I use 3 Sony DCR-PC101 digital cams, 2 helmetcams (lipstick-type) and a Sony DCRTRV730.

The 2 minicams on the Ztec mount take a full forward view and a close up of the instrument cluster (speedo/tach). When I edit, I use the speedo/tach footage as a picture-in-picture. I also use a wide-angle lens for the forward view.

One camera on the Ztec can be turned around to get a rear view, or to shoot another trailing car.

One of the helmet cams is mounted under the dash to film my footwork, which I also use for picture-in-picture editing. I use the DCR-TRV730 or a minicam as the recorder. I also use the big camera on a tripod for external shots.

I usually mount the second helmetcam outside the car somewhere, to get a low perspective, or sometimes I use it on my helmet or visor for a driver's eye view. The third minicam is a great bumpercam.

I just got the Sony CDX-M9905X head unit, which has a screen on the faceplate that will allow me to see what my cameras are recording, and I'm going to hook up a multi-switch, so I can toggle through the different camera views.

I haven't had any problems with the digital cams skipping. The cameras do need to be secured well, otherwise vibration is an issue. Also- the convertible top goes up and down without touching the cams on the secret compartment.

-Pete

 

Geez Pete

There's a man who takes his footage seriously

 

on the contrary, I have a sony mini DVD and it is the BEST camcorder I have ever owned. I've owned hi8, digital 8, minidv, and now the mini dvd. the mini dvd is by far the best for me. no forward/rewind through footage, and by far the best part.... I NEVER have to do video capture. just hook it up to USB on my computer, and it download's each scene or take as a video file for easy editing. the mini dvd format is by FAR the easiest to work with, not to mention it's incredible quality.

also, you can take the mini-dvd and play it in any dvd player. just toss it in and play!! it creates a basic menu with thumbnails for each scene you took, and you just click on what you want. also, you review your scenes on the camcorder the same way. it tells you how many minutes you have remaining on the disc too!

I SERIOUSLY recommend anyone looking for a camcorder to get the mini dvd format IMO. I love it and would NEVER go back to tapes.

as for skipping, i have had passengers hold this thing while driving, launching, turning, etc, AS WELL as had it mounted on my ztec mount for 1/4 mile launching, hard driving, etc. I even made SEVERAL runs on the dragon with the camera mounted there, and even done donuts, and this camcorder has NEVER EVER skipped. that dvd disc is mounted in there very solid, and the writer seems to have no trouble laying down the footage without even so much as a hiccup.

so for skipping issues, don't even sweat it, cuz those sony mini dvd camcorders are SOLID. two compliments I always get are:

a. how incredibly stable the footage is. no "vibrating" or jumping up and down. the super steady shot feature is great.

b. amazed it's mini dvd and it never skips.


I got my sony camcorder for $550 on ebay brand new. it retails for $800.

 

Because of compression issues, video stored on disks is unsuitable for serious editing. Videotape remains significantly superior - resolution, stability, etc. - to disk. At least at this point in disk development.

 

there is no difference from what i see in the specs of the camcorders unless you jump up to like $1500 units.

the mini dvd and mini dv record at the same resolution, and have the same stability. in fact, as stated, for me the quality got better than my last $700 mini dv unit.

in other words. if you have a camcorder recording in high dv, vs one in mini dvd and they both cost like $800, they have the same quality.

in fact, i have to say, none of my mini dv or "tape" camcorders have given me as good of quality as this camcorder has. so for me, it was an INCREASE in quality.


now keep in mind, I, like probably the majority of owners here, are NOT into heavy serious video editing, and spending thousands of dollars on equipment and software. so your point may have some validity for SERIOUS video editors spending lots of time and money, but that's a very small percentage of the population here.

 

Wisconsin - Which MiniDVD recorder do you have and how is the battery life on it?

 

Sony DVD203 is my camcorder.

Battery life with the included battery is usually more than enough to record about an hour. I also bought an extended life battery which I can usually use the camera for about 2.5-3 hours. The battery life actually lasts longer if you are continuously recording, vs stopping and starting constantly.

between the 2 batteries I had no problems using it all day at the dragon, turning it off when I wasn't using it.

 

MiniDVD and MiniDV may have similar specs, but DVD stores MPEG2 which is lossy compression. That means, you lose some image quality. If you plan to eventually edit and author to a DVD, you'll have the loss introduced then, but that's after editing.

It may not matter to you and maybe the convenience of plopping the DVD into a machine without editing is more important. But if you are serious about editing, you want to avoid any loss of quality until you are done.

Just MHO.

 

That's more what I was curious about - thanks

Sounds like there isn't a difference in battery consumption between the different mediums.

 

we are saying the same thing, you're just somewhat misleading in what you're saying.


yes, dvd is mpeg2, which is not a lossless compression. however, when joe schmoe transfers or captures his video taped minidv tapes to his computers, those devices or software programs ALSO use mpeg2 or a similar non-lossless compression.

again, only someone who is SERIOUS about video editing and has the technical knowhow and the cash to spend on a nice $1500+ camcorder, etc, is going to benefit from miniDV vs miniDVD when it comes to quality.

so again, as I've stated, miniDVD is just as good as miniDV for your average consumer or novice video editor, like myself. don't you agree?

also, last I checked, once ANYONE burns their video to DVD it uses mpeg2 or a similar non-lossless compression.... so in the end aren't we all getting to the same place simply on different roads?