Experimenting with my GoPro camera

[SunDude]

I've just started experimenting with my GoPro Motorsports HERO Wide camera, which I mounted on my Superformance Cobra for a couple of recent drives.

So far I've been using the default settings: 512x384 resolution, LO sound. Sadly, the sound quality isn't the best so you'll need to crank it up.

For this first video, I mounted the camera on the bulkhead behind the cockpit for a drive through Gatineau Park near Canada's capital city, Ottawa. I thought this camera location would give a cool view of the actual driving and the road ahead, but the reflection of the Le Mans stripes on the windshield is a bit distracting. Also the wide-angle lens gives me a strange "sidebite" look like Ken Miles.



For this second video, I mounted the camera on the hood just in front of the windshield to give a much-racier "driver's eye view" of the action. The route this time is along the Rideau Canal to Hog's Back and then, once the slow-pokes and fire truck finally move out of the way around 8:40 , we accelerate onto the Airport Parkway.



All in all the GoPro camera is easy to use, but does anyone have any tips on how to get better results? In particular, how to improve the sound quality? And how to reduce the video filesizes without sacrificing image quality? The files are HUMONGOUS and take forever to upload to YouTube (60-90 minutes).

[Randy Rosenberg]

When I've used a video camera, I plugged in a remote microphone into it and ran it down to inside to the back of the passenger seat - this kept it out of the wind and picked up the exhaust sound perfectly. I checked out the GoPro on the web, and I didn't see any mention of an audio in jack in order to use a remote mic.

BTW, the video quality is really good.

Good luck,
Randy...

[SunDude]

Thanks for the comments Randy. You're right, there's no external mike option for the GoPro camera. I'm gonna play around with the HI sound setting next and see if it's better, although the instructions advise to use the LO setting when using the camera like this.

[Blas]

Yikes....Is that a little bald spot I see forming? Won't be long now...hahahaha
Video looks great, I like the fact that the wind noise is missing on the clip too....

[SunDude]

I'm not balding. I'm just taller than my hair.

[Gofastoldguy]

Need to adjust your hood handles for a tighter fit...video was great by the way.

[skippy]

Quality is great, i'm using VIO and sound quality is great, except it doesn't have HD.

Keep experimenting, i LOOOVE Cobra vids.

Enjoy..

[SunDude]

My GoPro camera also has a feature which allows you to shoot still images at 2 second intervals, and stitch them together using Windows Movie Maker to make a time-lapse movie.

I had set the camera up to shoot time-lapse images during my long drive from Manotick to Smiths Falls along the Rideau River, but (unbeknownst to me) the batteries died when I entered Kemptville, only a third of the way into my trip.

Oh well, guess I'll just have to try it again some time. Meanwhile here's my first crack at making a time-lapse film. Sorry, no soundtrack. Hope you enjoy it anyways.

[Randy Rosenberg]

Cool time lapse! Does the GoPro have a port for an external power supply? IOW, can you plug it into a 12v power port, so you don't have to worry about (deal with) batteries?

[FatBoy]

Here's some video my passenger took of our laps around the full Le Mans circuit at the Le Mans Classic in July this year.
The camera was mounted on the dash top immediately behind the windscreen, which kept it out of the wind.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U30YH...layer_embedded

How do you embed YouTube video into a message?

Paul

[SunDude]

Originally Posted by Randy Rosenberg

Cool time lapse! Does the GoPro have a port for an external power supply? IOW, can you plug it into a 12v power port, so you don't have to worry about (deal with) batteries?

No it doesn't. Another disappointing truth. I was carrying two sets of fully charged NiMH batteries, but didn't realize the thing had gone dead as it was my first time using the camera. At least now I have a rough idea how long they'll last and can change them in time, next time. Live and learn.

Originally Posted by FatBoy

How do you embed YouTube video into a message?

Actually it's really simple. Check out this post for the full explanation, especially computerworks's description.

Here's your video:

[FUNFER2]

SunDude- "Sorry, no soundtrack. Hope you enjoy it anyways".

I prefer to hear the music of a engine,... and a little wind, not some band.
I made a camcorder roll bar mount out of a Mickey Thompson big block connecting rod, and a mount of a old tripod last year, but I can't find the camcorder mount.

Does your use suction cup mounts ?

Are you concerned about loosing suction ?

David- very video video of the cars.

My Sony camcorder has a wireless mic that can be placed anywhere, like under the dash, but actually, I held the camcorder in one hand and recorded the engine going down the highway for the buyer of my last engine, and it did come out very nice, just using the internal mic. As you'll hear, the wind noise was low.

[FUNFER2]

Ok, found Brents thread on the youtube link. Thanks again Brent !

[SunDude]

Originally Posted by FUNFER2

Does your use suction cup mounts? Are you concerned about loosing suction?

Yes the GoPro comes with a suction cup base. It actually grips on very tightly. But of course I worry somewhat that it'll let go and the camera will get smashed and damage the car/paint along the way. Touch wood, that never happens.

[Randy Rosenberg]

I've used an I/O Port camera mount on the roll bar (also used an old radiator hose to protect the finish on the roll bar) with great success. Works perfectly! Check it out:



http://www.ioportracing.com/Merchant...gory_Code=IOPP

BTW, though the GoPro does provide hi quality video, I see the lack of external mic input jack and external power input as being show-stopper qualities for me, IMHO. These are two qualities that I see as key to creating good in-car video.

[FUNFER2]

I made a bushing for the crank end and pin, then used thick sticky back foam for protection. I can use my wireless mic under the dash, engine bay ect.
I can also tilt the camcorder up & down, and rotate 360 degree's using the handle, when I'm alone or a passenger. That camcorder can also take photo's while driving with a hand held corded button, and also turn on/off the recording. This Sony has great software and can even edit the recording at ant point, stop and create a photo.

[CoupedUp]

Originally Posted by SunDude

No it doesn't. Another disappointing truth. I was carrying two sets of fully charged NiMH batteries, but didn't realize the thing had gone dead as it was my first time using the camera. At least now I have a rough idea how long they'll last and can change them in time, next time. Live and learn.

Here's your video:

Actually, I have mine plugged into power. I just drilled a hole in the case next to the USB port and plugged the 12V USB power supply in.

Doug

[SunDude]

So I finally had time today to try out my GoPro camera with the sound level set to HI rather than the default setting of LO, which the manufacturer recommends for uses like mine. The results were mighty disappointing.

See for yourself: Here's a short clip of me accelerating with the sound set to LO. You'll need to crank up the speakers to hear it, but at least it sounds like a Cobra.



Now here's another short clip of me accelerating (same road) with the sound set to HI. The sound of the engine is completely overcome by noise and distortion caused by wind.



There is one more trick I can try, to improve the sound quality with this thing. If it doesn't work, I'm gonna be stuck using just the LO setting from now on.

Damn, I wish there was some way to install an external mike with this camera!

[FatBoy]

Have you tried mounting it behind the windshield with the volume set to Hi?

Paul

[Bernica]

I'm glad you posted the videos. I was ready to buy one, but I think I'll find something with a remote microphone.