Team Needs Help--Finding the best technique for on the fly capturing-?

[neilparikh]

My robotics team would like to purchase a camera so we can record our matches. On average, we sit in the middle deck of a stadium and look down to the field. We currently use Sony Digital 8 Camcorders, but have found that when recording via 1394, the quality is simply not good enough--no matter which program we use, the images come out rather grainy--and it's hard to see specific details. The video looks fine on TV, however. Would it be better to upgrade our camera to an HD or 3CCD model (our budget is ~$1000), and is it better to use the camera's built in firewire export, or should we rather output via the A/V or S-Video and use a capture card on our server? Usually we recorded to laptops via Firewire, but this year we'll be using a server with dual processors, 1.5 gb ram, 10k RPM "scuzzie" hard drives, etc.

Any advice on possible suggestions for a camera/technique?

[guns1inger]

I have responded to your other post : https://forum.videohelp.com/viewtopic.php?t=319562

One post is enough to keep track of, and posting more than once wont get you more answers.

[neilparikh]

My apologies. I just wasn't sure which was the right forum to post in.

[redwudz]

With consumer DV cameras, you won't get any better than FireWire transfers. I would stick with that. Go for a better camera and try it out first before purchasing. I think the 3CCD is a good idea, and a optical zoom would be preferred to a digital zoom.

With most events, talking to the people in charge is best. Preferably long before the event. They may let you use a better position to record your video. I have talked my way into some great positions for still photographs at some events. You always have to give it a try. If it fails, then you have a fall-back position and you do the best you can.

Sometimes you can talk to one of your local TV or newspaper stations and get a letter to get you 'press' credentials for a event as their representative. That can get you up front. Show them some video or stills you have done from past events. If your local station or newspaper will publish your stills or video, even better. You can always try.....

Check with the event coordinators in advance of the event and see if they have a media coordinator. You may be surprised with what you can get away with. They like publicity.

[Ron B]

I responded to your other post as well.
How about a remote camera that you can put right in the action and cable it up to your camcorder or VCR? Maybe something like this?

[redwudz]

Since this is your later post and a duplicate of the other, I am locking it. In the future if you wish a post moved to another forum, PM a Mod. Do not double post. Refer to: https://forum.videohelp.com/viewtopic.php?p=1641273#1641273