Hey guys, need a little help here.One of my hobbies is to make aviation videos. I'd like to restart making them again since I stopped two years ago, but this time I'd like to take on board footage along with aircraft intercomm and ATC sound.The method I plan to use is this: Sony Bloggie camera on a window suction mount and/or a clamp assembly to attach the camera anywhere in the cockpit. Sound will be recorded via a commercial MP3 recorder connected to my headset. The thing with this arrangement is that since the signal to power the headset is too strong for the MP3 recorder the sound will be distorted and I've been told to buy an adapter cable for that. So here are my options:http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/avpages/recordingCable.phphttp://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/avpages/StereoVideoPatchCable.phpI don't know whether either one of those will work, so before I part with my money I'd like to know if anyone has ever successfully done what I'm planning to do here. Any help is appreciated.Best regards

We made one at RadioShack that plugged into the outlet and pigtailed into another big headset plug female for my headset and then it was a 3.5 male that went into my Kodak playtouch. I would recommend buying a go pro hero2.

I simply used a small digital voice recorder (similar to: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16873109029) which I plugged in to a spare intercom jack on the airplane using a product similar to the first one you linked.Here is an old example of one of the flights I did. Had someone holding the camera... Before the days I learned of RAM suction mounts. :)http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3021085608139708106Good luck!

Hey guys, need a little help here.One of my hobbies is to make aviation videos. I'd like to restart making them again since I stopped two years ago, but this time I'd like to take on board footage along with aircraft intercomm and ATC sound.The method I plan to use is this: Sony Bloggie camera on a window suction mount and/or a clamp assembly to attach the camera anywhere in the cockpit. Sound will be recorded via a commercial MP3 recorder connected to my headset. The thing with this arrangement is that since the signal to power the headset is too strong for the MP3 recorder the sound will be distorted and I've been told to buy an adapter cable for that. So here are my options:http://www.aircrafts...ordingCable.phphttp://www.aircrafts...oPatchCable.phpI don't know whether either one of those will work, so before I part with my money I'd like to know if anyone has ever successfully done what I'm planning to do here. Any help is appreciated.Best regards

http://www.aircrafts...ordingCable.phpThat one^. It works on both mono and stereo recording inputs. I use it in my GoPro Hero 2. Works nicely, and I just use it in the intercom port on the side the camera is on to avoid irritating cable issues.There's another one with a similar price that has a springy chord, but I can't find it right now.

Edited January 23, 201214 yr by ZachLW

I would recommend buying a go pro hero2.

I decided to buy the Bloggie because I had the opportunity to use a GoPro Hero Original for a couple of days and the ambient noise it records has a bad quality compared to the Bloggie. Haven't bought the Bloggie yet though

I simply used a small digital voice recorder (similar to: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16873109029) which I plugged in to a spare intercom jack on the airplane using a product similar to the first one you linked.Here is an old example of one of the flights I did. Had someone holding the camera... Before the days I learned of RAM suction mounts. :)http://video.google....085608139708106Good luck!

That's exactly what I want to do, that's the kind of recorder I want to buy. I heard a Morse code identifier somewhere on that video, so I assume the method you used also records intercom?

Works nicely, and I just use it in the intercom port on the side the camera is on to avoid irritating cable issues.

Sorry, I didn't quite get that bit. It's been a long day for me and English is not my native language. I understand you record the intercom/ATC audio directly to the camera, so I figure you don't record ambient sound unless you have an external mic or something. Can you clarify that bit for me please? :blush:By the way, I wrote Aircraft Spruce with basically the same description in my OP and they told me this is the one that would do the job: http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/pspages/patchcord.phpAlso, maybe noteworthy to mention that the aircraft I fly doesn't have additional intercom jacks; just two: pilot and copilot, both of them are used in all flights.Any new inputs in the light of this new info?Thanks to all for the replies! :D

Sorry, I didn't quite get that bit. It's been a long day for me and English is not my native language. I understand you record the intercom/ATC audio directly to the camera, so I figure you don't record ambient sound unless you have an external mic or something. Can you clarify that bit for me please? :(

Sorry Ed. To clarify: The cables can be a pain, so I put the patch cord in an unused port near the camera.I record ambient in the Cub, and for anything else I record intercom unless I put the camera on the exterior.

Yeah the built in mic is horrible with the hero series. Using the microphone jack with a qualty input or microphone is much better. My friend records audio and video separately but I record it all on the camera because there is usually very little you get from recording ambient noise from the cockpit with the camera. Plus you don't need high quality voice for atc because it isnt a quality broadcast in the first place. The only time that it would matter about high quality would be if there was xm radio over the intercom system.Also, when you get your recordings started always do tests on intercom volume. What happens in most small airplanes is that people have their headset volumes tuned all the way up and adjust the intercom and radios volume to comfort. What I suggest is to adjust radios and intercom volume so that it is acceptable for the recording and then turn down headset volume so it isn't deafening.Good luck and post some videos for us.

That's exactly what I want to do, that's the kind of recorder I want to buy. I heard a Morse code identifier somewhere on that video, so I assume the method you used also records intercom?

Yes. It was plugged into one of the intercom jacks in the backseat.

By the way, I wrote Aircraft Spruce with basically the same description in my OP and they told me this is the one that would do the job: http://www.aircrafts...s/patchcord.phpAlso, maybe noteworthy to mention that the aircraft I fly doesn't have additional intercom jacks; just two: pilot and copilot, both of them are used in all flights.Any new inputs in the light of this new info?

The solution is relatively easy. Use the cable that Aircraft Spruce recommended. Plug it either directly into your video camera external mic input, or into a digital voice recorder. My recommendation would be to use a digital voice recorder. The one I had had an option that you just press record, and it would only actively record if there was something on the line. So, all the silent periods were not recorded which greatly increases the length of recording (unless you constantly talk on the intercom during your flight). I was able to get 3-4 hour flights on a single recording, and it has the added educational benefit to dump the recording to an MP3 and listen to it in the car to see if there are things you could have done better/more efficient with your comms.Good luck.

I'll get this last cable then and I think I'll buy the digital recorder, since it records in MP3, it is definitely easier to merge with the video later while editing. About the sound issue, with the GoPro, the thing is that I fly a turboprop and the noise it makes at certain stages of the flight is just superb and I want to capture that. Besides as an aviation videographer I cannot dismiss ambient sound, it's a package deal for me. I know the GoPro is superior as far as image quality goes, but the Bloggie gives better balance since it has greater sound quality and image is also good.Thanks all for the replies

Do your research on the voice recorder.. I just pulled that one off newegg as an example as I couldn't find the model I had. The MP3 isn't really as important as finding one that will not record during silent periods (you can always convert to MP3 post-processing later).Have fun and look forward to your videos!

I'll get this last cable then and I think I'll buy the digital recorder, since it records in MP3, it is definitely easier to merge with the video later while editing. About the sound issue, with the GoPro, the thing is that I fly a turboprop and the noise it makes at certain stages of the flight is just superb and I want to capture that. Besides as an aviation videographer I cannot dismiss ambient sound, it's a package deal for me. I know the GoPro is superior as far as image quality goes, but the Bloggie gives better balance since it has greater sound quality and image is also good.Thanks all for the replies

Which turbo prop do you fly? The ony turboprop I can stand is the dash-8

RedSpinnaker: Noted!

Which turbo prop do you fly? The ony turboprop I can stand is the dash-8

It's actually its little sister, the mighty Twin Otter :)

Very cool! That is quiet a STOL beast.