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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The Benefits of Fitting an In-Car Camera

Many people, businesses and premises use security cameras to protect their staff, assets and themselves. Now similar technology is being used to protect vehicles. In car camera products are now designed and built specifically for in-car use and boast features uniquely designed to record in and around the vehicle.

Some systems even incorporate GPS chips which allow the user to record their GPS position and speed as well as video and audio from around the vehicle. Easy mounting and recording options are also available to ensure that these systems are very user-friendly.

The information captured by these systems provides many benefits to the user:

Vehicle Accident Protection - should the driver be involved in an accident, they can then present the recorded in-car camera footage to their insurance company and/or police as proof of what happened in an accident. This feature alone is helpful as sometimes drivers can face long disputes with insurance companies regarding fault for road accidents. Examples of where fault could lie during a road traffic accident may include, for example, drivers who have captured another vehicle jumping a red light prior to a collision. This information is then vital in assigning fault for the accident. Many in-car camera systems are also date and time stamped and some even display GPS information. On more sophisticated car camera systems the date and time stamps cannot be tampered with making them an excellent road witness for evidential purposes.
Increased Vehicle Security - Drivers that park their vehicles in public places and return to their vehicle to find scratches, scuffs and general vehicle damage caused by other careless drivers or minor vandalism can now capture these moments. Vital number plate information can also be recorded by in-car security cameras in the event of a 'hit and run' incident
Crash for Cash Claims - Many insurance companies suggest that Crash for Cash claims (purposeful accidents) are largely responsible for the increase in insurance premiums across the UK and Europe. In car cameras can record such fraudulent events and can help to reduce insurance premiums by assisting insurance companies in the recognition and prosecution of false cash for crash incident. Some insurance companies are already beginning to offer drivers 5%-20% discounts on their annual insurance policies if they have such devices fitted to their vehicles.
Driving Experiences - in-car cameras have seen an increase in popularity from normal drivers and also driving enthusiasts. Car camera systems can be used on the roads for safety but also as a more fun device for driving experiences like track days and motorsports. The systems record vehicle speed and map out on goggle earth where the vehicle has been, making them a great tool for motorsports, off-roading, trackday experiences and mountain biking.

So as this article demonstrates there are many reasons for fitting an in-car camera system. A range of these systems are available today online!

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

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Why You Need a Car Camera

At last there is a decent car camera available which will record what happens outside and inside the car. It not only gives you video and sound, but the exact GPS location of any incident, using Google Maps. Essential for police evidence, the time and date is also recorded.

Traffic Violations

If you are accused of running a red light, or now with the new law change, an orange light, you have dated and timed proof to prove your innocence.

The camera also records driving speeds so that you can have proof of the speed you were travelling. If you aren't the one driving the car, again you have a video of the inside of the car so your licence doesn't get penalised.

Accidents

However careful you are when out on the road the same can't be said for other road users. If someone for instance cuts you up causing an accident, you would be able to show the true story via your camera recording.

If you are in a contact accident the movement triggers the camera to record a new file on the Micro SD card, marking it as sensor recording. This file is not overwritten like normal files, but only when the card is reformatted on your computer.

If a child or animal steps straight out in front of you without warning, you would want to be able to prove you weren't negligent, wouldn't you?

Whatever the incident it could prove very costly with your insurance company, the police or both. The cost of protection would be worth it when you consider months of law cases or the stress of being wrongly accused.

Employees

If you employ sales reps, drivers or are one yourself the camera could be invaluable for recording your journey for your protection in any number of situations.

Inappropriate Behaviour

Many of you will remember the episode of The Simpsons when Homer reaches for a gummy bear that had stuck to the bottom of a lady who he was giving a lift to. He pulled it free without thinking and had the whole town after him for inappropriate behaviour. When giving a work colleague or baby sitter a lift home or picking up a hitch hiker or maybe picking up the neighbours children from school, how it would be if you were accused unjustly of inappropriate behaviour? Not many car cameras record what is going on inside the car and this could be the protection you might need one day.

Teenage Children

We all know that some teenagers may not be as responsible as they could be when borrowing the family car. The recordings would show you straight away if they are driving whilst texting, drinking alcohol, speeding or filling the car up with rowdy mates! You have the choice of having the voice recording feature turned off or on as you wish.

The car cam only runs when the ignition is on so unfortunately it won't record willful damage to a parked car. Having said that the features it has will help in so many possible situations that it could be worth its weight in gold.

You can probably think of a number of other things that might happen that you need protection for. Click this link to find out more features of this very useful tool...

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