3 Camera System Test
Posted: Jul 1st, 2015, 5:36 pm
Hello All!
It has been some time, but things are still progressing with my build!
The latest development has been the completion of my video system.
Here is the configuration that I will be installing on my ROV:
TOPSIDE:
DVR - Records active feed from drivers Screen. Available from HobbyKing.
Drivers Screen - Currently an old 12" TV... will be upgrading to a LCD Screen soon!
ROV SIDE:
Camera 1: Mini CMOS FPV Camera from HobbyKing.
Camera 2: GoPro Hero 2
Camera 3: Mini CMOS FPV Camera from HobbyKing.
OSD: On Screen Display from Hobbytronics.
RCCC: Video Multiplexer / Switch from ReadyMadeRC.com
Arduino MEGA 2560
Cameras 1 and 3 are two different models from HobbyKing. They were nearly identical in price, and spec... but I wanted to Hedge my bets to see if there was a difference. So far, Camera 1 is only marginally better, as it has a slightly better build quality and image. A nice element of camera 3 is that it has a set screw to lock the lens in place once you have it focused.
EDIT: After playing with the cameras after dark, I can now conclude that CAMERA 1 is the best of the $20 cameras!
Camera 1: Mini CMOS FPV Camera from HobbyKing.
I reviewed OSD options in a previous post.
I reviewed the RCCC in a previous post. In short, it is AWESOME!
Here is what the system looks like:
Here is a close up of the cameras:
And here is a video that was captured using the DVR.
When I started the record process, the GoPro was NOT turned on, hence the message and gray screen you see part the way through. Also, the sound is only sent/recorded when the GoPro is on, regardless of which video source is displayed. As I cycle through the 3 feeds, you can see the difference in the image. Note the message in the bottom left showing which camera is active.
It is worth noting a few key points regarding the DVR:
-The quality of the video recorded is much worse the the actual quality viewed in real time
-The video is much darker in the recorded version vs. what is displayed in real time.
-The video is recorded in the .asf format.
-I have the DVR set on the HIGHEST quality setting, and this 51sec video is 15.3MB.
-Date and time stamps are generated by the DVR, not my OSD. Only text my OSD generates is the Cam:x and KR2-Diving text.
-Annoyingly, the Time Stamp is in DIFFERENT locations depending on what you are doing. (Live view, not recording = Top Left, Live View, recording = bottom left, .asf file = bottom left)
-Time stamp can be turned off, but time elapsed will still show while recording.
-The control of the DVR is quite handy/easy with the included remote.
-I was only using an 8GB Class 4 SD card. DVR can use up to 32GB. If I can find a class 10, will try and compare for quality issues.
-It was overcast when video was shot.
Please let me know if you have any questions, and I will be happy to share what I can!
Happy Diving!
Ryan
"KR2_Diving"
It has been some time, but things are still progressing with my build!
The latest development has been the completion of my video system.
Here is the configuration that I will be installing on my ROV:
TOPSIDE:
DVR - Records active feed from drivers Screen. Available from HobbyKing.
Drivers Screen - Currently an old 12" TV... will be upgrading to a LCD Screen soon!
ROV SIDE:
Camera 1: Mini CMOS FPV Camera from HobbyKing.
Camera 2: GoPro Hero 2
Camera 3: Mini CMOS FPV Camera from HobbyKing.
OSD: On Screen Display from Hobbytronics.
RCCC: Video Multiplexer / Switch from ReadyMadeRC.com
Arduino MEGA 2560
Cameras 1 and 3 are two different models from HobbyKing. They were nearly identical in price, and spec... but I wanted to Hedge my bets to see if there was a difference. So far, Camera 1 is only marginally better, as it has a slightly better build quality and image. A nice element of camera 3 is that it has a set screw to lock the lens in place once you have it focused.
EDIT: After playing with the cameras after dark, I can now conclude that CAMERA 1 is the best of the $20 cameras!
Camera 1: Mini CMOS FPV Camera from HobbyKing.
I reviewed OSD options in a previous post.
I reviewed the RCCC in a previous post. In short, it is AWESOME!
Here is what the system looks like:
- ROV Video System Components
- ROV Video System Components.jpg (478.85 KiB) Viewed 8664 times
- ROV Cameras CLOSE-UP
- ROV 3 Cameras CLOSEUP.jpg (306.6 KiB) Viewed 8664 times
When I started the record process, the GoPro was NOT turned on, hence the message and gray screen you see part the way through. Also, the sound is only sent/recorded when the GoPro is on, regardless of which video source is displayed. As I cycle through the 3 feeds, you can see the difference in the image. Note the message in the bottom left showing which camera is active.
It is worth noting a few key points regarding the DVR:
-The quality of the video recorded is much worse the the actual quality viewed in real time
-The video is much darker in the recorded version vs. what is displayed in real time.
-The video is recorded in the .asf format.
-I have the DVR set on the HIGHEST quality setting, and this 51sec video is 15.3MB.
-Date and time stamps are generated by the DVR, not my OSD. Only text my OSD generates is the Cam:x and KR2-Diving text.
-Annoyingly, the Time Stamp is in DIFFERENT locations depending on what you are doing. (Live view, not recording = Top Left, Live View, recording = bottom left, .asf file = bottom left)
-Time stamp can be turned off, but time elapsed will still show while recording.
-The control of the DVR is quite handy/easy with the included remote.
-I was only using an 8GB Class 4 SD card. DVR can use up to 32GB. If I can find a class 10, will try and compare for quality issues.
-It was overcast when video was shot.
Please let me know if you have any questions, and I will be happy to share what I can!
Happy Diving!
Ryan
"KR2_Diving"