Pov video options?

[txronharris]

Really enjoy the layouts that have a video of the "engineers view".

I've seen guys using anything from go pro cameras on flat cars to any number of home made contraptions.

Any suggestions for a camera w/sound for something like this? I was thinking the coolest setup would be to actually put a loco cab over the camera so the view was out the window like a real cab instead of just pushing a camera around but not sure where to find a camera that small.

Just thought I'd open up the topic for discussion. Any ideas or examples are appreciated.

[Dave V]

I used this one:  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07PV9KXJZ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It's no linger available but Amazon has dozens of similar models.

It works quite well for HO.  It might work for N scale but clearances will be very tight.

[peteski]

If you want to just record the video and view it later, there are many options available (from expensive GoPros or cheap "spy" pen cameras on eBay).

But if you want a live video feed, it gets more difficult (especially in N scale or smaller).  Back around 2004, there was an advertisement in Model Railroader Magazine for a Japanese company selling a 2.4GHz miniature camera and receiver, small enough even for Z scale.  It was quite pricey (over $250), but I bought one and easily installed it in a hollowed-out dummy Kato P42 loco.  That model was featured in Kato's Photo Gallery (but I checked and the gallery is either shut down or temporarily offline). But the photos are saved on the Wayback Machine. Go to https://web.archive.org/web/20161222052149/http://www.katousa.com/gallery/albums.php?set_albumListPage=6 then scroll down to Peter Wisniewski's model, and open up the gallery.

The video (no sound) is rather low-end for today's standards (640x480), and the signal strength is low, causing dropouts as the model traverse the layout, but it is a live feed.  So if you have a WiFi throttle and a way to stream the vireo remotely, you can drive your trains from anywhere in the world. 

Since that time I have done 2 more installations (one for a friend and another for my NTRAK club) and the camera is always a big hit with the spectators at the train show.  I have also recommended it to members here and @eric220 has installed and used in on his last layout.

Here is one of the videos I made with hat camera on friend's layout.

Last time I checked with that camera manufacturer (RF System Lab in Japan) was in 2016, so I'm not sure if they still make these.  The train camera is not their main business (I suspect some employees do this on the side).  They are in a business of making industrial and medical cameras.

I'm also planning on experimenting with the 5.4GHz cameras for drones. But those are a bit larger, so I won't be able to fully hide the camera inside a N scale model.

[Santa Fe Guy]

I purchased an RePlay XD video camera. Not cheep however it is of a very good quality.
It is small enough to sit on an N scale flat car.
It records in full HD and sound to a chip.
I have used it on mine and a friends N Scale layouts and also on a SN3 layout all with good results.
If you have good video editing software you could try making a mask that looks like you are looking through the cab of a loco whilst making your video.
I'm not that clever however some have done it.
The videos I am referring to are on my YouTube channel and blog if you are interested.
Rod.