a bit of a break but it was around researching what had been done since I didn't have access to Neil's records and not everything is obvious without pulling stuff apart. Happily the guy who assembled the engine had kept reasonable records, so we now know the final spec is: Bottom end: Standard block and crank Ross 86.5mm forgies, 9:1 compression Spool forged rods Standard main bolts Oil pump Spool billet gears in standard housing Aeroflow extended and baffled sump Head Freshly rebuilt standard head with new 80lb valve springs Mild porting/port match Head oil feed restrictor VCT disabled Tighe 805C reground cams (255 duration, 8.93 lift)  Adjustable cam gears on inlet/exhaust Standard head bolts, gasket not confirmed but assumed MLS External 555cc Nismo injectors Z32 AFM Bosch 023 Intank fuel pump Garret 2871 (factory housings and manifold) Hypertune FFP plenum with standard throttle   Time to book in a trip to Unigroup
    • I forgot about my shiny new plates!
    • Well, apparently they do fit, however this wont be a problem if not because the car will be stationary while i do the suspension work. I was just going to use the 16's to roll the old girl around if I needed to. I just need to get the E90 back on the road first. Yes! I'm a believer! 🙌 So, I contacted them because the site kinda sucks and I was really confused about what I'd need. They put together a package for me and because I was spraying all the seat surfaces and not doing spot fixes I decided not to send them a headrest to colour match, I just used their colour on file (and it was spot on).  I got some heavy duty cleaner, 1L of colour, a small bottle of dye hardener and a small bottle of the dye top coat. I also got a spray gun as I needed a larger nozzle than the gun I had and it was only $40 extra. From memory the total was ~$450 ish. Its not cheap but the result is awesome. They did add repair bits and pieces to the quote originally and the cost came down significantly when I said I didn't need any repair products. I did it over a weekend. The only issues I had were my own; I forgot to mix the hardener into the dye two coats but I had enough dye for 2 more coats with the hardener. I also just used up all the dye because why not and i rushed the last coat which gave me some runs. Thankfully the runs are under the headrests. The gun pattern wasn't great, very round and would have been better if it was a line. It made it a little tricky to get consistent coverage and I think having done the extra coats probably helped conceal any coverage issues. I contacted them again a few months later so I could get our X5 done (who the f**k thought white leather was a good idea for a family car?!) and they said they had some training to do in Sydney and I could get a reduced rate on the leather fix in the X5 if I let them demo their product on our car. So I agreed. When I took Bec in the E39 to pick it up, I showed them the job I'd done in my car and they were all (students included) really impressed. Note that they said the runs I created could be fixed easily at the time with a brush or an air compressor gun. So, now with the two cars done I can absolutely recommend Colourlock.  I'll take pics of both interiors and create a new thread.
    • Power is fed to the ECU when the ignition switch is switched to IGN, at terminal 58. That same wire also connects to the ECCS relay to provide both the coil power and the contact side. When the ECU sees power at 58 it switches 16 to earth, which pulls the ECCS relay on, which feeds main power into the ECU and also to a bunch of other things. None of this is directly involved in the fuel pump - it just has to happen first. The ECU will pull terminal 18 to earth when it wants the fuel pump to run. This allows the fuel pump relay to pull in, which switches power on into the rest of the fuel pump control equipment. The fuel pump control regulator is controlled from terminal 104 on the ECU and is switched high or low depending on whether the ECU thinks the pump needs to run high or low. (I don't know which way around that is, and it really doesn't matter right now). The fuel pump control reg is really just a resistor that controls how the power through the pump goes to earth. Either straight to earth, or via the resistor. This part doesn't matter much to us today. The power to the fuel pump relay comes from one of the switched wires from the IGN switch and fusebox that is not shown off to the left of this page. That power runs the fuel pump relay coil and a number of other engine peripherals. Those peripherals don't really matter. All that matters is that there should be power available at the relay when the key is in the right position. At least - I think it's switched. If it's not switched, then power will be there all the time. Either way, if you don't have power there when you need it (ie, key on) then it won't work. The input-output switching side of the relay gains its power from a line similar (but not the same as) the one that feeds the ECU. SO I presume that is switched. Again, if there is not power there when you need it, then you have to look upstream. And... the upshot of all that? There is no "ground" at the fuel pump relay. Where you say: and say that pin 1 Black/Pink is ground, that is not true. The ECU trigger is AF73, is black/pink, and is the "ground". When the ECU says it is. The Blue/White wire is the "constant" 12V to power the relay's coil. And when I say "constant", I mean it may well only be on when the key is on. As I said above. So, when the ECU says not to be running the pump (which is any time after about 3s of switching on, with no crank signal or engine speed yet), then you should see 12V at both 1 and 2. Because the 12V will be all the way up to the ECU terminal 18, waiting to be switched to ground. When the ECU switches the fuel pump on, then AF73 should go to ~0V, having been switched to ground and the voltage drop now occurring over the relay coil. 3 & 5 are easy. 5 is the other "constant" 12V, that may or may not be constant but will very much want to be there when the key is on. Same as above. 3 goes to the pump. There should never be 12V visible at 3 unless the relay is pulled in. As to where the immobiliser might have been spliced into all this.... It will either have to be on wire AF70 or AF71, whichever is most accessible near the alarm. Given that all those wires run from the engine bay fusebox or the ECU, via the driver's area to the rear of the car, it could really be either. AF70 will be the same colour from the appropriate fuse all the way to the pump. If it has been cut and is dangling, you should be able to see that  in that area somewhere. Same with AF71.   You really should be able to force the pump to run. Just jump 12V onto AF72 and it should go. That will prove that the pump itself is willing to go along with you when you sort out the upstream. You really should be able to force the fuel pump relay on. Just short AF73 to earth when the key is on. If the pump runs, then the relay is fine, and all the power up to both inputs on the relay is fine. If it doesn't run (and given that you checked the relay itself actually works) then one or both of AF70 and AF71 are not bringing power to the game.
    • @PranK can you elaborate further on the Colorlock Dye? The website has a lot of options. I'm sure you've done all the research. I have old genuine leather seats that I have bought various refurbing creams and such, but never a dye. Any info on how long it lasts? Does it wash out? Is it a hassle? What product do I actually need? Am I just buying this kit and following the steps the page advises or something else? https://www.colourlockaustralia.com.au/colourlock-leather-repair-kit-dye.html
×
×
  • Create New...