GoPro thread

[MuniAddict]

I'm getting my GoPro HD tomorrow, and I was wondering how many other people here have one, and how you like it. The one BIG disappointment for me is the fact that you cannot view or playback footage to see what you've shot.

It does have a super wide angle, so pointing it in the general direction you really can't miss much, but I'd still like to be able to at least review what I've shot, right there in the trail or wherever.

So I was thinking maybe I could carry a second small p&s camera that uses the same type of sd card, and shoots HD video in the same format as the GoPro, which is MP4. Then I could just remove the sd card and put it into the other camera which has a monitor so I could play it back. Any thoughts on that, and whether you think it would work?

[unireed]

seems like a misdesign. i usually repeat shots a dozen times to get it right, but i would have no idea with this camera. i guess an old digital wil work if the sd card works

[MuniAddict]

Originally Posted by unireed

seems like a misdesign. i usually repeat shots a dozen times to get it right, but i would have no idea with this camera. i guess an old digital wil work if the sd card works

I think they omitted the monitor to keep the camera as small and light as possible, and to extend battery life. I did speak with a rep about it and they have a firmware upgrade that will let you plug in an external monitor, and in the coming months they are *supposedly* going to have their own monitor that fits the gopro directly as an add on accessory.

[MuniOrBust]

Originally Posted by unireed

seems like a misdesign. i usually repeat shots a dozen times to get it right, but i would have no idea with this camera.

In general, this camera is designed to video your POV and to be mounted on your body or your ride... like a helmet, your chest, car, bike, surfboard, or hang-glider. The shot you're trying to take IS the shot it's taking by definition.
So there isn't a strong need for a display.

In the case of a videoing a "third party" in a scene, you're using the camera differently, and a display would be ideal.

Originally Posted by unireed

i guess an old digital wil work if the sd card works

An old digital will not work unless it:
1. Can read SDHC cards. (4GB - 32GB SD cards)
2. Can playback (and thus, probably record) the same video produced by the GoPro HD. (mp4, same resolution?, other codec details?)

My newest camera other than the GoPro HD is about 4 years old. It can't read SDHC. An older PDA of mine can't either.

[MuniOrBust]

Using the composite video out from the camera, you might be able to view your video with a portable video monitor.

Here's a 2.5" battery powered display.
(Veilux VX-WLCDM)

The PDF manual says it comes with a battery and charger.

I see it out there for about $100.

[MuniAddict]

Originally Posted by MuniOrBust

Using the composite video out from the camera, you might be able to view your video with a portable video monitor.

Here's a 2.5" battery powered display.
(Veilux VX-WLCDM)
Attachment 43605
The PDF manual says it comes with a battery and charger.

I see it out there for about $100.

That's pretty much what I was hoping to find! I'll have to call GoPro to find out if it will work with their camera. Thanks for the info!

Edit: I just called the company that sells the monitor and they said it should be perfectly compatible with the gopro. He also gave me the address of a local distributor.

[MuniOrBust]

Another heads up. As you probably know, the GoPro camera is like a little box.

It generally goes in its plastic case when in use.


So you'll have to open the case to access the A/V ports to connect it to a monitor. You might find that annoying.
I worry the latch is going to break every time I use it. It's closes very tight and its hard to open. Makes me nervous.

I suppose you might be able to drill a hole in the case. But then it won't be waterproof. Maybe get a second sacrificial case?

[MuniOrBust]

The Haier HLT71 7-Inch Handheld LCD TV might be a good choice too.
I think I like this one even better.

Someone suggested it on a thread over at the GoPro free forums.

$87.50 w/ free shipping at Amazon:

Amazon.com: Haier HLT71 7-Inch Handheld LCD TV:...
Amazon.com: Haier HLT71 7-Inch Handheld LCD TV:...

[MuniAddict]

Originally Posted by MuniOrBust

The Haier HLT71 7-Inch Handheld LCD TV might be a good choice too.
I think I like this one even better.
Attachment 43609
Someone suggested it on a thread over at the GoPro free forums.

$87.50 w/ free shipping at Amazon:
Amazon.com: Haier HLT71 7-Inch Handheld LCD TV: Electronics

I sent that last link of the 7" monitor to a gopro rep, and he thinks it will work fine, since it has component inputs. The other wrist-worn monitor he said will *not* work, because it does not have the correct inputs.

[MuniOrBust]

The camera has a 2.5mm jack for composite video and audio.
It comes with a cable that leads from this jack to 3 RCA plugs (composite video, left audio, right audio) Like this:

I can't tell what type of jack is on the VX-WLCDM wrist display. I don't see any RCA jacks. I see a few small holes on its left side:


It might have a jack like the camera. So I imagine you just need the right cable to make it work. I bet the GoPro rep says it won't work, because you won't have the right cable out of the box.

I emailed Veilux and asked.
Though maybe you like the 7" display better.

I'm obviously interested in a display too, hence my efforts. I'm not sure what size/cost would be better for me.

[MuniAddict]

Originally Posted by MuniOrBust

The camera has a 2.5mm jack for composite video and audio.
It comes with a cable that leads from this jack to 3 RCA plugs (composite video, left audio, right audio) Like this:
Attachment 43615
I can't tell what type of jack is on the VX-WLCDM wrist display. I don't see any RCA jacks. I see a few small holes on its left side:
Attachment 43613

It might have a jack like the camera. So I imagine you just need the right cable to make it work. I bet the GoPro rep says it won't work, because you won't have the right cable out of the box.

I emailed Veilux and asked.
Though maybe you like the 7" display better.

I'm obviously interested in a display too, hence my efforts. I'm not sure what size/cost would be better for me.

I called that company and they said that monitor does not have the component INputs, so it will not work with the gopro, who also told me that mnitor would not work. The 7" one will though.

[MuniAddict]

Just got my new GoPro Hd and here are a few stills or Morty, and one frame capture of my 29er in 1280x720 60fps mode. pretty awesome fisheye effect. You can can amazingly close to the subject and still fit it in. In this mode it has a whopping 170 degrees field of view! the camera was almost touching the uni frame on that shot! These shots have been greatly reduced to conform with file size maximums.

[MuniOrBust]

Originally Posted by MuniAddict

I called that company and they said that monitor does not have the component INputs, so it will not work with the gopro, who also told me that mnitor would not work. The 7" one will though.

The GoPro has both component and composite outputs.
The monitor may not have component input, so it probably (must) have composite. Then it's just a matter of how to physically connect them.
Sorry.. am I being difficult?

Nice pics!

Here's a rig I experimented with in the winter, trying to get a cool POV. Too shaky, and too close to the ground. But kind of cool. The video quality isn't as good as it should be... I was (am) still learning to edit properly.

YouTube- Uni Camera Positioning

[lunicycle]

have fun Terry, the GoPro is a hoot!

I had the non HD, and now the HD for several months which addressed the main probs with the earlier version. with a POV camera not being able to see playback on the spot isn't really a big deal, plus you end up with some surprising results sometimes

Definitely worth following GoProCamera on Facebook, the daily movie and pics are usually great!
http://www.facebook.com/goprocamera

[lunicycle]

yeah like this, awesome.

YouTube- GoPro HD HERO Camera: Crankworx Whistler...