MiniTrain Cams

[C&O Fan]

LOL Not exactly Cringe But I Was surprised to see Various Track Work Flaws ~~~Kinks etc

Actually it's a great tool for showing you what needs to be done

Like my Tunnel Portals need to be sealed on the sides ~~~Big Gap ~! oops~!

And yes The Mobius is a great little Camera Even better than the Go Pro at 3 times the Price

It has the best low light performance and Adjusts to Changing Light the quickest

Didn't see your thread I will look for it

[richhotrain]

Terry, those videos are excellent, putting any and all flaws aside.

I received my Mobius Mini Cam this past weekend, and I started a separate thread about it.  The Mobius Mini Cam is the best one out there IMHO.  Compact, affordable, beautiful video, all things considered.

One thing that I quickly found it is that the mini cam will not only show all of the wonderful layout elements but also everything that has been done wrong.  In my case, too much ballast between the ties, way too much ballast around signals, off-layout background clutter, etc.  

Did you feel at all self-conscious about your layout when you first saw your own videos?  I ask that question without any prejudice regarding your layout, which I think comes across extremely well.  But it is something for others to consider. It shouldn't discourage them from buying a mini cam, but they should be prepared to cringe at the amount of work before them - - - LOL

Once again, great job.

Rich

[C&O Fan]

I looked it up and you were right Ed

I found this

The Mobius ActionCam records videos at 1080p resolution at 30fps or 720p at 60fps.

I made some other changes so hope it improves the quality

Next tim i won't use the frames feature

[C&O Fan]

No i didn;t use Utubes video stabilization What i should not have done is use the border frame feature in the video editor as it tends to bounce the picture around more

I think The frame rate is the same in both modes but the 1080 is HD But i'll check on that

I think it's 30 FPS

 

It's a trade off The 720 is a bit more tunnel vision But i hate seeing a wall clock in the picture ~~~~Kinda ruins the illusion

of a model world

My other pet peve is hearing people talking in the background

that totally destroys the video

[gmpullman]

C&O Fan

Here's a video done in 1080 mode with the Mobius Camera

I have to ask, Terry. Did you use Youtube's "video stabilization" when you uploaded that clip? I made the mistake of clicking the button when they asked me if I wanted to apply it and when I saw the results I thought I was in the fun-house hall of mirrors, or a fish bowl!

You can go to your settings and have it removed (if indeed you did use it)

Otherwise, I like the wider view. Sure, you get some of the surrounding room views but I think the lack of "tunnel vision" helps.

In your split screen example was there any additional processing to the 1080 upload? It seems to have a strange fluid appearance, just like the Youtube "image stabilizer" add-on.

The 720 is also recorded at 60 fps, am I correct? That would certainly smooth the picture out as well. I think the 1080 is 30 (29.97) fps which may explain the loss of resolution.

Thanks for posting these videos, Ed

[C&O Fan]

I did a Split Screen Comparison between 720 and 1080
to show how much off layout stuff appears using 1080
best i could do to keep them together with out getting too chopped up
because in the 2 videos the loco was running at separate speeds

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRYWQcnSglQ

 

 

 

[C&O Fan]

Here's a video done in 1080 mode with the Mobius Camera

it gives a wider view but also shows more wall and off layout

stuff

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6p2EUoHnQm4&feature=em-upload_owner

 

 

[richhotrain]

C&O Fan

I use Track lighting in an overhead square pattern directly overtop of the shelf that runs around the walls Not sure what the wattage of the bulbs are but they do get hot there are 2 bulbs over top of each section spread 4 ft apart

all are on a dimmer switch

I tried some LED bulbs but didn't like them because the gave far less light

There is also a center incandesent bulb and ceiling fan in the center of the room on a seperate switch

you can see the lighting at the start of this video at the 32 sec mark

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdwFivkrKrM

Thanks for the lighting info, C&O Fan.

That video link is blocked for some reason.

Rich

[C&O Fan]

richhotrain

Very nice video, C&O Fan.

I assume that one was taken with your Mobius.

I ordered one and I am still waiting for it to be delivered.

What type of lighting do you have above your layout?

Rich

 

Yes It was done with the Mobius in 720 mode

I use Track lighting in an overhead square pattern directly overtop of the shelf that runs around the walls Not sure what the wattage of the bulbs are but they do get hot there are 2 bulbs over top of each section spread 4 ft apart

all are on a dimmer switch

I tried some LED bulbs but didn't like them because the gave far less light

There is also a center incandesent bulb and ceiling fan in the center of the room on a seperate switch

you can see the lighting at the start of this video at the 32 sec mark

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdwFivkrKrM

 

[richhotrain]

Very nice video, C&O Fan.

I assume that one was taken with your Mobius.

I ordered one and I am still waiting for it to be delivered.

What type of lighting do you have above your layout?

Rich

[C&O Fan]

Here's a video just done yesterday and of the 3 cameras i tested

I like the Mobius the best

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZ4ddMl1Uf8

 

[C&O Fan]

Ok Did another Test and Sadly it looks like i smeared the lens Since i did this video with the head light off

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07A0Vdv_04k&feature=em-upload_owner

This Camera gets very poor reviews on the Blade Quad Copter Site

[richhotrain]

You already had me sold on the Mobius mini cam.  I plan to order one next week.

Is the 16gb SD card sufficient, or should I upgrade to 32gb?

Rich

[C&O Fan]

richhotrain

Try it again with the headlight turned off.

Rich

 

I will if i have time This camera is part of my Son and Grandsons Christmas present today

Its the camera for a Quad Copter

http://www.bladehelis.com/180QX/

 

I thought i would test it out since they can be bought seperate

but of the 3 i still like the Mobius best since you can shoot in 720 or 1080 and the low light seems better

The USB Stick was 17$

TheEflight was 50$ and

the Mobius is 90$

[richhotrain]

Try it again with the headlight turned off.

Rich

[C&O Fan]

richhotrain

C&O Fan, that "blue spot" in the center of the picture was pretty noticeable.  I assumed that you had the headlight turned on from the pushing locomotive.

Rich

 

Yes the headlight was on but not sure if it was that or i smudged

the lens with my finger or it was the reflection of the masking

tape that was directly below the lens that i used to hold the

camera down

[richhotrain]

C&O Fan, that "blue spot" in the center of the picture was pretty noticeable.  I assumed that you had the headlight turned on from the pushing locomotive.

Rich

[C&O Fan]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xtMtO3RZ_g&feature=em-upload_owner

Another View From the Eflite camera
It may be me but it looks like there is a blue spot in the middle of the picture
Could be the reflection of the Painters tape i used to hold the camera down
or i smudged the lens when handeling the camera 

[C&O Fan]

http://youtu.be/0G6FtfSpHsY

This is the camera for the Blade 180 Quad copter I bought for my son and grand sons for Christmas
Ultra light weight and even though it shoots 720
it has a wider field of view than the Mobius in 720 mode
and the lens can be tilted down at about 20 degrees from the camera body

That should work out well for Quad Copter flights but for train use it shows too much of the walls off layout
The camera was just a little crooked on the flat car but it was really just a test for video quality
The Eflite 721 sells for 50$
but using a class 4 card is critical it will not work with a class 10 card

 http://www.amain.com/e-flite-efc-721-720p-hd-video-camera/p276073?utm_source=Google-Base&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Product-Feeds&gclid=CjwKEAiA5emkBRCT_JL9p77IyF8SJADpztPyhXeIfydi44fkuR3H91xKs5yFR397sG4IO2xihLghKxoCylPw_wcB

 

 

[C&O Fan]

Heres a short clip from The 17$ camera

The color is washed out but still not bad for 17$

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMK9gPAm0o8

 

[richhotrain]

C&O Fan

Heres a sample but today my movie maker decided to lock up repeatedly and that kept me from making inhancements

but still not bad

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drSCZKt4ORY&feature=youtu.be

 

Doggone it, that is too cool and very realistic, just like sitting in the engineer's seat.   

I am feeling inspired to try it, just not sure if my video cam is too big to make it under my signal bridges.   

Rich

[C&O Fan]

Thats similar to what i have also

The same people that made the 808 key chain camera

make the Mobius And the only difference is the mobius will also do 1080 along with 720

but for our purposes i personally think 720 is better because it limits the field of vision

If i used 1080 i'd be seeing the walls behind the sky board

I'd rather focus on the track and surrounding scenery

I bought a 17$ usb stick type camera but it is limited to AVI files only

It's the first camera listed on this page

http://www.securitybees.com/blogs/home/tagged/usb-flash-disk-instructions

I havent tested it yet just got the SD card for it yesterday

 

My other camera i bought 4 years ago is mounted to the wall and transmits to the tv for people to watch that don't want to duck under To view the layout It's similar to yours but it has an on board recahargeable battery but costs 5 times as much

http://www.wirelessmicrocolorcam.com/CCS-830D-24-gHz-Rechargable-System-CCS-830D.htm

 

Im thinking of getting a USB reciever for it so i can transmit direct to my laptop along with the TV that way i can make videos directly

[GGOOLER]

here is my setup on a flat car. keychain mini spy cam. 720 dpi hd with a micro sd card and takes jpg stills and does 30 min vids, thens starts a new file. ive used this in my mustang, r/c cars and planes. for under 25 bucks. the one on the stand is a swann mini wireless cam. that just sends a signal to my tv. i used to tape with the vcr to get it from the cam. to the computer to edit. measures 7/8"x7/8"x15/16 deep.

 

later

g

[C&O Fan]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFTlcRPMK2w

Yea i was Right Heres a review on both

[C&O Fan]

Not sure but i think the people that made the 808 also make

the Mobius

I've seen the reviews on the 808  and it does well

[delray1967]

I use an 808 #16v2 camera I found online about a year ago.  It looks like a key fob for your car, (the kind that has door lock/unlock) or for a car alarm.  It's not super high defintion (720p), but for what I paid for it, it's a really good picture, can record over 45mins on a charge (but it breaks long videos into 15min or-so files) and has good support found online.  I have usde it on several Free-Mo layouts that others have uploaded to YouTube (but I haven't personally uploaded anything); maybe search for Western Reserve Free-Mo or Southeast Michigan Free-Mo and see if there are any videos from the past 2 years...it's probably from my little camera (I've been to setups in Lodi, OH; Willard, OH; Toledo (regional show) and the Cleveland (national show)...to help you find example videos.

Do a search for 808#16v2 camera, and you will find more up to date info (I think a guy (Chuck Lohr?) has done a lot of work on documenting things for this little camera).  The whole package, including a 16GB mini SD Card was around $60, if I remember correctly.  I also attached it to my cheap quadcopter...to get better views of trains (for weathering boxcar roofs, etc.) and scenery that is impossible to get while railfanning from the usual 'ground view'.  Overall a great little camera for not that much money (one of these days, I'll try it out on my old RC-10 buggy too).

Also check out RC Flyers(?) or similar forums for FPV (First Person View) cameras the RC people have used (also used on planes, quadcopters, boats and rockets).

[saronaterry]

Thanks,Terry. The Cube didn't come with a card ,so I bought a 32g that I should be able to use.

Terry in NW Wisconsin

[C&O Fan]

saronaterry

15 minute max, Terry? Or can that be increased?

Looks like I'll be shopping for a new Mobius!

Thanks!

Terry in NW Wisconsin

 

Not sure I remember 5~~~10~~~15 min as choices

But not a concern as They will over lap automatically with just a slight Hiccup

Till the card is filled then it starts overwritting the first video

I paid extra for a 32 g card and doubt i'll ever fill it before i reformat

Mine was 91$ from Amazon

Think it was 83$ with a 4 g card

 

[saronaterry]

15 minute max, Terry? Or can that be increased?

Looks like I'll be shopping for a new Mobius!

Thanks!

Terry in NW Wisconsin