Waterproof point and shoot with tv out

[jppetersen]

Hello everyone,

does anyone know of a waterproof point and shoot camera that has a tv-out (PAL or NTSC) that works while recording?

I have tried Panasonic Lumix DMC FT-2 (TS2 in the US), but its tv-out only works when playing back.

The reason for using a point and shoot camera, is that I would like to record in HD. The point and shoot camera will be outside the sub, and the tv-out cable will simple be glued and waterproofed into the waterproof camera to keep everything waterproof. So it requires that the tv-out is behind another door/entry to the camera than the battery and SDHC card.

Best regards,
Jóan Petur Petersen

[njs552]

Hi,

GoPro cameras can do TV out(NTSC/PAL) or HDMI while recording/preview/playback. You would need to modify the casing a bit to plug in the cable but it is on the side of the casing, so you can still access the camera/battery/SD card/etc. I think it would work pretty good.

I have the white edition and have have recorded in 1080p 30fps while using using the micro HDMI out to display the live video feed on a HD TV at 1080p 30fps. I have not tested the composite video out but if it can do HDMI out I have no doubt the composite works just as good.

You will need a class 10 memory card like this for fast read/write to SD while recording.: http://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-microSDHC ... d+class+10


http://gopro.com/

The white edition is the least expensive HERO 3 camera at $200 and can do 1080p HD at 30fps.
http://gopro.com/cameras/hd-hero3-white-edition

HDMI out:
http://gopro.com/camera-accessories/micro-hdmi-cable

Composite Video Out:
http://gopro.com/camera-accessories/combo-cable

Thanks,
njs552

[KR2_Diving]

On the topic of using a GoPro...

The H3 Black, or H2 with WiFi Backpack is capible of streaming its video via a dedicated WiFi network. This could allow you to have some hardware inside your pressure vessel to receive the camera input then feed it to the surface via tether.

Only drawback is currently the WiFi stream has roughly a 6sec delay...

I haven't looked yet, but I'm sure there are specs out there somewhere for GoPro hacking!

[jppetersen]

Hi guys,

thank you for the answers.

@njs552: The GoPro looks just like the camera I'll try to go this way. Nice that it has both composite and HDMI out. Maybe I should look into HDMI too.

@KR2_Diving: 6 secs seems very long But one advantage is that you don't have to drill a hole in the GoPro case.

Best regards,
Jóan Petur Petersen

[ROVER3D]

Hi,
Gopro is the best camera for ROV.
its a nice option with WiFi but not usable for ROV diving. It´s always very importent to look for a real livestream hardware. So using PAL/NTSC over 2-wire Connector is the only way to get videosignal in realtime to surface (over 100m cable). For Hdmi use SDI-Adapter for Fiberoptic...

Andy

[KR2_Diving]

As another side note:
I remember back when the H3 was first released reading somewhere that the BLACK edition has slightly better low light performance then the other H3 models... (citation needed) <- Always wanted to use that!

[njs552]

The GoPro Hero3 Black Edition does seem to have better low light performance. The product description page mentions a "6-element aspherical lens" and "2X better low light performance," here: http://gopro.com/cameras/hd-hero3-black ... escription

However you will need some amount of external lights because I have somewhere that it has around a f/2.0 rating. I that is roughly equivalent to ~1lux or so.
Here is GoPro's official response to the lux question: http://gopro.com/support/articles/hero3-lux-ratings

Although the low light performance is a minor drawback, in general, with regular outdoor or good indoor lighting the image quality is extremely impressive for such a small form factor.

Here for example a video or two of my robotics team's ROV in a pool and as you can see the video quality is very clear. It was shot with my GoPro Hero 3 White Edition at 1080p 30fps.




Here is another option for a camera system:
Use a 0.1lux camera as a pilot feed, and then attach a GoPro to the frame below where the pilot camera is mounted, and you can record in 1080p HD, with almost the same perspective, and not worry about a modified housing on a GoPro leaking.

For my ROV I am using this camera: http://www.ebay.com/itm/280849201564?ss ... 1439.l2649
which has 0.1lux/F1.2 rating.

With this setup I can record the dives in HD, and external lights (2 of these: http://www.newark.com/bridgelux/bxra-56 ... tt=73T6218) will provide enough light so the GoPro can record clear HD video.

Thanks,
njs552

[KR2_Diving]

Just as a point of reference, here is a link to a video I shot with my GoPro H3:Black while diving.

This was in murky UK quarry water. Visibility was limited to 2-3meters (8ish feet.) Depth was 8-10meters, with overcast skies.


Had a bit of fun with the percussion session... just ignore that!

[m_g]

Here is another option for a camera system:
Use a 0.1lux camera as a pilot feed, and then attach a GoPro to the frame below where the pilot camera is mounted, and you can record in 1080p HD, with almost the same perspective, and not worry about a modified housing on a GoPro leaking.

njs552

this is the system that I use, it works quite well