Miniture HD Video that is Waterproof
Posted on November 23, 2010
Originated from David Forcucci on Mon, 22 Nov 2010
My daughters day care calls it "show and share"......
I pulled out my GoPro on the BIOS bus and had lots of ooohs and aahhs. So I thought I would share this.
Cost $400 with 32 GB SD memory card:
Highlights:
127 degree wide angle lens ("lens is king" quote from their web site
which is what sold me)
Waterproof housing
Glass lens port on housing (doesn't scratch easily)
HD video in multiple resolutions
5 mega pixel jpeg photos
Time laps photo function
The original housing port blurs the image underwater so you need a flat port
for clear images underwater. I use a modified flat port that I made myself but
I just ordered this one that I learned about from the dive operator at the Grotto
Bay Resort! Cost is about $50 over the Gopro housing. And it is a glass flat
port!
http://www.sartek.com/proddetail.php?prod=2HDHEROHSG
Here is a video I recently did using the GoPro: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40QXnZcotUM
Have fun!
Dave
Seattle, Healy
Reply from: Thomas Wilson on Mon, 22 Nov 2010
Hi All,
Although my good old Canon PowerShot SD400 is small enough to fit in the front
compartment of my nerd pouch and cheap enough to buy a spare on EBay, it's definitely
NOT waterproof. Enter the Casio ExiLim C721 - a 5 megapixel still/video camera
with 3X optical zoom that is waterproof,
shockproof, and a stylish and reasonably smart flip phone besides:
http://reviews.cnet.com/cell-phones/casio-exilim-c721-verizon/4505-6454_7-33675594.html
We gave one of these to my daughter for her high school graduation in June.
She is a famous killer of portable electronics but so far the ExiLim has proven
to be Maryproof as well. These are still available on
Verizon for free on a 2 year plan.
Glad to hear the meeting went well,
Tom
Reply from Doug White on Mon, 22 Nov 2010
Thanks for sharing Dave - the wheels are a turning.
We've gotten a lot of use from the Wingscape Birdcam 2.0 outdoor camera for
making time lapse videos:
http://www.oceanbytes.org/2010/10/25/time-lapse-video-on-the-cheap/
While not 100% water proof, it is designed for outside use and can do either
time lapse shots or take shots based on activation of the built-in motion sensor.
It runs on 4 D-cell batteries and can operate for a number of weeks on them,
or you can feed in external power to keep it shooting longer.
Cost ~ $150.
Doug
Reply from Brian Guest on Mon, 22 Nov 2010
I purchased a Oregon Scientific ATC-2000 last year for about $60 and the ATC-3000
is available for about $100. The difference is the files size it can save with
the 2000 holding about 1 hour of video. It is listed as water proof to 10 ft
and I have used it on the end of a pick up pole for numerous applications. Not
HD video but cheap, light weight, lots of mounting options and easy to use.
Thought I would add it to the discussion.
Cheers.
Brian
Reply from Andrew Girard on Mon, 22 Nov 2010
The GoPro herocam cameras that Dave originally mentioned have done a great
job within the REMUS AUV lab, we've really put them through the wringer and
gotton some amazing info that we'd typically would not have available and its
usually by putting the camera in harms way. The wide angle is the way to go.
One of the WHOI divers uses it to document all his work (proof he tiewrapped
that shackle on the mooring that got lost) I even took it to inspect my props
after playing in the rocks on my
personal boat.
They've been great!!
Reply From: Dale Chayes on Tue, 23 Nov 2010
HD video: another option
Here is another option for "point of view" video. Seems like the (current)
high end.
http://www.vio-pov.com/products-all/pov-hd.html
HD1080p at 24fps
142º field of view
remote and local control and display
$600
not-quite-shipping-yet but promised for 12/22 delivery....
YMWV,
-Dale
Reply from: Stuart Halewood on Tue, 23 Nov 2010
Hi Guys,
Further to the camera talk and the GoPro Hero thread, here is a link to another
supplier that has an adapted housing and flat lens for better underwater performance
and less loss of the wide angle.
http://www.eyeofmine.com/gopro/underwater/index.html
I am considering mounting one on a instrumented drifting buoy system and so
am interested in any other stories or info you have of mounting on platforms/AUV's
and such.
Presently i am using a now old but good olypus SP-350 in an Olympus PT-30 housing
for my stills and limited video. if you want to check out shots taken with that
camera system check out my attempts (comments and criticism welcome!) at:
http://www.stuarthalewoodphotography.com/
Sad I missed the RVTEC meeting at BIOS but sounds like James and the Bermuda
boys did you all proud. Nice to know the Atlantic Explorer is doing well.
Thanks for all the camera info so far also.
Cheers,
Stuart
--
Stuart Halewood
Associate Development Engineer
Earth Research Institute
6835 Ellison Hall
University of California
Santa Barbara, CA 93106-3060