GoPro HD Hero Camera

Wesley J · 12-23-2009, 02:49 PM

Picked one up at the mall of all places today. If it wasn't for all of this white crap on the ground I'd put some video up.

Is there an official thread for the camera? My searches show nothing.

I'm currently playing with Sony Vegas 9.0, attempting to burn some BD's to try out down in the home theatre.

Wes

GB · 12-23-2009, 02:52 PM

I haven't seen a detailed review thread on this forum on the HD version.

Just be sure you have a compatible SD memory card, i.e. a high speed one or your HD video will be jittery.

Looking forward to seeing sample videos.. This camera is on my want list.

Wesley J · 12-23-2009, 04:21 PM

Lets rename this the official thread then. I'll take some shots of the contents of the box and upload some video tonight as well as my first impressions. Some outdoor video on the dog sled is in order. Yes, all of us Canacks have dog sleds.

I was successful in authoring the 1080p content to a 1080i BluRay (on DVD) that will play in both my PS3 and BD player.

This is gonna be good!

Wesley J

FrankS · 12-23-2009, 04:41 PM

The sample videos on their website look much better (sharper, more vibrant colors) than the sample videos on VHoldR’s website. I’ve almost ordered a VHoldR but now I think the GoProHD Hero is the much better camera

Looking forward to your review.

Regards

Frank

Wesley J · 12-23-2009, 05:06 PM

OK, so here are some pics of what came out of the package.

Waterproof case to 60 m
Different case door to facilitate better sound w/o wind noise
Suction base
3 - Flat bases
2 - Curved bases
2 - Camera bases
1 - Side of the helmet thinga ma jig
Cables

Supposedly you need to use a class 4 or better memory card in order to record the 960p or better as the data rate is too high for the slower cards. I tested a class 6 Patriot card (el cheapo) and it work swimmingly.

I haven't used one of these before but changing the settings is like masturbating with a cheese grater, you're happy when its over for a variety of reasons.... I'll try to memorize which video settings I want and leave it at that. Actually, there is one really cool feature, it'll take pictures continuoulsy at a prescribed interval. With my luck it'd take a picture before, then after a crash and miss a shot of that really hot chick that caused it all.....

The video quality is actually quite good. With 1920x1080p actual pixel resolution you'd expect the sharpness to be good and it is. The colors are fairly well saturated, almost as good as my Sony HDV camera (1080i). Motion artifacts are minimal as well. FYI, I'm reviewing the unedited video on a speedy machine attached to a reasonably good 1200p 24" LCD monitor as well as my 1080p DLP highly calibrated home theater projector (110"). I'm a bit of a video geek and like to think I know what to look for.

Tommorrow I'll go dog sledding with my helmet on a come back with some video. I'll shoot some in the different resolutions and frame rates and find a place to upload them. I'd flash them and put them on my blog but you guys would murder me with bandwidth charges.....

Oh ya, I did a test shoot in the house just to play with the format. I had it set to 1080p and ended up with files that were 1.2 MB/second so my 16 GB card will hold ~ 16000/1.2/60=3.5 hours. I know, I know, some geek will correct my math but its close enough for me. Also, I'm not sure if the encoder chip with increase/decrease bit rate based on encoding complexity (most do) so file size may vary with increased motion. We'll see tomorrow.

Anyway, shoot me questions and I'll do my best to answer.

Wesley J

Pics:

Contents

Front

Side

Rear

Da udder side

Lithium Ion Rechargable!!!

Curved helmet mounts

Flat Mounts

Suction base

Rear hatch to let more sound in

afmracer · 12-23-2009, 10:23 PM

This camera is definitely on my list! The quality of footage seems unreal. Should add a whole new dimension to many rider's Ride Reports.

GB · 12-24-2009, 06:31 AM

Is this the motorsports version? Besides mounting it on the helmet, which mount would you use to mount to a bike?

Something else, what does one do with the HD content?

I suppose you need a blu-ray burner which is currently big bucks. You're saying you can burn HD content on a regular DVD-R?

Where did you buy it?

munchmeister · 12-24-2009, 09:12 AM

I'm waiting for them to announce the promised "LCD Bakpak" or whatever it is called. Supposedly it is an add on that will allow you to actually see what you are recording, which is a great help. Using the ridiculous "viewfinder" is also as painful as the aforementioned self flagellation exercise mentioned by the OP.

Then, of course, I will have to buy a new $1200 computer and multi terrabyte RAID system, to actually be able to edit the HD files.

I'm still waiting for the ice floe in my street to thaw so I can try out my iPod Nano 5G video, attached to my helmet with an iPod armband.

Wesley J · 12-24-2009, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gadget Boy

Is this the motorsports version? Besides mounting it on the helmet, which mount would you use to mount to a bike?

Something else, what does one do with the HD content?

I suppose you need a blu-ray burner which is currently big bucks. You're saying you can burn HD content on a regular DVD-R?

Where did you buy it?

Most of the clips that I've seen or taken i the past are relatively short, say 10 minutes max. You can easily author it to a regular DVD in BD format. The players dont look to see what kind of media it is, just the file structure so my players simply think the disc is a BD.

Alternatively, you can record in the lowest res (16:6 480P) and rip to DVD. You could do this from within Winders movie maker. Windows 7 does a very nice job of it.

Sony PS3 plays in nicely off of my machine upstairs over the network.

The junktastic POS AppleTV would likely let out the magic smoke if I tried to get it to play the 720p, but I'll give it a try. Any excuse to rid my house of crApple hardware....

Storage and PC power: Drives are virtually free these days, heck I cant even give away a few 300 GB IDE drives I have.... I keep them around for off site backups now.

1TB = $80 CND. Lets say I take and hour of video per ride, or about 5 GB. That'd be 200 rides before it'd be full prior to getting rid of all the bad footage.

Although it is h.264, my machine (3 years old) sits at ~30% when playing back the 1080p files.

Wes

Wesley J · 12-24-2009, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gadget Boy

Where did you buy it?

I was at the new mall in Calgary

and there was a little KIOSK selling them. The parent company is fusionracing.com (http://fusionracing.com/index1.html). $369.

Wes

Wesley J · 12-24-2009, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gadget Boy

Is this the motorsports version? Besides mounting it on the helmet, which mount would you use to mount to a bike?

One of these times I'll actually answer all of the questions in one post...

Mine is the motorsports version. I'm going to build a bike mount once I get my new bike next month. They do sell a handlebar mount though. Helmet mount for now.

Wes

RichardU · 12-24-2009, 10:27 AM

Here is a sample (2.5 min) shot in 720p. I'll be glad to answer questions.

http://vimeo.com/7878885

husky123 · 12-24-2009, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichardU

Here is a sample (2.5 min) shot in 720p. I'll be glad to answer questions.

http://vimeo.com/7878885

Very nice quality! I'm impressed. Great edit too Richard!

afmracer · 12-25-2009, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichardU

Here is a sample (2.5 min) shot in 720p. I'll be glad to answer questions.

http://vimeo.com/7878885

It looks very compressed amirite? The samples on their site and on Vimeo look much cleaner. Sweet ride btw

Z0RR0 · 12-25-2009, 03:01 PM

Does it have the standard camera mount at the bottom? Like most any camera has? It seems it doesn't ...

12-23-2009, 02:49 PM	#1
Wesley J ^OP Hoser Joined: Jul 2008 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Oddometer: 612	"The Official" GoPro HD Hero Camera Picked one up at the mall of all places today. If it wasn't for all of this white crap on the ground I'd put some video up. Is there an official thread for the camera? My searches show nothing. I'm currently playing with Sony Vegas 9.0, attempting to burn some BD's to try out down in the home theatre. Wes __________________ Burren Rider: "It's the kind of power that leaves your hands shaking after a spirited run and makes you feel like wearing your undies on the outside, super hero style." '07 KTM 990 Adventure '10 KTM 300 XC-W Wesley J screwed with this post 12-23-2009 at 05:23 PM Reason: Eliminate more threads on same subject

12-23-2009, 02:52 PM	#2
GB Mod Squad Joined: Aug 2002 Location: Toronto, ON Oddometer: 53,498	I haven't seen a detailed review thread on this forum on the HD version. Just be sure you have a compatible SD memory card, i.e. a high speed one or your HD video will be jittery. Looking forward to seeing sample videos.. This camera is on my want list. __________________ ADV decals, patches & flag? Here

12-23-2009, 04:21 PM	#3
Wesley J ^OP Hoser Joined: Jul 2008 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Oddometer: 612	Lets rename this the official thread then. I'll take some shots of the contents of the box and upload some video tonight as well as my first impressions. Some outdoor video on the dog sled is in order. Yes, all of us Canacks have dog sleds. I was successful in authoring the 1080p content to a 1080i BluRay (on DVD) that will play in both my PS3 and BD player. This is gonna be good! Wesley J __________________ Burren Rider: "It's the kind of power that leaves your hands shaking after a spirited run and makes you feel like wearing your undies on the outside, super hero style." '07 KTM 990 Adventure '10 KTM 300 XC-W

12-23-2009, 05:06 PM	#5
Wesley J ^OP Hoser Joined: Jul 2008 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Oddometer: 612	OK, so here are some pics of what came out of the package. Waterproof case to 60 m Different case door to facilitate better sound w/o wind noise Suction base 3 - Flat bases 2 - Curved bases 2 - Camera bases 1 - Side of the helmet thinga ma jig Cables Supposedly you need to use a class 4 or better memory card in order to record the 960p or better as the data rate is too high for the slower cards. I tested a class 6 Patriot card (el cheapo) and it work swimmingly. I haven't used one of these before but changing the settings is like masturbating with a cheese grater, you're happy when its over for a variety of reasons.... I'll try to memorize which video settings I want and leave it at that. Actually, there is one really cool feature, it'll take pictures continuoulsy at a prescribed interval. With my luck it'd take a picture before, then after a crash and miss a shot of that really hot chick that caused it all..... The video quality is actually quite good. With 1920x1080p actual pixel resolution you'd expect the sharpness to be good and it is. The colors are fairly well saturated, almost as good as my Sony HDV camera (1080i). Motion artifacts are minimal as well. FYI, I'm reviewing the unedited video on a speedy machine attached to a reasonably good 1200p 24" LCD monitor as well as my 1080p DLP highly calibrated home theater projector (110"). I'm a bit of a video geek and like to think I know what to look for. Tommorrow I'll go dog sledding with my helmet on a come back with some video. I'll shoot some in the different resolutions and frame rates and find a place to upload them. I'd flash them and put them on my blog but you guys would murder me with bandwidth charges..... Oh ya, I did a test shoot in the house just to play with the format. I had it set to 1080p and ended up with files that were 1.2 MB/second so my 16 GB card will hold ~ 16000/1.2/60=3.5 hours. I know, I know, some geek will correct my math but its close enough for me. Also, I'm not sure if the encoder chip with increase/decrease bit rate based on encoding complexity (most do) so file size may vary with increased motion. We'll see tomorrow. Anyway, shoot me questions and I'll do my best to answer. Wesley J Pics: Contents Front Side Rear Da udder side Lithium Ion Rechargable!!! Curved helmet mounts Flat Mounts Suction base Rear hatch to let more sound in __________________ Burren Rider: "It's the kind of power that leaves your hands shaking after a spirited run and makes you feel like wearing your undies on the outside, super hero style." '07 KTM 990 Adventure '10 KTM 300 XC-W Wesley J screwed with this post 12-23-2009 at 11:10 PM

12-24-2009, 06:31 AM	#7
GB Mod Squad Joined: Aug 2002 Location: Toronto, ON Oddometer: 53,498	Is this the motorsports version? Besides mounting it on the helmet, which mount would you use to mount to a bike? Something else, what does one do with the HD content? I suppose you need a blu-ray burner which is currently big bucks. You're saying you can burn HD content on a regular DVD-R? Where did you buy it? __________________ ADV decals, patches & flag? Here

12-23-2009, 04:41 PM	#4
FrankS ...please wait... Joined: Sep 2007 Location: Austin, TX Oddometer: 404	The sample videos on their website look much better (sharper, more vibrant colors) than the sample videos on VHoldR’s website. I’ve almost ordered a VHoldR but now I think the GoProHD Hero is the much better camera Looking forward to your review. Regards Frank

12-23-2009, 10:23 PM	#6
afmracer Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Sep 2007 Location: Walnut Creek, Ca Oddometer: 104	This camera is definitely on my list! The quality of footage seems unreal. Should add a whole new dimension to many rider's Ride Reports.

12-24-2009, 09:12 AM	#8
munchmeister Grow'd Up Mini Trail Joined: Dec 2003 Location: Fort Collins, Colorado and Cheyenne, Wyoming Oddometer: 1,279	I'm waiting for them to announce the promised "LCD Bakpak" or whatever it is called. Supposedly it is an add on that will allow you to actually *see* what you are recording, which is a great help. Using the ridiculous "viewfinder" is also as painful as the aforementioned self flagellation exercise mentioned by the OP. Then, of course, I will have to buy a new $1200 computer and multi terrabyte RAID system, to actually be able to edit the HD files. I'm still waiting for the ice floe in my street to thaw so I can try out my iPod Nano 5G video, attached to my helmet with an iPod armband. __________________ Munchmeister 2002 R1150GS - It's not about the knockdown, it's about the recovery.

12-24-2009, 10:27 AM	#12
RichardU Let's Ride Joined: Aug 2004 Location: Marietta, GA Oddometer: 883	Here is a sample (2.5 min) shot in 720p. I'll be glad to answer questions. http://vimeo.com/7878885

12-25-2009, 03:01 PM	#15
Z0RR0 Studly Adventurer Joined: Sep 2004 Location: Montreal, CA Oddometer: 549	Does it have the standard camera mount at the bottom? Like most any camera has? It seems it doesn't ...

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: .
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode