Elmer's Wobbler

[Bernd]

Last year I wrote up the build of my wobbler engine from Elmer's book on HMEM. I didn't have a very good vid camera. I now have a web cam that has sound and puts out a file in WMV format, bascially Windows Media. I also used Windows Movie Maker, first time, to put together a little video of the engine running. It's 4.71MB and runs about 20 seconds. What I would like to know is how fast it loads for others and if the length is good enough. I can't see a vid of over a minute or so on a wobbler, because not much is going on and it's bascially a blur anyway.

Ralph your input is wanted on this. TIA.

Video of Elmer's Wobbler

Bernd

Edited to add: I just tried it out and had it download and play the movie all with in about 1 minute.

[Divided he ad]

Hi Bernd,

It's late so My brain ain't not working at it's usual 80%..... But here goes!

Looks like a runner to me    Not the blinged one I was expecting.... What happened to that one?

Anyway, It crashed the first time I tried it!!
Second time uploaded in appros 20 seconds and played well.... Looks nice and clear on about a 6" wide view.

The frame rate would appear to be quite low on your camera as the spinning and cylinder movement are almost undetectable..... If you vary the inward PSI you might find a frequency that suits the FPS (frames per second) of the camera better?  You might be able to adjust your FPS?

(FYI. Mine runs at 30FPS standard and 60FPS on slow motion recording (slow motion only records 60seconds max, but can be played back clearly at very slow rates) all of my videos are recorded at 30FPS.)

Your editing is nice too.... Is it running at different speeds? It sounds like it is and the second sequence movement appears more visible (it could just be the differing angles? )

I would have thrown in some stills and maybe if your camera hasn't got a fast enough film rate then turn it over slowly by hand (finger)  for 5 seconds or so.... Just to let people see it's working movement in full?
Oh and credits.... You didn't take credit at the end for the build 


It's all just experiment.... I've spent quite a lot on my little cameras over the years because I enjoy taking photo's.... This ones video capture option is a huge bonus!
Not everyone can squeeze one of these at 200+ squid into the yearly budget..... I know I can't anymore!! I was lucky to get this camera (just over 3 years ago) when I had a little money from an incident pay out.

I have noticed that technology has advanced so that the newer versions of my camera have a very, very good range from £120 to £300 .... The lowest price range are as good as mine if not better now!!!
 And e-blag has second hand ones at silly prices (canon ixus range in the UK).... I believe that's a version of Moore's law!?

I know I ramble a little (enter "or a lot" here!!) But you asked for my input.... I've tried to be a little constructive..... Hope it hasn't come accross as a little cocky? Just read it through and thought it might? Not intended!



My eyes are heavy and I've got work in 6 hours....  Good morning!!




Ralph.

[Bernd]

Ralph,

That helped a lot. I did see something about frames per second. I believe it was set at 15. I'll check Wed. (I'd say tomorrow but it's tomorrow in the UK when as I write this). The camera is a web camera made by Logi Tech. It cost about $20 USD. Cheap but will have to do for now.

Thanks for the input. That's exactly what I was looking for.

BTW, the engine with the bling went to a good freind of mine this was the other one I built. My problem with bling is I'm to lazy. I guess I could go back and bling that one up a bit. We'll see.

Thanks again.

Bernd

Anybody else have any input as far as downloading and being able to see the video. Reason I ask is that I use my own web site for all the picture files and now would like to add video.

[SPiN Racing]

Hi Bernd!

Cool Clip!

I have to agree with Ralph for things like a still shot.. roll it by hand slowly, then kick her off at speed.

The quality is nice, smooth not jerky. Very clear for a 20 dollar webcam. Shoot very clear for a expensive one at that!.


I usually just take my vid from either a Video camera I have that is.. um.. something 8. Small cassettes. About the size of a DAT tape.. but they are video. I have not bought any in around 4 years.. because I bought a 8 pack, and use it 99 percent of the time for race video work.

I use ULEAD Video Studio 10 to convert them to web friendly size and format, but really anything will be fine that allows you to do the basics that you are comfy with.
I usually convert them to Divx, or Mpeg2, then upload them to Youtube.

My reasoning for Youtube to host them, is its universal accessability, and the fact that they convert things to thier own format. The nice part of that, you dont need to make sure you use a format everyone is comfy with.
They also maintain the servers, and do backups etc, to keep everyone's stuff out there.

Only thing I can think of other than that (And Im very guilty of this too..) brace the camera on something, or mount it to something. SO its rock steady when you roll it over slowly etc.. so people have a chance to focus on things, and take in the detail. Also the webcam will not fight to stay focused on the subject if its steadied.

soo...
like..


MORE VIDEOS!!!! plz

[bogstandard]

Webcam - computer - no SKYPE ?????

 

[Bernd]

Webcam - computer - no SKYPE ?????

 

That was my next step John. But thanks for the wack anyway. I needed that. 

Bernd