off roading cameras

[Dmx512]

Hi

I have been given a cctv project to sort out....my client runs off roading events and would like to place cameras in and on the outside of each vehicle (possibly three cameras per vehicle and there could be up to 6 vehicles on the course} then the camera images to be live streamed back to touch screen monitors in the que of waiting drivers to view the different camera views...any ideas of the best way to do this will be helpful

 

Dave

[musht]

From a different industry , HD wireless link

 

http://connex.amimon.com/

 

think 5.8 is licence free up to 25mW, 2.4 can be crowded, 1.2. and 900 dubious legality in U.K

 

http://www.hobbyking.co.uk/hobbyking/store/__540__543__FPV_Aerial_Video_Telemetry-Video_Tx_Rx.html

 

GoPro and other action cams like Xiaomi Yi , SJ4000, Git2 etc probably what looking for in togh cams with wide angle vision, can always add gimballs for steady cam and an endless service contract.

[Peter F]

Budget?

 

Hundreds, thousands or tens of thousands?

 

Cheers,

 

Peter

[kerry davies]

What "off-roading"? The kind my mates do at

? Or the tame version called "Land Rover Experience" like at Skibo and Eastnor Castles?

 

The former would probably need masts, repeaters and the ability to scrap every other camera used every time out. The lads from Touratech in Ystradgynlais would know exactly who were the right people to talk to since they prepped the bikes for Boorman and MacGregor on Long Way Down/Round.

 

Even the tame stuff raises transmission/reception difficulties since it normally involves hills.

[Jivemaster]

If you find a decent camera that's rugged enough to use and cheap enough to lose then where will you site an aerial to pick them all up. You will need an aerial that can "see" every camera all of the time -even upside down in mud! Once you are out of line of sight forget any video reception. Try a 60ft cherry picker as an aerial mount.

 

Remember that some aerials (Tx) have odd polar patterns if they don't have a symmetrical ground plane, so you need to stick them in the middle of roofs or big panels so transmitted signal may or may not be good in the direction of the receiver aerial.

[paulears]

Have to support all the views above. One or two channels might not be too expensive, but your budget will be hit hard on this one.

[Dmx512]

What "off-roading"? The kind my mates do at

? Or the tame version called "Land Rover Experience" like at Skibo and Eastnor Castles?

 

The former would probably need masts, repeaters and the ability to scrap every other camera used every time out. The lads from Touratech in Ystradgynlais would know exactly who were the right people to talk to since they prepped the bikes for Boorman and MacGregor on Long Way Down/Round.

 

Even the tame stuff raises transmission/reception difficulties since it normally involves hills.

 

It is the gentle Land Rover experience style

 

Budget?

 

Hundreds, thousands or tens of thousands?

 

Cheers,

 

Peter

 

budget not an issue at the moment....just need to get at least one vehicle up and running for demo purposes then go from there

[dosxuk]

Unless you really want to do this, I'd be running away screaming.

 

Just getting it to work once on one vehicle will be an undertaking. Getting it to work reliably, across multiple vehicles, across multiple courses, in decent quality will be extremely expensive, time consuming and difficult.

[paulears]

Have a look at these people - they do this thing all the time, and as your budget is going to be fine - have a chat with them.

 

Wireless racing systems

 

These more home grown people could also give advice.

 

Broadcast RF

[Peter F]

Unless you really want to do this, I'd be running away screaming.

 

Just getting it to work once on one vehicle will be an undertaking. Getting it to work reliably, across multiple vehicles, across multiple courses, in decent quality will be extremely expensive, time consuming and difficult.

 

Without wishing to appear negative, I'm inclined to agree. Even if you know what you are doing with video and wireless links it is quite a big ask.

 

Route 1 might be to try using wifi from something like a GoPro to get the pictures back to base. You would have to setup your own outdoor network using enterprise level access points (probably multiple ones). How good a blocker of 2.4G or 5G wifir signals a 2 tonne Land Rover might be is anyone's guess. You might get this working reliably for one car. 18 cameras at 720p? Not a chance.

 

Route 2 is to talk to someone who knows how to do this. I suggest Broadcast RF as a good place to call. Using an ASI multiplexer you could get several video feeds over one link. Renting a system from them for demo purposes might be a good way to see if the pictures you get are exciting enough to make the project worth the time and money that will need to be put into it.

 

Ultimately, maintaining 18 wireless camera feeds on separate moving vehicles, outdoors, on rough and changeable terrain is going to be one heck of an undertaking.

 

Good luck!

 

Peter

[Jivemaster]

IMO (and only that) the major issue is good vid received from 18 (ish) cameras which will be in lots of unfriendly and not-line-of-site places. Realistically I think harvesting the video is going to be very problematic maybe needing several receivers and aerials, maybe with some masts.

 

All the rest can be done given budget but locating a signal from a weak transmitter that has moved might not be easy.

 

What is the chance of using some IP CCTV cameras in fixed locations? You could cable the signal or run directional aerials to lock onto the signal from a fixed place. I'd look into this to fill any dropped out screens even if not for much use.

[musht]

Line of sight is definately an issue with 5.8Ghz , its a bit like tin can telephones , pull the string a bit tighter.

 

Considered using drones? Relatively easy to fly DJI Phantom 3 is now under 500 quid a unit, wifi video downlink included,can do all your way point and follow me autonomous flight modes, bearing in mind tree height...

 

Can probably afford to crash and run a few over for cost of video rig on one Landy...

[ferretwrangler]

We did this for a large stadium event based around a popular TV show a few years ago. It is possible but you need an expert or two and some specialist kit, may I suggest you contact a gent called Collin Tomlin at Videosys Broadcast. They manufacture and supply specialist RF links for situations such as these. Broadcast RF stock many of their Domo links in their hire stock.

 

I have to say their service was excellent and we had brilliant performance over huge ranges in a technically very challenging area.

 

Worth a go.

[Dmx512]

From a different industry , HD wireless link

 

http://connex.amimon.com/

 

think 5.8 is licence free up to 25mW, 2.4 can be crowded, 1.2. and 900 dubious legality in U.K

 

http://www.hobbyking...ideo_Tx_Rx.html

 

GoPro and other action cams like Xiaomi Yi , SJ4000, Git2 etc probably what looking for in togh cams with wide angle vision, can always add gimballs for steady cam and an endless service contract.

 

thanks for that they look promising.....Dave

[Joe Fernand]

Operationally there is no chance of this working even if you can make it work on one car for a demo - the cost of taking a full time AV Tech onboard to upkeep and maintain the system is unlikely to have been built into any business plan.

Your opening line about CCTV is likely the only way to go with a few fixed camera's (preferably wired) dotted around the course.

User controlled Touch Screens are also a big potential 'failure point' - how often do you see the 'out of order' sign when you visit a museum!

Have done a few 'one off' Events for a local Karting Centre and it was a lot of work and no way something you could say would work hassle free in the way you describe.

Joe