AlanC, this video stuff is Ace. You can get a cam. for £25 (card extra) for working on 12volt? The video looked like time lapse -- good for security.
So I could plug a cam. into the 12volt cigar socket, put in, say, a 1Gbyte SD card, take it out of the car at journey's end and then replay in my home computer via the USB socket? There was sound on the video you sent, so I could put a running commentary on it like the police do?
Please oh please tell me more, I think I want one...

Leedsman.

 

The cameras run off 5 volt so they can be powered from a PC/Laptop USB or through a USB to 12 volt adaptor to plug into the cigarette lighter in the car. You will probably need a 3 or 4 meter extension USB cable too. They mostly use a micro SD. I'll dig out a few links.

 

The cameras can easily be configured to loop record. i.e. when the SD card gets full the camera will continue to record by overwriting the oldest files. With a 16GB micro SD it will record about 6 hours of continuous video and audio before overwriting.

These cameras are also used by the radio controlled aeroplane brigade because they are so small and light. Do a search on YouTube for the 808 #16 and particularly watch the review by techmoan.

 

Camera: Mini DVR 808 #16 Motion Detect Micro Camera Real HD 720P H.264 Pocket Camcorder | eBay

Adapter: Griffin Mini USB 12V Universal In Car Charger Travel Twin Dual Port Adaptor | eBay

USB 5 metre Lead: USB A MALE TO MINI 5PIN MALE CHARGER CABLE LEAD 0.5M 1M 1.5M 2M 2.5M 3M 4M 5M UK | eBay

My Homemade Bracket:
Don't be fooled by the appearance of the camera, they are full 720p HD and don't be concerned that they come from China. eletoponline365 is a genuine ebayer.


There are lots of look-alikes on eBay for much less but generally they are inferior copies.

Edit: The same manufacturer now makes the 808 #18 DR32 which has a small LCD screen and auto record on power up. i.e. the camera starts recording when you switch on the car ignition and stops recording when you switch off. I think these cost about £75 and I'm thinking of buying one next month.

 

I like it AlanC, particularity the Millau Viaduct sweetener, pity it didn't show more of it.
As to Camera's, think I better look into one especially when I go back to France with Motorhome. I noticed Aldi or Lidl had one not that long ago for about £25and they called it a Dash Cam.

 

Don't be tempted by the Aldi or Lidl cameras. You will be disappointed. If you can afford the 808 #18 DR32 I would definately go for that one, otherwise go for the 808 #16.
As you may know, the Millau Viaduct is rather disappointing to drive over. That footage was from 2012. Last year (2013) we drove through Millau itself and managed to get some spectacular shots of the viaduct.

Edit: Can't seem to embed a link to Photobucket from this site.
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c7...ps6dfffffb.jpg

 

Yes I had a look at the 808#18DR32 on Flee-bay, bigger lens and about £66.
Think I'd go for that one.
Was really impressed by the quality of the video from the 808#16 key ring camera. Surely not from that most people would say.
Very impressive.

 

This camera thing would be better to have its own thread on here so can be looked up and noticed better.

 

goggs,

I'll start a new thread later today and see if I can get it made a sticky.

Alan

 

Thanks for all that information, very handy to know.
BTW 1 -- Making 5volt out of the car's 12volt is dead easy. Just use a 5volt regulator, shouldn't cost more than 50p. I must have hundreds in stock. Type 7805. The -ve version is 7905. With the the writing facing you and the tags at bottom, 12volt in the left pin, ground centre pin and/or heatsink, 5volt comes out of the right pin. All 7805s will supply a common camera.
BTW 2 -- 720p means "half-HD", more than adequate for car use. Full HD is 1080 by 1920 pixells.
BTW 3 -- The standard camera mount uses a quarter inch whitworth thread, and always has. This is universal everywhere, pro. or amateur.