The key to getting the DV camcorder to function properly remote camera with the is to make sure it is in the "VCR" mode. 

In this mode, the camcorder will take the signal coming into the camera via the AV cable and record that video stream onto the DV tape.  This is the first item we check if our video is not being recorded properly.

One of the problems with using a remote camera is how to control the camcorder itself.  If the camcorder is in a backpack, some kind of remote trigger is absolutely necessary.  Most Sony and Canon camcorders can be controlled via a LANC controller.  The Canon we have came with an extra interface module for various I/O connections...including LANC input (far left).

The LANC controller that came with the VioSport AdventureCAM is a simple button trigger with a LED light.  The cord is a few feet long and was easy to thread along the side of the backpack.

With the external camera, the interface module, and the LANC controller attached, the AdventureCAM is basically complete.  The only other piece missing is the battery for the camera and some kind of carrying case.

We decided to take all of the loose pieces and place them in a small rectangular zippered soft case.  This soft case can then be put inside a backpack, a belt pack, or any other carrying case we need for the particular assignment.

When placed in a backpack, the AdventureCAM becomes fully self- contained, battery powered, and completely mobile. 

There are still quite a few things we can do to improve this rig...things like camera stablization, time lapse trigger, shoulder mounting, laser pointer tracer, and tapeless/flash memory recording.  We'll get to those improvements soon!

Why do we here at RainyDay Magazine keep trying to make our old discontinued gear work with the new technologies?  Well, we can think of plenty of reasons (too much time on our hands, not enough money, too cheap to upgrade, etc...)  However, sometimes we do it just for the fun of it :-)

The BackpackCAM project started because we needed a way to hike and shoot video footage at the same time.  We are constantly reworking this setup, but the basic configuration is pretty much the same (digital storage, remote camera, remote trigger, backpack).

In this article, we'll take a look at how to setup the LANC control and how to mount the entire recording package inside a backpack.

BackpackCAM:

1. Overview

2. Camera Setup

3. Backpack Setup

4. NeurosCAM Setup

5. Cellphone Video Playback

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