Help With Underwater Video Recording please :)

[bbuser]

I am a swim coach and I work with a team and we like to record ourselves swimming underwater and then put it on DVD for review.

I had been using a method where I ran a webcam inside a waterproof otterbox which I secured a PVC pole into the top of (to run the cord out of) and plugged it into my laptop. It worked well because I didn't have to worry about power running out or storage on a card, and it let me view what was being captured live from on deck ("the dry side!") (and which holding an underwater camera like a gopro underwater doesnt allow).

But the problem was quality. Although a 1080P camera, the resolution with the program I used to capture it (Windows Movie Maker) was very bad. Does anyone know a way to improve this or an entirely different method of accomplishing our goal with higher quality and a low cost? I need to have the camera in the pool and see what I'm recording from on deck and then be able to make it a DVD that looks nice. Thoughts?

I see the GoPro doesnt stream wifi well underwater, which is a total bummer because it could have been "THE" answer

 

[3D diver]

Here's a GoPro option:

Hero3 Underwater SD Video Out Housing GoPro

 

[00wabbit]

Only problem with that is RCA cable only give standard def. Not HD.

 

[bbuser]

Yes, would LOVE HD if possible.
That case seems super cool, even though it's only RCA, but I can't plug that into my PC for easy recording, so that wouldn't work either. I think with that I'd have to plug it into an actual camera, record to the tape, then off load tape to PC, then onto DVD?

 

[3D diver]

Gotta read the fine print (and obviously I didn't the first time):

We also make an HDMI video out version

http://www.eyeofmineactioncameras.com/GoPro_Hero3_Underwater_HDMI_Video_Out_Housing_p/euvh-3h.htm

I'd contact them to see what they really can do.

 

[dfx]

Try VLC for viewing/capturing the webcam video stream. If the camera supports 1080p then VLC should be able to utilize that.

 

[diversteve]

Are you getting a high enough quality image at the laptop? If so I suspect your problem might be WMM limitations. If you're not seeing a quality video stream at the laptop now - there is a theoretical limit to the quality of USB video sent over a cable before it starts to degrade. IIRC it's 16'. So you may need something like this: Sewell USB 2.0 Active Extension Cable, 32 ft (10m) - SW-29500, $22.95

If it looks good just viewing it in real time then:

$50 buys a better capture/editing program like
Pinnacle Systems - Product summary - Studio 16

Import your videos and photos manually or automatically from virtually any device—camcorders, digital cameras, webcams

or Sony Movie Studio 11 Technical Specifications - there's a free trial to see if it works.

Either of these assume the laptop is new/fast enough to process the HD stream also.

My other question is is the otterbox case itself degrading the quality? That wouldn't be my first choice to shoot video thru.

Does the 25'/40' max cable limitation on the GoPro HDMI housing work for your application? There are HDMI extenders but they're powered. Most convert to Cat5 so distance isn't usually a factor.

Any chance of getting a substantial grant? If so: http://www.gateshousings.com/housings/hmr10-hck10-pov-housing/