What Makes a Good In-Car Camera for Motorsports?

Many of today's action cameras promise to be able to withstand the shocks and high vibration levels faced in motor sports and action sports environments. But is this really the case?

The truth is that most standard action cameras provide adequate footage for club level racing but when used in intermediate and professional level race vehicles these systems just don't hold up. Many of these lower quality camera systems can't stand up to the increased vibration levels and greater rigidity of top-level motor sports vehicles.

So what key design features do this standard systems lack and what should be considered for the development of robust professional motor sports camera kits?

Capture Resolution - With the development of high-definition video many modern camera systems boast that they incorporate full HD 1080 resolution recording. However, many of these systems are still using interlacing (1080i), which can cause the image to blur. Action Camera specialists know the important of using progressive sampling (1080P) to capture the best video and shots. The problem with interlaced video is that the video chipset renders an image in alternate lines. This video capture technology is now seen as somewhat limited with progressive sampling now at the forefront of video technology. Progressive sampling enables the chipset to capture each image (frame) independently, which allows for clearer freeze frames in video. The difference between interlacing and progressive sampling is very important when using a camera for action sports, as an in-car camera system or motor sports camera. The nature of the objects in shot moving at relatively high speeds means that progressive sampling gives much clearer image quality.
Camera Fixing - Many action cameras and sports cameras on the market don't enable the use of universal parts. These camera systems are developed to only use branded mounting options, which are unique and usable only with that particular brand of products. These are often expensive and many motor sports users resort to adapting the fixing kits to suit their particular vehicle/s. A good in-car camera for motor sports should in theory have an industry standard ? inch mounting like on traditional tripods and other digital cameras to enable compliance across the field. The best cameras on the market have this and it allows the user to mount their cameras on universal suction cup mounts, roll bar mounts and surface mounts on vehicles. The user is then able to select the mounting option they require and proceed with getting the camera into the car without ordering additional kit.

The best motor sports and in-car footage is captured using mounts with little or no mechanical movement. Users should also avoid using mounts with long extension arms as these will allow more movement from the point of fixing, which leads to vibration in the camera and camera shake. Ideally the mount will be rigid, 1 piece and no more than 2cm from the point of fixing. Some in-car cameras and motor sports cameras have additional shock absorber pads. These go between the point of fixing and the clamp or mount and limit very high vibrations from the vehicle. This means that effects like image ripple can be eradicated. Another way of limiting image ripple effect, which is caused by slower electronic shutter speeds, is to ensure you purchase a camera with higher Hz shutter speeds. The best way of determining this is to check out some footage of the camera in a high vibration environment or ask the retailers who are selling the camera.

Recording - Motor sports Cameras and in-car cameras should have the ability to initiate / stop recording without driver input. The driver's task is to win the race not press 'record' while he is strapped into a harness, safety suit and wearing gloves and a helmet. Some of the better motor sports action cameras have an infra-red or RF remote control allowing the pit team to start recording just before the driver leaves the pits, saving on wasted storage space and also allowing the driver to concentrate on what they do best.

So there you have it some of the key design features of robust in-car camera and action camera kits. To ensure that you get the best footage from your potential motor sports or in-car camera and action cameras, follow the above pointers before buying and you should end up with a camera capable of delivering excellent quality footage.

Exeros Technologies are online at exeros-technologies.com. Exeros Technologies are in-car camera and action camera specialists who conduct research into car and vehicle camera technology and provide the latest innovations across the market. View a high quality range of in-car cameras and action cameras and get up-to-date expert advice.

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