Here is my 1st vid with this camera at last
very impressive!

Ardupilot 2.5.3 loitering test - onboard Full HD video (4 min 9 sec)

Now that the Office Depot deals are gone, has anyone found a replacement?

I just picked up my Ativa today at Office Depot for $89 (was last one on hand though), and I see that their online store (see first thread post for link) has them listed for $89 as well. So I believe they are still available.

has anyone compared the video quality of Sony Webbie vs Ativa mini HD?
I have a Sony Webbie, not happy with its image quality. It is particularly poor under low light conditions. Its bitrate is about 6480kbps.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MG1vtV6-fuw
Am prepared to buy Ativa one if image quality is better.

0.67x Wide & Macro Lens for Sony Webbie (2 min 49 sec)

Thanks.

My findings are that 720p mode does better than 1080p mode.
I am assuming you are using 1080p mode due to your rate, 720p mode is 4000kbps, as the Aipteks and Ativa too.
Regarding image quality, could be a subjective feeling due to the fact that Sony renders colors not as vivid, but more natural than the other cameras. If you like colors that pops, this could be your reason for disapointing, but I think it can be fixed in post processing.
Here you have two snaphots from two movies taken with the two different cameras mounted on the same plane during same flight. Both cameras see each other so you can figure which is which On the canopy the Sony, on the tail a Jazz. Tried to find same frame, but you can imagine wasn't not so simple.
Unfortunately this site will compress them more, if you need the originals, just PM me.

I have a really funny issue with my ativa. I have it connected to my OSD and my transmitter, and it shares a ground with my main battery because the OSD has to monitor the voltage and current of the main battery. It turns out that if my corona RP8D1 receiver goes into failsafe, the Aptiva stops recording and shuts off! Not an ideal situation when you are trying to recover from a failsafe situation. I've set it up with a receiver controlled switch so I can turn it back on, but this take a few seconds and also doesn't re-start the arial HD recording.

I've done lots of testing with isolated batteries, but nothing seems to help. Does anyone else have this experience? It seems to be related to the shared grounds, because the ativa has its own battery, and I power my video tx and OSD with a separate battery.

Well I got around to hacking my Ativa up and wiring it to be powered off the 5v in the plane and removing the screen and internal battery.

Something I didn't read in here and just tried was that you can power the camera from the battery power contacts with up to 9 volts, don't know if it would hurt it over the long term but seems to work just happily with 5v from the Tx.

Hi guys,
I see the Ativa does video-out even when recording, but does the S10 the same ?

Originally Posted by Acorns

For video out, does this cam have any annoying overlays like the Aipteks?

My Aiptek GVS HD does not have overlays - I can turn them off completely through the menu.
It also has image stabilizer when recording 720p @ 60fps!

Dimitris

Is the GVS also known as Z700?
If true, what about the optical 5x zoom, heard not so good things about it...

Originally Posted by RENATOA

Is the GVS also known as Z700?
If true, what about the optical 5x zoom, heard not so good things about it...

Yes, it's marketed as Z700 out of North America.

What's wrong with the 5x zoom? Never had problems with it.
The viewing angle is a little narrow for indoor shooting but I have installed a Sunpak 0.5x wide lens adapter that I bought from BestBuy and I have no complaints anymore.

Dimitris

Internal reflection into the zoom lenses when sun is anywhere in front (sees the front lens) ?
So I heard... maybe your 0.5x adapter cure this issue

Never used it for in-flight recording 'till now...

It doesn't sound like something that can't be easily cured with a cheap polarizing filter, though.

Dimitris

So I'm thinking of getting this camera. Seems like everyone has pretty much good things to say about it. I do wish it was more compact like the gopro, but at nearly 150$ cheaper, cant complain.

Is there any reason I SHOULDNT get it? lol

Ativa IS more compact that gopro at least frontal area exposed to the air flow.
Think that you can burry 2/3 of the body in fuselage and let the lens only outside, with gopro you can't do this.