Usable Video from a T-Rex 450

[KarbonBird]

I have been approached to take some small video footage clips and was wondering if anyone has successfully achieved this (possibly using AP2000i or similar)?

I am not interested in "test" footage - only where someone has provided usable clips - even low res for web streaming purposes would be good. There is plenty of material about taken by just strapping a camera to a T-Rex 450, but the quality is usually poor and not smooth.

Given that a client is not really interested in the methodology involved in the videoing process (apart from curiosity value) it is important to get a reasonable quality footage similar to what is achievable from the 600 if you are after repeat business. I reckon that this may be a very lucrative market if pursued correctly.

[Windbreaker]

I was wondering about this myself.

Problems would include:

-- Isolating the camera from the helicopter's usual vibrations.
-- Stabilizing the camera to correct for unwanted pitch, roll and yaw.
-- Locking down white balance and exposure.

A lightweight camera means there's very little mass available to resist induced vibration, unless it's on a delicate mounting system that will easily yield without being springy. Maybe there's a polymer or elastomeric material that will work.

The suspension system will be subject to g-loading during maneuvering, so that has to be taken into consideration.

The pitch, roll, yaw problem might be solvable with three sensitive gyros and very small servos. The entire assembly will have to be mounted in a lightweight sphere to shield it against aerodynamic buffering.

For yaw control, the gyro on the helicopter might be able to handle that task. Check out the discussion on adding weights to the tail rotor blade grips. It seems to provide substantial reduction of the force needed to control tail rotor pitch and improves the 450's controllability. Check out post #405 for a way to do it without having to drill any holes.

http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=41309&page=41

[1hoptycopter]

Here is anonther way to mount the "FLIP VIDEO CAMERA" on the TREX 450. The CVS, FLIP and RCA EZ 201. Click on the link and see the video quality. Youtube comressed it you should see it on the computer. It is much better. With no pixle boxes. Click on the link. I hope this helps. 1hoptycopter

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eev6ZkZslAo

[Lon33]

1hoptycopter: Do you have a still photo of your T-Rex 450 that shows exactly how you mounted your camera? I understand that you swapped your T-Rex landing skids for Logo 10 skids. But I'm having trouble visualizing how you attached the camera to the CFplate. Thanks.

[Razor_Racer]

Just a couple of threads down :wink:
http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=49033

[1hoptycopter]

Thanx Razor Racer! 1hoptycopter