Roving Battle Cam

Posted September 12, 2002

Roving Battle Cam By Michael Giuffrida

Dear X10,

Many people have mounted their XCam2's onto remote-controlled vehicles, and watched things happen from their remote-controlled car/airplane/etc. However, I found a whole new way to use the XCam2 & battery pack with my remote controlled car.

First, I attached the camera and battery pack to the car using lots of rubber bands in just the right places, since I didn't want to permanently screw the XCam2 onto the car (screw holes would be very noticeable on my remote controlled car after I remove the camera!).

Then, I set up a battlefield of army men. I put the car at the "start," right in front of some barbed wire. My mission: to leave no "man" or structure standing. How?

I found 2 fun ways to use my remote controlled car with the camera:

1. I made sure my VCR was hooked up to my VR31A, and started the VCR recording. Then, I went downstairs to where my battlefield was, and stood behind the car. Then, I used the remote control that came with the vehicle and moved the vehicle around. After about a minute, all men and structures were down. Mission successful! Then, I played the tape on my TV, and watched the whole thing again, but from the car's perspective. The army men almost looked like real men, but a little...green.

2. Another fun way to use it was to watch the battle LIVE on my TV. I stood in front of my TV, and used the picture the camera transmitted to steer my car. That was even more fun!

PS: I could also use Method 2 to scare my sisters with my "haunted car!" I wouldn't be anywhere in sight, but I could steer the car perfectly.

Now if only X10 could create a "Universal Remote Control" that works with remote-controlled cars!

*Note: all pictures submitted were taken with a digital camera-they're not pictures taken through my XCam2, since I don't have any computer interfaces & software...yet!

Sincerely,
Michael Giuffrida, age 12

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