Here we have tried to provide some helpful advice for using helmet cameras or onboard cameras.

General Advice

- Before Filming

Ok it sounds silly but one of the most common problems when making videos is people simply forget about the batteries! With worn out batteries you've got no power and therefore your filming is going nowhere! An easy solution to the battery issue is to use a new set every time but that's costly, rechargeable's are much more cost effective if you have them. You may also wish to consider purchasing one of our rechargeable XPower Packs, they use a lithium cell and are much lighter than conventional batteries too.

- After Filming

Ok so you've done your filming and you're back home, now what? Once you've got the files off the DVR and on the computer you'll want play them and to do this you'll need the right codecs. Codecs are a computer language for video and chances are you'll have the right ones installed already. If you don't though download and install this handy codec pack:

Free Video Codecs

Its free! Make sure you download the 'FULL' pack as this includes a video player too for viewing your files.

Ok so now you can play your files but perhaps you want to edit them? If you do then we recommend 'Windows Movie Maker' or 'Adobe Premier'. Depending on what video editor you use you may need to convert the video file you made on the DVR into a different format. For this job we've found a cracking bit of software which again is free! You can download 'Any Video Converter' here:

Free Video Converter

YouTube

YouTube is a great resource for uploading your videos to a global audience. If you are not a member sign up now for free at www.youtube.com.

- YouTube Tags

Tags on YouTube are effectively words to help YouTube users find videos they want to watch. Tag your video correctly and your videos could be seen by thousands! If a YouTube user likes one of your videos they may watch some of the others too. The more people that watch your videos, the more popular your 'channel' is. This is handy for promoting sponsors, your team or your talent...or its just nice to have the knowledge people like your videos!

To add tags:

Its easiest to add them during the upload of your video in the 'Tags' section (under Title and Description) but you can also add tags after your video is uploaded.

If you are logged in to your account there is a section on the page of each video that says: 'Video Owner Options' Under this click 'Edit Video'

Now a 'Video Information' page apears and there is a section called 'Tags'. In the tags area you could write the words:

Rally car onboard video escort mk2 in car camera crash accident 4kam

or

motorcycle video gsxr suzuki tt course iom onboard bike footage 46kam

depending on what the video was about! This will help people searching for similar things find your videos!

Don't forget tag your video with 4Kam or 46Kam too!

Power Supply

- Camera

All cameras purchased from us are supplied with a battery box. This should be loaded with good batteries which will power the camera, we recommend Duracell M3. If use your helmet camera more than a few times a year you may find it better to use our rechargeableXPower lithium battery pack. It's almost half the weight of the loaded battery box and over a season will workout much cheaper too.

- DVR

Since launching our DVRs we got many emails asking how they could be powered on the move once the battery runs down, initially we had no real solution.

..We then introduced the 5v Power Adapter! This great bit of kit allows you to drop the voltage from the camera battery pack (XPower) or a direct 12v supply to a safe 5v for the DVR. This will charge the DVR on the move and allow you to record for much longer!

Motorcycle Camera Setup Guide 2010

In Car Camera Setup Guide

Check back soon for more top tips!