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PROJECTS

Cameras

CVS Camcorder

The CVS camcorder is a solid-state video recorder with programmable video size and capture speed. The default allows for 384x288 screen size at 30fps and 127kbps, which yields a nominal record time of 20 minutes.

A number of modifications are needed to allow it to be used for rocket applications.

FIRST and foremost - must be able to unlock the camera, then -

1) add a pushbutton switch to initiate sequence to power ON and start RECORD

2) add a pushbutton switch to abort recording and shutdown camera

3) add a pushbutton switch to manually turn ON/OFF camera

4) add a pushbutton switch to manually DELETE recording

5) add timer to stop recording at a preset time option selectable between 20 minutes, 10 minutes and 4 minutes

6) add standard usb connector for pc interfacing

All of the information used to develop this interface circuit and reprogram the CVS camcorder was provided by http://camerahacks.10.forumer.com. Without this help, this project would not have been possible.

The referenced website also provides the tools necessary to:

Change the video resolution

Change splash screen images

Change bite rate (controls compression)

Change time delay for shutdown (max 255 seconds)

NOTE: Resolution/bite rate changes will change the amount of record time available.

There are four different models currently available from CVS:

M100 - UNUSEABLE at this time>

M200 - lower quality imager than M220/M230, hass better IR capability - older coach 7 encoder chip, 640x480 with 256kbps appears to max out the abilities of the encoder - CCD assembly is a removeable module and may be moved with a cable assembly

M220 - best overall imager - older Coach 7 encooder chip

M230 - slightly lower quality imager to M220 - uses newer coach 8 encoder, 640x480 with 1024kbps is incredible - limited to 4 minutes record time

There is a version available from target which has 4 times the memory (M225) allowing 640x480 with 512kbps and 30 minutes record time, it also costs 80-130 dollars vs 20 dollars for the cvs camcorder and would require a different interface controller.

Camera design used for Saturn V on-board video:

First generation - allows external trigger to turn on, start record and stop record after preset interval.

Camera design used for Fatboy on-board video:

second generation - allows for slide switch to turn on, second slide switch for start record and stop record after preset interval.

Current camera design for on-board video - internal:

third generation - provides four pushbutton inputs: START, ABORT, ON/OFF, DELETE. The pushbuttons are accessible from the front without opening the avionics bay.

Current Camera design for on-board video - external:

third generation - provides four pushbutton inputs: START, ABORT, ON/OFF, DELETE. The pushbuttons are accessible from the front without opening the avionics bay.

Software Design-

initialize controller resources

check options

check status to record

start record, start timer

check timer, check abort

timer expired - stop record

abort selected - stop record, reset timer, turn off camera

Schematic-