| Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) |
How Does the Mount Stick?
Our mount uses 90 pounds of force to stick to your vehicle. It's not magnetic, so it's perfect for just about any car including those that have fiberglass or plastic body panels. The suction mount is protected by rubber to provide a strong seal without the possibility of scratching your finish. It's been tested at up to speeds of 115mph without any problems whatsoever. |
What's Included in Your Kits?
Well, everything you need to capture video. You need to supply the video recorder such as a video camcorder and any special patch cables for that camcorder. I supply the mount, cabling, straps, and connectors. I also have two levels of mounts depending on what you can afford. The basic kits don't include the ball mounts which I highly recommend for any interior use. For exterior use, the ball mount isn't a necessity. When you order kits including two or more cameras, I normally recommend having atleast one with a ball mount. |
Do I Need To Buy Anything Else Other Than Your Vacucam™ Kits?
YES/MAYBE: You will need to provide a device for recording. This could be a portable VCR, or a home VCR with an AC to DC converter, or by far, the best solution is a small camcorder. It doesn't need to be digital, though it is preferred and recommended because it will provide the best quality, especially if you plan to edit the footage. The camcorder must be able to record an external video signal. Look at the camcorder manual and see if it permits LINE IN recording. If so, you should see a Video-In port somewhere on the camera, possibly hidden underneath a door. On Sony camcorders, there is a small jack, that looks like a headphone jack labeled A/V. You can buy this cable at any local video or electronics store. It's also very desirable to have a camcorder with a flip out LCD screen. You might also want to purchase a remote REC/trigger switch. |
Can You Recommend a Camcorder? What Do You Use?
The camcorder I use is a Sony 3CCD TRV-950 miniDV digital video camcorder. This is a wonderful consumer level camera that provides professional features. It sells for around US$1,400. A camera of this level isn't necessary for recording from the VacuCams™. In fact, one of it's greatest strengths, the fact it uses 3 CCD's isn't even utilized when shooting with the VacuCams™. Look for a camcorder that permits Video In. If you purchase a miniDV camcorder, look for the capability to convert analog to digital. Not all miniDV camcorders can record from an analog or external video source, but most over $500 will. Also look for a remote LANC port, so that you can attach an optional remote Start/Stop button. Buy either Sony or Canon because you will want the LANC port. This option allows you to use a remote trigger switch for starting and stopping your camcorder. Go with digital such as miniDV or Digital 8 which is simply DV recorded on Hi-8 tapes. |
Do I Need Two Camcorders to use the Two or Three Camera System?
Oh absolutely not. That would really defeat one of my main motivations which was to keep things simple and affordable! When you purchase a 2 or 3 Camera Ready to Roll Kit, it includes everything you need, and it still only requires 1 video camcorder for recording. The way you view each camera is by "switching". You simply push one of 4 buttons, and it switches to that camera. So let's say you have 2 cameras. You can assign Camera 1 to the first button and the Camera 2 to the last button. Now to switch between them, just press either the first or last button. Once you have them focused and aimed properly, you don't even need to monitor the video. Just think in your mind--I want to capture whats in front, so I'll hit button 1. A bit later, you say, hmm, that trail of MINI's behind me looks good, I think I'll switch to the rear. And that's it. |
What is a Remote Start/Stop Button?
When recording in VCR mode, you need to press 2 buttons to begin recording. Usually its a REC button and a nearby safety button. This is different from putting the camcorder in Camera mode, and just hitting the REC trigger. In VCR mode, the REC button is normally near the playback controls. It's dangerous and not recommended to attempt to control the Start/Stop of your camcorder while driving. That means a 60 minute miniDV tape will yield 60 minutes of driving time--including all stops and rest in between. You can significantly lengthen the recorded time by stopping the video at stop lights, or anytime that it's not desirable to be recording, but trying to do this manually is cumbersome. The solution is a Remote Start/Stop button that is normally connected via the LANC port on your camcorder. These cost about $65, and are well worth it. We don't currently sell them, but are looking into it. Please email us for a recommendation. Remember that the built-in mic on the camcorder is also no longer active in VCR mode, so you need to provide it a line level audio signal. The VacuCams™ do that already! |
Is Your Mount Magnetic? Will It Scratch My Paint?
No: The mount is vacuum based. You simply open the clamp handles, press it firmly on the area you want to mount it too, then close the handles. Fasten the mounting bolt, and tighten the camera. The mount has a soft rubber base that won't damage your finish. Spray a little Meguiars Quik Detailer on the mount to provide additional suction. When removing, spray a little more on your finish and wipe with a Microfiber towel to clean the area. Because the mount is not magnetic, there is no fear of it moving around at speed, and scratching the finish. With a 90 pound rated capacity, it will fall off, before it moves. |
How Hard is it to Install the Cameras?
VERY SIMPLE: If it takes longer than 1 minute to install each camera, you are being way too careful! Installation is as simple as locating a flat surface (metal, plastic, or glass), pressing the mount firmly, ensuring the handles are pointing up and down or perpendicular to the ground, then closing the handles together. Try wiggling the mount, and if done properly, it'll be firmly attached. It is recommended to apply some lubricant to increase the vacuum effect. Could be water, but better is a 90% water to 10% soap solution, or Meguiars Quik Detailer. Now just screw on the camera. |
I've Seen Similar Cameras On Ebay, Are They the Same Thing?
Nope. I originally did all my sourcing on ebay, and came across a bunch of interesting things. First of all, the manufacturer of these cams offer about 20 different models which all look the same, but differ in significant ways. Almost all the ones on ebay are listed as PAL/NTSC and not NTSC or NTSC/PAL--remember that China (Hong Kong included), is on the PAL standard. That means you will have trouble recording the output unless you have a PAL/NTSC switchable recorder. Secondly, ebay doesn't permit small video cameras with audio. These cameras have built in mics which is wonderful for keeping things compact. I've taken great pains to find the right manufacturer, and buy directly from them, which allows me to keep my costs low. |
Are SWANN/Q-SEE Accessory Lenses Compatible?
Nope. I was at my local Fry's Electronics a few weeks ago and saw these lenses and thought, COOL!! Maybe these will work with my VacuCams. So I bought $200 worth. SWANN Telephoto, Fish Eye, Wide Angle, Q-SEE Telephoto Lens. Don't waste your time. The threads aren't long enough to focus them properly. The thread size is correct, but the design of the lenses doesn't allow enough adjustability to focus them properly. |
Are Your Cameras Waterproof?
Nope, so I wouldn't recommend using them in anything but decent weather. Then again, I haven't tried submerging them either, but better to be safe than sorry. |
Can I Install These Cameras Permanently?
WE DON'T RECOMMEND IT: The VacuCams™ were designed to be easily installed and removed on a moments notice. While you could find a way to install them permanently, the rubber mounts and cabling were not designed this way. |
MiniDV Can Record Longer Than 60 Minutes Can't It?
Sure,but it comes at a price. Either you are using longer tape that's thinner and more prone to dropouts, or you are recording in EP mode which slows down tape speed. In the analog world, slowing down the tape speed meant decreasing the video quality. In the digital world, the recording quality is the same, however, digital dropouts are much more likely. I don't recommend using anything other than standard 60 minute tape. Actually it's 63 minutes (3 free extra minutes). |
What About Prepping The Tape?
When you first put in a tape, figure you're going to lose the first 30 seconds to 1 minute of the tape. Enable color bars, or put the lens cap on to record black video. Then record for the first 30 seconds or 1 minute. Doing so allows 2 things to happen. One, it makes it easier to edit when you aren't recording footage at the very head of the tape, and secondly it prevents loss of footage during the first part of the tape that might have the most chances for dropouts either due to tape slack or metal particles. |
Any Advice on Tape Media?
Whatever brand you use, stick with it. Don't change on a whim. miniDV camcorders are very sensitive to the media. I use Sony Premium DVM60 because it's affordable and have had great results. Switching different tape brands increases the chance of dropouts and damage to your video heads. |
What Makes the VacuCam™ Different From Your Competitors?
MANY REASONS: I put great emphasis on the usability aspect of the VacuCams™ while designing them. Top priorities were minimizing the amount of clutter and space needed to set up this system. The MINI is already tight on space, so coming up with suitable mounting places for the equipment was definitely a challenge. The video switcher is mounted with suction cups above the head unit, allowing fast and easy camera changes by either the driver or passenger. The camcorder can be held in the passengers lap, or placed in a camera bag. We are working on special mount that will place the video camera at dash level without requiring any permanent attachment points or drilling.
- Our VacuCams™ are highly affordable, yet provide comparable quality to the more expensive "bullet cams".
- VacuCams™ don't require you to give up a passenger just to shoot video!
- Easily installed and removed
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DVD FAQ's |
| Malibu DVD (FAQ) |
What Cameras were used on this DVD?
The first generation VacuCam™ was based on small wireless cameras. These were convenient but suffered from many problems that ranged from inconsistent power delivery, to poor reception. This video was shot with the wireless variety, and a great deal of editing took place to eliminate footage that was unusable. The VacuCams™ available here on NAM provide consistently outstanding video. |
Tell Me About How You Made This DVD?
The video was captured with the first generation VacuCams™ on miniDV tape. These cameras didn't have audio, so I brought along a desktop 8 channel audio mixer and a professional Sennheiser shotgun mic with K6 module. Since this had a balanced XLR connector, I needed an XLR adapter for my miniDV camcorder. Since the mixer was expecting AC power, I had a 300Watt DC to AC converter on the floor behind me. I placed the shotgun mic underneath the passenger floor mat in an attempt to capture the engine noise, and minimize any effects of the wind. it turned out this wasn't the ideal location, and a great deal of audio sweetening was done to make the audio acceptable. |
What About the Look?
After watching the video dozens of times, I really wanted to create a different feel, so the video was actually colorized to enhance the warmth. Also I letterboxed it to provide more of a cinematic feel. But there was another reason for the letterboxing. Many of the scenes were nearly perfect except for visible distortion at the top and bottom of the screen. This distortion was the result of weak batteries that I didn't realize at the time. Letterboxing was a handy technique for enhancing the look while masking the problem areas! |
I Hear Your Tires Squealing, Wasn't that Dangerous?
I have to be honest here. We weren't going that fast, and my runflats were on its last legs so getting them to squeal wasn't hard at all. But like any movie you see, I did some movie magic to enhance the squeal. The video just didn't feel as exciting watching it at normal level. I was also in constant radio contact with the group, asking them to regroup so I could get better shots. At times, I waited for everyone to catch up, and at the end, where I'm driving with Maxmini, we were on a one way road with no cross traffic, though I heard a few weeks later, some lady on her cell phone was traveling the wrong way up this canyon. So it goes to show, you can never be too sure of anything. |
Do You Have Any Advice to Share?
Yeah, be courteous, be safe, and don't race in the canyons--or on the street for that matter. There are way too many variables and it's all too easy to be involved in a fatal accident regardless of fault. There is one point in the video which shows me crossing the line around a blind curve. That should be a shining example of what never to do, because moments later, a huge truck comes around the next corner--and had I done the same thing, I would have been history and possibly taken an innocent life with me. So please learn from my own mistakes, and drive safely at all times, you never know when your next MINI run will be your last forever. |
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