Panasonic SDR H20 30Gb HDD video camera

[g0zer]

Panasonic SDR H20

CONS:
the 30Gb HDD fails the moment to turn the bike on
The image (captured using SD stick since the HDD doesnt work on a running bike) is LOUSY
VERY sensitive to engine interference
You MUST use the bundled panasonic software (which MASSIVELY SUX!!!) to import the raw data of the HDD or SD stick and it only stores the data on a PC as MPEG2 which also SUX for everything except writing to DVD's

PROS:
can return for money back

SUMMARY:
In summary, this camera is one of the new style of video cameras which stores video to an internal HDD and basically it BLOWS (for mounting on a bike). If i am doing 100kmh down a bumpy road and shut the bike off coasting along the image clears up. If i am doing 0kmh and rev the motor to 2000rpm the image corrupts very BADLY.

[Pkunk]

Are they are flash bashed video recorders?

they sound like they could handle bumps better.... also sounds like they will cost a shitload

[Rich]

Hmmm..Thanks ..I've been thinking about getting a video camera for bike filming. Now I will have to do a bit of research before laying money down.

[g0zer]

they sound like they could handle bumps better....[/b]

my first thought after looking at hte results of my tests was that the anti vibration thing was being overwhelmed by the nature of the job so i turned it off with no difference. There is image corruption (not just bouncing around or vibration) which is directly proportional with engine RPM and is kind of hard to describe. which doesnt matter if you sitting still or doing 100kmh. You can take the camera (off the bike) and shake it around as hard as you can and it records video just fine. There is just somethign about it which makes it sensitive to interference.

[dugy]

Go Sony MiniDV.

[g0zer]

Go Sony MiniDV.[/b]

miniDV seems to be the way to go, the clip below is some of the highest quality (thats shared on a free hosting site) footage ive ever seen. They had the canon at the store but nooo i wanted the camera with the hard drive. i did tell the sales person exactly what i wanted it for and mentioned my concerns that the HDD setup wouldnt be robust enough for mounting on a bike but the panasonic was the one he recommended.

on board footage from canon elura 100

[XsQuiZiT]

the interference could be caused by your sparkplugs... ie. if you're using BCP6ES, use BCPR6ES instead, they are resistive and won't effect electronic signals.

[g0zer]

i swapped the panasonic HDD camera for a cheapo Canon MD120 which uses the miniDV tapes. Meant i had to buy a firewire card and cable (it doesnt come with one) for my PC, but even with those extras it was less than 2/3rds the price. It works mint with no hint of interference and allows DV-AVI import via windows movie maker which seems to give excellent quality for editing, only thing is the thread for screwing into the mount is plastic not steel and doesn't look too strong.

[Havago]

I just use my Kodak DX7440 and it works a treat.
The only down side is you need to carry a stack of memory cards with you.

[Dingo]

I bought a video camera 12 months ago for this sort of thing, shouldve seen most sales peoples faces even then when I said I wanted a MiniDV camera. The same faces were still blank after I explained about the problems with riding vibrations and HDD/DVD recording video cameras .

Plaza Cameras in the city were like, "yeh no probs, this one here is a demo, have it for x% off and we have a long life battery around here somewhere too you can have for a 1/3rd of the price. Bring us in the footage when you get some, we want to see it".

I dont trust consumer good salesmen, infact i dont trust a lot of salesmen full stop

[g0zer]

I bought a video camera 12 months ago for this sort of thing, shouldve seen most sales peoples faces even then when I said I wanted a MiniDV camera. The same faces were still blank after I explained about the problems with riding vibrations and HDD/DVD recording video cameras .

Plaza Cameras in the city were like, "yeh no probs, this one here is a demo, have it for x% off and we have a long life battery around here somewhere too you can have for a 1/3rd of the price. Bring us in the footage when you get some, we want to see it".

I dont trust consumer good salesmen, infact i dont trust a lot of salesmen full stop [/b]

i braved the rain today for some test footage with the md120

test wrr10707