Recording games with SJCAM SJ5000 WiFi action cam and LynkSpyder

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Jul 15, 2014
6
1
I've seen the LynkSpyder used with GoPro's but was not ready to invest in a GoPro yet. So I decided to try the lower cost SJCAM SJ5000 WiFi action cam (~$130 from an eBay vendor) instead and have used it to record two 14u tournaments.

This just my initial experience with using the SJ5000 WiFi with the LynkSpyder and working with the captured video. It is not really meant as a detailed product review.

Mounting on chain link fence:
The SJ5000 came with numerous mounting options and I was able use it with LynkSpyder without purchasing any additional mounts. There were no issues with mounting the SJ5000 properly to capture video. The LynkSpyder worked great.

Using external battery:
The SJ5000 can record while being charged via USB cable. I used the pouch recommended by LynkSpyder to hold the external power bank and it worked great. In order to power the SJ5000 via the external power bank, the SJ5000 requires the purchase of a 'SJCAM SJ5000 Series Waterproof Case + Car Charger for Motorcycle' (~$20). This accessory allowed me to connect the power bank to the camera via USB through the camera housing. The power bank I used was rated at 20000mAh. After recording 3 games (2+ hours each) the power bank still seem to have 75% of the charge remaining.

Video capture:
The SJ5000 WiFi can record in the following resolutions:
1080P (1920*1080 ) 30FPS
720P (1280*720) 60FPS
720P (1280*720) 30FPS
WVGA (640*480) 60FPS
The SJ5000 WiFi takes a 32GB micro sd card and the field of vision is 170 degrees.
A 2 hour game at 720P and 30FPS created files totaling about 6GB. There appears to be a 4GB file size limit. So the game was split into two files.

Thoughts on video quality:
Since the camera focus is fixed, following plays in the infield is not a problem. Following plays in the outfield are a little harder due to the distance. To me the video quality is OK given the limitations of the camera.

*note on audio quality - The level of audio being recorded is kind of low. It is not a issue for me as I'm more concerned with the video.

Post processing video:
I was able to get rid of the fish eye effect using a video editing program. This process also removes some of the video at the edges. Due to the wide field of vision, no action was compromised in the videos. I was also able to export the video via software as DVD compatible video files and create DVD's that worked in a home DVD player.
It took me about 40 minutes to cut out the dead time between innings and add some text to indicate innings for a game. It took me 6+ hours to put together a 30 minute highlight video from 8 games. Still learning to edit videos and use the video editing program properly.

Overall, I'm happy with my setup and the videos. I'm going to stick with this current setup through the fall. I may upgrade to a GoPro next year.
 

Josh Greer

DFP Vendor
Jul 31, 2013
934
93
Central Missouri
Thanks for the update.

While we tend to lean to the GoPro side of things, it is important to note that many of the issues/cons you mention above exist on the GoPro as well. GoPro will split up the files when the max sized is reached (they call it chaptering). Additionally, unless you use a non waterproof case, audio is pretty poor as well. Lastly, because of the wide angle, not even the top of the line GoPro Hero 4 Black will produce great quality detail from the outfield (unless you shoot at 4K...but that's just a crazy amount of video to have to post process)

If possible, we would love some pictures of the SJ on a fence (on our bracket of course) to put it on our website and social media channels. Video samples would be great as well.
 
Oct 10, 2011
3,117
0
I've seen the LynkSpyder used with GoPro's but was not ready to invest in a GoPro yet. So I decided to try the lower cost SJCAM SJ5000 WiFi action cam (~$130 from an eBay vendor) instead and have used it to record two 14u tournaments.

This just my initial experience with using the SJ5000 WiFi with the LynkSpyder and working with the captured video. It is not really meant as a detailed product review.

Mounting on chain link fence:
The SJ5000 came with numerous mounting options and I was able use it with LynkSpyder without purchasing any additional mounts. There were no issues with mounting the SJ5000 properly to capture video. The LynkSpyder worked great.

Using external battery:
The SJ5000 can record while being charged via USB cable. I used the pouch recommended by LynkSpyder to hold the external power bank and it worked great. In order to power the SJ5000 via the external power bank, the SJ5000 requires the purchase of a 'SJCAM SJ5000 Series Waterproof Case + Car Charger for Motorcycle' (~$20). This accessory allowed me to connect the power bank to the camera via USB through the camera housing. The power bank I used was rated at 20000mAh. After recording 3 games (2+ hours each) the power bank still seem to have 75% of the charge remaining.

Video capture:
The SJ5000 WiFi can record in the following resolutions:
1080P (1920*1080 ) 30FPS
720P (1280*720) 60FPS
720P (1280*720) 30FPS
WVGA (640*480) 60FPS
The SJ5000 WiFi takes a 32GB micro sd card and the field of vision is 170 degrees.
A 2 hour game at 720P and 30FPS created files totaling about 6GB. There appears to be a 4GB file size limit. So the game was split into two files.

Thoughts on video quality:
Since the camera focus is fixed, following plays in the infield is not a problem. Following plays in the outfield are a little harder due to the distance. To me the video quality is OK given the limitations of the camera.

*note on audio quality - The level of audio being recorded is kind of low. It is not a issue for me as I'm more concerned with the video.

Post processing video:
I was able to get rid of the fish eye effect using a video editing program. This process also removes some of the video at the edges. Due to the wide field of vision, no action was compromised in the videos. I was also able to export the video via software as DVD compatible video files and create DVD's that worked in a home DVD player.
It took me about 40 minutes to cut out the dead time between innings and add some text to indicate innings for a game. It took me 6+ hours to put together a 30 minute highlight video from 8 games. Still learning to edit videos and use the video editing program properly.

Overall, I'm happy with my setup and the videos. I'm going to stick with this current setup through the fall. I may upgrade to a GoPro next year.
I recently purchased this setup and tried last night for the first time. I have a lot of learning to do but this post sure does help. I'm really pleased with the video but I forgot to change the setup and it turned off every 3 minutes. I was fortunate it was on for DD's first at bat before it kicked off the first time.
If you have anymore tips, let me know:)
 
Mar 20, 2015
115
0
NW Az
I just picked up a LynkSpyder from Josh and will be using a Cyclopsgear GX2 Action camera. I have the camera mounted (it comes with all the mounts) and am excited to record some practices this week.
 
Oct 10, 2011
3,117
0
I've seen the LynkSpyder used with GoPro's but was not ready to invest in a GoPro yet. So I decided to try the lower cost SJCAM SJ5000 WiFi action cam (~$130 from an eBay vendor) instead and have used it to record two 14u tournaments.

This just my initial experience with using the SJ5000 WiFi with the LynkSpyder and working with the captured video. It is not really meant as a detailed product review.

Mounting on chain link fence:
The SJ5000 came with numerous mounting options and I was able use it with LynkSpyder without purchasing any additional mounts. There were no issues with mounting the SJ5000 properly to capture video. The LynkSpyder worked great.

Using external battery:
The SJ5000 can record while being charged via USB cable. I used the pouch recommended by LynkSpyder to hold the external power bank and it worked great. In order to power the SJ5000 via the external power bank, the SJ5000 requires the purchase of a 'SJCAM SJ5000 Series Waterproof Case + Car Charger for Motorcycle' (~$20). This accessory allowed me to connect the power bank to the camera via USB through the camera housing. The power bank I used was rated at 20000mAh. After recording 3 games (2+ hours each) the power bank still seem to have 75% of the charge remaining.

Video capture:
The SJ5000 WiFi can record in the following resolutions:
1080P (1920*1080 ) 30FPS
720P (1280*720) 60FPS
720P (1280*720) 30FPS
WVGA (640*480) 60FPS
The SJ5000 WiFi takes a 32GB micro sd card and the field of vision is 170 degrees.
A 2 hour game at 720P and 30FPS created files totaling about 6GB. There appears to be a 4GB file size limit. So the game was split into two files.

Thoughts on video quality:
Since the camera focus is fixed, following plays in the infield is not a problem. Following plays in the outfield are a little harder due to the distance. To me the video quality is OK given the limitations of the camera.

*note on audio quality - The level of audio being recorded is kind of low. It is not a issue for me as I'm more concerned with the video.

Post processing video:
I was able to get rid of the fish eye effect using a video editing program. This process also removes some of the video at the edges. Due to the wide field of vision, no action was compromised in the videos. I was also able to export the video via software as DVD compatible video files and create DVD's that worked in a home DVD player.
It took me about 40 minutes to cut out the dead time between innings and add some text to indicate innings for a game. It took me 6+ hours to put together a 30 minute highlight video from 8 games. Still learning to edit videos and use the video editing program properly.

Overall, I'm happy with my setup and the videos. I'm going to stick with this current setup through the fall. I may upgrade to a GoPro next year.

Which editing program did you use?
 

Josh Greer

DFP Vendor
Jul 31, 2013
934
93
Central Missouri
itguy,

Do you have any sort of update?

I was wondering if the SJ5000 had something that made you go for it over the SJ4000. There's about a $50 difference there and I can't really see why.

BH Photo does a pretty good job of letting you compare cameras. Here's a link that lays the specs of each side by side:
Compare SJCAM SJ5000 vs SJCAM SJ4000 | B&H Photo

From my perspective, the ability to record 60 frames per second as well as the ISO adjustments make the 5000 a better camera for recording games.
 
I wound up getting an SJCam 4000. It has worked fine with the same resolution as the 5000 that I could see.

I paid about $75 for mine with Amazon Prime. A $20 power bank, a couple micro SD cards and a Lynkspyder and I was good to go.

I still have to work out some issues for my particular liking, but a good setup. I used the stuff that came with the SJCam to mount it.

I did cause an uproar this past weekend at a local USSSA tournament. The opposing coach stopped the game twice with the ump on the field going to the UIC to get clarification. Even after he came back, opposing HC kept chirping the whole time. Only issue in 2 tournaments.
 

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