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vtluu
01-25-2004, 02:10 PM
Just took a couple photos of the forward-looking camera I installed on Friday. I already have a camera mount for a DV camcorder in the back (secured using the middle child-seat bolt) but the view there is partly obstructed by the front seats (on the other hand the good thing about that camera position is it partly captures what the driver is doing).

The camera is mounted on the base of the rearview mirror stem. I was originally going to mount it on the dash, but the camera was so small that it couldn't see over one of the wiper blades. :)

http://www.norcalevo.net/gallery/albums/album30/010_G.jpg

http://www.norcalevo.net/gallery/albums/album30/018_G.jpg

Here's a clip from the test video I took using the camera yesterday: http://www.norcalevo.net/gallery/albums/album30/test1.wmv

I got the camera for $50 (shipped) from Digital Worldwide (http://www.digitalww.com/). It takes 8-9V DC and outputs a composite NTSC signal and a pre-amped mono audio from a built-in microphone. I connect both of these to a Canon camcorder in the glovebox which I operate in "VCR" mode. For now I just clamp the cables with the right-side visor and they dangle down; I'm not sure if there's any easy way to hide the cables before the B(?)-pillar; for now I'll probably just tape them to the pillar to keep them out of the way. Of course, when not in use I just disconnect the cables and put them away; the conectors on the camera have a very short cable and dangle down about an inch or two below the mirror--enough to be noticeable but not enough to be a nuisance.

As for the camera, I guess for that price one can hardly expect a perfect product:
- They mistakenly sent me a mirroring rear-view camera so the image is flipped horizontally; I've worked around this by using software to flip the image around, but tomorrow I'll call DigitalWW up and see about exchanging for a camera that is not reversed. I wish I'd noticed this when testing the camera before mounting it. :oops:
- The camera image has a slightly greenish tint; if/when I have video software that doesn't suck (i.e. something other than Windows Movie Maker) I should be able to correct this.
- Resolution and focus are so-so.

That being said I'm fairly pleased with the results as the camera presents several advantages over my old setup:
- Unobstructed, fairly wide-angle view.
- Hopefully less wind noise being right behind the windshield.
- Much more stable--less shaking and such during tight maneuvers and bumpy terrain.

I can't wait to get some footage using the new camera at next week's autocross event...

leif
01-25-2004, 06:12 PM
thats pretty slick tam. can't wait to see what you can do with it.