Hard Drive video camera on ST ?

[azlife4me]

Anybody using a video camera with a hard drive on their ST? Any problems or vibration issues with the hard drive? I can't decide between a hard drive and flash memory. Thanks for any help.

[Gonzo]

Thought about it several times myself. As an engineer whose experience in environmental testing spans decades, I would opine that the flash memory would be less vulnerable, not to mention lighter in weight.

Providing you have sufficient storage in your flash memory for the longest expected video, you are good to go. Probably an hour's worth would do it most of the time. YMMV.

[azlife4me]

Thanks Gonzo ! I respect your opinion.

[tamu8993]

I tried mine on the ST when we went to the Texas Hill Country this Spring. It did not work. Too much vibration.

I would go with the flash memory if I were you.

[azlife4me]

Thanks Melanie, That is exactly what I needed to know. I think flash memory with a 16GB card will be the way to go. Thanks again.

[sennister]

I totally agree that Flash is the way to go. You might be able to get a HDD version to work if you had some form of rubber mount but the HDD may not last very long. a Flash version with no moving parts is the way to go. Now that there are 16 & 32 GB versions of flash cards that is the way to go.

I get by with my 30GB iPod Video but I keep it in my jacket pocket so it is not subjected to the vibrations. Plus it is protected from the elements.

[Schavlan]

Absolutely on the flash memory. I have no experience with cameras, but I know for a fact that an ipod with a hard drive locks up. I had to go with a 32 GB Ipod Touch ( what a shame, huh ?)

[jdog109socal]

WWW.chasecam.com. Dont waist your money on the cheap recorders. buy chase cam pdr100 all digital no moving parts and no skips, or jumps. I have pulled wheelies with mine running capturing the whole thing with no skips...there is my 2 cents

Jdog

[Gearbear]

For whatever it's worth I recently used a Canon MiniDV camcorder, using mini digital tape and it did just fine. I have hours of video of riding through the Rockies, no skipping, it's all smooth and high quality. I strapped the camera down on to a LegalSpeeding accessory dashmount. The camera took a fair amount of vibration and jolts and there were no problems. I liked the video so much much I'm now looking for a good tank mount option.

[tomn916]

+1 on the Canon MiniDV. I've been using one in a Ram mount and it is great.

MiniDV is an old format, but it captures video at better quality than the flash or HD recorders, and they are pretty cheap now.

[Rob Hephner]

MiniDV or Flash is good. HD is a no go!

[bygdawg]

I'm glad I read this thread. I'm in the market for an all in one unit myself, but I also want something new for filming around the house. I used a DVD Sony Handi-cam on my "Way Out West" trip and found it to be useless when trying to record at speed from the bike via the Ram mount. The vibration would corrupt the dvd, and I lost a lot of good video of my run up Hwy. 1. Granted I still have a ton of pictures and some video, but I would've liked to have it all. I think I may go with a miniDV unit. Thanks. Good information.

[drrod]

I have one of these:
http://www.goprocamera.com/
Haven't used it much but hope to on our upcoming Alps trip and lap of the Nurburgring
Pros - cost, size, ease and variety of mounting, waterproof/shock resistant
cons - restricted memory (but still gets one hour), hard on batteries, relatively low resolution, poor sound quality
Rod

[bygdawg]

My short list in order:

1. Cannon MiniDV ZR950 or ZR800
2. Sony DCR-HC28
3. Panasonic PV-G580

[Gearbear]

I have the Canon ZR800, works pretty good for me but I wish it had a higher frame rate for fast riding.

I also need to learn how to control white point and white balance. In it's default setting it doesn't balance the darkness of close trees with the brightness of a sky. Either the sky looks ok and the trees are too dark or the trees look ok and the sky is blown out.

[bygdawg]

I bought the 900 model combo pack tonight for $160.00. That's a deal in my book. I will report back after I get some film time with it.