Helmet Cam

[Agent 86]

You probably didn't notice when I stopped to answer my phone? The ring tone is rather unique
I hardly stop but this was after the main ride and I was expecting a call.

I had uploaded a second video but it isn't showing up, trying again.

As for the HD, I wonder why its not coming up as HD? The video is definitely HD!

[Agent 86]

2nd one's URL

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICy72PWjxyU

Its not there yet, they're still processing it so wait your horses! Maybe I've hit some kind of quote limit? Together these puppies are ~1.2 Gigs

[Agent 86]

Hey Pothole, what was the original size of your videos before uploading? Curious on the Time (duration of video) and size of your file.

[Kaiser]

2nd one's URL

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICy72PWjxyU

Its not there yet, they're still processing it so wait your horses! Maybe I've hit some kind of quote limit? Together these puppies are ~1.2 Gigs

been removed too long

[Kaiser]

was hoping to see you and the bike

[Agent 86]

was hoping to see you and the bike

I have one but its later in the movie, or end actually, maybe not the bike. I wanted to set the camera down and roll up to it, but forgot.

The second video was too long by 5 minutes , I will re-edit and upload tomorrow as uploading from home is pointless. I'm basically chopping up the video I took as it was done in two files. The first file I had on a 2 GB MiniSD stick (the one that comes with the camera) then I also bought a 16 GB stick so that will be the main one I use as the 2 GB only held an hour in the highest resolution.

The first test want pretty good, the helmet mount seems to be the way to go, I want to try the handlebar mount next (have to buy it still) but like Pothole's experience I fear it will be way too jittery due to the rough roads, then there's the fear of it falling off as Pothole experienced.

I'm still not sure why I can't get YouTube to show it in HD? Will have to investigate, been too busy at work, my main work computer died well video card fan failed and I had to quickly piece a replacement.

[PotholeDodger]

Hey Pothole, what was the original size of your videos before uploading? Curious on the Time (duration of video) and size of your file.

I compress my videos before uploading them. Yeah, DV is uncompressed and looks great, but uploads are usually slower than downloads (for me) and I can't always count on my connection holding for that long.

2009 12 06 Blue Hills Reservation snowy bike ride
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkQvtuGxrg0
Uploaded file: 091206 Bike ride.m4v
Time: 3:23
Resolution: 720x480
File size: 66.2 MB
Notes:
- Recorded with Canon SD770 IS pocket camera
- Raw DV video file is 696 MB


2009 09 26 Seacoast Century - Portsmouth NH
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPFpX1uSIaM
Uploaded file: 090926 Seacoast Century - Portsmouth NH.mp4
Time: 9:38
Resolution: 640x480
File size: 80.7 MB
Notes:
- Recorded with GoPro Hero Wide


2009 10 10 Wedding - Monolators - Prom Queen
Uploaded file: 091010 Wedding 20 Monolators - Prom Queen.mp4
Time: 1:40
Resolution: 1280x720
File size: 43.7 MB
Notes:
- Recorded with Canon HV-20 camcorder (1080p)
- Down-converted to 720p to put online


2009 10 10 Wedding - first dance
Uploaded file: 091010 Wedding 19 720.mp4
Time: 4:51
Resolution: 1280x720
File size: 126.2 MB
Notes:
- Recorded with Canon HV-20 camcorder (1080p)
- Down-converted to 720p to put online

[Agent 86]

OK added another section of the ride that I thought was more scenic?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHp-Gl8UAe4

You can watch it in HD now!

I also found the how-to for optimizing it for HD upload to YouTube, a movie of course :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9np-zEiDTQ

[Kaiser]

are you camera shy?

[Agent 86]

are you camera shy?

Its on my head! You try getting yourself in the picture with the camera on your head

That was from the same ride as the other movie just a different section of the ride. If you want to see me you'll have to come down and mount it on your head! I'm sure I'll get a friend to do it but knowing them they'll end up looking at the ground or something else and not me!

I'll have to try a self movie (is there an official name like Self Portrait?) later on.

[Agent 86]

New video is updated with comments

[Kaiser]

i may do a cross race in a few weeks, if not racing, i'll be going to watch some of my team. i'm going to try my new camera and ill see if i can get someone to film me. maybe..

[PotholeDodger]

I also found the how-to for optimizing it for HD upload to YouTube, a movie of course :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9np-zEiDTQ

Well, that was a waste of bandwidth! I would have preferred a text file I could save.

OK one's there now:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IE8whNijBgo
Remember just a test so no editing, there's more parts coming.

OK added another section of the ride that I thought was more scenic?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHp-Gl8UAe4

I like the added comments!

Wow, it's so nice and green there. The only thing green here is the house next door.

I like the better view from the helmet (eye level) compared to the handlebar mount - but the looking side-to-side for traffic thing kinda catches me by surprise.

Is yours the 720p or 1080p version? I bet the original video looks way nicer than the Youtube compressed version.

The first test want pretty good, the helmet mount seems to be the way to go, I want to try the handlebar mount next (have to buy it still) but like Pothole's experience I fear it will be way too jittery due to the rough roads, then there's the fear of it falling off as Pothole experienced.

It looks like the Vholdr mounting accessories are a lot more rugged than the GoPro ones are. My first plastic mount from GoPro lasted about 55 miles, the second one lasted about 90. I'm debating whether to get the helmet mount (can you say Teletubby?) or to make a new handlebar and seatpost mount out of aluminum in the machine shop.

But the nice thing about the mount breaking was I got video of myself! ...of course, it was kinda disorienting, with the camera swinging around at the end of Agent 86's patent-pending bike camera tether.

[Agent 86]

I like the added comments!

Wow, it's so nice and green there. The only thing green here is the house next door.

I thought you guys might like it, I have more but need to convert it and upload it.

I like the better view from the helmet (eye level) compared to the handlebar mount - but the looking side-to-side for traffic thing kinda catches me by surprise.

Yea, the helmet view is the way to go but you're right when I look back it takes away from the shot, I could just edit those out? The weird thing I notice is I don't ride the same way as I'm trying to get a good shot instead of just riding as I usually do, I'll have to practice that.

Is yours the 720p or 1080p version? I bet the original video looks way nicer than the Youtube compressed version.

I have the 1080p version and so far only have shot in that resolution. Its only 30fps in 1080p, I want to try 720p as its in 60fps, might be smoother?

I'm debating whether to get the helmet mount (can you say Teletubby?) or to make a new handlebar and seatpost mount out of aluminum in the machine shop.

But the nice thing about the mount breaking was I got video of myself! ...of course, it was kinda disorienting, with the camera swinging around at the end of Agent 86's patent-pending bike camera tether.

Yea, I did git a few questions in the group ride about my camera attached to my helmet, most ignored it, my friends knew I'd have it on the ride soon and were just verifying it. I see my shadow and see the camera on top so I know others must see it as well, I do think the size is still small and it has a feature where you can turn the lens so the camera isn't totally popped up on the helmet.

I also got some video of myself when I took my helmet off to check things and to remove it, there was a gratuitous crotch shot

Almost forgot the files are pretty big! I can only upload at work or it never finishes.

[PotholeDodger]

I thought you guys might like it, I have more but need to convert it and upload it.

Especially liked the coast views.

I have the 1080p version and so far only have shot in that resolution. Its only 30fps in 1080p, I want to try 720p as its in 60fps, might be smoother?

Was wondering about that myself. Does it play back at 60 fps, or is the idea that you play back at 30 fps for dramatic slow-motion ACTION SHOTS?

I'm debating whether to get the helmet mount (can you say Teletubby?) or to make a new handlebar and seatpost mount out of aluminum in the machine shop.

Or maybe I'll sell mine on eBay and get the nice, sleek, aerodynamic, non-plastic Vholdr instead...

[Agent 86]

OK, who's turn to try this out

Looks tempting

http://www.draganfly.com/

Check out the video's

http://www.draganfly.com/uav-helicopter/draganflyer-x6/gallery/videos/

[PotholeDodger]

Nice!

[PotholeDodger]

Have you seen "Bert The Conqueror" on the Travel Channel?

This guy straps on a GoPro Hero and a VHoldr camera, and he 'conquers' roller coasters and other exciting rides. Pretty cool premise!

http://www.travelchannel.com/TV_Shows/Bert_the_Conqueror

[PotholeDodger]

Uh, okay. Not exactly 'helmet-cam', more like turtle-cam:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlbuWC1fOH0

[Agent 86]

Expected it to be boring. The turtle can get in the pool but I doubt it can get out. They need our Cam Pothole, that thing will prevent the turtle from getting into its hiding places.