Why no display on the recorder?

[TRAKCAR]

Every camera has a display to see what you are recording, I was real surprised yours does not.

Is this in the works?

[Mark]

You mean like this (http://www.chasecam.com/node/37)?

[onboardcamera]

Some users need it, some not. Remember wich the LCD have another added power consuption, so is not the best "idea" when the PDR should be used with AA batteries only! But sometimes can be useful...
Anyway, on a car, where PDR100 is fitted for long time, and the camera is in the right position, doesn't need the LCD monitor.
Can be a good soltion to add a small 1,5" LCD monitor, with a small timer to turn off automatically.

[RandyChase]

Certainly a good point. And one I debated myself for many months when I was engineering the original recorder. There are points for and against. More cost (less of an issue for those Chinese companies, but for us, it was a significant expense item). More complexity and more current draw... and for something that during the act of recording, was not needed. And in the end, we had an engineering budget.

On the other hand, it can be handy for aiming. I think for immediate playback, it might seem handy, but reality is that a 2.5" LCD is pretty limited for anything beyond just making sure you got the video.

Still... the arguments for are compelling and things are now different than they were a few years ago. So stay tuned...

[TRAKCAR]

MON-LCD5.6$150.00

LCD, NTSC Video, 5.6" screen. 12V DC. Includes its own suction mount for windsheild mounting.

Recommended as a tool for aiming your bullet camera!

Comes with wall transformer and battery pack (holds 8AA batteries, not included).

I think this is what we are talking about. I met many people after a weekend that are pissed because the camera moved and all footage shows a footwell or whatever.
Is it plug and play, does it plug into the recorder?
Do you have a picture? Doe we need to plug it into the cigarette lighter or can it take power from the recorder? Where would I mount the video, just velcro it to the recorder?

Also; my sound goes away at high speed because there is too much wind noise and so it just goes silent, do you have an external microphone that stops the wind baffle, or should I mount it in the glow box or something?

See in the video where I had it all mounted:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zw59-H3d2BI

Thanks,
Peter

[fast_ian]

Hi Peter,

Some comments on your comments.....

1. I have an "old" camcorder (it's got to have an analog A/V input) that I plug in for camera aiming purposes and then disconnect and put away. Works great, especially with my #2 camera which has (digital) zoom plus pan & tilt controls - This gives a little more flexibility to "frame" the shot, but you've gotta be able to see what you're doing!.....

2. Have you played with the "sensitivity" of the mic in the PDR settings menu? I've captured audio with both the internal mic and an external (powered) lav mic (but not yet both at the same time!) If you can carry a passenger they can look at the audio input level and adjust as appropriate. Is it wind noise that's overloading it? If yes, maybe wrap an external mic in foam?

HTH, cheers,
Ian

[TRAKCAR]

Thanks.

Yes, it is the wind noise that overloads the microphone.

I lowered the volume, and plugged in a small headset (that part unplugged) and microphone and stuffed it in the glove box, so for sure no wind noise now, but now I will have to find out if it picks up the engine sound.