GoPro HD Hero2

[Sombeech]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUEZCxBcM78&feature=player_embedded&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1&safe=active

Wow, 120 frames per second now :cool2:

11MP 10 photos per second

Looks like it will be close to the same price as the original HD Hero, $299.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005WY3TMA/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=bogloutdcomm-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=B005WY3TMA

[wes242]

Thats pretty sweet!

[blueeyes]

Glad I haven't bought one yet. Maybe Santa will bring one for x-mas.

[Iceaxe]

[B]GoPro

[Iceaxe]

I notice they still don't have a headboard mount available. :haha:

[Sombeech]

-Announces Wi-Fi Remote Control and Video Streaming

Yowza. Is there any question why these guys have the best helmet camera around?

[Kent K25]

Now they can drop the original to $50 so I can buy it :)

[Deadeye008]

This is what I like:

<li id="yui_3_3_0_1_1319955876808393"> Long Range Remote Control of up to 50 GoPro Cameras per Wifi Remote

<li id="yui_3_3_0_1_1319955876808398"> Wi-Fi Video/Photo Preview, Playback and Control via GoPro App

[Sombeech]

Oh dang, I just noticed the 120 FPS is only on the WVGA mode.

But the WiFi remote.... WOW

[tcott]

Now they can drop the original to $50 so I can buy it :)
They dropped it $60 :nod:. Now $239 for the helmet hero.

[Cirrus2000]

$209 at Amazon. I'm thisclose to springing into purchase mode...

[blueeyes]

Santa.... I just know this is going to be under the Christmas tree. :nod:

[tcott]

GoPro (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002VA56I8/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=bogloutdcomm-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217153&creative=399349&creativeASIN=B002VA56I8) is throwing an "I Love my GoPro (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002VA56I8/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=bogloutdcomm-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217153&creative=399349&creativeASIN=B002VA56I8)" contest for the next 10 days. Win a bunch of GoPro (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002VA56I8/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=bogloutdcomm-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217153&creative=399349&creativeASIN=B002VA56I8) Stuff plus $2500!!!
https://apps.facebook.com/i-love-my-...ontests/162075 (https://apps.facebook.com/i-love-my-gopro/contests/162075)

"I Love My GoPro (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002VA56I8/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=bogloutdcomm-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217153&creative=399349&creativeASIN=B002VA56I8)" Contest


Enter (https://apps.facebook.com/i-love-my-gopro/contests/162075/entries/new)

Contest Details
GoPro (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002VA56I8/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=bogloutdcomm-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217153&creative=399349&creativeASIN=B002VA56I8) fans love their GoPro (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002VA56I8/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=bogloutdcomm-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217153&creative=399349&creativeASIN=B002VA56I8)s, and we love our fans! To celebrate all of our awesome fans we’re awarding 20 kickass prizes. All you need to do to win is show us some love.

GRAND PRIZE – Two winners will each receive a a $2500 (USD) GoPro Sponsorship* + an “Everything We Make” Prize Package.

*What is an “I Love My GoPro” Prize Sponsorship? It’s a cash prize that we hope will enable or encourage you to get out there and shoot more rad GoPro content – because we want to see more from you!

RUNNER UP PRIZE – 18 winners will each receive a an “Everything We Make” Prize Package. And yes, this includes our brand new, 2X more awesome, HD HERO2.


THERE ARE TWO WAYS TO WIN:

1. Submit a photograph taken by you with a GoPro camera. We want to see that epic moment, the photo that you showed all your friends, that photo you could only get using a GoPro camera. No screen grabs, please. Photo must be captioned “I Love My GoPro!”

You may submit up to 5 photos total.

2. Submit a photo, scan or PDF of a creative work (drawing, collage, sculpture etc.) that demonstrates what is unique, inspiring, and/or awesome about GoPro’s products, fans, or the images they produce. Your creative work must depict a GoPro camera in some way, and be 100% original, created by you. Work must be captioned “I Love My GoPro!”

You may submit up to 5 creative entries total.

GoPro fans will vote and choose the top 50 entries (25 from each category) to advance to the finalist round. GoPro will select the winners from the finalists – one Grand Prize and 9 Runner Up winners will be awarded for each category.


Contest Starts November 01, 2011 @ 10:00 am (PDT) Contest Ends November 10, 2011 @ 12:00 pm (PST) Need more Details? Read the Official Rules (https://apps.facebook.com/i-love-my-gopro/contests/162075/rules) About the Company GoPro makes it easy to take 11MP photos & full HD video during your favorite sports & activities.

[Deadeye008]

So I was just on the GoPro site and I noticed that in order for the Hero 2 to be Wi-Fi capable you have to buy the Wi-Fi Bac Pac which isn't available until Feb of 2012... Kind of lame if you ask me. The way they are advertising it it sounds like the Wi-Fi is built into the Hero 2. It says the Wi-Fi Bac Pac will work with the original Hero but live video streaming will not be possible.

[CarpeyBiggs]

just got the new HERO2 today. first impressions - huge upgrade. LCD is so much better, don't even need the instruction manual. has rubber buttons now, much better. red recording light is on 4 sides. much better. and the lens seems greatly improved.

i'll shoot some with it this afternoon and see what it can do. so far, i'm stoked.

[blueeyes]

Very nice! Can't wait to see what you do with it.

[deagol]

just got the new HERO2 today. first impressions - huge upgrade. LCD is so much better, don't even need the instruction manual. has rubber buttons now, much better. red recording light is on 4 sides. much better. and the lens seems greatly improved.

i'll shoot some with it this afternoon and see what it can do. so far, i'm stoked.

I got one also. I took it out today and messed around with it. I am not very advanced with this kind of stuff. I found that I had to download 2 programs to allow Windows Media Player to play the MPEG4 files that the Gopro creates. I did not mess around with the time lapse mode- is that how you create the slow motion effect?

[CarpeyBiggs]

I got one also. I took it out today and messed around with it. I am not very advanced with this kind of stuff. I found that I had to download 2 programs to allow Windows Media Player to play the MPEG4 files that the Gopro creates. I did not mess around with the time lapse mode- is that how you create the slow motion effect?
what version of windows do you have? they should play just fine... weird.

slow motion is done by shooting at a high frame rate, then slowing it back to 30fps in editing.

[deagol]

what version of windows do you have? they should play just fine... weird.

slow motion is done by shooting at a high frame rate, then slowing it back to 30fps in editing.

Thanks for your reply
I have Windows Vista.
I read in the manual that they recommend a "class 10" memory card for shooting at one frame per half second. The card I have is a class 6.

When you say "play back t0 30 fps in editing", do you mean in Media player?
When playing these specific files in media player, the ability to change playback speed is not available.

Anyway, thanks for your help.

[homerj]

I had to download 2 programs to allow Windows Media Player to play the MPEG4 files that the Gopro creates.

Get VLC Media Player. It's plays everything!

[CarpeyBiggs]

Thanks for your reply
I have Windows Vista.
I read in the manual that they recommend a "class 10" memory card for shooting at one frame per half second. The card I have is a class 6.

When you say "play back t0 30 fps in editing", do you mean in Media player?
When playing these specific files in media player, the ability to change playback speed is not available.

Anyway, thanks for your help.

no. you can't change the playback rate without a program that can edit video. WMP only plays video files, it doesn't edit them.

the one frame per 1/2 second is for timelapse, not for slow motion. timelapse speeds up video, slow motion slows it down.

[Sombeech]

Thanks for your reply
I have Windows Vista.
I read in the manual that they recommend a "class 10" memory card for shooting at one frame per half second. The card I have is a class 6.

When you say "play back t0 30 fps in editing", do you mean in Media player?
When playing these specific files in media player, the ability to change playback speed is not available.

Anyway, thanks for your help.

I have a Class 6 card and am satisfied, but of course Class 10 will be better.

I'm not sure how Vista's Windows Live Movie Maker handles the 60 frames per second but Windows 7 does great. You just need to be sure to create a production profile that will save like that, as the "recommended" will only save at 30 fps.

If for some reason Windows Media Player doesn't play the raw file, see if there's an update available. If not, try VLC media player, www.videolan.org (http://www.videolan.org)

In Windows 7, Windows Media Player is the best program to play the videos.

[deagol]

Get VLC Media Player. It's plays everything!

Yeah, I just downloaded it last night. Pretty nice.

[skiclimb3287]

Got one today for my 30th birthday :mrgreen:. Perfect timing as we head to the North Wash on Friday!!!! Any recommendations on minimum SD card size I should get for this trip? Currently I don't have anything larger than a 2GB card. What is a good resolution to use for filming while canyoneering? Is everyone using the 1080p or are you backing off a bit to get a bit more time out of it?

[CarpeyBiggs]

1080p at 30fps should be pretty close to 720p at 60fps. the new 1080p on the HD Hero2 is a great improvement over the last version. i recommend r7 now. if you want to shoot stuff and slow it down later, 720p at 60fps is better.

[Cirrus2000]

Don't know how long they'll last, but I just got a 32GB Class 10 on Woot (http://www.woot.com/) (disclaimer: I am not connected with them yadda yadda). I got it this morning, first thing, only $25. Bargain. Don't know how long it will last this evening - when they switch to tomorrow's deal...

I picked up the non-2, original camera (Helmet Hero) for $208 on Amazon, and 32GB is the max, so I thought I might as well...

[Deadeye008]

Don't know how long they'll last, but I just got a 32GB Class 10 on Woot (http://www.woot.com/) (disclaimer: I am not connected with them yadda yadda). I got it this morning, first thing, only $25. Bargain. Don't know how long it will last this evening - when they switch to tomorrow's deal...

I picked up the non-2, original camera (Helmet Hero) for $208 on Amazon, and 32GB is the max, so I thought I might as well...

Sorry to burst your bubble but if you go to Amazon .com there are a bunch of reviews about this card stating that it is really a class 4 card and not capable of HD video capture.

Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using Tapatalk

[Cirrus2000]

Ah, well, I'll give it a try. I can always throw it in one of the other cameras around here :haha: Worst case scenario, it holds the music I play through the Garmin in the car... Thanks, Deadeye008!

[Deadeye008]

Ah, well, I'll give it a try. I can always throw it in one of the other cameras around here :haha: Worst case scenario, it holds the music I play through the Garmin in the car... Thanks, Deadeye008!

Yea, that's still a decent deal on a 32gb card even if you can't use it for HD video.

Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using Tapatalk

[CarpeyBiggs]

I have 24 of these - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003VNKNEQ/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=bogloutdcomm-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=B003VNKNEQ

$20, work spectacularly. only 16gb, but that is plenty for most anything. we've shot 36 hours of footage on our last project, all on these cards. i think you can get around 110 minutes of recording with my gh2, maybe more with the gopro.

[deagol]

I have been using the Hero2 camera for a few weeks now. I upgraded to a Sandisk Class 10 32Gb card after having some problems that required contacting tech support. There are some problems with 2-tone photos taken in burst mode (rarely video also). The company knows this and is working on a firmware update. Other (most) times the video looks great. The burst mode photos always seem blurry, it's strange. Upgrading to the class 10 card has not eliminated these problems. This is a learning period for me and I hope to know more with more experimentation. I'm looking forward to the firmware update and hope it fixes my problems. I might be able to post some examples later if I can shrink the file size down a bit. Don't have enough time right now...

[JONBOYLEMON]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/GoPro-HD-Helmet-Hero-Digital-Video-Camera/310361163934?afepn=5335869999&campid=5335869999&PID=1225267&_trksid=p1468660.m2000036

If you dont mind the old crappy one. $150.00 aint too shabby.

Heres a shameless plug for my buddys videos. He is making some great stuff.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGJPPvE0pSA

[Sombeech]

I have been using the Hero2 camera for a few weeks now. I upgraded to a Sandisk Class 10 32Gb card after having some problems that required contacting tech support. There are some problems with 2-tone photos taken in burst mode (rarely video also). The company knows this and is working on a firmware update. Other (most) times the video looks great. The burst mode photos always seem blurry, it's strange. Upgrading to the class 10 card has not eliminated these problems. This is a learning period for me and I hope to know more with more experimentation. I'm looking forward to the firmware update and hope it fixes my problems. I might be able to post some examples later if I can shrink the file size down a bit. Don't have enough time right now...

Can you upload some of those problem photos? What does the problem look like?

[Sombeech]

Heres a shameless plug for my buddys videos. He is making some great stuff.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGJPPvE0pSA

Cool stuff, is GoPro sponsoring him?

[deagol]

I don't have any software that will compress the original files to get them small enough to post here, but will follow up with more info when I can.

[JONBOYLEMON]

Cool stuff, is GoPro sponsoring him?

Nope, but they need to!!!!! He keeps destroying cameras, which is next to impossible with the GP, but RC aircraft + rocks + great speed = Busted Go Pro's!

[Sombeech]

I don't have any software that will compress the original files to get them small enough to post here, but will follow up with more info when I can.

Are you running into a file size restriction when you upload images here?


Sent from my ADR6300 using Tapatalk

[deagol]

Are you running into a file size restriction when you upload images here?


Sent from my ADR6300 using Tapatalk

Yes. The file size limit is listed as 19.5 KB for a Jpeg on the attachment window here in Bogley.

But for an update: Gopro released a firmware update (late Thursday ?) that is supposed to deal with the problem. Apparently there was a color sensor that was affected by the cold (hence the 2-tone pictures taken in a cold environment-ski area). The update is reported to address this. I tested my Hero2 out this morning after installing the update last night and so far, so good. More testing to follow, of course. I had the 2-tone issue while up at a ski area and it may not have been cold enough here this morning to replicate the problem. I'm optimistic though that everything will be fine now. Gopro support has been really great, by the way. I'm thinking that when I get everything dialed-in, that this will be an awesome set-up.

I am looking into getting some software that allows me to do More editing. The free VLC Media Player is great for playing the MP4 files and Gopro's Cineform software allows cropping and conversion of the files (from MP4 into AVI), but does anyone have recommendations for software that works for slowing the footage down ? I've heard that Quicktime Pro may be a good choice ??

Also, I have a Vimeo account that I could upload some vids to. They have a 1 video per week upload limit for the free account, so I have to wait till tomorrow (sunday) to upload one. But, these vids are nothing great, trust me. I've seen some of the awesome vids posted here on this site that are edited with soundtracks and great scenery and mine are just raw clips of some biking, snowboarding, etc.
But at least it would give an idea of what the Hero2 footage looks like.

[Sombeech]

Yes. The file size limit is listed as 19.5 KB for a Jpeg on the attachment window here in Bogley.

You know what, that might be listed in a default area somewhere, but that isn't the case. I'm not sure if we have any limit on attachment size, because the forum has a built in image resizer as you upload. Did you try to upload the image?

[deagol]

No, I didn't even try to upload when I saw the 19.5 KB limit. It (the size limit) shows up on the Attachments dialog box (but trying to attach pics now, i see that it does work). The 2-tone photos should all be a mute point now, since Gopro seems to have fixed the issue.


Here is a link to a video (http://vimeo.com/33112247) that turned out good.


Here is a pic from the 10-photo burst mode taken in relatively cold temps after the firmware update was installed. As you can see, the light isn't great, but the shot is an action shot with the cat running quickly toward the camera.

And last, here is a pic taken in normal mode (11 MP wide) in relatively cold temps prior to firmware update with bright sunlight. As you can see, this pic turned out fine, probably since the camera was warmed up...

[Sombeech]

So do you think it's maybe fog in the case? I've noticed these anti fog inserts you can get just in case:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004CYIA3O/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=bogloutdcomm-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B004CYIA3O

[deagol]

So do you think it's maybe fog in the case? I've noticed these anti fog inserts you can get just in case:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004CYIA3O/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=bogloutdcomm-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B004CYIA3O

I don't think so, there was no condensation in the case. I did some more testing this weekend and thought I captured some good video in the cold. Even after the firmware update and using the work-around (powering on the camera, waiting 2 minutes, then turning off and then back on) it recorded plain white video and took plain white pics. I was surprised and frustrated that the work around didn't work.
Maybe it was too cold? Now that the camera is warmed up again, things seem to be normal.

Does the original Hero have a dislike of cold conditions? Perhaps the sensor in the Hero 2 is more susceptible ???

[Sombeech]

Not sure about the GoPro 2, but the first Hero filmed just fine in the snow, in fact it filmed all day long on the same battery for me in every situation.

[deagol]

Not sure about the GoPro 2, but the first Hero filmed just fine in the snow, in fact it filmed all day long on the same battery for me in every situation.

Hmm, I wonder if the Hero2 has a different color sensor than the Hero1 ?

If so, I guess it could be more sensitive to the cold than the Hero1 (this is pure speculation on my part).

I have used the Hero2 in the cold/snow and sometimes it works fine. I am guessing that in those cases, it was already warmed-up from prior filming.

I did a test the other night where I left it out on my balcony for a while (maybe 30 minutes ?) then brought it back in and perfomed the "work-around" then turned it back on and did a test video inside. It did not work properly (another pure white film).

My guess is that the work-around was not adequate to warm the camera up and maybe if I left it on longer the film would have turned out OK? I am going to try this again later and try to pre-warm the camera by putting it in an interior pocket or something, perhaps leave it on longer than the recomended 2 minutes..

[deagol]

no. you can't change the playback rate without a program that can edit video. WMP only plays video files, it doesn't edit them.

the one frame per 1/2 second is for timelapse, not for slow motion. timelapse speeds up video, slow motion slows it down.


What software do you recommend?

I have heard a tiny bit about Quick-time Pro, and not anything on any other software.

VLC media player plays the files, but doesn't edit them (as far as I can tell).

Thanks..

[Sombeech]

What software do you recommend?

I have heard a tiny bit about Quick-time Pro, and not anything on any other software.

VLC media player plays the files, but doesn't edit them (as far as I can tell).

Thanks..


If you've got Windows 7, go with Windows Live Movie Maker. Besides being free, it's hands down the easiest editor I've used. It can slow your footage down to a custom speed, and can produce in any framerate you specify. Mine are now all 60fps since about March when I woke up and went with the 720 mode

http://explore.live.com/windows-live-movie-maker

I don't claim to be the videographer that Dan is, but I do produce my fair share of GoPro videos during the year, all edited with WLMM. I suggest it to anybody who's getting started, and I haven't found myself wanting anything this couldn't offer.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yxnh-xlcZxY&feature=player_embedded


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGp65XDtAU4&feature=player_embedded


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMe35s0wQAs&feature=player_embedded


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXtWg__YLMQ&feature=player_embedded

[deagol]

If you've got Windows 7, go with Windows Live Movie Maker. Besides being free, it's hands down the easiest editor I've used. It can slow your footage down to a custom speed, and can produce in any framerate you specify. Mine are now all 60fps since about March when I woke up and went with the 720 mode


Thanks for the reply. I have Windows Vista and not Windows 7, but there is a movie maker with Vista that woks pretty well. I am not sure if it is the same as the one on Windows 7, but I will look into it. I have actually used the Vista version of the Movie Maker and liked it but did not see anyway in it to slow the footage down (this may be because I simply have not played with it enough ??).

I was able to watch your vids and they are nice. You were able to surf just off the wake of the boat once you got started and didn't need a rope- sweet! Did you use the software to slow any of that footage on any of your vids down?

[Sombeech]

Did you use the software to slow any of that footage on any of your vids down?

Yes, Windows Live Movie Maker in Windows 7 can do this. In Vista, I'm not sure but open up Movie Maker and check for updates, this may be an option in the updated version now. :afro:

[deagol]

Yes, Windows Live Movie Maker in Windows 7 can do this. In Vista, I'm not sure but open up Movie Maker and check for updates, this may be an option in the updated version now. :afro:

I will check it out tonight and see if I can find that feature or update the software. Hope it works.




I was able to download Windows Movie Maker Live for Vista just now and am playing with it.

[Deadeye008]

I've got a chance to pick up a new Hero 2 for $239. Is that a decent deal?

[CarpeyBiggs]

what kit? yes, that's a great deal.

[Deadeye008]

what kit? yes, that's a great deal.

It's the outdoor kit. I've got a 20% off coupon to a place that has it for $299 with free shipping.

Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using Tapatalk

[bigred72]

It's the outdoor kit. I've got a 20% off coupon to a place that has it for $299 with free shipping.

Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using Tapatalk

Link and coupon code????!!!!

[Sombeech]

It's the outdoor kit. I've got a 20% off coupon to a place that has it for $299 with free shipping.

Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using Tapatalk

Yeah that's a great deal. I know some people who are buying with those coupons locally and flipping them online for over $300

[Deadeye008]

Link and coupon code????!!!!

The website is www.outdoorplay.com (http://www.outdoorplay.com) coupon code is EM20

[Cirrus2000]

The website is www.outdoorplay.com (http://www.outdoorplay.com) coupon code is EM20

I had bought an original for $208 on Amazon last month. Now I'm returning it (still packaged for under-tree presentation). Bought this one for $239 instead. Thanks, Deadeye008 for the pointer! They're backordered, expecting more Dec 30, so it won't be under the tree, but I'm pretty thrilled about that kind of deal on the Hero2.

[JONBOYLEMON]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CK2JhLR5q8Q

More GP2 video.

This little trip cost him another camera as he had a disagreement with a cliff!

Hmmm, why dont my videos show a thumbnail?

[Sombeech]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CK2JhLR5q8Q

More GP2 video.

This little trip cost him another camera as he had a disagreement with a cliff!

Hmmm, why dont my videos show a thumbnail?

Paste the url in the video tags by hitting the http://www.bogley.com/forum/images/editor/video.png button, like so


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CK2JhLR5q8Q

[JONBOYLEMON]

Thanks. Thats a pretty easy way that I never even noticed all those options up there.....

[deagol]

That was really cool !!!

That video footage from the remote controlled plane gave me an idea. This would be a cheap and quick way to scout out areas before going into them. For example, if you were scouting a new canyon that was unfamiliar to you, you could send the RC plane to take a look, then upload the footage to a laptop and see what you are getting into before you go. Maybe this would take out to much adventure? I'm not sure, but it does have potential...

[CarpeyBiggs]

cheap and quick? ha. nice try... it's expensive, and difficult to learn to fly well.

[JONBOYLEMON]

It would be cheaper to charter a heli from Salt Lake and see it for yourself than do what he is doing. And I am not exaggerating by much.

[deagol]

Hmm, OK, I stand corrected. How much $$$ are we talking here ?

[CarpeyBiggs]

for a basic wing DIY kit you are looking at around $2k, with enough lift to support a gopro camera. about 40 hours to build it out, and a lot of time to develop the skill to fly it.

[Sombeech]

RC Helicopter might be the way to go, get down in the slots, check it out.

[deagol]

Just for the record, I am not thinking of getting into RC planes or coptors. I just thought if you already had this setup, it would be a cheap way to scout out some areas. I noticed that video was pretty close to Granary Canyon & Potash. I really liked that video.

Back on topic, the second firmware update for the Hero2 is now available.

[CarpeyBiggs]

RC Helicopter might be the way to go, get down in the slots, check it out.

yeah, we've looked into this... again, for any kind of quality and stability, it's incredibly expensive. it seems like you should just be able to find a dirigible or something for a reasonable deal and float a camera into these places, but variables like wind speed, motors, battery life, and a rig with enough lift for a camera make it so you need a pretty robust system.

the quadcopters that are actually any good run up to 10k for a reasonable setup. basic guai quads can be built for like $400, so maybe one thousand could get the whole setup, but they vibrate like crazy, battery power is super limited, and they are risky to fly (especially in a slot).

there's options, they just cost more than i can afford right now. :2thumbs:

i'm still surprised to hear your problems with the hero2. we've used one a lot in the last two months, and they are a huge upgrade on the original. we've had issues with the image being green when the lcd backpack is first placed on there, but cycling the power seems to fix it. hope yours gets resolved soon.

[deagol]

As far as the "scouting" of canyons by RC aircraft, I wasn't thinking that actually flying INTO them would be a good idea, but merely flying over them. Just an idea from watching that video.

Anyway.... my problems with the Hero2 are all related to cold weather. I've traded several emails back & forth with Gopro support and they are aware of the cold weather issues. They tell me that there will be a firmware updated called "V60" that is not available yet that should fix the problem(s). Last night, I noticed they had the 2nd firmware update "V58" available for download, so I got that installed. I have not tested it out yet.

I have stated previously that I have had great results with the Hero2 when the cold is not an issue and I am looking forward to getting my setup dialed-in (whatever that will entail).

I have downloaded Windows Live Movie Maker for Vista (thanks for the tip, Sombeech) and have been able to make some test videos both slowing the footage down and speeding it up. Vista has a hard time with it possibly since many codecs also need to be running to allow the MP4s to play? I've had a few crashes. From the things I've read, Windows 7 would run it better.

Carpeybiggs, I have seen some of the vids you have posted, particularly the Freezefest stuff, and they are really awesome. I really liked the timelapse stuff where the camera also panned across the landscape slowly (motorized tripod?). While I would never aspire to get that professional with it, it is a fun hobby that I was inspired, in part at least, to get into by seeing what other more expereinced photographers have done.

[deagol]

Update: firmware version V70 is out and all cold related problems SEEM to be fixed.. :2thumbs:

[jamesdak]

Hmm, I wonder if the Hero2 has a different color sensor than the Hero1 ?

If so, I guess it could be more sensitive to the cold than the Hero1 (this is pure speculation on my part).

I have used the Hero2 in the cold/snow and sometimes it works fine. I am guessing that in those cases, it was already warmed-up from prior filming.

I did a test the other night where I left it out on my balcony for a while (maybe 30 minutes ?) then brought it back in and perfomed the "work-around" then turned it back on and did a test video inside. It did not work properly (another pure white film).

My guess is that the work-around was not adequate to warm the camera up and maybe if I left it on longer the film would have turned out OK? I am going to try this again later and try to pre-warm the camera by putting it in an interior pocket or something, perhaps leave it on longer than the recomended 2 minutes..

All this talk about warming a camera to shoot in cold is counter to what I do with still photography. I shoot outside all winter long and just allow my gear to stay cold. Moving it back into a warm area quickly causes all sorts of condensation problems. Not sure how this would apply to the Gopro but if it does not work outside in the cold it's useless for me.

[deagol]

I had been emailing their customer support about this issue, as outlined above. It was a pain to do the "pre-warming" but now with the firmware 70 version, it seems to be OK. I did some cold weather tests where I left the camera outside after 2 hours (can't remember the temp, but probably around 30 degrees ?) and it worked fine. It think the firmware update to V70 has fixed this. If I find otherwise with additional testing, I'll post here...

[deagol]

This is a follow up to my previous post. I tested the Gopro Hero2 again today at a ski area with fairly cold "ski area" temperatures and am just now looking at the videos. Everything is fine. The cold did not affect anything this time (since firmware update to V70). I did not do the work-around (see up-thread for explanation) to pre-warm the camera that was previously recommended and it still worked great. I would say now that there is nothing to worry about with the Hero2 and the cold.

[jamesdak]

Outstanding! Thanks for the feedback. Now to justify the cost, LOL!

[ststephen]

I'm late to this party, but been playing with my new hero2 just a few times so far. I have question about editing. So far I have just iMovie on my macbook. When I import the video it must do some type of automatic conversion from H.264 to something else, because the disk space consumption is out-of-whack with what is on the SD card. I have a 16 GB SD card and with only 10 or 15 minutes recorded it consumes almost 16GB on my HDD. Must be something like a 4X factor of expansion. Perhaps I should be converting it myself somehow first? Use a better editor/importer?