Thread: Dashcam video with GPS speed imprint - court date soon...

Thanks for the inspiration!

I hardwired the DVR and camera to an always on fuse via an Add-A-Circuit. I keep it set to motion-activation. It will also automatically turn on if you have it hardwired to an ignition only source. I'm not sure I want GPS speed imprinting for now.

This is the DVR unit velcroed in the footwell (I usually keep it further in and out of sight):



Here's a picture of the camera:



Here's a picture of the mounted camera with all the wires tucked away:



Videos:

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeJ2bj8r3Lc[/media]
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=062tsoKJS3g[/media]
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubpHZyyD6SY[/media]
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1V7piW12-dA[/media]

Sharp stuff! Since you now have practical experience with the DVR, what is your solution to 'stitching' the multiple videos together to create a PC-playable video? I use winAVI converter, but the process is far from one-click. I'd love to see the DVR vendor come up with a simple go-between software/driver that would create a WMV or other more common format...

I think I had the same camera you gave in your photos. Based on the 'rainbow' effect in the videos and the rather tinny audio, it looks/sounds just like the one I got for about $15.00. If you get a high gain mic (eBay has them for about $9) and a better camera (around $60), it'll make a HUGE difference. But for a basic setup, it looks awesome. I'm glad to see others with the ability to defend themselves!

Originally Posted by erkme73

Sharp stuff! Since you now have practical experience with the DVR, what is your solution to 'stitching' the multiple videos together to create a PC-playable video? I use winAVI converter, but the process is far from one-click. I'd love to see the DVR vendor come up with a simple go-between software/driver that would create a WMV or other more common format...

I think I had the same camera you gave in your photos. Based on the 'rainbow' effect in the videos and the rather tinny audio, it looks/sounds just like the one I got for about $15.00. If you get a high gain mic (eBay has them for about $9) and a better camera (around $60), it'll make a HUGE difference. But for a basic setup, it looks awesome. I'm glad to see others with the ability to defend themselves!

My computer is too slow at work to bear trying to stitch the videos together. That's why I just posted the individual clips.

At home, I use my mac's imovie program after converting the asf files with a simple drag/drop shareware program. I don't need to register it since the only limitation is for files larger than one minute. I agree that it would be nice to have a "one-click" application.

I am looking around for a reasonably priced, higher quality, CCD, low-lux, auto-iris, mini-type, security camera as well as a separate mic. What do you think of this one? They also sell an in-line mic.

What are you using now?

Thanks again!

Originally Posted by erkme73

Sharp stuff! Since you now have practical experience with the DVR, what is your solution to 'stitching' the multiple videos together to create a PC-playable video? I use winAVI converter, but the process is far from one-click. I'd love to see the DVR vendor come up with a simple go-between software/driver that would create a WMV or other more common format...

I think I had the same camera you gave in your photos. Based on the 'rainbow' effect in the videos and the rather tinny audio, it looks/sounds just like the one I got for about $15.00. If you get a high gain mic (eBay has them for about $9) and a better camera (around $60), it'll make a HUGE difference. But for a basic setup, it looks awesome. I'm glad to see others with the ability to defend themselves!

Thanks. As for video stitching, I convert the asf files with EasyWMV so I can edit them together on my imac. The individual files are much less than minute so I don't have to register the program. I agree a "one-click" application would be nice.

I will probably upgrade my camera soon. I've been looking at mini cameras with auto-iris to help with the bright lights. I will also get one of those in-line microphone products that connect to the existing camera power wiring. What cameras are you using?

I just saw this compact 4 channel DVR CF card device by Eyemax that is tempting. I can hook up my back-up cam as well as a driver and backseat cam.

(If you get another post, sorry, it was flagged for review by a moderator.)

just be careful! that's exactly how obsessive compulsions start... i now have SIXTEEN cameras at home! search my username at youtube for vids of stuff that happens when no one thinks your watching

it started with one to see what the dogs were doing in the pantry. then, wouldn't it be nice to see which one is getting into the trash... then who's getting on the couch... and so on. soon you too will be wearing a tin foil hat my friend... soon

I just installed a new rear view camera (Power Acoustik CCD-4XS) and recorded some footage on the DVR. I really need a multi-channel DVR now.



http://youtube.com/watch?v=pPqoFmgQzOs

Originally Posted by erkme73

just be careful! that's exactly how obsessive compulsions start... i now have SIXTEEN cameras at home! search my username at youtube for vids of stuff that happens when no one thinks your watching

That is too funny, postal woman and gas meter installer were the best

I would be interested in getting something like this setup in my car too. Can you direct me to any walk-throughs on what I would need for software etc. I am going to have a Mac Mini installed in my car with something like a 500gb hard drive so I wouldnt need the dvr. I just need to know how to make the camera and recording start when in motion etc. Also I will have the GlobalSat BT-359 GPS Receiver so it would be nice to know how to do the speed overlay etc.

One thing I did find for the mac which is worth checking out is SecuritySpy. It has a motion detection feature. I have tested it on my Intel Quad Mac Pro and it seems to work well with my iSight. I think I will use this software when I setup my mac car, however I need to do more investigating on overlaying the speed, etc.

http://www.securityspy.com/

I do wonder why you guys are using GPS speed rather than tapping into your vehicle's central computer to get the actual vehicle speed. You would think that would stand up better in court than a GPS speed.

Anyway I thought I would share this information

[Edit]
Oh this also supports a lot of cameras so you can use it for your home or in your car. What about the super paranoid who want a camera on all sides of their car for accident reasons
Also has the ability to upload the video's to an FTP server. Write a little script that makes airport connect to any wifi network it detects and upload. I just hope it would resume the upload because if the car is stolen they would probably hit several wifi networks before coming to a stop.
Nice Anti-Theft Device catching them in the act oh and you would have turn by turn directions lol.
[/Edit]

Can't speak to the carputer approach, but nothing is more accurate than GPS velocity. I'm using a ScanGauge II that shows the ECU speed, and it's about 1MPH slower than GPS indicated speed. I think you'd have a harder time in court with the vehicles internal speed measuring device since it can go out of calibration - and can be affected by different rim/tire size. GPS (velocity) does not require calibration and is not affected by vehicle configuration.