Video camera for trains

[narrow gauge nuclear]

The online manual published above solves all issues.  Thanks loads for this!!!

When my camera arrives, (east coast - 5 days travel time).

 I'll probably kill the LEDS or replace them with non-IR types.  They are driven by the video level.  If it drops too low, they switch on.  Thus, in well lit scenes they are off, but let the train enter a shaded area and they can flash on and off as the video level tells the light to come on and then go off. 

 No time stamp unless you jump through some hoops.......That's good.

Easy diagnostic lights to tell you what mode you are in, but all the button pressing and double secret handshakes involving how long you hold the various buttons down is typical of packing 406,201 functions in 4 buttons.  Gotta' have the "he-man woman haters" club member's book and users guide to be part of the group that can command and understand this little cube-cam.

Richard  

[Eric97123]

I will have to consult the man. when I get home in about 3 hours.  I will post what i find out. 

UPDATED-  Found manual online.  And I think #5 will fix your problem Motley

Mini Camera Features:

1. Slender shape and supper slim (clip opition)
2. Video&Audio:1280*720@30fps
3. Taking photos:1600*1200
4. IR for night vision                                                                                                                      
5. Motion detection
6. Battery life:1.0 hours
7. Support TF card (up to 16GB)

Operation:

1) Power on: 

    Press the "ON/OFF" button to turn on the device. The red LED should be solid, indicating the device is in standby mode. Insert a Micro SD or TF card before turning on the device. The blue LED and the red LED should flash repeatly if there is no memory card installed. When the memory card is full, the red LED and blue LED should flash alternatively.. 

2) Photo mode operation: 

   In standby mode, press the “PHOTO/REC” button one second to take a photo. The red LED should flash once, indicating one photo is taken.

3) Video mode operation: 

   In standby mode, press the “PHOTO/REC” button for two seconds to start video recording. The red LED should flash repeatly while recording. Press the “PHOTO/REC” button to stop the recording. The red LED should be solid, indicating one video file is saved.

4) Audio recording operation: 

   In standby mode, press the “SD/MD” button one second to enter sound recording mode. The blue LED should be solid and the red LED should be off. Press the “SD/MD” button once again to exit the sound recording mode. The red LED should be solid.

5) Motion detection operation:

   In standby mode, press the “SD/MD” button for two seconds to enter the motion detection recording

mode. The blue LED and the red LED should be solid. If an object is moving in front of the device, the

device should start recording. The red LED should be solid and the blue LED should flash repeatly while

recording. When the object stops moving, the device should stop recording accordingly. The red LED and

blue LED should stay solid. Press the “SD/MD” button once to return to the motion detection recording

standby mode. Press the “PHOTO/REC” button once to return the device to standby mode. The device

will save the current video file automatically. The machine will save a motion detection video file every

ten seconds.

6) Night vision:

  In video recording mode, the infrared LEDs should turn on automatically according to the brightness of the recording environment.

7) Power off

   In standby mode, press the power button for 3 seconds, the red LED should flash three times slowly and then the device should turn off automatically. The current recording file should be saved.

8) Low power 

   If the battery power is low, the red LED should flashes three times slowly and then the device should turn off automatically. The current recording file should be saved automatically.

9) Charging the battery:

   Connect the device to a PC with the USB cable. While charging, the red LED should be solid. The red LED should be off when the charging process is completed.

10) Time set:

Follow the following steps to set the date and time stamp on the video file.

A: Create a new txt file named TIME.TXT with Notepad or Microsoft Word. Save this file in the root directory of the TF card.

B: Open the TIME.TXT from the TF / Micro SD card root folder, write the date and time according to format below, and save the TIME.TXT

Format (one line)

2007.04.22 11:20:30 Y/N         

[Motley]

Eric97123

 

Motley:

 

The format is AVI. But if you have a Mac, you can always convert the video into other formats.

 

Eric, I pushed the SD/MD button. Was I not supposed to? I thought that turned on audio?

I got the card that was offered as a combo purchase. I don't know how fast it is, or the class.

I might try and get a class 10 min-SD card and see if that helps.

It messes up the overall video, because you can tell the different segments and gets choppy.

 

 

 

I dont have the manual handy but it does have a motion detection setting.  I wonder if it is in that mode and is recording that way.  Are the files all about the same length? 15-20 seconds?  

Ya maybe that was it? Yes the files were about 5-7 seconds and all about the same file size 16mb.

So I was correct in pressing the SD/MC button when recording to get the sound right?

[Eric97123]

Motley

The format is AVI. But if you have a Mac, you can always convert the video into other formats.

 

Eric, I pushed the SD/MD button. Was I not supposed to? I thought that turned on audio?

I got the card that was offered as a combo purchase. I don't know how fast it is, or the class.

I might try and get a class 10 min-SD card and see if that helps.

It messes up the overall video, because you can tell the different segments and gets choppy.

 

I dont have the manual handy but it does have a motion detection setting.  I wonder if it is in that mode and is recording that way.  Are the files all about the same length? 15-20 seconds?  

[sfcouple]

Just wanted you guys to know that I'm a very interested bystander that is thoroughly enjoying this thread.  I'm learning a lot and hopefully one of these days I'll have one of those cool little cameras---thanks for your work and for sharing your results with the rest of us.  

Wayne 

[Motley]

BATMAN

Great videos guys, I enjoyed them very much.

I had a thought and may be way off base. What if the camera could be mounted (somehow) directly on top of a truck, maybe a six wheeler instead of a long flatcar. Would this cut down on the degree that the camera looks off to the side on curves? Since do to space constraints our layouts are mostly curves, doing this might keep the camera looking down the centre of the track better than sitting it on a flatcar would.

Brent

That's a great idea Brent. I'll try that out. I didn't like how it veers off when turning, myself.

[Motley]

The format is AVI. But if you have a Mac, you can always convert the video into other formats.

 

Eric, I pushed the SD/MD button. Was I not supposed to? I thought that turned on audio?

I got the card that was offered as a combo purchase. I don't know how fast it is, or the class.

I might try and get a class 10 min-SD card and see if that helps.

It messes up the overall video, because you can tell the different segments and gets choppy.

[BATMAN]

Great videos guys, I enjoyed them very much.

I had a thought and may be way off base. What if the camera could be mounted (somehow) directly on top of a truck, maybe a six wheeler instead of a long flatcar. Would this cut down on the degree that the camera looks off to the side on curves? Since do to space constraints our layouts are mostly curves, doing this might keep the camera looking down the centre of the track better than sitting it on a flatcar would.

Brent

[Eric97123]

If you are using windows it worked without any reformatting.  I think the format is WMA or WMV but I will have to check when I get home.  I used the windows movie editor to edit out the turning on and setting the camera up on the flat car.   

[jrf]

Eric97123

 

Motley:

 

OK I shot the video last night.

I don't know why, but there were 24 different files on the card. And I had to find an AVI combine software, to create a single big file.

Did you guys have this too?

And it may be my lighting, but the video quality wasn't that great.

Check it out here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCTDQ2g1PV4

 

 

I think it looked good.  I did not get the 24 files for about the same size file as you.  Did you press the SD/MD button.  I think that it might have some internal memory that may not down load as quickly or the speed of your mico SD card might have something to do it with.  I ordered the card along with the camera at the same time.  OR the other option is card is fragmented if it was used in your cell phone prior.  I found this online https://www.sdcard.org/developers/overview/speed_class/

The memory of a card is divided into minimum memory units. The device writes data onto memory units where no data is already stored. As available memory becomes divided into smaller units through normal use, this leads to an increase in non-linear, or fragmented storage. The amount of fragmentation can reduce write speeds, so faster SD memory card speed standards help compensate for fragmentation.

What format is the video captured in?  I'd really like to know if this would be compatible with my computer.  Thanks!

[BroadwayLion]

Nice work. As good as your layout is, that camers sure shows you where you want to make improvements when you can.

What about those bright LEDs between the tracks? Are they infrared emitters? The camera will make them visible. Indeed, if you want to know if your TV remote is working, just look at it through your camera.

ROAR

[MisterBeasley]

richhotrain

You blew up your wife's wrist watch?    

At least she wasn't wearing it at the time.

[Eric97123]

Motley

OK I shot the video last night.

I don't know why, but there were 24 different files on the card. And I had to find an AVI combine software, to create a single big file.

Did you guys have this too?

And it may be my lighting, but the video quality wasn't that great.

Check it out here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCTDQ2g1PV4

I think it looked good.  I did not get the 24 files for about the same size file as you.  Did you press the SD/MD button.  I think that it might have some internal memory that may not down load as quickly or the speed of your mico SD card might have something to do it with.  I ordered the card along with the camera at the same time.  OR the other option is card is fragmented if it was used in your cell phone prior.  I found this online https://www.sdcard.org/developers/overview/speed_class/

The memory of a card is divided into minimum memory units. The device writes data onto memory units where no data is already stored. As available memory becomes divided into smaller units through normal use, this leads to an increase in non-linear, or fragmented storage. The amount of fragmentation can reduce write speeds, so faster SD memory card speed standards help compensate for fragmentation.

[Motley]

OK I shot the video last night.

I don't know why, but there were 24 different files on the card. And I had to find an AVI combine software, to create a single big file.

Did you guys have this too?

And it may be my lighting, but the video quality wasn't that great.

Check it out here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCTDQ2g1PV4

[richhotrain]

MisterBeasley

twhite:

 Right now I'm reading the instructions with a magniifying glass, LOL,

My wife's wristwatch came with an instruction manual like that.  I scanned it and then blew it up and printed it bigger so that I could read it.

You blew up your wife's wrist watch?  

 

[MisterBeasley]

twhite

 Right now I'm reading the instructions with a magniifying glass, LOL,

My wife's wristwatch came with an instruction manual like that.  I scanned it and then blew it up and printed it bigger so that I could read it.

[Motley]

Dang! It looks like we all got them delivered today! I got my too.

I'm charging the battery up right now. Luckily I already had a SD to mini-SD adapter (from my new cell phone).

I'll shoot a video, stay tuned...

[Eric97123]

I got mine today as well. Here is a small test video. Does a good job other than the IR/ night camera part makes the trees look a strange shade in lower light.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyyMKT95X2U

 

[twhite]

Oops, little detail:

CHARGE THE BATTERY, STUPID!!!! 

Okay, maybe later, LOL!

Tom

[Geared Steam]

[twhite]

Okay, UPS just delivered my Dice.  Right now I'm reading the instructions with a magniifying glass, LOL, and as soon as I have the little thingy all figured out, into the garage to try some video with it.  It looks intriguing--1" square and pretty simple to use.   I'll mount it on a flatcar and see what I come up with.

Hopefully, I'll have a video later on today.

Tom

[jrf]

Can anyone tell me what format the video is recorded in and if it might be compatible with a Mac running OSX?

[BroadwayLion]

MisterBeasley

 

 

Unfortunately, the computer where I did that work died last summer.  I replaced it, but found that new machines no longer come with PCI slots, so I can't use this card anymore.  We still have one more older machine in the house, or I might be able to resurrect that one.

Actually you can still get computers with PCI slots, they just maybe cost a little more. You have to watch what you are buying. LION does not buy them without. Never know what you might want to put in there.

You probably can get an PCI box that connects via USB but I have never looked into that. An old box is your best bet at the moment.

ROAR

[MisterBeasley]

P&Slocal

Why does everyone who mounts these things mount them in the center of the locomotive for a cab ride version?

If you look at the camera units, they are basically a cube, about 1 inch on a side.  The camera lens is mounted in the center of one face of the cube.  In HO, that pretty much says that you have to mount it in the center, because offsetting it to the engineer's-eye-view position would put the edge of the camera too far outboard, and it might not clear obstructions.

If you're going to put the camera inside a locomotive shell (or subway car, in my case) then the camera has to be centered.  It's pretty much a perfect fit.

[MisterBeasley]

Medina1128

I bought one that uses RF, but the receiver will only interface with a VCR. Does yours interface via USB with your PC. It seems whenever I find the latter, the companies are always sold out.

The receiver for my RF unit has an RCA-plug output, so it will go to an analog TV or recorder.  It's a good 7 or 8 years old now, which was before the time when everything suddenly went USB.  I've also got a PCI-card interface for my computer which takes analog TV signals.  It was made by a company called Hauppaugh - WinTV.  That's how I got my videos on to my computer for editing.

Unfortunately, the computer where I did that work died last summer.  I replaced it, but found that new machines no longer come with PCI slots, so I can't use this card anymore.  We still have one more older machine in the house, or I might be able to resurrect that one.

I just did some quick browsing, and there's a gadget called and EasyCap DC60 that claims to be able to convert 3-cable audio-video (like VHS or older camcorder) to USB.  Some discount place had them for $7.  That just might be the way to go.

[Medina1128]

MisterBeasley

 

BroadwayLion:

 

LION would probably build a special car to push it around the layout rather than to build it into a locomotive of subway car.

 

 

A subway car is an ideal place to mount a camera, though.

 

This one is from SJT Enterprises.  It's one of the RF ones that transmits the signal so you can watch it on a TV or record it.  The power supply is squeezed into the other end of the car.  This supply is designed to take DCC power to run the camera, so I never need to change batteries.  The camera just fits in the front of the car.

Since these are run in dark tunnels, I drilled holes in the front and added bright LEDs.  Only the holes are there in this picture.

This camera has an adjustable focal length.  I set it for about a foot in front of the train, which seems to work best.

I bought one that uses RF, but the receiver will only interface with a VCR. Does yours interface via USB with your PC. It seems whenever I find the latter, the companies are always sold out.

[BroadwayLion]

Well, for the LION and the NYCT, we have (had) what is called a "Rail Fan Window" (RFW) which was in the storm door at the front of the car, and the motorman sat in a little telephone booth sized compartment to the right.

Now the Train/Operator's compartment (note new official title) is the entire front of the car. There is a door with a window between the passenger compartment and the T/O's compartment, and you *can* look through this and through the storm dooe, but it is not the same for the window in the compartment door is a special glass that will not let you see the T/O, nor does the light from the compartment fall on the T/O's vision glass. Makes for weird pictures, Especially the track side signals.

That said, I have seen a crewman (on a locomotive) set his camera on the dashboard in the middle of the cab, and let it run while he was taking pictures.

We have a railfan on the SubChat site who likes to ride the last car on AMTK trains getting pix of the wayside.

But in HO, I think I'll put my cam in the middle, the train will be more stable.

 

ROAR

[twhite]

P&Slocal

Why does everyone who mounts these things mount them in the center of the locomotive for a cab ride version? All the engineers I ever saw sit off to one side or the other and not dead center. So if you have a long nose loco, will the side of the nose show? Cool stuff though.

A great many videos I've seen of 'cab-rides' actually have the camera mounted on a flat car and pushed ahead of the locomotive.  Positioning the camera on the left of the car might throw it out of balance, even though the newer mini-cams only weight several ounces. 

I generally mount my min-camera on a flat car about 4 or 5 cars into the train when I've videoed my layout.   it gives a pretty neat effect, even though my camera won't download into a computer.  I'm hoping that the new Dice will cure THAT little matter, though.

Tom

[richhotrain]

gabeusmc

BroadwayLion:

A hem...

THAT thing will not fit through my subway tunnels. There *IS* a reason why subway cars are 12'1" tall and not 12'2" tall!

I have even had to remove some track spikes from an upper level because they were in the way of train on a lower level.

ROAR

 

what happened to you talking in third person???? Maybe this isn't really Lion. Just an impostor.

Him sometimes talk in first lion to deceive his prey and lull it into false sense of complacency.

But him prefer third lion and gabeusmc be wise not to rouse sleeping predator.

Otherwise, gabeusmc might be laying prone on track with LION's video cam strapped to his belly.

ROAR

[gabeusmc]

BroadwayLion

A hem...

THAT thing will not fit through my subway tunnels. There *IS* a reason why subway cars are 12'1" tall and not 12'2" tall!

I have even had to remove some track spikes from an upper level because they were in the way of train on a lower level.

ROAR

what happened to you talking in third person???? Maybe this isn't really Lion. Just an impostor.

Anyways I wanted to find out what a cab veiw of my layout looked like last summer. I sat my camera on a flat and pushed it  around with my GP15. it did great. Untill the over hanging camera hit some trees and almost hit the cement floor.