I just ordered a... Mini U8 USB Disk HD Camera and a 16GB Class 10 MicroSDHC High Speed Memory Card with SD Adapter. The youtube reviews are so-so on the camera. However...most of the complaints where with the instructions...but there are plenty of youtube videos on how to use it. The videos of the videos it takes werent bad at all. It measures approx 3 inches x 1 inch x.5 inch so it should fit either on top of a locomotive (engineers view) or on a flatcar (rail view). I figure for 25.00 for the camera and the card...I'll see how it works. It should all be here by the 8th
LOL Lets see Al H., is from the railroads engineering department and yes he would call them "Turnouts" where I'm a railroader and would never make that mistake. We call them "Switches". We've spared on this a few times in the past. Good to see your sense of humor and determination haven't changed...Al. I said with a big reassuring grin! On John A's, camera system we don't have any problems with interference from any of the sources described. On You Tube you can find videos of his work and efforts. His is a wireless system similar to what's been described and as long as the receiver and camera are within sight of each other as in the same room they work fine. Dirty track or not. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbF4a-Sb5y8 Although, I do agree with Al as some systems are super sensitive to something as simple as a fluorescent light fixture in the room. I've installed sound systems where we had to run shielded cable to keep the noise out. Seems to me one of the sound engineers I worked with had a meter he would set-up and he could detect leaks and sources of the noise. Filtering out some of the electrical noise helped. Simple things, like a bad light switch...true. After thought, and Al will appreciate this...I think. We wired in a set of wireless microphones and you wouldn't believe the problems we had with them until, I moved the receivers out into the hall (no obstructions) in direct line of sight of the performers. Never mind teaching the performers not to get into each other's face. You never heard such distortion, screeching and squalling (that was just from the actors that couldn't get along...LOL). Static electricity can play a big part in causing distortion and noise, never mind what radio frequencies and interference can do... and I think that is what Al, is referring to. Am I right? Interesting sensitivities these confounded new gizmo's can have.
Bob: The capacitor for noise suppression is still a good idea - I had forgotten about using one - thanks for the suggestion. Have you visited the Model trains layout at East Tennennesse State U? I saw it 3 years ago and wonder if it has changed very much. Al
You need to look at a Looxcie 2 camera. No interference, fantastic color, great sound, great depth of field and automatic light adjusting into and out of tunnels. Controlled using a on/off button , a smart phone or an Ipad. Totally self contained, charges thru a USB cord. See it in action here http://youtu.be/ULJ-1YTbAvY I mount it using double face tape on a flat car. Gives a great engineers view. Can be purchased for under $100 at Amazon or Verizon Wireless stores. Price is coming down because they released an HD version. I won the HD one and am awaiting delivery. Will post result here.
Bill, Decent video quality. Really nice layout. I have two wireless cameras and the lighter camera and all three have serious warts. The wireless cameras suffer from interference that cannot be completely eliminated no matter where the receiver is located. The lighter camera is inexpensive and you get what you pay for. It suffers from poor focus and light sensitivity. It can almost take a decent video with room daylight but the focus can't be fixed. The wireless camera is nice for viewing real time action, and the non-wireless for better quality video. The Looxcie camera shows promise. I will be watching the price.
