GoPro

[mevans9066]

Let me see if I can help those who seem intimidated by GoPro cameras since I sell them in the dive shop I work pt for.
The 2 most popular are the silver and black. They are 100 difference in price With the black being highest at 499. Silver is 399. The silver comes standard with a lcd backpack built in and the black does not. For the black it's an option. Both come with built in wifi and can be controlled by the phone app.
The black has a higher frame per second settings that the silver doesnt. What this translates to is how jerky a slow motion video or portion of a video looks. The higher the fps the smoother the video.
The black also has a higher resolution of 4k in the video side. What this means is how clear a video is when played back on ultra high def tvs or screens.
the one down side of the 4 k video is that if you don't have a fast enough laptop or computer processor the video will skip when played back on a computer screen or monitor. The newest update on the computer apps is supposed to have fixed that.
For the average person the silver is the better of the 2. If you like to play with videos do editing things like that, post right to social media things like that the black is the better of the 2.
For both cameras you can set the default to either video or pictures with minimal effort. Depending on what I'm doing I usually set mine to default to video.
The most basic acessories for the cameras I would suggest is at least 2 more batteries and a dual battery charger. Both cameras come with a waterproof case out of the box and also open backs to allow better sound recording. If you plan on doing a lot of dry events like parades and shows I would suggest a frame also since it allows the most sound through to the recording.

Such great info!! I have a question if that's ok! I was noticing there is no flash is that right? So no pics or video of at night or a darker setting? Like this is more for active events which are usually daytime things anyways. So a GoPro won't be something that would replace your regular video camera or DSLR?

 

[MommyMeNDisney]

It would be nice to capture DS's reaction the first time he sees fireworks during pirate night, but I don't know if the GoPro will capture that.

 

[southerngirl528]

Wow! Truck1, great explanation! And ********, I will also look into your website! Thanks much!!

 

[ExCMbeau]

Such great info!! I have a question if that's ok! I was noticing there is no flash is that right? So no pics or video of at night or a darker setting? Like this is more for active events which are usually daytime things anyways. So a GoPro won't be something that would replace your regular video camera or DSLR?

I am not sure about that. Here is a video that I took of the Osborne Lights which may give you an idea of how it would do. For the most part the GoPro did OK but low light is not it strength.

 

[truck1]

Such great info!! I have a question if that's ok! I was noticing there is no flash is that right? So no pics or video of at night or a darker setting? Like this is more for active events which are usually daytime things anyways. So a GoPro won't be something that would replace your regular video camera or DSLR?

That's correct. There is no flash with a gopro. There are some after market lights that are relatively inexpensive but they are pretty much marketed and designed for diving.
With that said, both cameras have a low light setting for taking pictures of say the fireworks at night. On the Silver, you manually have to put the camera into low light mode where the Black its automatic.
The other true down side other then a ttl flash or a flash in general, is that they don't zoom. So in some instances, it will not replace a DSLR or a true video camera.
Ill try and post a video of the MNSSHP parade I took last year when I get home tom and thatll will give you a pretty good indication of how it does at night.

Where I find that that Gopros come in real handy, is in a parade setting, where on a monopod I can run it out to its full length, and not block anyones view and still get good video.

 

[mevans9066]

That's correct. There is no flash with a gopro. There are some after market lights that are relatively inexpensive but they are pretty much marketed and designed for diving.
With that said, both cameras have a low light setting for taking pictures of say the fireworks at night. On the Silver, you manually have to put the camera into low light mode where the Black its automatic.
The other true down side other then a ttl flash or a flash in general, is that they don't zoom. So in some instances, it will not replace a DSLR or a true video camera.
Ill try and post a video of the MNSSHP parade I took last year when I get home tom and thatll will give you a pretty good indication of how it does at night.

Where I find that that Gopros come in real handy, is in a parade setting, where on a monopod I can run it out to its full length, and not block anyones view and still get good video.

Thanks for the tips!

 

[MommyMeNDisney]

Goodness, I can't figure out how to get my GoPro out of the box (off that thing it's mounted on). Any tips?

 

[MommyMeNDisney]

Never mind. I found a YouTube video that explained how to remove it from the box.

 

[truck1]

sorry didn't see you post until it was too late.

I havent forgotten about the video. For some reason photobucket is fighting me to upload the video. It says loaded successfully but I can't find it. It's done that several times now or it'll say something happened try again.

 

[NoodlesMom]

What does everyone use to edit their videos. I bought one for our last cruise and have a lot of footage but now I don't know what to do with it. I would love to make a movie with music. Is it best to buy software for that or is there a good free product out there?

 

[MommyMeNDisney]

Is there a maximum length per video clip? I would like to record us boarding and touring the ship on embarkation day. Can this be done in one continuous clip or is there a maximum time per video clip?

 

[MommyMeNDisney]

What does everyone use to edit their videos. I bought one for our last cruise and have a lot of footage but now I don't know what to do with it. I would love to make a movie with music. Is it best to buy software for that or is there a good free product out there?

Sorry, I'm still trying to figure out how to use my GoPro. I haven't even considered editing yet. Hopefully, one of the GoPro "experts" on here will respond.

 

[truck1]

Is there a maximum length per video clip? I would like to record us boarding and touring the ship on embarkation day. Can this be done in one continuous clip or is there a maximum time per video clip?

Yes and no. There is about a 10 minute or so limit, that the cameras them selves will break a continously clip up into but you won't notice it until you down load the card. You can record as long as you want, the camera will do the rest. The gopro download for laptops will put all of the clips back into 1 continously viewed clip movie. You can also add music or edit as you see fit.

 

[truck1]

What does everyone use to edit their videos. I bought one for our last cruise and have a lot of footage but now I don't know what to do with it. I would love to make a movie with music. Is it best to buy software for that or is there a good free product out there?

Try gopro editing software. It's free from there site and designed for use with the gopros.

 

[MommyMeNDisney]

Yes and no. There is about a 10 minute or so limit, that the cameras them selves will break a continously clip up into but you won't notice it until you down load the card. You can record as long as you want, the camera will do the rest. The gopro download for laptops will put all of the clips back into 1 continously viewed clip movie. You can also add music or edit as you see fit.

Wow, that's pretty incredible! Thanks!

 

[ExCMbeau]

So GoPro has free software called GoPro studio. It is fine for the folks who just want to put together videos for their family or youtube. It is pretty easy to use and is well supported by GoPro. Just a warning. If you decide to put your video on Facebook or Youtube then any copyrighted music you use could keep your video from being viewed. Sometimes you can just simply fill out a form saying you will not sell the video or profit from it and that will work.

 

[DisneyDee27]

Go directly to the GoPro webpage and buy it there. I have just about every accessory for the Hero3+. I highly recommend buying additional batteries and the dual charger.

 

[GoProMom]

What does everyone use to edit their videos. I bought one for our last cruise and have a lot of footage but now I don't know what to do with it. I would love to make a movie with music. Is it best to buy software for that or is there a good free product out there?

Here's a Guide for Software editing for beginners (GoPro or any kind): http://********.com/gopro-editing-software-video

GoPro Studio is free, and it's for Mac & PC. Download it off of the GoPro website (or click through the link above and you'll find it)
iMovie is great if you have a Mac
Windows Movie Maker is free, and is for PC (I've never used it)

If you want to go a little more "pro" then go to Adobe Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro.

I use Premiere Pro for most of my stuff.
I use iMovie if I just have some basic clips and want to throw together a quick family video.
I use GoPro Studio to edit time lapses, and to take the "fisheye" effect out of videos if I need to (and then move the footage over to Premiere Pro for the rest of the editing)

If you go with GoPro Studio, do check that your computer meets the requirements to run the software. Many people report crashing, freezing, or just not working and often times it's because their computer isn't capable. It takes A LOT of "brain power" for your computer to edit video files.

BTW for other GoPro beginners here... A common mistake is for people to choose a really high resolution when shooting (like 2.7k or 4k) because they want the "best" footage - then their computer can't handle editing that footage because it's just too much data to process. I keep mine at 1080p (which is high res, HD etc.) and my 8 year old Mac can handle it great.

 

[xlxo]

Sorry, I'm still trying to figure out how to use my GoPro. I haven't even considered editing yet. Hopefully, one of the GoPro "experts" on here will respond.

I'm a long time Pinnacle Studio user and recommend version 18 that offers 64-bit performance, especially for that 4K footage.

I've also been exploring Cyberlink Power Director (also with 64bit performance), while a little faster, I find the Pinnacle video to look better.

 

[VbChristy]

I am not sure about that. Here is a video that I took of the Osborne Lights which may give you an idea of how it would do. For the most part the GoPro did OK but low light is not it strength.

Wow, if it is not it's strength- it still did amazingly well. I am going to have to buy this!