I bought one 5 years ago but it only transmits to my TV
which is ok for those that don't want to duck under to see
my layout
They can sit in the living room and watch I can even detach it from the 110 power and use the battery
Place in on a flat car and push it around the layout for a train view
Nice camera good picture
http://www.wirelessmicrocolorcam.com/CCS-830D-24-gHz-Rechargable-System-CCS-830D.htm
But it doesn't take video
so i've been looking at
these 2
http://www.amazon.com/Mobius-ActionCam-Camera-Standard-Edition/dp/B00GPUEOVK/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1418051150&sr=8-7&keywords=mobius+1080p#customerReviews
And
http://www.amazon.com/Hidden-Camera-720x480-Detector-Recorder/dp/B00CGTN2N0
Does any one have either of these 2
and can give a review
TerryinTexas
See my Web Site Here
http://conewriversubdivision.yolasite.com/
Terry.
You may be able to go to You-Tube and see examples of how well these will work. I will be following this thread with interest as I am also looking to upgrade.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
BATMAN Terry. You may be able to go to You-Tube and see examples of how well these will work. I will be following this thread with interest as I am also looking to upgrade.
Yea i'm looking at Utube now and have found some general reviews on both but none that specifically relate to Train layout use
Inpartuclar to Depth of field and motion
I wonder if there is a small camera like these that have a remote control that allows zooming in and out. My thinking is, if while travelling around the layout you could zoom in at certain places, you may be able to avoid massive shots of the room that seem to pop up in spots by zooming in on the track ahead.
With all these drones that are for sale now with optional camera equipment. I wonder if there is a drone camera that could be used in our application?
BATMAN I wonder if there is a small camera like these that have a remote control that allows zooming in and out. My thinking is, if while travelling around the layout you could zoom in at certain places, you may be able to avoid massive shots of the room that seem to pop up in spots by zooming in on the track ahead. With all these drones that are for sale now with optional camera equipment. I wonder if there is a drone camera that could be used in our application?
Yes Go pro offers a cam but it's higher in price
here's a comparsion
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TslKsDdmjaw
Between the 2
I like the Mobius the best it's cheaper and has more frames per second and the picture looks lighter/sharper
I wouldn't rely on that test too much as the lighting was quite different between the two even though they were making the same pass. Lighting can make a huge difference in colour and focusing. I think Mobious was given a little help in that video. More research is required.
BATMAN I wouldn't rely on that test too much as the lighting was quite different between the two even though they were making the same pass. Lighting can make a huge difference in colour and focusing. I think Mobious was given a little help in that video. More research is required.
There's a link to a night time test in the lower right portion of the screen of that video click on that and see what you think
I would give the edge to Mobius in both videos. If I had to make a decision based on only these videos, Mobius would win out. Our layouts are inside and Mobius seems to be the better of the two, especially on inside shots like the underground garage.
Check out Consumers Reports online. They may have tested them. I am always a little leary of You-Tube as it is easy for manufacturers to have someone plant an "unbiased"comparison.
BATMAN I would give the edge to Mobius in both videos. If I had to make a decision based on only these videos, Mobius would win out. Our layouts are inside and Mobius seems to be the better of the two, especially on inside shots like the underground garage. Check out Consumers Reports online. They may have tested them. I am always a little leary of You-Tube as it is easy for manufacturers to have someone plant an "unbiased"comparison.
Here's another review
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wmIyD1fM4M
That seemed like a good report. I noticed that it didn't come with the mounting it to a model train accessory.
How smooth is your trackwork? Would an image stablization feature be something to consider? If you get it I would like to see the difference between 720p & 1080p when rolling down the track. The 720P option might be better for our application.
Looks like a neat little camera. When I get time I am going to read what the R/C guys he mentioned have to say.
Hi, C&O fan,
Here is the setup I have used and I'm pretty satisfied with the results BUT as fast as technology changes there may be better choices out there.
The camera tucks nicely into a well car with a ballast weight and rubber band.
Below is an actual screen shot. I need to get some recent videos posted to Youtube but all I have for now is this screen capture.
The lens is fixed field of view, a bit wide for me. Maybe there's one out there with a variable focal length. Most of the sports cams seem to be ultra wide angle.
http://www.amazon.com/Contour-ROAM2-Waterproof-Video-Camera/dp/B009CN8VRK/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1418078365&sr=1-1&keywords=contour+roam2
Hope this helps, Ed
[edit] there was a past thread here http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/t/228562.aspx
[edit-II 12-26] I finally got a little video uploaded to Youtube using the camera setup shown above. I have since reversed the camera and rotated the lens 180° to get a lower perspective. Enjoy~
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvFgmlnBYDk&feature=youtu.be
I've got one of the older-style ones that transmits and I watch it on the TV. If I want to record, I plug it into my old camcorder instead of the TV, and then transfer that recording. Come to think of it, though, the hardware I used for that goes to a computer that's no longer in service. I would have to convert to a DVD and then use that.
A lot of the new small cameras don't transmit. Instead, they store the information on a memory card, which you can then retrieve and watch on a computer or TV if it's so equipped. This will give you a better picture, because it won't be broken up by transmission problems.
This is a video I made with mine. This is in a subway tunnel, remember, so the darkness is kind of intentional. I did a lot of editing to remove frames with dropouts from transmission. There's sound.
This is the camera mounted in the subway car.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Hi Terry,
I bought the USB Camera on ebay, here is a video I made with it. http://youtu.be/I_DpswbGCkc
I was pretty happy with it except the colour changes automatically when the predominant colour in the frame changes. You can see it do this during this clip and the train layout is lit by double fluroescant lights on the ceiling. Unfortunately the battery swelled up after a few charge/discharge cycles and I havent used it since.
I also bought a Vivitar DVR 685HD action camera which I used in this video.
http://youtu.be/aysYBAfas7g
for $10AU I think it's good.
Neither of these cams have a screen so you point, click and hope. But most of the videos we're talking about can be redone if the camera angle is a bit out.
I guess like everything its a balance between how much you want to spend and how good a quality you want in your videos.
Having a remote control zoom would be a great feature. Hmmm...
cheers Alan
Alan Jones in Sunny Queensland (Oz)
Alantrains Hi Terry, I bought the USB Camera on ebay, here is a video I made with it. http://youtu.be/I_DpswbGCkc I was pretty happy with it except the colour changes automatically when the predominant colour in the frame changes. You can see it do this during this clip and the train layout is lit by double fluroescant lights on the ceiling. Unfortunately the battery swelled up after a few charge/discharge cycles and I havent used it since. I also bought a Vivitar DVR 685HD action camera which I used in this video. http://youtu.be/aysYBAfas7g for $10AU I think it's good. Neither of these cams have a screen so you point, click and hope. But most of the videos we're talking about can be redone if the camera angle is a bit out. I guess like everything its a balance between how much you want to spend and how good a quality you want in your videos. Having a remote control zoom would be a great feature. Hmmm... cheers Alan
Thanks Alan for the samples It helps to actually see the cameras in action
Thanks MR B
This is the type of set up i have now
so i was looking to get a camera that records and like you said
bypass the transmition problems
Thanks ED
Not a bad looking setup or price and the photo is good quality
Just in the last year there are a multitude of choices
that's why i started this thread to see what others are using
When the modular club I'm in was holding an exhibit at the nearby museum of aviation a spectator asked me if I would set his Go Pro camera on a flat car that was in the train I was running. I did and he watched the video live on his iphone as I ran the train around our large layout. Pretty neat stuff. I'd estimate the camera was about the size of a cigarette pack, maybe a hair smaller.
jacon12 When the modular club I'm in was holding an exhibit at the nearby museum of aviation a spectator asked me if I would set his Go Pro camera on a flat car that was in the train I was running. I did and he watched the video live on his iphone as I ran the train around our large layout. Pretty neat stuff. I'd estimate the camera was about the size of a cigarette pack, maybe a hair smaller.
Yes they are great cameras I've read good reviews but if you look at the side by side comparisons in the post above i Prefer the Ombius picture quality
Plus the GOPRO is 129$ 30$ more on just thier basic model over the Ombius with a 32gb card at 99$
Not sure how much a view finder is needed for this applocation
The Ombius seems better in low light and adjusts very quickly to
light change
I think the 720 setting is good for our purposes
of you use a wider angle you get all the overhead lights walls and off layout stuff in the picture
C&O FanI think the 720 setting is good for our purposes of you use a wider angle you get all the overhead lights walls and off layout stuff in the picture
I agree about the wide angle showing too much of the surrounding environment. OTOH if the field of view is too tight you get the effect of being on a carnival ride when you are in the curves, which is pretty often on our layouts.
I might play with the aspect ratios to see if I can tighten up the view. I believe the option is there. Then I could make two passes around the layout and use the tighter view on the straights and the wider view on the curves.
Maybe some of the higher end editing software would allow "pan & scan" or at least resampling at another aspect ratio? I use Premier Elements 11 and the option might be buried in there but I haven't explored that far into it to see.
If I didn't already have the Contour I would definitely take a serious look at the Ombius. It seems like there are different versions out there with different lens angles and battery life (520-vs-820 mAh)
For those interested here is the Mobius site which explains the camera in detail.
https://www.mobius-actioncam.com/
Ed
gmpullman C&O Fan I think the 720 setting is good for our purposes of you use a wider angle you get all the overhead lights walls and off layout stuff in the picture I agree about the wide angle showing too much of the surrounding environment. OTOH if the field of view is too tight you get the effect of being on a carnival ride when you are in the curves, which is pretty often on our layouts. I might play with the aspect ratios to see if I can tighten up the view. I believe the option is there. Then I could make two passes around the layout and use the tighter view on the straights and the wider view on the curves. Maybe some of the higher end editing software would allow "pan & scan" or at least resampling at another aspect ratio? I use Premier Elements 11 and the option might be buried in there but I haven't explored that far into it to see. If I didn't already have the Contour I would definitely take a serious look at the Ombius. It seems like there are different versions out there with different lens angles and battery life (520-vs-820 mAh) Ed
C&O Fan I think the 720 setting is good for our purposes of you use a wider angle you get all the overhead lights walls and off layout stuff in the picture
The Ombius Can shoot in 1080 or 720
And from the demos i've seen the 1080 looks to Wide screen
as long as it doesn't show above the skyboards it may be ok
But may be worth playing with on the curves
I went ahead and bought 2 different cameras
The first Is a stripped down USB Minicam
for 17$ on ebay that came with out the manual and card
so I'm waiting on both
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9dUYeMc5Tk
and a Mobius 1080 P for 82$ from Amazon that i up graded to a 32Gig card that increased the price to 91$
What impresses me most is the firmware up dates and continuing support
Hi, again C&O fan...
Now, far be it from me to be critical of someone else's creative work but I have to ask, is there any way to get a better focus on your Orange Blossom Special Youtube video? Was this the $17 ebay camera? Maybe there is a focus ring hidden somewhere on it?
I thought it was just a bit hazy. Please post results when you get your Mobius. I'm anticipating a slightly sharper image.
You have fired up my interest in on-board video again after not messing with it in over a year. I, too hope to get a youtube vid posted soon! Thanks for the inspiration!
I took another look at my camera setup and discovered that I can rotate the lens a full 180° (I previously thought it was only 90°+ and 90°-) so here's my newer setup with a lower POV...
My mainline is torn up this weekend but I hope to get some samples taken with the lower angle soon!
I look forward to seeing more videos of your nice layout. Ed
No sadly it's not the camera I use a CanonA560 with 7 mega pixels
to shoot that video Its the file type
Had i used an AVI file for the video it would have been
a much better image But AVI files are massive and take hours to upload The MP-4 files are smaller and up load in minutes but do suffer in quality
Its also good that Utube has a image stablizer feature because
my 71 year old hands are not as steady as they should be shooting with out a tripod
I'm hoping the flat car mounted Mobius will be more stable
the picture can be rotated 180 degrees on the Mobus which is a nice feature
The samples i've seen look promising
We will see
It should arive on Tuesday
Do you have any clearence problems with your camera set up ?
It looks a little tall
C&O FanDo you have any clearence problems with your camera set up ? It looks a little tall
Funny you should ask! When I finished modifying that well car, cutting a saddle just under the lens, I pushed it around the layout and... the thickness of the rubber band (!) snagged at one of the places where the main line passes over. A minor correction and I should be fine... When I had it other way round clearance was just enough.
Some cameras save files in a mp4 or .mov format. I think I saw the USB camera you featured used a .jpg format. maybe one of the compression formats will give you a better image and still not use up all your bandwidth?
Still... all of this is FUN. I can't imagine trying to do this with a H-16 Bolex!
Enjoy your "filming" —Ed
The Mobius camera came in Saturday's mail and i played with the set up since once again the seller did not include the instruction book
GRRRRRRRRRRRRR~!
I was able to find help on line at their website
also downloaded a card formatter and finally got the SD card formatted
So i should be ready to shoot some video today
The camera comes with a great mounting cradle that just slips on
I attached it to a shorty flat car with the velcro that was included
making sure to leave the center slot of the cradle open because that where the tripod mount attaches
This keeps the velcro off the camera it's self and alows me to remove the camera by just slipping it out of the cradle
"> Heres the camera attached to the flat car ">
Heres the camera attached to the flat car
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Terry, Really looking forward to a video with the Mobius. I bought a Polaroid Cube and was disappointed that it only takes 5 minute clips. It records the entire vid, but splits it into seperate 5 min. shots. Very annoying! There is no way to adjust it, either.
If your video turns out the way I hope, I'll be investing in the Mobius. It's actually cheaper,too!
Terry in NW Wisconsin
Queenbogey715 is my Youtube channel
If you were to make a truck mounted platform, the camera angle down the track would follow the track better. Here are two examples from a past thread.
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/t/203252.aspx?page=1
Tom Whites solution.
Chad Ryans camera mount.
Looking forward to the first show.
Hi, Brent.
I mounted it to a flat car ahead of the engine. I felt the video itself was okay. I took about a nine minute or so cab ride around the layout. When I uploaded to my PC, the nine minute video was split into TWO videos instead of one continuous video. Found out after some research, that's just the way it operates. No way to adjust the recording time.
Batman:
Actually, if you mount it on a flat car, far enough back that it just doesn't get any of the car in the picture, the front truck begins the curve before the camera gets to it and so the video follows the curve better.
Dave
Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow