Got myself a go pro - any hints and tips?

cambsno

cambsno

Messages
20,396
Name
Simon
Edit My Images
Yes
Hero4 silver arrived today. Any basic hints and tips? Bit confused with what to choose settings wise. 1080, 1080 super, 1440 etc... Plus the fps... Just family footage so what to go for?
 
i have just started using one, 1080 plus max fps will be fine as a start.
 
stupid questions but whats the difference between the various fps? Why would i want 24 or 25, or even 50? Am guessing the more fps the smoother it all is, but the more memory is needed.
 
24fps video is the US standard, 25fps is the European standard (PAL). I'm in the same position and learning about video with both the GoPro and D800.

Have you updated to the newest firmware, which gives better Time Lapse and Night Time Lapse settings? I bought mine a couple of weeks back but still had to plug it in and update it.
 
One of the most obvious ones is turn the wifi off on it if you don't need it as it effects battery life a lot!
 
Impspeed said:
24fps video is the US standard, 25fps is the European standard (PAL).
Click to expand...

25 is PAL, 30 is NTSC (US standard), 24 is "film" standard from when people used to go to the cinema.

Doubling the frames per second allows you to play it back at half speed for smooth slow-motion. And quadrupling or whatever the frames per second will allow for slower slow motion playback.
 
Jayst84 said:
25 is PAL, 30 is NTSC (US standard), 24 is "film" standard from when people used to go to the cinema.

Doubling the frames per second allows you to play it back at half speed for smooth slow-motion. And quadrupling or whatever the frames per second will allow for slower slow motion playback.
Click to expand...
50 fps gives more natural motion.
25 fps is more film like so is used for drama.

24 fps will look awful under artificial lighting as you'll get flicker.
 
The gopro site had some good videos on this and what res/fps are better suited for what u shoot.
 
Had no issues with 3rd parties. Took 2 3rd parties and the original to Iceland and had no issues. Always buy 3rd parties, never have any issues. Get a dual charger or an external charger, makes life a lot easier.
 
cambsno said:
So... Genuine battery or 3rd parties?
Click to expand...

Hi,

I'm jealous! - I've wanted a GoPro 4 since they came out!

Personally, I would opt the official battery from a reputable outlet if you need a spare as you have an expensive bit of kit. I have heard stories of mobile phones going a cropper with 'other' batteries and chargers; I can only assume the same risk may apply to other gadgets too.

It may be the case that a third-party battery could voice your warranty too.

Regards, Sam
 
If you ever plan on using it for adventure sports and mount it to a helmet, make sure the helmet is a snug fit! My footage from a snowbaording holiday is wobbly, to say the least.
 
I've found 3rd party batteries have been fine with my Heroes.

If you're making family videos and don't need the really wide angle of view, use the medium or narrow mode for a more natural perspective. The default setting is really wide, so maybe not ideal for every situation.
 
As others have said, buy spare batteries!! I can't believe how quick it can get through one.
 
just in case you didn't know you can updatethe firmware wirelessly via the gopro app on your iphone. no need to connect to a computer..
i wasn't even online/connected to a router, i did mine via 4G :banana:
 
visagephoto said:
I also have a gopro 4 silver and have been unable to find any SIMPLE instructions on converting files to enable playback on advd player.
Click to expand...

You'll need to convert the video to SD MPEG2 and then import into some DVD writing software.

Something like Handbrake will do it. Beware, you'll throw away most of the detail in the conversion.
 
If you are out and about a lot with it, an alternative to spare batteries, or indeed a complement, is to use a rechargeable battery pack such as those on amazon by Anker etc. Works with all your usb chargeable items. Saves me on my travels.
 
st599 said:
You'll need to convert the video to SD MPEG2 and then import into some DVD writing software.

Something like Handbrake will do it. Beware, you'll throw away most of the detail in the conversion.
Click to expand...

I just import into iMovie from the card, why do u need to convert?
 
Because DVD is 720x576i25 MPEG2 and GoPro native is probably 1920x1080p50 MPEG4 part 10.
 
st599 said:
Because DVD is 720x576i25 MPEG2 and GoPro native is probably 1920x1080p50 MPEG4 part 10.
Click to expand...
Which means what? I don't do technical!

Have not done anything other than test it works in iMovie, I just copied it over from sd card and would plan to make video out of that. Looked to work fine, so what happens if I did that and made a clip?
 
cambsno said:
Which means what? I don't do technical!

Have not done anything other than test it works in iMovie, I just copied it over from sd card and would plan to make video out of that. Looked to work fine, so what happens if I did that and made a clip?
Click to expand...

You could just import into iMovie (don't bother using protune if you don't need to do any super editing, just basic stuff which iMovie allows) then once you've finished preparing your video, export the movie at 1080 (or whatever you've chosen as the max quality in the gopro.

Then drag the exported file into Burn, which I find much better than the standard burner on the Mac, choose Video and it will convert it to mpg and you can burn a DVD.

However the DVD will not be 1080p HD as it cannot be. The results will be fine, just not if you want to be totally picky. I guess for that we need Blu Ray :)
 
Does gopro include an easy access to cut, stitch, slow motion effect video clips and adding music?

Would like a gopro 4 silver for family and friends short clips and for my other hobby of cars and generally playing with my kids
 
Download the gopro software and it will take care itself.

Higher FPS can do slow motion stuff.
 
Mount it to a quadcopter and get some epic FPV :D
 
i strapped mine onto my dogs back for the first time out with it :)

what i learned from this is that i need to mount the camera bracket the other way round so i don't see the front of her harness. that will remove something obviously artificial from the view.

shot at 100fps but slowed down to 25% framerate for posting.

no masterpiece but it certainly shows potential :)

https://www.flickr.com/photos/sh0wtime/18086894391/in/dateposted-public/
 
Last edited:
The classic example we did when we got the gopro was to put the camera in the waterproof bracket then splash water towards it using 100fps.

You should be able to see slow motion.

We use 2 to shoot 3D so slow motion 3D with water splash gaves us that effect :)
 
I have been using a Go Pro that I bought off eBay with a scratched lens for £20. I will be swapping out the lens for a cheap Chinese after-market Pancake.
The one I have is the original, the first one they made and has a huge fish eye effect.
Its very good at time lapse, plus because you can use it in the water proof case , you can capture rough weather outside with out damaging the camera.
I used a the go pro cheap Chinese adapter for bike handles, on my tripod arm.

Uploaded a video to show its great for £20 :)


 
In addition to what's been said about FPS it also assists with fast motions in sports for example motorbiking or car racing etc. Keeps it smoother.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top