Posted 7/31/2008 6:20 PM (#329194) Subject: When shooting video and putting it on here...
Posts: 2361
Not to throw stones, but frequently the hat cams and other videos shot here are of such quality they make me somewhat queasy, and no telling when my epilepsy will kick in. Is that a feature caused by the site, or the original quality of the video? I doubt that I will ever video a fish, it is just too darn much work, but is there a way to get better quality videos here? I note some of the bait videos are very good quality. Is it light? A function of how you shoot it or what? Curious, in case I ever shoot some and do want to post it.
Also are people using the hat cams because they are a handy and cheap record? Are they inexpensive in relation to standard video? Is it a function of the lens that affects the pics or the pixels?
Posted 7/31/2008 7:44 PM (#329211 - in reply to #329203) Subject: Re: When shooting video and putting it on here...
Posts: 1023
Location: Lafayette, IN
I believe Sworrall upgraded his equipment from last year. He is always trying new stuff to make the website more interesting and giving us a sample of what is out there. I do agree that the hatcam videos are not much fun to watch on the internet. I'm guessing technology will continue to make that a better option than it currently is.
Posted 7/31/2008 7:59 PM (#329212 - in reply to #329211) Subject: Re: When shooting video and putting it on here...
Posts: 72
I asked Sworrall by PM a couple weeks ago if he would reply with the brand model of equipt he was using. I never heard back. I'm still trying to find some quality equipt.
Posted 7/31/2008 8:06 PM (#329215 - in reply to #329194) Subject: Re: When shooting video and putting it on here...
Posts: 4053
Location: Land of the Musky
You really have to be aware you have one on. They pick up any movement of course so you really have to know where you’re looking too.
MOMuskieHunter, For about $600 you can get setup with a nice Archos DVR and the head camera. For about $300-$400 you can pick up some nice stuff here on the buy board and a lot on eBay used. Just make sure the head camera and Archos are compatible. I would also go with an Archos DVR that has an external battery pack vs an internal. Mine is internal and I have found it would be nice to have an extra battery to change out fast. I also have the AA external pack and that helps out a lot. Go search the forums for “Archos” and you will find a lot of threads on this subject with lists of equipment.
Posted 7/31/2008 8:22 PM (#329219 - in reply to #329194) Subject: Re: When shooting video and putting it on here...
Posts: 32944
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin
Helmet camera video is shot through a lipstick type camera, so the video will not be as clear as that shot with a larger lens. Bait videos and other stuff of that ilk are usually shot with a Mini DV camcorder, and at a much higher quality as a result. The drawback of the Mini DV or similar format is the 1 hour average recording time and shorter battery life, plus the fact someone has to shoot the video while others fish.
The advantage to helmet cameras is they record the entire time one is fishing, from the angler's point of view.
Much of the clarity issue is the program used to edit and save the video, and the settings used. The original videos on the Archos are usually quite clear if the bitrate on the Archos DVR is set as high as possible. Make sure you check that if you are using Archos units, the bitrate should be as high as one can set it.
Using our upload service, the video will be more clear than from You Tube and other services.
If you are using Movie Maker, once you decide the clip is ready to save, select 'High Quality Video, Large'. When uploading to upload.outdoorsfirst.com, select the middle size and upload the video.
If you are using Final Cut Pro or equivalent on a Mac, email me and I'll walk you through what Zach has discovered to be the best settings.
Posted 7/31/2008 8:45 PM (#329226 - in reply to #329219) Subject: Re: When shooting video and putting it on here...
Posts: 32944
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin
Here's a couple video recorded on an Archos via video out from a Aqua-Vu color underwater camera. Same DVR, recorded through larger glass.
lambeau
Posted 7/31/2008 9:07 PM (#329233 - in reply to #329194) Subject: Re: When shooting video and putting it on here...
like everything, it's a compromise.
a camera that's small enough to wear limits the size/quality of the lens. for me, the best aspect of a small hat camera is the fact that it isn't in your way at all when you're fishing. you turn it on and you can forget about it. for me, the fishing is the most important; if i happen to capture some good video, that's a bonus. and i've been pretty dang satisfied with some of the video i've made so far this year...
for a couple hundred bucks, a bit of queasiness from looking around beats the heck out of hiring a cameraman to hold a larger camera steady. that being said, as i've made videos i've become more conscious of trying to keep my head steady and looking at the fish as much as possible during the fight in order to improve the potential video quality.
someone who pulls out a Mini DV and films the fish after it's in the net, measuring, holding it up, etc. will get a steadier, clearer video than a small lens mounted on your head. but for me, pictures take care of that part of the experience just fine, i want video of the strike and the fight...the energy of the experience.
Posted 7/31/2008 9:15 PM (#329238 - in reply to #329194) Subject: Re: When shooting video and putting it on here...
Posts: 2024
Personally, I don't care much for the hat cams though see merit in using one (i.e. turn it on and forget about it). I was impressed by Reelwise's setup on our trip to LOTW. Hopefully, he will chime in on how he filmed our fish.
zb
Posted 7/31/2008 9:39 PM (#329244 - in reply to #329194) Subject: RE: When shooting video and putting it on here...
All of the above. The less an encoder has to interpret the better the video will be that it outputs. Well lit single subjects taking up the majority of frame with little movement will be crystal clear. Panned out shots on the water with any wave actions creates movement and takes alot of data to interpret properly, web delivery at 4-600 kbps just won't cut it, and the video becomes blurry or fuzzy.
The helmet cam video is great for seeing the strike. I personally love watching some of the point of view net jobs, some of them are pretty funny. The downside it that you are not zoomed in on the bait and the water movement really taxes the ability of a codec to squeeze that data in to interpret the movement. I do think the helmet cams have their place.
The new one Worrall is using (mine is on the way) is among the best I've seen. The Archos is pretty good too, and has a better price tag.
lambeau
Posted 7/31/2008 10:05 PM (#329250 - in reply to #329194) Subject: Re: When shooting video and putting it on here...
there's also the cost/benefit factor.
when the price point moves it from being a "toy" into being something for professionals...well, i'm just doing this for fun.
the day i get paid for fishing is the day i start worrying about the quality of the experience of people who watch the videos i make.
if someone really wanted to get serious about filming:
- a set camera mounted on a post pointing down at you and the water you're fishing
- a hand camera ready to go for someone to pick up and film with when a strike happens
- an underwater camera on a pole mounted for boatside action
- a hat camera on each person in the boat
then you could edit each of the film streams together into one video.
and sell the dvds.
Posted 7/31/2008 10:17 PM (#329251 - in reply to #329234) Subject: RE: When shooting video and putting it on here...
Posts: 2361
ToddM - 7/31/2008 9:07 PM
FSF, video? How about moving up to a camera?
Love the video!
Funny! I usually have a camera somewhere in the boat, in the form of a $8 kodak or something on that order. When I forget what they look like I will start taking the occasional picture again. I did shoot the two hybrids I got last fall, mainly because they were unusual catches for where I fish, and a bunch of places that were hi and dry. That's somethin isn't it?
Posted 7/31/2008 10:43 PM (#329258 - in reply to #329194) Subject: Re: When shooting video and putting it on here...
Posts: 32944
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin
The unit I'm testing was indeed more money than the Archos units, but has a few distinct advantages for our use. I've been looking at this one for awhile, and became more interested when the 100 degree wide angle camera came out. It's waterproof and shock proof, and the DVR runs on AA E Cells, so powering the unit is simple. The DVR records to an SD card, and has a function called 'loop recording' which is necessary or one would fill a 2 gig chip very quickly. The disadvantages are the DVR allows only input from it's proprietary camera, so recording ice video or input from other 'video in' sources isn't possible. The Archos can store a ton of movies, and play them back on any TV, can work as a voice recorder, music storage and player unit, and takes several sources of 'video in', so that will be our go-to ice unit and still has it's place in the boat including recording underwater video/audio for the lure 'footprint' hydrophone testing that is underway.
When shooting video and putting it on here...
