This lovely little camera was a Christmas gift from my wife Lesley.

 It appears to be called Mini DV Sports. There are two different types. This one has the better resolution of 720x480, which is pretty darned good! If you're thinking of getting one I'd suggest you make sure you're buying the high resloution version.

It carries its own Micro SD memory card [not provided with mine] so unlike many other mini cams it doesn't rely on a radio type signal to send the video. The only disadvantage that I can see is that you won't know if the camera was aligned properly until you upload your video to the computer, so there is a trial and error element to it.
 Uploading to the computer is a piece of cake - you just plug the camera into a USB port with the cable provided. No need to remove the memory card  and put it in a card reader. In fact I'm not too keen on the feel of the spring inside the memory card slot, and once it's in place I think it's best to leave it there.
 You get an assortment of holders and clips and a protective rubbery case as well as the appropriate cable and a lanyard, and an adapter for charging it up via the mains. BUT unless you're in the US you'll need another adapter [not provided] before you can plug it in. We happened to have one already. Very conveniently, the battery can also be charged simply by plugging the camera into a USB port on the computer.

 



 Here's the high tech method I use to attach it to rollingstock:



 As you can see, inverting the camera would get the lens nearer track level. Even a 90 degree turn would work. Using our Ulead Video Editing program I can easily put it right way up again. There is a nice little cradle+alligator clip provided that works fine too, although the tiny nut and bolt that holds the two together fell out of mine and disappeared on the floor somewhere - hence the rubber band method which works beautifully anyway. The bulkhead flatcar I'm using has ribbed ends which hold the camera nicely for taking shots with the camera angled to the side if required. A bit of packing behind it would do the same job on something smoother.
 Inverting the camera might have an effect on the sound because the miniature microphone is located at the top end. Upside down, the mic would be very close to the track itself. I'll find out in due course.  Can't wait to try it with a sound loco.

 

Mike

P.S. camera photographed alongside my Bachmann 00 gauge tank engine  and mounted on an H0 gauge flat car.

Thanks for showing us that, Mike.  You must be thrilled!  I'll give it a bit of a Google and see if I can find it.  Cheers :thumbs

Do I presume that you have patented that method of holding the camera to rolling stock? You better before others on here do it & you will lose out on millions from royalties.

Certainly a neat unit - just like the ones in mobile phones I reckon. The picture quality is OK too.

Found it!  What a beauty  . . .  look at the features

 

http://www.sportscamera.com.au/mini-dv-md80-p-245.html

 

you are one lucky  ar  tist.    :mrgreen:  with envy :exclam

 

 

Yes Max that's the one. You might get one slightly cheaper on ebay if you're lucky. I hope we see some more Nickel Saucer Road videos soon.

Mike

I think I'll wait until you've mastered it, Mike.  Then I'll pick your brains - as usual :exclam 

That's a very neat looking gadget Mike. thumbs

If they mounted the lens on the top edge, you could strap it to the top of a loco although you will get the same effect by pushing your patented high-tech lowmac mount around.

When do we see the driver's eye view of Swanhurst ?

When do we see the driver's eye view of Swanhurst ?

 When I clear the cobwebs, vacuum up the dust, sort out some uneven track, clean the track and add some more feed wires. 2011 too soon for you? ;-):cool:

Mike

[user=8]MikeC[/user] wrote:

When do we see the driver's eye view of Swanhurst ?

 When I clear the cobwebs, vacuum up the dust, sort out some uneven track, clean the track and add some more feed wires. 2011 too soon for you? ;-):cool:

Mike

I reckon January 1st 2010, that a problem Mike, man of your skills should cope with that, :pathead

Phill

I've been experimenting with the camera.
It doesn't cope well with objects that are close, so it's best to remove all rollingstock in adjacent lines [when the camera is turned side-on]  
Also it requires good light. Turning off the floodlight resulted in poor image quality. Twin fluoros overhead are ok.
Turning the camera upside down to get the lens lower, then inverting the video with Ulead [or similar] software works very well. I just have to learn how to remove the date and time. I think it may be possible if I install its own software.
Lots of videos have been taken, but I won't ask you to endure them just yet ;-)  It's still very hit-and-miss.

Mike

[user=8]MikeC[/user] wrote:

I've been experimenting with the camera.
It doesn't cope well with objects that are close, so it's best to remove all rollingstock in adjacent lines [when the camera is turned side-on]
…….Mike

Does the auto focus play up with close objects then Mike? Or does the camera hit them being side on?

It's the auto focus that can't cope.

edit: given that tracks are about 2" from centre to centre it's hardly surprising.