GBCA Discussion Forum

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: ralexw on August 20, 2010, 04:01:12 PM

Title: Best camcorder to use on a boat
Post by: ralexw on August 20, 2010, 04:01:12 PM
Wondering what cameras people used to film on board.  Im not talking about Avatar style 3D movie cameras.  I saw a Sony Playsport waterproof camcorder and wanted to see what other people were using and how happy they were with their choice.
Thanks in advance. 
Title: Re: Best camcorder to use on a boat
Post by: pete on August 20, 2010, 07:03:49 PM
Check out GOPROHD for video...very good stuff, I am considering buying one myself. Cheers
Title: Re: Best camcorder to use on a boat
Post by: RumSponge on August 21, 2010, 06:38:04 PM
I have two GoPros, the older non HD wide angle version and the HD version.  I've used them with a head strap, but you could mount it anywhere easily (especially on a stern pulpit).  It can be submerged deep so getting wet is no problem.

The GoPros have multiple resolution and fps options plus have non video options and can take images in a time lapse fashion.

This video was with the old wide angle GoPro:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAtOuTIHJSg

Some of my newer videos were taken with the HD version but with a sdhc card that wasnt quite fast enough to be really smooth.
Title: Re: Best camcorder to use on a boat
Post by: RumSponge on August 21, 2010, 07:24:51 PM
Here's a GoPro HD example (on 1080 30fps, still bad memory card):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=occkChnLMsQ
Title: Re: Best camcorder to use on a boat
Post by: Bee on August 21, 2010, 07:29:15 PM
Hey Sponge.  Do these things have stabilization?
Title: Re: Best camcorder to use on a boat
Post by: RumSponge on August 22, 2010, 08:34:01 AM
No.  This was designed for sports where if it may be on a smooth platform such as a surfboard or very bumpy like motorcross where image stabilization won't work.  Image stabilization is designed for when the camera is held by hand.
Title: Re: Best camcorder to use on a boat
Post by: Bee on August 22, 2010, 09:23:07 AM
Well the video's on Youtube really look great.  At the price of the camera I think I will get one.  I like the idea of putting it on the pushpit to get some shots of the crew in action.

Thanks
Title: Re: Best camcorder to use on a boat
Post by: ralexw on August 23, 2010, 12:26:35 PM
thanks for the input.  i ended up buying a Playsport but if it craps out or the video is bad i will buy a Gopro or two next. 

Happy Sailing!
Title: Re: Best camcorder to use on a boat
Post by: Jonsey on August 30, 2010, 01:42:10 PM
Ordered a gopro last week, should come in today.  Cant wait to go play this sunday, hope the breeze is on.
Title: Re: Best camcorder to use on a boat
Post by: RumSponge on August 30, 2010, 11:10:53 PM
A note on the GoPro HD:  If you actually want to record smoothly at 1080p, you need at a bare minimum of 15 mb/s write speed.  If you want a 32 gb sdhc card that will handle the task and will actually work well, you WILL spend over $100.  I got a class 10 Kingston for lower 100s and a Sandisk which is even more reliable will be mid 100s.

If you don't have a fast write speed and it looks choppy from the raw screening, uploading it to youtube and have their compression deal with it will make look it a lot prettier.
Title: Re: Best camcorder to use on a boat
Post by: Bee on August 31, 2010, 07:26:34 AM
Hi Sponge.

I manage to screw up and bought the naked GoPro so have had to wait to get additional mounts.  Even though I still program I sometimes have gas on the brain and do stupid things like that.

I got a 16 gig Scan disk at Best Buy for $89.  I made sure it was 15 mb/s.  Where do you get the 32 gig cards?

I Plan to put the GoPor on the binnacle for Rum Race 8.  Any comments about which back to use?  Should be OK to use the open one don't you think?
Title: Re: Best camcorder to use on a boat
Post by: joe on August 31, 2010, 09:51:36 AM
The 32 gig card is available at the GoPro site for 99.00.  The mounting kit is 19.95
Title: Re: Best camcorder to use on a boat
Post by: Bee on August 31, 2010, 03:26:33 PM
I got a mounting kite for $20.  Taxed, but no shipping costs.
Title: Re: Best camcorder to use on a boat
Post by: Bee on September 02, 2010, 07:20:53 AM
Crud.  I ordered the mounting bracket a week ago and was told I would get it by tomorrow.  Today I got an email saying it will not arrive until Tuesday.  Does anyone with a GoPro have a handle bar bracket I can borrow?  Sure would like to use the camera for the next rum race.
Title: Re: Best camcorder to use on a boat
Post by: Bee on September 03, 2010, 05:33:48 PM
A little PVC, a couple tools, a little bit of work and voila  a rail mount for the GoPro Hero for the amazing price of $3.23.
Title: Re: Best camcorder to use on a boat
Post by: B Sailing/Alan Bates on September 09, 2010, 12:11:10 AM
Bee--did you get a shot of Musica flying past you? 

I have the HD Hero, and it has a blemish in the lens--not on the outside--plus the battery they sent hasn't lasted very well at all.
Great shots, great camera though.  My computer is old and slow and won't even play the hd files. Upgrade time.
Title: Re: Best camcorder to use on a boat
Post by: tsampsel on September 09, 2010, 02:53:43 PM
Anybody try the suction cup bracket?

Title: Re: Best camcorder to use on a boat
Post by: Jonsey on November 08, 2010, 04:07:28 PM
This weekend i built a mount that bolts on our motor-bracket and puts the camera 3' off the stern.  Here's a quick test video that my buddy just put on the web.

http://www.youtube.com/user/TexasViper640?feature=mhum

I had a friend lend me some electrical conduit - pipe bender and we're in business!  I think i'm going to make another that puts the camera 5' off the back so we can get more of the boat in the picture.   Nice and stable though, the GoPro rocks!

The wind was about 20, downhill we were around 15 knot's of boat-speed..
Title: Re: Best camcorder to use on a boat
Post by: Charles on November 08, 2010, 05:50:27 PM
Great video, Jeff
Title: Re: Best camcorder to use on a boat
Post by: Jonsey on November 08, 2010, 06:52:56 PM
I think a dance floor head cam might be in order next year at wurstfest.  Whada think Charles?
Title: Re: Best camcorder to use on a boat
Post by: Charles on November 08, 2010, 07:11:42 PM
In addition to the head cam, we will need a wide angle shot, and a low light fire ring cam.
Title: Re: Best camcorder to use on a boat
Post by: ChrisK on November 09, 2010, 09:04:01 AM
Great video Jeff.
Almost as good as being there.
Next version needs tacks and jibes included. That's the fun stuff!
Title: Re: Best camcorder to use on a boat
Post by: Jonsey on November 09, 2010, 09:51:28 AM
I'm going to build a second mount and two of us are going to have them on the back during the HYC Turkey Regatta..    so everyone, BIG duck please!

It would have been cool if you guys had one on the Fboat for harvest moon.. capture those "pucker" moments overnight.  ;-)
Title: Re: Best camcorder to use on a boat
Post by: ChrisK on November 09, 2010, 04:18:52 PM
I'm really glad I didn't bring the Sony on the Fboat, it was a submarine firehose waterfall pressure washer of a ride.  I haven't sprung for the waterproof housing yet....

Besides the blurred vision from either the spray or my neurons shorting out beyond 18 knots (Mental note #1: safety glasses for next time), I was also on the verge of pumping out the 2 gallons of salt water injested in my stomach...  :-X
(Mental note #2: Don't sail with your mouth open at high rates of speed) 

Thanks to HMR 2010, I will no longer ask for salt on my margaritas. Ever.
Unless of course, they're free...
Title: Re: Best camcorder to use on a boat
Post by: Danny on December 07, 2010, 06:36:54 PM
I am a dealer if anyone is interested... :)
Title: Re: Best camcorder to use on a boat
Post by: B Sailing/Alan Bates on December 09, 2010, 10:51:03 AM
GoPro in action with iMovie editor--please subscribe to BeSailing Video channel. 

http://www.youtube.com/user/BeSailing?feature=mhum#p/u/0/XljV3Pck8X




Title: Re: Best camcorder to use on a boat
Post by: Trink on December 27, 2010, 08:35:52 AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfYSEUThviQ
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfYSEUThviQ)

Great video shot underwater at one of the turning marks at the Melges 32 worlds. It was shot with a SD Go Pro (predecessor to the HD Hero discussed here).
Title: Re: Best camcorder to use on a boat
Post by: Danny on December 28, 2010, 07:25:58 PM
Great cameras which is why I keep them in stock... ;D
Title: Re: Best camcorder to use on a boat
Post by: Keith on January 04, 2011, 11:30:50 AM
http://www.youtube.com/user/UllmanSailsTV?feature=mhum

GoPro HD on Hobie 33 going 20kts, fun day and great camera.  Please subscribe!
Title: Re: Best camcorder to use on a boat
Post by: Trink on January 09, 2011, 02:35:14 PM
Here's a test run of my new Go Pro HD camera from Icicle Race #1. The mounting hardware is on order, so most of it was hand-held.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSw27MwR1L0 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSw27MwR1L0)
Title: Re: Best camcorder to use on a boat
Post by: ChrisK on January 11, 2011, 09:43:50 AM
GBCA does have a youtube channel we've been tinkering on.

Search for GBCA1947

or

http://www.youtube.com/user/GBCA1947 (http://www.youtube.com/user/GBCA1947)

With all the cool video cameras out there, I'm looking at options on how to share the channel with other users who can upload content.

Any suggestions on how to do this?
Title: Re: Best camcorder to use on a boat
Post by: ChrisK on January 12, 2011, 08:03:57 AM
After some initial research this doesn't appear possible on youTube. One user, one channel. 
There is a workaround if you want to upload, PM me if you want to try it.

The only thing I've found (so far) is Facebook where users can upload videos to the GBCA Page...

http://www.facebook.com/video/?id=167205484182 (http://www.facebook.com/video/?id=167205484182)
Title: Re: Best camcorder to use on a boat
Post by: Keith on January 12, 2011, 02:44:12 PM
Why not just allow GBCA members to have the password and let them upload the videos?  We do that at UllmanSailsTV and it works ok, even though I upload 70% of the movies.
Title: Re: Best camcorder to use on a boat
Post by: ChrisK on January 12, 2011, 03:59:13 PM
Prefer not to do that as the e-mail tied to the youtube is tied to alot of other things.  That might be able to be changed in a setting somewhere...will tinker with a little later.
Title: Re: Best camcorder to use on a boat
Post by: Keith on January 13, 2011, 11:35:24 AM
We use a generic gmail account specifically for our channel.  You can change your email in preferences. 
Title: Re: Best camcorder to use on a boat
Post by: ChrisK on January 24, 2011, 08:45:55 AM
I'm finding the Sony Vegas Pro 10 is great for editing.
http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/download/trials/vegaspro (http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/download/trials/vegaspro)

I'm using a trial version...since the full on copy is $500 *cough*
Once the trail expires certain unnamed sources tell me you can uninstall, then re-upload and get another 30 days.
Vegas runs circles around the windows movie editor but is a little intimidating at first.

Online how-to-videos are available...so even a Clark Griswald type like me can (hopefully) figure out the rest of the bells and whistles...

I found this software to be helpful (free) also
http://www.squared5.com/ (http://www.squared5.com/)

Lot of google searches....there are so many rendering/burn options it's a bit bewildering. 

In short:
Mp2 is the universal way to go to burn DVD for grandma's player...
Mp4 for stuff like Youtube....(also finicky, use the advanced uploader)
AVCHD for the Blue-ray camera...if you don't have Blue-ray burner...
CD-R disks (the 4 gig ones)...to burn DVDs....

Somebody (James Cameron?) tell me if this is correct...

I've learned that the video is much more time consuming than still shots....rendering times, processing power...even with a 64 bit chip and a 2 yr old laptop with lots of horsepower....

For example: accidently recorded I#2 upside down on the GoPro.  That was an operation to fix. It took a 4 gig file and it turned into a 66 gig *.mov video, then re-compessed back to mp4....that took two evenings to figure out and the file is still 3 times bigger than original and nothing on the edit side was added.....hmmm...
Title: Re: Best camcorder to use on a boat
Post by: Jonsey on January 24, 2011, 10:25:23 AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REwUXlmQaUw

A buddy just emailed this to me - he used my aft mount.   They were double-handed this past weekend in about 15.     Credit for the video goes to Jody's favorite doctor ;-)

Something i haven't considered;  if you could get the mount back far enough and turn the wide-angle camera vertical you could capture your sail trim.   

Title: Re: Best camcorder to use on a boat
Post by: Bee on January 24, 2011, 12:02:13 PM
What a super idea.  I can easily make such a device.  Will do for the next Icicle.

THANKS!

I've also thought about putting two cameras on.  One pointing behind and one pointing forward.  This would let you see just how bad or good you did at the end.  Would also give some idea about how straight you drive
Title: Re: Best camcorder to use on a boat
Post by: Sailchick on January 27, 2011, 04:47:22 PM
He's only my favorite doctor because he has a sexy boat.  I swear.
Title: Re: Best camcorder to use on a boat
Post by: MaryM on January 28, 2011, 01:49:47 PM
Jody - are you tossing aside your chiropractor like yesterday's panties?  I do agree the doc's boat is quite sexy!