[Fot] Video for in car filming

[Tony Drews]

I had a PVR with a hard drive that I tried using for recording.  I 
had similar luck.  I took it back and replaced it with a DV Camcorder 
(Sony).  That one works flawlessly.  From what I understand, you 
either need a solid state device (uses big SD card instead of hard 
drive), or something that uses tape - the units that record to hard 
drive or DVD are reputed to have problems with vibration.

I use a lipstick camera that feeds into the camcorder.  If you record 
with the camcorder directly (no external camera), I've found that a 
really solid mount helps reduce (but not eliminate) camera shake.

Another potential to think about: I've seen high powered ignition 
system kill camcorders.  If you've got the camera mounted to the 
front of the car, it's possible that the ignition noise when you rev 
it up has a detrimental effect.

- Tony Drews

At 06:31 PM 5/29/2007, Don Carter wrote:
>Bill,
>Thanks for the camera info.  Unfortunately, I got maybe 5 times this amount
>invested in a Cannon digital with a hard drive that plays beautiful with
>direct connection to my TV and digital projector.  The problem is that it
>keeps turning itself off after a few seconds into an autocross.  I have it
>mounted on my bumper support on the passenger side of the car with regular
>hard tripod mounting system.  (I wanted to be safe you know).  Do you think
>vibration is the culprit here?  It runs great as long as I'm holding it. It
>was really embarrassing at our regional event when I thought my first
>capture of my first run from my low slung mounted bumper camera would show
>how exciting the almost 1 mile long autocross was....but alas...it recorded
>only my take off.  My old analog Sony with a super8 tape recorded an
>autocross better.  This Cannon is light and takes great movies and stills.
>Do you think I need to mount it in foam and duct tape it to the bumper?
>
>Don W. Carter, AIA
>Carter Design Associates
>6213 Skyline Dr., Suite 100
>Houston, Texas 77057
>(713) 529-2288 Telephone
>(713) 789-2330 Fax
>don at carterdesignassociates.com