What's the simplest, cheapest way for me to video myself erging?

[Ombrax]

I'm not quite a Luddite, but I suppose some might argue that I am.

I don't have a tablet computer, no video recorder, nor a smart phone with a large screen, just two flip phones that haven't been used in ages with screens that probably aren't large enough to use for this purpose.

Anything that requires fancy software downloaded from the web is probably out, because at home I only have a dial-up connection that's typically around 40 kbps.

So other than borrowing a tablet from a friend, what's the cheapest option that will do the job?

If it's something that can only be used for this purpose I probably don't want to spend more than $50.

If I can also do stuff like play games such as chess, Go, or free-cell, then I might be willing to pay a bit more, assuming it wouldn't take days to download the freeware off the web.

(Another option is to hook up with the St Louis Rowing Club (I think they have indoor training sessions during the winter) but to keep things simple and not submit myself to the humiliation of examination from "real" rowers, I'd rather just do it myself.)

TIA

[Ripples]

Amazon is selling its Fire tablet for $50. Has a camera and WiFi. You can visit your local library, coffee shop, etc for a free WIFi connection for any downloads you want.

[Ombrax]

Thanks for the lead.

"Fire HD 8 features a 2 MP rear-facing camera for taking photos or shooting 720p video."

Not to get picky (at this price) but Is 720p decent? (I have no clue what's good and what's horrible.)

[Citroen]

720 progressive is 720 vertical pixels.

HD is 1080p
4K is often 2160p

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/4K_resolution has a good comparison chart.

720p is good enough for what you're trying to create.

[smokersteve]

Do you have a point n shoot camera?
I started recording my rowing using a 10 year old camera. Works great and at least now it’s getting used for something.

[Ombrax]

Do you have a point n shoot camera?

I do have one (actually two) but the screen is pretty teeny, so if I wanted to see much I'd have to download the files to something with a larger display.

[smokersteve]

Do you have a point n shoot camera?

I do have one (actually two) but the screen is pretty teeny, so if I wanted to see much I'd have to download the files to something with a larger display.

I just take the SD card out and watch it on my computer

[Ombrax]

Amazon is selling its Fire tablet for $50. Has a camera and WiFi. You can visit your local library, coffee shop, etc for a free WIFi connection for any downloads you want.

Just ordered ^^^^ this. $53.xx with tax and free shipping.

I'll have to kludge up something to support it, but other than that, it should work well.

I'll see if the gym I currently use will allow me to video myself there (it's at work, and in general taking pics and videos is a big no-no, but I may be able to get them to give me a one or two-time OK) and if they say "No" I'll dust off my Model C at home and take the videos there.

Thanks to all who replied to my questions.

[Ripples]

It should work pretty well. I’ve used my iPad for the same purpose. You’ll just need to prop it up with something and make sure the camera is aimed correctly.