Much Better than Locomotive Camera

[alloboard]

     In interesting thing to d might be to place a Samsung Gear VR 360 camera on an HO scale flatcar, and use the Samsung Gear VR Headset for exploration. This method may be more superior than a traditional camera mounted on an HO locomotive as it has no pan tilt or zoom.

[mbinsewi]

It looks kind of cool, maybe if you had a huge layout to tour.  Other than that, I think I'd spend the $300. on something else.  My layout is to small, for "train ride" videos, as I proved to myself with the SQ8.

There is a member in here who is working on a way to pan his camera, and monitor it, as moves around the layout.

Mike.

[RR_Mel]

I’m working on a camera mounted on a recessed flatcar.  I have everything on order to mount a MD81S camera so that it will pan 180°.  It works on paper but I’ll have to wait until the gears to arrive.  I went with the MD81S because it is both a WiFi camera and a camcorder.  The drawing below shows my plan.

 

 

EDIT:

 

I replaced the drawing to show the dimensions. 

 

I’ll do a follow up post when the gears arrive and I get everything operating.  

 

 

 

Mel

 

Modeling the early to mid 1950s SP in HO scale since 1951

 

My Model Railroad   

http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/

 

Bakersfield, California

 

I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.

[alloboard]

Interesting project. Is your camera HD or 4K?

[RR_Mel]

alloboard

Interesting project. Is your camera HD or 4K?

 

I haven’t received my MD81S camera yet, it's due next week.  The specs look very good and there are several YouTube videos on it.  I won’t know for sure until it arrives.

 

 http://www.ebay.com/itm/MD81S-Wireless-IP-Camera-Camcorder-Wifi-DVR-Sport-Mini-P2P-Video-DVR-Recorder-CI-/271943088005?hash=item3f51123785

 

 

 

Mel

 

Modeling the early to mid 1950s SP in HO scale since 1951

 

My Model Railroad   

http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/

 

Bakersfield, California

 

 

I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.

[rrinker]

 No better than 1080, at that price. Plenty good enough though. 4K is a waste, no need to see every speck of dust that gathers on the individual ballest stones.

                        --Randy

 

[RR_Mel]

The Wi-Fi spec for the MD81S is 640 x 480 (3K) and “HD” for the camcorder.  The reason I went for this camera is according to the manual it has the option of simultaneous operation.  My plan is to use the Wi-Fi as a viewfinder for the camcorder.  I’m going to use a pair of Arduino Nanos with Blue Tooth modules to operate the SG90 servo.

 

Like I said it works on paper but still an unknown until all the parts arrive.  The video demos on YouTube look very good so I’m anticipating good results.  I have a pair of Unos working with Blue Tooth modules as a test for the wireless, I’m also waiting on delivery of the Nanos.

 

I still have a few things to workout when I get everything assembled and a working camera car.  I haven’t decided on the 5 volt power as of yet, battery or track power.

 

The 640 x 480 resolution will work for me, like Randy said I don’t need HD for my railroad.  My scenery isn’t up to par with the pictures posted on this Forum so lower resolution is actually better for me.

 

 

Mel

 

Modeling the early to mid 1950s SP in HO scale since 1951

 

My Model Railroad   

http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/

 

Bakersfield, California

 

 

I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.

[alloboard]

This is my layout's progress over the course of 12 years. The newer stuff is at the bottom https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipNo1rDmYB2EbVlRY4eJnW1tVFGCdzRf_fYDJkdDmfOuFA0ShxsGx2yx5obtegYiGw?key=OW5KYkVsSDJKNm5sdmU2Q3E4UE9WVzBDUXM0UFRn 

[mbinsewi]

A busy layout, for sure. Nice to see you got it off the floor.  Unless you have a lot of really cool scenery, I guess I don't see the need for such  sophiscated video equipment, for "train rides" around the layout.

But thats just my thoughts. 

Mike.

[RR_Mel]

mbinsewi

 I guess I don't see the need for such  sophiscated video equipment, for "train rides" around the layout.

But thats just my thoughts. 

Mike.

 

Actually it’s the challenge of making it work that does it for me.  The guys on the Forum got me going into the Arduino thing and I’m constantly coming up with ideas for the Arduinos on my layout.

 

I have two older cameras in dummy locomotives but its boring seeing nothing but track.  With the 180° pan option it should take the boring out of the video train ride.

 

 

 

Mel

 

Modeling the early to mid 1950s SP in HO scale since 1951

 

My Model Railroad   

http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/

 

Bakersfield, California

 

I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.

[mbinsewi]

I like your project, Mel.  Back when we were talking about the SQ8, when you first mentioned coming up with this I thought it was cool.  That was my problem with the SQ8, trying find a happy medium on the direction it was aimed, to get something in focus, as much as I could. You can adjust and pan as you go with your design, along with using a better camera.

Mike.

[RR_Mel]

Mike

 

I’m not too sure about the MD81S being a better camera until it gets here.  Some of the reviews aren’t very good.  Some of the negative reviews didn’t really give a problem they just wouldn’t recommend it. 

 

Several video demo clips were taken with what it appeared to be the camera attached to clothing or a neck lanyard and the person walking with a lot of body movement resulting with bad video smearing.  That would be expected with any cheapo camera.

 

I’m planning to add two 4 ounce weights to the flatcar, one above each truck to increase stabilization.  When I've used my earlier track cams I always ran my locomotives at a little over a creep and had no smearing.  I don’t expect broadcast quality video from an under $20 Camcorder/Wi-Fi camera.

 

 

 

Mel

 

Modeling the early to mid 1950s SP in HO scale since 1951

 

My Model Railroad   

http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/

 

Bakersfield, California

 

I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.