Comments on: Product Review: GoPro – Big Video, Small Camera

By: Texas River Bum

Texas River Bum — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 01:29:09 +0000

Keith,

Sorry for the late reply. I use MPEG Streamclip, its really the best solution out there. Be sure to run multiple conversions simultaneously, go for as many as your processors can handle.

By: Keith

Keith — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 18:13:56 +0000

Hey TexasRiverBum,

What conversion software do you use to prepare the GoPro video for Final Cut Pro editing?

By: Roland

Roland — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 16:45:39 +0000

Dink, were you trying to post a link? I don’t think it came through.

By: Roland

Roland — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 16:45:12 +0000

TRB, good points on the LCD. I can see where as time goes on, I know my camera position but as a first time user with no time to do some off the water test runs at home, it would have been nice to have the preview screen. I do plan to order the adapter this week though! Thanks for sharing your project, very cool!

By: Dink Murphey

Dink Murphey — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 16:37:41 +0000

My first clip from the GoPro Hero. As Roland, very surprised at the quality of this little camera. The wide angle is superb.

This is a little clip from a launch near Grayton Beach, FL, outside of Destin.

The “June Grass” was very thick but the water clears up out past the 2nd bar.

Enjoy.

By: Texas River Bum

Texas River Bum — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 15:24:16 +0000

I don’t think the lack of a standard view monitor should be considered a negative. Like mentioned, there is one available as an option for those people who need it so others that don’t need it are paying more for something they don’t need. Honestly, unless you are doing a lot of experimental mounting in the field you can (and should) run tests at home on your mounting solution and see how it frames the video. Another benefit of this is that the camera is much smaller with the LCD screen mounted to it.

With the waterproof cover on, the built in microphone is useless. I now use the other “water resistant” cover for my shoots. Since replacement parts are more or less affordable, its worth the added risk. The waterproof cover is always with me though, just in case I think the situation will require it.

I think the biggest issue with the GoPro HD is once you get the footage into a post production environment. I work with Final Cut Pro and the first thing I have to do is convert the video format of all the footage. There is usually a lot of footage so the conversion process can take the better part of a day. Sort of silly since even the majority of consumer camcorder will export their video in a usable format. I guess if you are not editing your work this isn’t a big deal big it is for people like me.

I should qualify that I have only done one GoPro project so far: http://texasriverbum.com/?p=608 – but overall I am really happy with the camera and plan to make many more videos with it.