Best choice for wireless video camera?

Picoflyer · May 08, 2004, 10:44 AM

Hi everyone. I am thinking about gettting an inexpensive wireless video camera for use in my piccolo electric rc heli or a small electric rc plane. What do you guys recomend? Is the minicam from Helihobby any good quality wise? Here is a link to a page on it: RC minicam The price seems good. I think the video system from Black Widow AV is a little more than what I want to spend right now. What do you think?
Thanks!

Dan

Picoflyer · May 08, 2004, 09:36 PM

Anyone?

Quacker · May 09, 2004, 01:29 AM

That's an easy one: spend the extra and get videos you'll be proud of with quality equipment that will also hold it's value. You really can't beat blackwidow for value and performance.

Just do it,
Q

DesertDawg · May 09, 2004, 01:45 AM

There's no arguing their claims that the 2.4 gig FM transmission scheme is more stable and has a greater bandwidth than a 434 MHz AM (FM audio subcarrier) system. Quacker is right, though - look for the best camera you can.

I'd really like to see spec sheets on the camera and lens assemblies, just to compare them to Black Widow's equipment. Better (of course) would be to see/hear comparative reviews of both cameras.

When I finally lift a vid-cam into the air; I'll be using the 434 MHZ transmitter, if only because I have parts of the system already in hand (along with the license to use them). A good plane (and proper camera) are what I'm presently lacking; as I don't see myself hauling either my 6.5 oz 3.4MP Nikon "everyday camera" or my 8mm camcorder

up into the skies with a gas .20-sized trainer!

Dawg

Picoflyer · May 09, 2004, 09:31 AM

I saw a video of the minicam but the video was so compressed for the internet that I couldn't really tell much from it...it did look like it had pretty good range though. I'd like to see a still picture taken from the video so you can actually see how it looks. The BlackWidow AV system is like $350 dollars, so I think that is a bit pricey for me right now.

Picoflyer · May 09, 2004, 09:39 AM

One more question that I forgot to ask: Can anyone tell me the difference between CMOS and CCD cameras? I think somewhere I heard that CMOS cameras aren't as good but I am not sure. The Dragonflyer Minicam camera is a CMOS and the Blackwidow AV camera is a CCD.

Quacker · May 09, 2004, 10:59 AM

CMOS cameras are simply not as good as CCD. There is always a noticable difference. True, CMOS are cheaper and smaller, but the image quality and color rendering just don"t compare.

Q

MGBGTRacer · May 09, 2004, 02:01 PM

I just ordered a BlackWidow system on Friday. I'll certainly let everyone know how it works out. Instead of the "ready to fly" with the B&W camera, I ordered the 200mw 5V set and the Panasonic camera. $255 total and the same setup used on the Nimbus video on their web site. It's going in my Multiplex cargo/B17 conversion.

May 08, 2004, 10:44 AM	#1
Picoflyer Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Spead Eagle, WI (about 2 hours north of Green Bay) Posts: 762	Best choice for wireless video camera? Hi everyone. I am thinking about gettting an inexpensive wireless video camera for use in my piccolo electric rc heli or a small electric rc plane. What do you guys recomend? Is the minicam from Helihobby any good quality wise? Here is a link to a page on it: RC minicam The price seems good. I think the video system from Black Widow AV is a little more than what I want to spend right now. What do you think? Thanks! Dan

May 09, 2004, 01:45 AM	#4
DesertDawg 2-1/2 Cartwheel Landings Join Date: May 2004 Location: Yuma, Arizona, United States Posts: 151	There's no arguing their claims that the 2.4 gig FM transmission scheme is more stable and has a greater bandwidth than a 434 MHz AM (FM audio subcarrier) system. Quacker is right, though - look for the best camera you can. I'd really like to see spec sheets on the camera and lens assemblies, just to compare them to Black Widow's equipment. Better (of course) would be to see/hear comparative reviews of both cameras. When I finally lift a vid-cam into the air; I'll be using the 434 MHZ transmitter, if only because I have parts of the system already in hand (along with the license to use them). A good plane (and proper camera) are what I'm presently lacking; as I don't see myself hauling either my 6.5 oz 3.4MP Nikon "everyday camera" or my 8mm camcorder up into the skies with a gas .20-sized trainer! Dawg Last edited by DesertDawg; May 09, 2004 at 10:31 AM. Reason: Corrected the Nikon's megapixel rating - I WISH it was a 4.3 MP!

May 09, 2004, 09:31 AM	#5
Picoflyer Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Spead Eagle, WI (about 2 hours north of Green Bay) Posts: 762	I saw a video of the minicam but the video was so compressed for the internet that I couldn't really tell much from it...it did look like it had pretty good range though. I'd like to see a still picture taken from the video so you can actually see how it looks. The BlackWidow AV system is like $350 dollars, so I think that is a bit pricey for me right now. Last edited by Picoflyer; May 09, 2004 at 09:36 AM.

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May 08, 2004, 09:36 PM	#2
Picoflyer Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Spead Eagle, WI (about 2 hours north of Green Bay) Posts: 762	Anyone?

May 09, 2004, 01:29 AM	#3
Quacker 6ft, 12lbs, 3lbs of NIMH Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Beautiful Colorado! Posts: 2,603	That's an easy one: spend the extra and get videos you'll be proud of with quality equipment that will also hold it's value. You really can't beat blackwidow for value and performance. Just do it, Q

May 09, 2004, 09:39 AM	#6
Picoflyer Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Spead Eagle, WI (about 2 hours north of Green Bay) Posts: 762	One more question that I forgot to ask: Can anyone tell me the difference between CMOS and CCD cameras? I think somewhere I heard that CMOS cameras aren't as good but I am not sure. The Dragonflyer Minicam camera is a CMOS and the Blackwidow AV camera is a CCD.

May 09, 2004, 10:59 AM	#7
Quacker 6ft, 12lbs, 3lbs of NIMH Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Beautiful Colorado! Posts: 2,603	CMOS cameras are simply not as good as CCD. There is always a noticable difference. True, CMOS are cheaper and smaller, but the image quality and color rendering just don"t compare. Q

May 09, 2004, 02:01 PM	#8
MGBGTRacer RCAPA #005 Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Springfield Vermont Posts: 3,667	I just ordered a BlackWidow system on Friday. I'll certainly let everyone know how it works out. Instead of the "ready to fly" with the B&W camera, I ordered the 200mw 5V set and the Panasonic camera. $255 total and the same setup used on the Nimbus video on their web site. It's going in my Multiplex cargo/B17 conversion.