I.A.Recordings
Industrial Archaeology

MineCam & Borg

I.A.Recordings has developed several technological aids to recording industrial archaeology.
Two devices that have been very useful underground are MineCam and Borg.

MineCam

MineCam is a high-quality miniature colour video camera and light, mounted on a remote controlled pan & tilt head, which can be lowered 200m into underground cavities such as wells and mineshafts to allow remote exploration. First used in 1988, MineCam is currently in its mark 4 version.

The video output is recorded digitally at the surface and contains compass heading, depth and range information. A microphone beside the camera picks-up underground sounds, and there are channels for bat detection and dangerous gas warnings.

MineCam is used briefly in "Snailbeach" and there are several other archive recordings using it.

Borg

Developed in 1992, Borg is a high-quality miniature colour video camera and light, mounted on a Petzl caving helmet, which allows "hands-free" recording of underground exploration.

The video output is recorded on a miniature DV recorder in a backpack. The kit includes a 50W light and 90 minute battery, helmet mounted electronic viewfinder and waterproof remote control for the recorder.

Borg material is used extensively in the DVD Production 'Mongst Mines and Mine Explorers, where it gives the viewer the feeling that they are exploring underground themselves - virtual caving indeed!

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Last modified 30/03/07