Mini-HD Camera

Jan posted:

I ran across this mini-camera post on another forum and thought you might be interested.  rickwade posted this video:

Demo Video on HO Layout

Note that it adjusts it exposure automatically.  The camera is 1" x1" x 0.8".  The recarbattery is contained within that volume.  It interfaces with a mini-USB port.  All for $22.00. 

Here's a link to it on Amazon.  Amazon.

Product Description:
☞High quality images FULL HD 1080P DV DC
☞Import OV9712 HD camera lens
☞Mini shape,portable handheld DV
☞Record high-definition video in low-light conditions
☞Option video format :1920x1080P ,1280x720P ,Motion detecting video: 720P,1080P
☞Photo mode: 12M(4032x3024)
☞USB2.0 interface
☞Support TF card 32GB(TF card not include)
☞Support TV out TV camera connection
☞Built-in lithium battery 200mAh, work time about 100 minutes
☞Support system: Windows me/2000/XP/2003/vista;Mac os;Linux
☞ Charging voltageC-5V
☞ Interface Type: MINI 8 Pin USB
☞ Battery Type: High capacity polymer lithium electricity
☞ Size: 2.5*2.5*2cm(L*W*H)
☞ Net:26g, Weight:80g 

Package Included: 
☞1 x Mini Hidden Camera
☞2 x Brackets
☞1 x User Manual
☞1 x USB cable

Jan

This is AWESOME!  Thx. for posting.  I can't believe how inexpensive this camera is and the perfect demo to accompany it!  "Cab rides" are cool!

And a very nice video...good reviews as well..thanks for sharing

That's only a few dollars more than the "keychain camera" that can be found on eBay.  The quality of this was looks better than the eBay one, and can be bought from a more legit source.  

Thanks for sharing.  I'll have to check this one out.  

Thanks so much! I just ordered one - can't beat the price!!

-Greg

A very good buy, but the cube format precludes some uses.  I use the Mobius camera for cab rides, it's form factor makes it easier to stick onto a cab or caboose for cab rides.  It's more expensive, but it's also more flexible as to where you use it.

I love this part of the video, the big clock looks surreal there hanging in space!

They all look like neat little cameras...but as I am still coming into the 21st century and am aptly ignorant of this stuff...I recall the K-Line camera car from some time ago - not HD quality - but it came mounted on a car that received track power and had a 360 degree swivel mount - and transmitted to a receiver that came with it which was connected to a TV in my house - thus it was instant camera action on the tele as the train traveled around the layout - thus it was a complete package - and a big hit with the family. How do these small cameras work and transmit - are they just for downloading video to computer, or can you transmit to the large screen. And, do you recharge the batteries, how long they last, etc.

They record for later onto a micro-SD card.

Here's the camera I use to broadcast to a monitor for modular shows, it's a CM200 2.4ghz wireless camera.  It's about 1/2" square and less than 2" long.  It takes 5VDC which I get from track power with a small power module I built.

I also have the receiver that links it to a video monitor.

John, that seems like a complete package - I'll talk to you more about this later.

The video looks exactly like it was shot with a $22 camera. Poor color quality, video levels jumping up and down as the light level changes, nothing close to the camera is in focus, etc.

There is a reason why GOOD HD cameras cost several hundred to several thousand dollars.

You get what you pay for.

Wouldn't doubt it for a minute.

But are any of the good HD cameras small enough to do cab-ride videos yet?

---PCJ

RailRide posted:

Wouldn't doubt it for a minute.

But are any of the good HD cameras small enough to do cab-ride videos yet?

YES! You have evidently not seen any of our OGR High Definition videos. I use a small,  $1,000 Panasonic camera for our pacing and cab ride shots. It can be set to full manual mode (all the automatic "features" are shut off) so the image stays in focus and doesn't change brightness as the camera moves.

The camera is much larger than the one which the OP showed, but it fits in the palm of a hand and will fit through O scale tunnels and bridges.

OGR Webmaster,

With all due respect the reason some of us buy the $22 camera is because some of us are not fortunate enough to be able to spend $1,000. for it.

Joe B.

I realize this $22 camera is not for a professional video shoot.  However, it is fun to watch cab rides and the view from the camera gives you a perspective that can't be seen any other way.  I had the K Line camera car.  It was cute but since it was track powered there were constant issues with the video less the car was stationary.

II immediately purchased the $22 camera after seeing this thread the first time.  I can't wait to use it.  Hopefully, by week's end.  :-)

I have to agree, I took some videos with the Mobius 1080P camera I have, and while they aren't "professional" quality, they're quite good enough for most folks enjoyment.  Not all of us publish a magazine and have the budget for fancy video.

I can also stick my camera on top of a caboose, tender, or locomotive and run it around having a different perspective, depending on the effect I'm looking for.  It would be pretty hard to mount the larger camera here to get this view.

gunrunnerjohn posted:

I have to agree, I took some videos with the Mobius 1080P camera I have, and while they aren't "professional" quality, they're quite good enough for most folks enjoyment.  Not all of us publish a magazine and have the budget for fancy video.

I can also stick my camera on top of a caboose, tender, or locomotive and run it around having a different perspective, depending on the effect I'm looking for.  It would be pretty hard to mount the larger camera here to get this view.

 

Thanks for sharing the video!  I really like the perspective.

Thanks.  I've done some from the caboose, that's an interesting perspective, and sometimes I stick it on the locomotive cab.

gunrunnerjohn posted:

Thanks.  I've done some from the caboose, that's an interesting perspective, and sometimes I stick it on the locomotive cab.

I've never seen one from a caboose.  May have to give that a try.

Here's a caboose run, this was with a smaller keyfob 720P camera, but it did OK.

Joe B posted:

With all due respect the reason some of us buy the $22 camera is because some of us are not fortunate enough to be able to spend $1,000. for it.

I didn't mean to come off as a "snob" when talking about these cheap cameras...although it sure sounds that way.    I'm sorry.

My point here is that you are capturing MEMORIES on the videos you shoot. Priceless memories that you and your family are going to watch and enjoy many times. Decades from now  your grandchildren may come across these videos and enjoy a few minutes of fond remembrance of you.

I think that taking the cheapest route on the camera that will record these precious memories is short-sighted. I understand that not everyone can afford a $1,000+ HD video camera. But the performance of these $22 cheapies is absolutely terrible when compared to a camera that might cost only $150 to $200.  You don't need to spend $1,000 to get good HD video, but you sure do have to spend more than $22.

How about one from the dome car?

John C. posted:

gunrunnerjohn posted:

Thanks.  I've done some from the caboose, that's an interesting perspective, and sometimes I stick it on the locomotive cab.

I've never seen one from a caboose.  May have to give that a try.

I had a camera in the caboose awhile ago, but nobody wants to watch the video.

It might be a pipe dream but my ultimate goal is to find a camera that would fit in the cab of both diesel and steam locomotives to provide the "engineer's view"  with a video link back to the operator.  When coupled with an operating signal system the operator can be the "engineer."

I might have to rename my express passenger train to the "Vomit" Comet.

Jan

Has anyone published a track plan for this layout? I really like it and it reminds me of an old fashioned basement layout from days gone by.

OGR Webmaster posted:

Joe B posted:

With all due respect the reason some of us buy the $22 camera is because some of us are not fortunate enough to be able to spend $1,000. for it.

I didn't mean to come off as a "snob" when talking about these cheap cameras...although it sure sounds that way.    I'm sorry.

My point here is that you are capturing MEMORIES on the videos you shoot. Priceless memories that you and your family are going to watch and enjoy many times. Decades from now  your grandchildren may come across these videos and enjoy a few minutes of fond remembrance of you.

I think that taking the cheapest route on the camera that will record these precious memories is short-sighted. I understand that not everyone can afford a $1,000+ HD video camera. But the performance of these $22 cheapies is absolutely terrible when compared to a camera that might cost only $150 to $200.  You don't need to spend $1,000 to get good HD video, but you sure do have to spend more than $22.

You are right Rich.  $22 is cheap crap....your problem is that your are a pro with a great eye and knowledge, wisdom and experience--that's why it bothers you.  :-)  A commoner like me (a cheapskate) with not so good eyes, and no professional experience and talent whatsoever certainly no where close to your outstanding skills, it doesn't bother me at all!  I thought it was a cool shot.  Is it as good as your Great Layout Adventures videos?  No way on earth!  Never.  But, it's cutesy and fun to watch from that perspective.

I had the great fortune and luxury of you coming and shooting video of the Glacier Line!  It will always be a treasured memory.  I'm very grateful to you, because my own videos are okay for what they are, and this new miniature camera will be fun to play with but they in no way will be of the professional quality of your equipment.   

I didn't take your original post as snotty.  I just laughed because you are a consummate professional.  I'm just having fun man!  :-) 

Jan posted:

It might be a pipe dream but my ultimate goal is to find a camera that would fit in the cab of both diesel and steam locomotives to provide the "engineer's view"  with a video link back to the operator.  When coupled with an operating signal system the operator can be the "engineer."

I might have to rename my express passenger train to the "Vomit" Comet.

Jan

Rich, which of your Dvds have a cab ride?

Jan posted:

It might be a pipe dream but my ultimate goal is to find a camera that would fit in the cab of both diesel and steam locomotives to provide the "engineer's view"  with a video link back to the operator.  When coupled with an operating signal system the operator can be the "engineer."

I might have to rename my express passenger train to the "Vomit" Comet.

Jan

Jan,

Sounds like a virtual reality cab ride would be just the thing!  Imagine the possibilities of not only changing motive power, speed, and signals, but scenery, too.  Want a view from the caboose? No problem ... some day they'll be good enough for the home market that they'll look like videos.

Re: the OP.  Hey, the camera supports Windows XP!  What's not to like?

TRRR