Video setup for under $30.00

[t_g_farrell]

I recently put together a video setup to use in my car for documenting
meets and cruises. The camera costs ~$10.00 and the memory card was
another ~$15.00. Another $5.00 or less on a mount for the car and I'm set.

Heres what it looks like



Heres a video I just took on my first test drive with it.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/14772589@N03/5100476809/

Note I had all the windows up so the engine noise is pretty muted. For this
first test drive I just used electrical tape to hold it on top of my SA mirrror.
I still have to work on converting the raw AVI file to an uploadable format
thats a decent size. The AVI is much sharper than this upload to flickr. I'll
post up again with better video once I figure it out. Whats the most common
or best format and size to use for doing this anyway? I'm a noob to video
on the web stuff.

For a permanent mount I will just use some velcro tape and place a few
pieces around the car for the camera; top of the mirror, bar across the
front of the hatch area, the drivers side mirror. Oh and a small tether to
secure it in case the velcro lets loose.

Before you run out and by one, do yourself a favor and read this site as it
documents a lot about these cameras. The cameras come with very poor
or no documentation. My brother who is into RC planes told me about these
things a few months ago.

I bought mine from a seller out of Brooklyn - yallstore.com on ebay. Heres the
link for the camera I bought. Its whats referred to on the chucklohr site as a
#3 camera and you can see the quality.

The memory I got at Wallymart for 14.99 for a SanDisk miniSDHC 4GB card.
Thats enough to hold about an hours worth of raw AVI video. Since the
camera battery is only good for about an hour that should do.

Sure beats paying hundreds of dollars for a GoPRO or something like it. Thats
more money for the SA