Got The AV500
So, I got the Archos AV500 recorder in today and started to test it with the Archos helmet camera and was thoroughly disappointed. Upon plugging the Digital Mini-Cam into the AV500 it was immediately recognized and I could see an image on the unit ready to be recorded. This was going to be easy. The picture was fuzzy and out of focus, so I assumed it needed just a little more time to auto focus. Nope. I tried it inside and outside and everything was blurry and out of focus. Inspecting the camera closely revealed that there was no adjustment mechanism easily accessible to change the focus. So, I called Archos technical support and was informed that the camera had been discontinued. Weird, it had just come out. It appears that many people, according to various discussions online, had gotten the camera and had the same results as me. No wonder someone had returned it to us. I talked with our purchase manager and he informed me that yes, indeed, the camera had been discontinued.
Well, I was not about to let this be the end of my helmet-cam adventures, especially before I had even had any! So I contacted the nice folks at Viosport and discussed their line of cameras. They make some very nice equipment and have cable especially for the AV500. They are sending me a unit to test out. While at the Viosport website I came across a FAQ that offered many troubleshooting tips. One of them was how to adjust the camera if it was blurry or out of focus. Hmm, this sounded interesting. It said remove the end cap by unscrewing it. So, I took the Archos camera and twisted the end cap and it came right off. So far so good. Next it said to adjust the focus by rotating the lens until the image was clear. A look at the lens made it clear that it was threaded and could be rotated, but a small hex set screw was on the side preventing the lens assembly from turning. If only I had an allen wrench. Well I didn't.
A trip to Home Depot later found me with a complete set of allen wrenches of both the Standard and Metric sizes. It turns out a 1.5mm allen wrench fits nicely. After I loosened the set screw I was able to turn the lens assembly. I connect the camera to the AV500 so I could get some realtime feedback and started twisting. After twisting the lens out almost two complete turns the picture was sharp and clear. I carefully tightened the set screw and replaced the lens cover end cap. It looks like I have a working camera. So, for any of you that have bought the camera and couldn't get a clear image, you might as well try adjusting it before sending it back. I will test it tomorrow on my ride to work. It will be boring footage but should be sufficient to determine video quality.
Well, I was not about to let this be the end of my helmet-cam adventures, especially before I had even had any! So I contacted the nice folks at Viosport and discussed their line of cameras. They make some very nice equipment and have cable especially for the AV500. They are sending me a unit to test out. While at the Viosport website I came across a FAQ that offered many troubleshooting tips. One of them was how to adjust the camera if it was blurry or out of focus. Hmm, this sounded interesting. It said remove the end cap by unscrewing it. So, I took the Archos camera and twisted the end cap and it came right off. So far so good. Next it said to adjust the focus by rotating the lens until the image was clear. A look at the lens made it clear that it was threaded and could be rotated, but a small hex set screw was on the side preventing the lens assembly from turning. If only I had an allen wrench. Well I didn't.
A trip to Home Depot later found me with a complete set of allen wrenches of both the Standard and Metric sizes. It turns out a 1.5mm allen wrench fits nicely. After I loosened the set screw I was able to turn the lens assembly. I connect the camera to the AV500 so I could get some realtime feedback and started twisting. After twisting the lens out almost two complete turns the picture was sharp and clear. I carefully tightened the set screw and replaced the lens cover end cap. It looks like I have a working camera. So, for any of you that have bought the camera and couldn't get a clear image, you might as well try adjusting it before sending it back. I will test it tomorrow on my ride to work. It will be boring footage but should be sufficient to determine video quality.
posted by Ashley Guy at 8:54 PM
2 Comments:
Hey - thanks for explanations around the Archos cam. I was still tempted to try to find and buy an Archos camera (mainly because of the simplicity) and was wondering why it is not available.
The real question now is - how can a standard bullet camera (with great quality) get "enhanced" to have the start/stop button and work with an AV500? Please don't hesitate to share when you open the casing with the buttons and mic and tell us what you see being inside. :)
Greetings from Colorado,
Olli
p.s.
Andrew (www.wingover.co.uk) uses a dogcampro with a Traveler Audio Video Kit and recommends it for better quality. The camera seems to be similar to what can be bought on ebay as a 520 bullet camera for around $170. If there would be just the ability to add the start/stop functionality ... YOUR HELP is needed, please!!!
Hi,
I've just bouth an AV500 and I'm now realizing that the Archos bullet cam it's no more available. Can you please explain us how to realize a start/stop button for a standard bullet cam? I really appreciate if you can have a look at your cam and tell us how to connect.
Regards,
Andrea
Post a Comment
<< Home