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DVR Feature & Quality Comparisons
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Here are the results of some tests carried out on the Chasecam PDR100, Drivedata FB2 and Drivedata DR2 Solid State video recorders.
To test for 'colour shift', which is seen when the chrominance (colour) and luminance (brightness) signals are not in sync, we printed coloured dots on a piece of card and used a motor to spin the card at various speeds. We recorded the result using a high quality composite video camera onto Mini-DV tape. This footage is our 'benchmark'. We then played out the original and recorded this signal on our test recorders. By pausing these recordings any colour shift can be clearly seen.
We can see from the results below that the Chase PDR100 has some sort of sync problem. As the original Mini-DV recording is used as the source, this test rules out any camera issues. These recordings are all made using PAL equipment throughout with the recorders configured at their highest quality settings.
These frames were grabbed at the same point from each recording and have not been altered in any way (click on thumbnails for full size versions).
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Original Mini-DV
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Drivedata FB2
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Chasecam PDR100
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Video Tests
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Here are Quicktime versions (MPEG4, H.264) of the original files arranged side by side as a comparison.
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FB2 Features
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- Smallest, lightest, toughest MPEG2 video recorder in the world
- Composite and S-Video (Y/C) inputs
- Highest quality recording of any MPEG2 recorder - 9500MB/s VBR mode
- Very flexible start/stop and power saving options
- Dual card & multi card versions available for increased recording time and uninterrupted recording
- Timecode options available for TV use
- High quality mic/line audio inputs with bias voltages available from FB2
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Other FB2 Clips
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Here are some more original recordings from the Drivedata FB2 Solid State video recorder.
The first clip is one lap from Brands Hatch taken from the roof of a Porsche 911 racing car. The slight cut-off in the top corners of the frame are due to the camera housing used and are not visible when viewed on a TV. This was captured using a 420 line bullet camera with a 2.9mm lens.
The second clip is recorded from a Seat Cup racing car and includes the Drivedata RTS data overlay showing speed, engine rpm, throttle and brake.
Each clip is recorded at the highest quality setting on the FB2, which produces an MPEG-2 file recorded full frame (720 x 576) at 25fps in VBR (variable bit rate) mode. This mode consumes approx 1GB of flashcard capacity per 15minutes of recording time.
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The Drivedata DR2
Although the DR2 is a 'budget' recorder, its video quality is almost identical to the FB2 and superior to the Chasecam PDR100. We have produced short test recordings at various quality settings and also compared the DR2 to the PDR100. You can download the original test files below.
Each test clip runs for approx. 17 seconds
DR2_8M.mpg - (10MB) DR2 in MPEG2 mode, HP quality setting (8MB encoding, 20min/GB) PAL
DR2_6M.mpg - (9.3MB) DR2 in MPEG2 mode, SP quality setting (6MB encoding, 30min/GB) PAL
DR2_4M.mpg - (8MB) DR2 in MPEG2 mode, LP quality setting (4MB encoding, 40min/GB) PAL
DR2_2M.mpg - (3.5MB) DR2 in MPEG2 mode, EP quality setting (2MB encoding, 60min/GB) PAL
DR2_1M.mpg - (2.4MB) DR2 in MPEG2 mode, 1M quality setting (1MB encoding, 100min/GB) PAL
DR2_8M.avi - (9.3MB) DR2 in MPEG4 mode, HP quality setting (8MB encoding, 25min/GB) PAL
DR2_6M.avi - (8.9MB) DR2 in MPEG4 mode, SP quality setting (6MB encoding, 30min/GB) PAL
DR2_4M.avi - (7.8MB) DR2 in MPEG4 mode, LP quality setting (4MB encoding, 40min/GB) PAL
DR2_2M.avi - (3.4MB) DR2 in MPEG4 mode, EP quality setting (2MB encoding, 60min/GB) PAL
DR2_1M.avi - (2.3MB) DR2 in MPEG4 mode, 1M quality setting (1MB encoding, 100min/GB) PAL
Chase8M.mpg - (18MB) Recording from a Chasecam PDR100 PAL Highest quality settings
testclip_12M.mpg - (26MB) This is the master 'reference' clip used for these tests. PAL MPEG2 25fps 720 x 576 VBR encoded approx 12MB. The clip was downsampled from High Definition samples
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