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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Advantages of Dual Screen In-Car DVD Players

Since the demand for entertainment on the road has been growing steadily, many of the new car models come with in-car DVD players as a standard features, but these units are also sold separately and could be mounted on any headrest. They are ideal if you have to take the whole family on a long trip, and work extremely well for keeping your kids on the back seat entertained. There are many makes and models, carrying different features and options, but almost all of the portable DVD players, which were manufactured in the past few years, offer outstanding picture quality and decent audio. Typically, they support most of the popular multimedia file formats, allowing the users to play videos, browse through their vacation photos, or listen to music. Some make use of the wide screen, 16:9 aspect ratio screen format, and have similar control options to the regular DVD players.

The dual screen portable players are also of two kinds - models, which have one main unit and display the same video across both screens, and models with two independent players, allowing two different movies to play at the same time. Typically, they are powered with a car adapter, but some could be powered by batteries or mains adapter, which permits their use while camping or inside the house. The mounts also differ, but the higher-end in-car DVD players come with mounting that allows them to be firmly attached to the front seats' headrests, which not only ensures better viewing pleasure, but also minimize the risks of injuries in the case of car accidents.

When purchasing a portable DVD player, you should consider a number of additional factors, apart from the supported video and audio file format, the included features, and the price. The most common complaints is of poor audio, so you need to choose model that ensures good sound quality; select one that allows headsets to be used too since this would allow the backseat passengers to stay entertained without destructing the driver. The cabling is also important, as you would not want dozen of tangled cables inside your car, especially if you have small kids in the back, and you should choose an in-car DVD player with remote control if your children are too young and cannot operate it on their own. From the various makes, select one that is well reviewed and liked by most users since it would offer you not only high quality picture and audio, but it is likely that it would outlast the cheaper brands as well.

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A Couple of Tips on How to Choose an In-Car Navigation System

Last week I was looking at the new line of in-dash navigation systems. When I searched online I was amazed to find how many different make and models of these systems there are on the market today.

Deciding which one is the right one for you is a bit of a nightmare. There seems to be so many features and functions on these things that it can be quite confusing to determine which one will suit you best. I suppose the only way is to figure out what you want out of these units and write these points down.

Do you need the GPS navigation or the entertainment part of the system, maybe its both. The GPS systems can have TomTom or Garmin navigation incorporated. They have slightly different features, but they both still do the basic navigating.

The ECO feature of the Garmin swayed it for me, after I done a bit of research on both. Reducing your carbon footprint is a good idea, as well as saving you a bit of money on gas costs. Not to say that the TomTom is no good, on the contrary, it has some great features of it's own.

It just depends on what is most beneficial to you. I am not the bothered about music and movies, so the entertainment part of the system I left the choice to the kids, they could choose what features they wanted. Besides how can I watch when I'm driving?

Every year we take a road trip, so being able to play CD's and DVD's is a must for the long journeys. Playing movies and listening to music from their ipods was one of the features that my kids liked. I'm not very good with those types of items, so leave it to the kids.

The one redeeming feature of the entertainment system, is that it has dual zone audio, what a relief. I don't have to listen to kids movies again. The kids can listen to their own music in the back!

The Pioneer avic-x920bt was the system we decided on, me for the navigation system and the kids for the entertainment. Being able to make hands free phone calls is a must for me, as I'm constantly in touch with the office.

A great safety feature, making and receiving phone calls while keeping your hands on the steering wheel, at any time, but especially with the kids in the car. The kids are happy with this new in-dash receiver and I must say I like it too.

I hope you found this informative, if you need more information on in-dash navigation systems, please read a review of the Pioneer avic-x920bt if you are interested.

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