FAQ's
Are these kits really suitable for motorsport use?
Yes. These kits have been designed for use in harsh environments. We have a history and good track record of supplying these kits for use in all sorts of vehicles from rally cars to drag cars. The recorders are ALL solid state so no moving parts to worry about. These are not archos systems which were originally intended for watching videos on trains.
Which cameras do you supply?
We have a range of cameras all suitable for use inside cars. Our version of the Sony HQ1 bullet camera cannot be beaten and it also has the ability to be fitted with neutral density lens filters which enhance the image further when filming in bright sunny conditions. A range of lenses are available for all of our motorsports cameras and we even have cameras with vari-focal lenses so you can adjust the position of your shot on the fly.
How do I mount my motorsport cameras?
We have a large selection of camera mounts available and gaining more by the day. Depending on where and how you want to mount your camera we're sure we have got all bases covered for in car recording. We have suction mounts for car body work or windscreen mounting and we have clamp mounts for internal or roll cage mounting.
Camera mounts are here!
Can i have a two camera setup?
Absolutely, we have fitted our company car (Westfield!) with a two camera system using the latest in video processor and digital recording equipment. We can set this to do picture in picture, split screen and lots of other combinations. You can add a second camera to any of the kits above using a 2 way video switch to choose which camera you want to record from. This is something you can buy as a complete package or something you can add at a later date.
Which system should I choose?
This is very much going to depend on the video quality you are looking to achieve and also how much you are willing to spend on it. The DV500 package (pack 1) is our most popular product. It's afordable and provides excellent image quality when playing back on a computer screen, perfect for motorsports analysis where you are not looking to achieve full broadcast quality video.
If you want a bit more quality then you should look at pack 2 or pack 3.
What is the difference between mpeg2 and mpeg4?
This is the method in which the video is encoded. Mpeg4 is more efficient at compressing video at lower bit rates. Mpeg2 is quite often easier to edit in older video editing software that doesn't fully support mpeg4.
What is bit rate?
The video bit rate is basically how much information is being stored per second by the recorder from the camera. The higher the bit rate, the better the video will look especially in high motion scenes such as racing. To put this in to perspective, when you watch a standard definition DVD at home you are seeing around about 5 - 6mb/s video bit rate. Most video you will see on the web such as youtube videos will be less than 1.5mb/s
What is resolution?
This is the the amount of pixels being recorded from the camera. Generally, the higher the resolution the better the video. However, the bitrate is the most important part in terms of video quality. 640x480 is VGA resolution. 720x576 is standard defintion tv resolution here in the UK.
What about the fps?
FPS is frames per second. When you watch normal TV in the UK you are seeing 25fps. You need to have a recorder that can do 25fps to acheive smooth video. All of the packs above will do this.
Can I connect your motorsports camera system to my intercom?
This depends on the intercom system you are using. Most of the budget intercom systems available do not output a standard audio signal. Some of the more expensive peltor systems have an audio output on the controller box which can be connected to any of the packs above when using the right cabling.
Can i power this from my car?
Yes. We can supply you with either a hard wired kit with regulators to power both the camera and the recorder from your car. Or you can run them from normal batteries. If you have a cigarette lighter then we can supply a kit to take power from this to enable easy swapping of the system from car to car.
How easy is it to use?
All these kits are very easy to use and all can be operated from a single button. They are also very easy to install and in most cases plug and play.
How do i watch my video after it's recorded?
With pack 1, it has a built-in screen so you can playback the video easily on the spot or you can plug the unit in to a TV or computer. Packs 2 and 3 will require playback on a computer by putting the memory card in to a card reader. You can then burn the video to DVD or simply leave it on your computer's hard disk for viewing at a later stage.
Can these units be remote controlled?
Pack 3 contains a wired remote controller for easy start/stop of recording. An LED on the remote will tell you the state of the recorder.
Pack 1 and 2 are designed to be operated without a remote (recorder is mounted in reach of driver).
These packs contain parts that i do not require or i need addtional items!!
We have put these motorsports camera packages together with all the parts most commonly requested. If you need extra parts are or want to buy just part of the kit then please let us know and we'll be more than happy to help.
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