New inexpencive UW video camera test.

[bigdave]

Just to boost the local economy and to get some good HD underwater video DonO and I have purchased the new Kodak Playsport cameras.
We did some online research and the Playsport seemed to do what we wanted at a good price.
List price is about $150.
The camera is good to 10' underwater and will shoot full 1080P video.
We will put them through a full battery of tests at the next YMCA fun run.
Stay tuned for more info and hopefully some good videos. BD.

[bcliffe]

Re: New inexpencive UW video camera test.

Looking at the spec's Dave .. looks neat.

Interesting to note that it uses a 48mm lens when shooting 1080p and a 36mm lens when shooting 720p. When shooting underwater the wider the lens the better (it allows you to get closer to the subject and reduce that pesky water that makes images look dull)

When testing make sure to try both 720 and 1080 ... my guess is the 720p will look better UW.

Cheers
BC

[bigdave]

Re: New inexpencive UW video camera test.

Thanks for the tip Ben. BD.

[Guest]

Re: New inexpencive UW video camera test.

You can also get some nice little wideangle converters for these cameras for a few dollars. If that is of interest let me know, and I'll post up some links. You can get a 0.67x wideangle and a 0.25x fisheye lens and cost about $10 each and they attach using a rare earth magnet.

[bigdave]

Re: New inexpencive UW video camera test.

Sure Andy, links would be good!! Thanks.
BTW-We got some very good footage and the camera worked great!!
Don will do up some videos and I will post them for viewing. BD.

[bcliffe]

Re: New inexpencive UW video camera test.

Mostly just as an fyi ... the rule of thumb is the closer underwater the better. My photo's typically use a 19mm lens.

The down side is you are a lot closer to the subjects and may bump into them.

Looking forward to seeing your vids.

Cheers
BC

[Guest]

Re: New inexpencive UW video camera test.

Here you go-

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 0610958967

I bought mine from the same place, it arrived quickly and I'm most impressed with it- an excellent little lens.

You will need to waterproof it to get the best from it for underwater use. I'm fitting mine in a custom made teardrop shaped enclosure with my little 808 cam.

[bcliffe]

Re: New inexpencive UW video camera test.

There is also the concept of a "wet lens". Just let the water flood the area between the camera and the external lens.

To try it out simply attach the lens to the camera while submerged. (making sure there is no air bubbles between the two)

If the image results are okay then create flood holes letting water in all by itself so it self fills if you attach it above the waves.

Cheers
BC

[kerry addington]

Re: New inexpencive UW video camera test.

If I may, one question for those putting this piece thru submerged trials:
What kind of audio/sound are you getting ?

-Kerry

[bigdave]

Re: New inexpencive UW video camera test.

Hi Kerry,
The audio is excellent. I think it is mono but if you play back with the HDMI cable it is stereo.
You can adjust the microphone level as well.
I think the sound actually impressed me as much as the video. BD.

[kerry addington]

Re: New inexpencive UW video camera test.

That's great to "hear." Even high-dollar cameras in pricey custom UW cases are basically zero when it comes to capturing sound.
Thanks BD,
or, would you now rather be known as "C.B." ?

[bigdave]

Re: New inexpencive UW video camera test.

Ha!!
Maybe I should say CUT!! PRINT!! THAT"S A WRAP!!
BTW-The sound I was referring to was out of the water testing.
I have not heard the UW footage yet, just the UW video from the cameras screen.
Another cool feature is slow motion playback.
We were filming Patty's ChrisCraft at speed and was watching it in slow motion.
It really looks cool!!!!!!!!!! BD or CB!!
Just don't call me late for dinner!!

[Guest]

Re: New inexpencive UW video camera test.

I personally find underwater sound to be pretty grating after a minute or two when it comes to model subs. It tends to end up getting overdubbed with music as a consequence.

The Kodak cam is a great little bit of kit. You can pick up manufacturer refurbs for quite a discount on ebay.

The digital zoom means these are basically fixed lens point and shoot, plus the small size means low light performance won't match a camera with a bigger bit of glass.

I think HD stuff is going to really drop in price as it is now the standard benchmark for video, and inexpensive custom chips are now on the market that enable encoding and decoding of the HD formats. Some manufacturers are bringing out 'Ultra HD' products, so I think this ball is going to keep rolling for the foreseeable future.

Be warned though chaps, you will need a decent computer to edit 1080P H.264 codec. I've recently put together a new system as my seven year old machine coughed and spluttered with HD.

[bigdave]

Re: New inexpencive UW video camera test.

I saw the videos over the weekend at Don's and they look really nice.
He made up a cool movie trailer with some Fancy-Dancy Apple software and posted it to Youtube.
He will put up links as soon as Youtube publishes the video.
I guess that can take a while sometimes.
Stay tuned!! BD.

[bigdave]

Re: New inexpencive UW video camera test.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EoqKi7b5 ... r_embedded

Here is the first video. BD.