RivetBangers.com

Just got a new camera and tried it out in the airplane today. Its a Kodak Zi8. Battery died on me before I could review the video, so I took a look at home.

Quality of the picture and audio (plugged in from my intercom) was great until I started the engine. Then the video started jumping around, mostly like a top to bottom compression and then release of the video. Audio was unaffected. Made sure that my mount was secure when I installed it. It is the same arrangement I used for an older, heavier camera. Also didn't notice any change when I slid the canopy closed.

I shot the video on the 720p setting. The camera also has 1080p, 720p/60fps, and WVGA settings and I am wondering if any of those would cure the problem. I used the 720p because the book says its best for viewing on a computer and sharing on youtube.

Any help would be appreciated.

Where is it mounted and where is it looking?

Spike

Spike, it's mounted on the f 605 bulkhead which is just behind the seats in my 6A. Quite securely I might add. It is looking forward, right through the prop arch. Do you think it is some sort of strobe effect??

I should also mention that I noticed a very slight distortion of the video when I put my flaps (electric) back up before engine startup.

Looking through the prop would most likely cause something like you are describing. The frame speeds and prop rpm could be interacting. Its akin to taking video/film of a TV screen where you catch the refresh.

If the flaps are causing problems you might want to clean up the power powering the device. I'm not an A/V expert but that is where I would start.

Spike

Do you mean cleaning up power to the camera? It was running on it's own battery.

Wow, then I am at a loss about the flap issue. You could try it again after removing the audio source interconnect. That might tell you something.

Yeah, I thought I would try that, as well as other video settings. Now I just have to get some time to get out there and fly again!