Video camera for track days

[GT2IAN]

Can anyone recommend the best video/camcorder set-up for track days?Also is there a model that can taken out of the car and be used like a normal camcorder?Contact details/websites would be much appreciated,Ian

[savowood]

This is a loaded question. We really need more details like the price range you're looking for. If I could afford it, I'd love to mount the Red 1 in there and get 4k resolution, but that would cost more than my car. Personally, I go for the Aiptek. It's cheap, gives me an HD picture, and it fairly easy to cart around. The file format is usable by just about everyone. It comes with editing software if you're using a PC, and if you're on a Mac, iMovie reads the camera directly.

-Michael

[JeTexas]

The best consumer camcorder on the market right now is the Canon HF10/HF100. They're the same thing, but the HF10 has some built in memory while the HF100 only uses SD memory cards. It's got a super fast auto focus and somewhat decent optical image stabilization, so you won't get the blur and bounce of the Aiptek. You can also record at full 1920 x 1080p 60i. It also has a mic input and hot shoe, etc. in case you want to do a little more with it. I actually use it for industrial videos and a lot of the footage I shoot rivals what I was getting with a $20k broadcast Panasonic DVCPro. The HF100 runs about $700. A new version called the HF11 that ups the 17MB/s footage to 24MB/s is coming out around Christmas.

To edit the video I suggest CyberLink Power Director. It's currently the best product on the market that supports the AVCHD codec that the Canon uses. Pinnacle Studio Ultimate support AVCHD and has more effects, but it's such an incredible resource hog you need an 8-core machine to run it smoothly.

Another good option is the JVC HD6. The image quality doesn't quite rate as high as the Canon, but it has the best image stabilization, so you might get a smoother video.

Somebody mentioned the Red cameras. There is a new Red Scarlet portable camera coming out, but I can guarantee that unless you're a professional video editor, you won't have a computer that can handle the storage of those files or the workflow.

[octurbos]

Take a look at this vide of the camera and mount I use. I also posted some videos so you can see how well it works.

http://www.911turboregistry.com/cameramount.mpg

Videos: Right click on the link and save to your computer before viewing.

The silver SG700 was much faster today on race gas.

http://www.911turboregistry.com/sg700_996tts.swf

The 993 GT2 with 800HP (at least) against my fat cab (996TT S Cab).

http://www.911turboregistry.com/993tt996tts.swf

Proto997TT, 993 GT2 and 996TT S. Watch the fire come out of the tail pipes of the 993TT.

http://www.911turboregistry.com/proto997TT993TT996TTS.swf

On our way to the location

http://www.911turboregistry.com/onourway.swf

Here is a run with the Black 996 TT Evo 700 and the 996TT S Cab. You can not even hear my engine over the Evo’s exhaust note.

http://www.911turboregistry.com/evo700black996tts.swf

Here is a few runs with the Black Evo 700, Supercharged M3 and the 996TT S Cab. This is a up hill run from 2nd gear at 30 MPH.

http://www.911turboregistry.com/m3superevo700black996tts.swf

Another up hill run with the Black Evo 700, Supercharged M3 and the 996TT S Cab from 2nd gear at 30 MPH.

http://www.911turboregistry.com/m3superevo...ack996tts_2.swf

One run with the Proto 997TT and my 996TT S Cab. At 1.2 bar, he still takes me but maybe I slowed it down a bit. You be the judge.

http://www.911turboregistry.com/proto997tt996tts.swf

Edited August 15, 2008 by octurbos

[GT2IAN]

Thanks Guys.

Octurbos,that mounting device looks ideal.Where did you have it mounted in the vids?Also can you tell me where I could get one?I assume that the camcorders recommended by Savowood and JeTexas would all fit onto it via the threaded hole underneath.Cheers,Ian :)

[octurbos]

Thanks Guys.

Octurbos,that mounting device looks ideal.Where did you have it mounted in the vids?Also can you tell me where I could get one?I assume that the camcorders recommended by Savowood and JeTexas would all fit onto it via the threaded hole underneath.Cheers,Ian :)

I mounted the camera on the passenger side window, high and to back. I purchased it at a local high end camera store. It cam with several extra parts so you can configure any type of camera and any place in the car.

I also use a true video camera but this SD900 Canon takes great video and is light.