power and remote control for bullet cam

[gazza 0]

Been reeding the threads, I use a 480 TVL camera attached to my PC101E, a bit of software modifying with an RM95 remote opens up the VCR functions, you guys with a PC101 in the US dont have that problem we have to sort out in europe.

Control
I have a special single button remote unit that plugs into the Lanc for camera control but works in VCR mode instead of camera, works exactly the same as a cam eye II with the indicator led indicators.

This sorts out the control problem so you dont have to play around with the camera before your jump, easy, simple and works

Power
Power for the camera is supplied by the standard sony Np-FM50 batteries as everyone has got them, needs a special board to get them to 12v. The camera will work at 7.2V but the quaility is a bit iff, better to run at 12V.

Cabling
Getting good conectors and cable is the important bit, anyone that works with cameras knows that this is the part that fails first and gives problems, i use a screened single 8 core cable that carries Lanc, video and audio (if you want it) i use a high quality plug and socket assembly which is easy to connect on the way up to altitude. It is worth spending the money on the connectors. you have to work out your own way of getting rid of the cable connection if you have to cut away your helmet should you need to but if you have no obstuctions on the helmet this should not be likely. Always keep it in mind as you never know. Is is always best to plan for it and not have to use it instead of trusting to luck.

[nacmacfeegle 0]

For break away connectors you can use a pair of these.
http://rswww.com/cgi-bin/bv/browse/Module.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@0036378289.1082970309@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccchadclfklkmhgcfngcfkmdgkldffm.0&cacheID=ukie&3260423288=3260423288&catoid=-76210231
RS components, or decent Hifi shops will be able to help.
Sorry about the huge link, I'm mark up challenged.

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He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

[whatever 0]

hi
that link doesn't work for me - site session timed out or something
could you give the connector's serial or part number or a name?
thanks

as an aside, the best looking connectors I've seen have been s-video ones, which would be nice for the Video signal and power, but I guess you'd really want more pins, so you can have a mic too (how many pins needed for a stereo mic? 6?)
I really value a connector that's as small as possible for this application

soon to be gone

[NeilQ 0]

Quote

Power for the camera is supplied by the standard sony Np-FM50 batteries as everyone has got them, needs a special board to get them to 12v. The camera will work at 7.2V but the quaility is a bit iff, better to run at 12V.

Hey Gazza

Have I misunderstood? Are you running both the PC101 and the b/c off the same battery? What kind of connector are you using to tap into the Sony battery? Do you have a "special board" to convert to 12volts?

Thanks

Neil

[nacmacfeegle 0]

Sorry for that, the link timed out for me too. Stoopid British company, (RS Components). They are standard bits and should be available over there. Google, it appears you guys also know them as DIN or Mini DIN.
This company, for example has them in California.
http://www.action-electronics.com/ppdin.htm#Minicable

part numbers PP-MD9P (9 pin MiniDIN Male) and PP-MD9S (9 pin MiniDIN Female) at a buck and a half for each end.

Attached are some pics and pin outs for various configurations of these connectors.

"the best looking connectors I've seen have been s-video ones,"
They are exactly like the S-video connectors, sizewise, but they are known over here as Mini DIN connectors.

I hope this helps. You can get up to 9 connections on a single connector, and you can always split your cables if you are having difficulty sourcing 9 pins or other multipin connections. They are fiddly to solder though, so you may want the slightly larger ones known as DIN connectors.

You can even get panel mounts so you could have a connection flush on the back of your helmet and connect the leads to that, Matrix style.

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He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

[gazza 0]

I use seperate batteries for the camera and the PC101, hacking into an infolithium battery is not as good idea, they are pwerfull battery and have an electronic charging circuit that you dont want to play with. i use these batteries as everyone has got them. The battery is mounted on the helmet

I have tried the connectors listed in this thread but found that they come out in freefall and are a pain to connect up in the plane and wear out very quickly. As i said spend your money on a decent quality connector as this is what is going to fail first. I use a waterproof 8 way micro plug with a pre wired cable assembly, not cheap but reliable. At the end of the day it dosnt matter what you build, it will only be worth the cheapest component you use as this fails first and then you have nothing, remember most problems are caused by bad connection. Hope this helps

[JYorkster 0]

Quote

I use a waterproof 8 way micro plug with a pre wired cable assembly

Where did you get this connector? I've looked for a snapping mini-DIN connector with no luck. Do you have an item number or link to the connector you have?

Thanks,
Rock