> - Break apart at the hinges to get the lcd folded in closer (assuming
> the lcd needed to be open for the gadgets to work). A bit concerned
> of just how much cable/flexboard between the main body & lcd we'd get
> to work with. May end up splicing in a jumper cable but would need to
> open one up to know. Left it there...
I don't think any of the video cameras require the LCD door to be open to
record.
> - Lens view probably be pointing out radially and redirecting with
> prisms/mirrors although having the camera hanging out viewing rearward
> seemed possible (relatively slim profiles, still not sure what to do
> with the LCD. Left it there...
I avoided the mirror by pointing the camera directly down the side of the
rocket. I wasn't thinking about it when I picked the camera (a Polaroid
Studio 4), but the shape of it made it easier to mount this way. At least
one of the Aiptek models I've seen has the same basic shape.
> - Access to the buttons. The ample recording time makes feasible
> turning the gadget on externally, stuffing it into the payload bay,
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> would be cool but the former would get one flying quicker. Left it
> there...
I use the "start it and then put it in the payload section" method. My
camera records up to 20 minutes on a 1GB SD card (actually longer since the
image is basically static while sitting on the pad). I had some problem
making sure I didn't accidently turn it off while loading it in the rocket.
And I couldn't see the LED on the front that shows it's working while it was
on the rocket and the rocket was on the launch pad. Then, after recovering
the rocket after its last flight, I discovered that I can see the LED if I
remove the whole payload section from the rocket and look for the LED. So
now I have a better way to make sure the camera is running before I leave
the rocket at the pad.
> - Waaay out there. Use other lens components mounted externally and run
> them into the recorder via quick disconnects and pack the recorder like
> an upscaled egg. Left it there...
There are some "sports camcorders" - real camcorders, not the toy-like
cameras we're talking about here - which have the lens on a cable. They're
expensive, but probably would work well.
> - Internal mounting - Was leaning towards molded foam packing.
I used some pillow-type foam around the camera. Nothing fancy.
More info, including photos and videos at:
http://www.payloadbay.com/article-my-current-project---upscaled-cinerocomega.html
http://www.payloadbay.com/article-upscale-cineroc-takes-flight.html
-- Roger