April 25, 2009

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Two-Camera Digital Video System for Aircraft Debuts

After seven years of providing digital video services to the government, motorsports and marine sectors, Milwaukee’s Datatoys has entered the aviation market with a compact two-camera video system, the XM-DVR Pro Plus 2. The Pro Plus 2 system includes two Datatoys 580 line Sony EXView HAD CCD bullet cameras and two amplified microphones, ready to record two full channels of audio and video simultaneously (when purchased with a hard drive), either inside the cockpit or from the exterior of the aircraft. Memory cards for compact flash drives are sold separately. According to company rep Roy Dietsch, the video quality is three times that of a DVD.

The system can be used during the test-flight phase to record a flight from the cockpit, or to simply monitor the exterior of the aircraft real time. The cameras may be mounted on the belly, wing, tail or strut. Both the cameras and the shielded cabling are waterproof, which is useful for float pilots or for use in inclement weather. The cables use a positive locking system, and won’t dislodge during flight, the company says.

The system is housed in an anodized aluminum enclosure that measures 2 inches high and weighs 13 ounces. The retail price is $1997. For more information, visit Datatoys.