PDR Upgrade? Hear me out...

FNxR3DNECK · 01-09-2021, 07:11 AM

Ok so as is VERY evident on here and in the FB groups many of us love PDR and many others think it's a waste mainly due to the poor video quality/resolution.

I've thought about this a lot but never posted about it for some reason... I wonder if it's possible to retrofit the camera and/or main unit from the new much better PDR that is available on the C8s?!?

I've seen a few posts of guys that have retrofit PDR onto their 6th gens with parts from C7s or the Caddy so in theory it could be possible with the newer C8 hardware too. I know it's a pretty lengthy and expensive job on a car that's not already equipped with PDR but it could be as "easy" as just swapping out the camera and PDR "brain" on our cars that already have it.

Any thoughts on the feasibility of this or anyone back in the states tried this yet/want to be the first to try it?!?

JSH · 01-09-2021, 07:31 AM

I wonder if my '20 PDR is any better than your '17?

3.8TransAM · 01-09-2021, 01:02 PM

I grew up watching tube tvs with rabbit ears and I now laugh in 780dpi as people complain about the resolution :-) I ordered PDI, so I like it. Video is not the main point but all the information you get from that car to overlay along with it.

SloCal · 01-09-2021, 01:28 PM

More important than the resolution is a way to get live lap times on the dash or heads up. Unbelievable we don’t have that ability

carguy55 · 01-09-2021, 05:21 PM

For me the PDR has become a secondary video/timing/data system. My Primary is my old GoPro running 1080p @ 60fps and live timing is via Racechrono Pro connected to a 10hz GPS. Just look at my latest Youtube for an example

biker2k · 01-09-2021, 08:45 PM

is there a way with post processing to clean up the video a little
(i am talking about the 720p pdr footage in our cars not of the just posted video)
looked like a lot of fun btw

FNxR3DNECK · 01-10-2021, 06:37 AM

I should also add for those of us that aren't as concerned with video quality as others there's also the other new features such as pre-programmed track maps so you don't have to constantly reset your start/finish line every time you go to a different track.

carguy55 · 01-10-2021, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FNxR3DNECK

I should also add for those of us that aren't as concerned with video quality as others there's also the other new features such as pre-programmed track maps so you don't have to constantly reset your start/finish line every time you go to a different track.

As far as remembering the strat/finish line that would be great to have a database like the timing apps but you would have to be able to add new tracks or do updates.

You can save the .map.gpx file for each track or use a different memory card for each track. This can get complicated depending on the number of tracks and directions etc. Personally I just set it on the out lap of the first session and check it at the end of the session to make sure it worked.

I made a PDR test video with some post processing and output at 1080p @60 fps.

Fast Ken · 01-11-2021, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SloCal

More important than the resolution is a way to get live lap times on the dash or heads up. Unbelievable we don’t have that ability

I cannot agree more regarding the lap times.

Also the resolution I can live with but the ability to download the video including the sound along with an option to copy/download segments of the video has evaded me (using an iMac with inc. software). I know it is possible but my Driving skills are first with my Modern technology skills being a distant second....

SloCal · 01-11-2021, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fast Ken

I cannot agree more regarding the lap times.

Also the resolution I can live with but the ability to download the video including the sound along with an option to copy/download segments of the video has evaded me (using an iMac with inc. software). I know it is possible but my Driving skills are first with my Modern technology skills being a distant second....

haha someone on here has a real easy vlc media player conversion trick takes 2 minutes to convert it to have audio on mac. I had the same problem at first.

Also pretty sure the C7 has live lap times from pdr on heads up

MatthewAMEL · 01-11-2021, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fast Ken

I cannot agree more regarding the lap times.

Also the resolution I can live with but the ability to download the video including the sound along with an option to copy/download segments of the video has evaded me (using an iMac with inc. software). I know it is possible but my Driving skills are first with my Modern technology skills being a distant second....

Here is the fix for no sound on a Mac/iPhone.

https://www.camaro6.com/forums/showthread.php?t=481051

UnknownJinX · 01-11-2021, 04:49 PM

Video quality is not the best, but the other bigger issue IMO is the wind buffeting with the audio.

I wonder if C8 has any improvement in that area.

MatthewAMEL · 01-11-2021, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by weemus

Is the C8 video quality documented to be better? 1080P?

From the C8 owners manual...

https://www.corvetteblogger.com/docs/2020-chevrolet-corvette-owners-manual.pdf

Page 137

Video Quality - Low (480p),or High (1080p).

Higher quality will result in larger recording files..
Software Information - Displays PDR Software Information and Version numbers..

SD Card Information - Size,Remaining Memory, Format, and Speed

samr350 · 01-12-2021, 09:16 PM

Ehh, 720p to 1080p isn't going to make me any faster and 720p is still more than enough quality for review. In car lap times would be far more useful. I grabbed a SOLO 2 for in car timing and I use the PDR data and video for analysis afterwards.

01-09-2021, 07:11 AM	#1
FNxR3DNECK Drives: 2017 SS 1LE Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Monterey, CA Posts: 2,474	PDR Upgrade? Hear me out... Ok so as is VERY evident on here and in the FB groups many of us love PDR and many others think it's a waste mainly due to the poor video quality/resolution. I've thought about this a lot but never posted about it for some reason... I wonder if it's possible to retrofit the camera and/or main unit from the new much better PDR that is available on the C8s?!? I've seen a few posts of guys that have retrofit PDR onto their 6th gens with parts from C7s or the Caddy so in theory it could be possible with the newer C8 hardware too. I know it's a pretty lengthy and expensive job on a car that's not already equipped with PDR but it could be as "easy" as just swapping out the camera and PDR "brain" on our cars that already have it. Any thoughts on the feasibility of this or anyone back in the states tried this yet/want to be the first to try it?!? __________________ IG: @NC_M1SS1LE

01-09-2021, 07:31 AM	#2
JSH Drives: '20 ZLE Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Mile High Posts: 3,558	I wonder if my '20 PDR is any better than your '17? __________________ '20 ZL1 1LE A10, OEM short block, LME heads/valve train, E2650. 100+ octanes, no eth, no meth, no N2O. 2/23 - 1031/1004 wheel. 4/23 - 1.41/9.61/145 at DA 7000 ft. (only made five passes). 2/24 - LME 390, E2650, FBO, 100 oct.; 1116hp/ 1063tq; 109 oct. dyno next.

01-09-2021, 01:28 PM	#4
SloCal Drives: 2018 2SS 1LE Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 302	More important than the resolution is a way to get live lap times on the dash or heads up. Unbelievable we don’t have that ability __________________ 2018 1LE 2nd 6th gen SPL Toe Arms/Brembo HTC64t/Corsa NPP/Tremec MTF Fluid

01-09-2021, 08:45 PM	#6
biker2k Drives: 2018 2ss 1le Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Huntington, NY Posts: 474	is there a way with post processing to clean up the video a little (i am talking about the 720p pdr footage in our cars not of the just posted video) looked like a lot of fun btw __________________ 2018 2ss 1le roto fab dry, Stainless works 1 7/8 lt to 3'" x pipe with highflow cats to stock npp, soler 95mm t/b, edelbrock 2300, LT4 fueling , jms bap and dsx flex fuel, 618/620 on e45 rwhp Jannetty Motorsports tuned

01-10-2021, 06:37 AM	#7
FNxR3DNECK Drives: 2017 SS 1LE Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Monterey, CA Posts: 2,474	I should also add for those of us that aren't as concerned with video quality as others there's also the other new features such as pre-programmed track maps so you don't have to constantly reset your start/finish line every time you go to a different track. __________________ IG: @NC_M1SS1LE

01-09-2021, 01:02 PM	#3
3.8TransAM Drives: SS 1LE, 89 TTA, 91 GTA, 91 Formula Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: NW IN Posts: 600	I grew up watching tube tvs with rabbit ears and I now laugh in 780dpi as people complain about the resolution :-) I ordered PDI, so I like it. Video is not the main point but all the information you get from that car to overlay along with it.

01-11-2021, 04:49 PM	#12
UnknownJinX Drives: 19 Chevrolet Camaro 2SS 1LE Shock Join Date: Apr 2020 Location: BC, Canada Posts: 1,947	Video quality is not the best, but the other bigger issue IMO is the wind buffeting with the audio. I wonder if C8 has any improvement in that area. __________________ Current: 2019 Chevrolet Camaro 2SS 1LE M6 Shock GM Performance Intake and that's it, because driver mods before car mods Past: 2009 Mazda RX-8 GT M6 Velocity Red Mica (Sold) 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z51 2LT M7 Velocity Yellow Tintcoat (Flood totaled)

01-12-2021, 09:16 PM	#14
samr350 Drives: 2017 SS 1LE Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Southern NH Posts: 138	Ehh, 720p to 1080p isn't going to make me any faster and 720p is still more than enough quality for review. In car lap times would be far more useful. I grabbed a SOLO 2 for in car timing and I use the PDR data and video for analysis afterwards.

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