GoPro thread

[Ereksonj]

Originally Posted by MuniAddict

Still no firmware update for all tree FOV settings in 720p (30, 60fps) which is the highest res I use.

If you're across the pond in a country that uses PAL, then you're good, but not here in the US. And although the three FOV's are currently available in 1080p, the playback is super choppy, and I have no need for that size frame, and neither does youtube. I contacted gopro and they said there will be a firmware update in the future, but they don't know when.

Well I am American, but I checked out the PAL setting on my Hero 2, and the settings appear to have the same options. Are you saying that they anticipate releasing a firmware option in the future that allows all three different FOV's in the 720p option? Because that would be cool. My computer isn't fast enough to play back the 1080 video, so I pretty much only use 720 and under as well.

[anton005]

So MuniAddict has the HD Hero, Ereksonj you have the HD Hero2?

Just trying to figure out if the upgraded lens is that much better. That seems to be the biggest difference out of the box for the two cameras right?

So Obviously all the really cool videos on the goPro website are probably done at a ridiculously high resolution in 60 frames a second, using footage from like 20 different cameras. I don't have the computing power or time to deal with that.

What is the bottom line of this camera as far as it's use?

Is it an adjunct to a bigger HD camera? Can it be used as your only camera?

How is the usability? Turning it on, switching modes, taking stills, etc?

How is battery life on these cameras? How long to charge, how much use do you get from a charge?

[Ereksonj]

Originally Posted by anton005

So MuniAddict has the HD Hero, Ereksonj you have the HD Hero2?

Just trying to figure out if the upgraded lens is that much better. That seems to be the biggest difference out of the box for the two cameras right?

So Obviously all the really cool videos on the goPro website are probably done at a ridiculously high resolution in 60 frames a second, using footage from like 20 different cameras. I don't have the computing power or time to deal with that.

What is the bottom line of this camera as far as it's use?

Is it an adjunct to a bigger HD camera? Can it be used as your only camera?

How is the usability? Turning it on, switching modes, taking stills, etc?

How is battery life on these cameras? How long to charge, how much use do you get from a charge?

It (hero2) takes up to 11 Megapixel photos, but they get grainy when you look at them full size. If you don't mind your photos with a fish eye affect, it works fine for taking photos. I think it's a very good camera to use for filming video (much better than the video feature on a photo camera).

usability is tricky for a first time user and has a learning curve. But once you get used to it, I think it's less complicated than a lot of normal cameras. The battery life is about 2 hrs. 15 min. Not sure about charge time. all that kind of information is on the gopro site, though.

I actually own a gopro 960 as well (lesser version than the hero, but has the same lens as the hero). I do notice that the hero 2 has a little better image quality, and it does take higher resolution photos. In my opinion, it handles low light better as well. Plus, it has a faster processor that can take more pictures in a given time (1 every half second in time lapse mode, or ten/sec in burst mode). The hero2 also has a better user interface, because it has a more advanced screen. I think the hero2 is only a tad more expensive than the hero. Just buy it and you'll be happy.

The hero 2 also has more resolution and Frame Of View options. It also has more photo quality options.

[rmac]

I got an HD Hero about two years ago for my true passion, Kayak fishing. I was psyched that about having a compact waterproof HD camera. My enthusiasm quickly fell after a few uses. MuniAddict nailed it when he said that distance shots are sub-par, but the biggest short coming for me is that the GoPro performs poorly in low-light or backlit situations. For uni, maybe it's not a big deal because we are often riding and filming in high sun, but for fishing, it's all about dawn and dusk when the sun is low in the sky. I've pretty much abandoned the GP and gone back to my waterproof Pentax point and shoot. It's not HD, but it's better in low-light. Maybe the Hero2 is better..

[joejumps4fun]

Here's my latest GoPro unicycle video:

Psychedelic Unicycling - YouTube

[Ereksonj]

I can't wait till the GoPro wifi bac pac comes out. Apparently best buy has already started selling them before they're supposed to, but they don't work because there has been no software update to support it. It must be coming out soon if best buy already has them on the shelves.

[MuniAddict]

Just a GoPro quick-clip showing my G26er ripping down the trail. Kris just added this to his new youtube playlist page as well.

Just Passing Through - Mono Wheel Trail Racer ...

[maestro8]

Corbin and I both recently picked up the Swann Freestyle HD action camera:
http://www.swann.com/s/products/view/?product=1297

It's available for 1/2 the price of a GoPro, and it comes with a huge list of accessories: detachable viewing screen, remote control, waterproof case, mounts, carrying case, etc.

Don't have much POV footage, but I'll post some stuff later this week. I tied the camera to my foot and walked a slack line: the TOE CAM will be unleashed!

[MP Uni]

Unfortunately my gopro just drowned.
I was filming myself slacklining with the skeleton door on for the LCD screen and since it's hard to tell that it is the skeleton I left it on. My mother uses it for her swim teaching and dunked in the pool and to her horror saw bubbles come up. I did what I could, swung out the water, put in the car to bake out little droplets and finally set it in some rice and silica gel to dry. But alas our gopro Hero 2 is dead.

[knoxuni]

That is not good!!!! I only use the waterproof door!

[maestro8]

Originally Posted by MP Uni

Unfortunately my gopro just drowned.

Mine too (my Swann, that is). I had a successful snorkeling outing with it one day, taking it down ~10 feet or so... but on the next day's scuba dive, at only 40 feet, the case cracked. It was rated to 65 feet. Ugh.

I got some good videos out of it while it lasted! Maybe next time I'll look into a Contour Roam... it doesn't need a case to be waterproof.

On the line - YouTube

Raising our plastic barn - YouTube

[knoxuni]

I had a countor roam it SUCKS the video quality is horrid and its even harder to use than the go pro and cant mount it many places!

[maestro8]

Originally Posted by knoxuni

I had a countor roam it SUCKS the video quality is horrid and its even harder to use than the go pro and cant mount it many places!

Yeah I had a feeling the mounting ability of that camera was limited. I just checked the website, and it's only rated to 1m in depth without a case. Thought it was better than that! Oh well.

I guess I'll just get another Swann camera. It's cheap and it worked well for limited depth...

[knoxuni]

Its hard to mount even in general! You could get a gopro 960!

[nick]

What accessories do you all think would be a good idea to get?

So I'm getting a GoPro for filming lots of different things (skiing and circus things mostly, actually, but also other stuff). I've used them in the past, but never owned one.

I'm going to pick up a chest harness and a tripod mount for sure. Are there any other accessories that people think would be useful? How about "The frame" which allows the GoPro to be used without the waterproof housing?