tyco

["Alexander the Great jr." <kanaris@bode.usc.edu>]

> 

> Got the Tycocam today.

> Records B&W video & audio onto your VCR. Comes with a camera bag & tripod &

> the appropriate wires.

> Viewfinder is a low-tech peephole just like the PXL's viewfinder.



Dear fellow videographers,



I would like to alert you to the fact that the Tycocam is not your

only option for low quality B&W video. You may also buy a security

camera, or just the CCD module for about $100. 



I personally think the module has more potential. It is usually a

1"x1" piece of circuit board that carries the CCD chip and a few

capacitors. A mini lens is mounted in front of the CCD, about 3/4" height,

making the package tiny and easy to hide anywhere you want.

You have to supply it with 12Volts DC, and you may connect the

video output to any TV for live viewing or to a VCR for recording.



Another option worth mentioning is an 8mm video camcorder from

General Electric, model CG-400. Fry's Electronics (a large chain

in Los Angeles and the Bay area, don't know if they have any other

stores elsewhere) advertises the GE camcorder either at $299 for a

new unit or at $229 for a factory refurbished unit. 



I think it is a great price for a color camcorder, compared to what 

a new PXL used to sell for. 



> It is tiny & light! Does well in available room light...or I should say

> much better than a pxl. Seems a little soft in focus but still

> impressive.Shoots at a recommended 3-30feet. The PR people dont know

> anything about a wireless unit.



I went to Fry's and played with the GE camcorder. It is also tiny and

light. Does VERY well in available light. It has fixed focus but has

a 3x zoom.  It produces nice sharp COLOR pictures.



> Viewfinder is a low-tech peephole just like the PXL's viewfinder.



The viewfinder is an optical viewfinder, but it does adjust to show

the framing as you zoom in and out. I got a kick that the store

label under the camera touted it as a "color viewfinder". Sure...



Since you cannot review what you recorded in the field, the camcorder

has the optional built in function to seek to the end of the last

recording so that you don't accidentally wipe out what you just shot.



>  Not as unique, visually, as the Pxl, but definitely should serve a

> purpose. If anything, it's inexpensive & lightweight. Comes with a 23 foot

> cable to connect to the VCR or TV. The maximum cable length for the camera

> is 75 feet.



I am sure having an 8mm VCR in your hands beats any combination

of B&W camera plus a VCR 23 to 75 feet away. 

 

> I was just playing with the Tyco Videocam & we noticed that it is very

> sensitive to IR.

> We first noticed that the light of a desk lamp was very helpful in our

> flourescent lit office. It really opened up the shadows. But, someone's

> five o'clock shadow was darker than reality. SO we decided to point a

> remote control at the Tycocam. The Tyco picked up flashes from the remote

> control! The remotes IR flashing was definitely not visible to the naked

> eye.



If you go to the store where they sell camcorders you can try them

and find out that they are ALL sensitive to IR. It is a property of

the semiconductor used to make the CCD. I could go on and on

explaining about the bandgap and the minority carriers but trust me,

all cameras can see IR.



> It might be fun to experiment with diffrnt filters on the camera.

> Or maybe illuminate scenes with IR so that the subjects wont be disturbed!



Many security type cameras have six IR LEDs around the lens to illuminate

whatever is in front of the lens. These cameras can "see" in what

YOU would call "TOTAL DARKNESS". Of course it is not true darkness,

but you are blind to IR and that's what counts. Same thing with those 

military night vision devices you can buy in the stores these days.

They emit an IR beam to illuminate the target (and become a target

should the enemy be using the same type of night vision device) :-)



> Eventually, I'll make an MPEG thru a mac & send it to Kyle & John.

> 

> I think every one of you will be wanting aTVC8000 very soon, even though it

> doesnt have the dreamy quality of the Pxl2000.

 

In my humble opinion, the Tyco is no substitute for the PXL.

The picture quality of the PXL (or lack thereof) is what made

it special. Otherwise, I may just connect my Sony VX-3 

(a very sharp 3-CCD camcorder)

through my Videonics Video Equalizer, turn down the sharpness, turn

off the color, connect it with a long cable to a VHS VCR (instead of

using the built in Hi-8) and claim I have a PXL substitute.

But it isn't!!!







    <<alex kanaris>>  



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Alexander Kanaris                           ___   ___     kanaris@bode.usc.edu

Electrical Engineering --- Systems   /  /  /__   /      kanaris@thales.usc.edu

University of  Southern California  /__/  ___/  /__     kanaris@girtab.usc.edu

Los Angeles, California 90089-2562                  kanaris@alumni.caltech.edu

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