TrojanHorse

So I got a go pro for my birthday in anticipation of figuring out how to use it (well) before our big family cycling vacation in Italy. I hated the mount but sending $60 to K-Edge got me a FANTASTIC combo garmin/go-pro mount. Rock solid and no cables, fingers or garmins in the picture anymore. I'd like it slightly more if it had a quick disconnect base but maybe then it would be less solid, I don't know.

So... a couple questions.

1) How do I keep the date and time current without setting it before every ride? I get home, upload the video to my computer and can't find it because it's in 2006 or 2011 or some other weird and random date. Other times, it'll keep the right date and I'm not sure why.
2) is there a way to change the date / time stamp after the fact? (I haven't actually tried to see if there is a built in date stamp in the video, so I'm just musing out loud here)
3) what do you guys DO with the resulting video - use the go pro studio to cut and edit your master pieces? I also have Adobe creative suite if I really want to punish myself as well as a thing called Photo Pro Show gold or something like that, I used that one for still photo slide shows but I believe you can inject video too. No, I'm not going to buy a mac.
4) I've basically left it on the default resolution setting (1080p superwide)... are there better settings?
5) it looks like one battery lasts a bit under 2 hours at that resolution setting. I have 2 batteries and may consider getting two more before the big Trip. Are there after market batteries that are superior and/or cheaper? I guess $20 isn't that bad. OEM batteries for my cameras are crazy expensive ($160 for one of them) and the aftermarket versions are just as good if you get a good one, but of course, that's the trick.

I think I've already lost a 64gb card... those things are crazy tiny.

jsigone

what are you using to import them? Regular imports through windows allows you save the file names upon import. I'm not sure for the other softwares. But I'm sure you can set up a favorite import setting like Light box.

Call me crazy but I don't use my gopro for videos hahaha well maybe for fam related fun stuff for never on a bikes. My use for it is timed 2-10 photo burts per second at wide angle and only have to press the shutter button to start and stop the time elapse. Great for rolling shots aka not having to stop to whip out my cel phone camera.

PhotoJoe 

I've never had a Go-Pro, but I do have editing software and Pro Show Gold. I never knew Pro Show would edit video. Maybe my version may be too old if they've added that feature. You're computer savvy enough that I think you would pick up Premiere quickly, though I suspect the GP software is enough to cut some basic shows.

As far as the date stamp, is there any button battery in that thing? That's where I would start looking if it won't hold date and time.

Did you ever post up a video from the Pizza Port ride?

jsigone

LMAO he had it in photo mode as I would use for the pizza port ride....except for 60+ miles so 30000+ photos to sort and got brain numb on?

PhotoJoe 

TrojanHorse

Yeah yeah, rub it in. The first part of the ride is a zillion stills and the second part was actually video.

It seems to last a lot longer if you use it in still mode too. I'll dig some of those out and stick 'em up here.

TGT1

Just keep in mind that BITD the common pronouncement immediately before a big hospital bill was.


"hold my beer. Watch this!"

Now it's,

"is the Go-Pro on?"

TrojanHorse

In all honesty, I got it so I can ride behind PhotoJoe next time we go up GMR and just hope he passes out. Going straight to youtube with it too.

PhotoJoe 

People think you joke. The odds of you getting your shot are better than you think!

ahultin

I am with jeff, I find i use my cameras (though I dont have the fancy GoPro ) for still shots on the bike. I have the video set to 30 minute loop for in the event of an "issue" but will take photos throughout. I mostly toss the video and keep the stills.
For your trip, one thing you may want to consider is picking up either the k-edge saddle rail mount or the DX generic version. I find the photos from the rear camera are great for riding with family as you get faces instead of backs and butts. Your also much more likely to get shots of @PhotoJoe with the rear camera , i know I did
Highest quality and Cheap Fat Cat Outdoor Cycling Bike 2-Rail Saddle Seat Mount for GoPro Hero4 / 3 / 2+SJ4000 / 5000 - Black on sale

TrojanHorse

Thanks @ahultin, that looks interesting. It also looks like it won't fit with a saddle bag under the seat and I'm fredly enough to insist on a saddle bag. I'll spend some time perusing the 729 pages of go pro mounting accessories over there - I bet they have a seat post mount in there somewhere.

ahultin

LOL, Me too, I will find pictures of the mount I used. There is a post on 3d printed stuff in the electronics forum showing the seatpost mount @WheresWaldo designed

WheresWaldo

@ TrojanHorse, I have a bunch of GoPro accessories custom fit to specific seat posts or other parts of a bicycle. Why use the heavy and ugly generic seat post mount when you can use one that fits right. It is all mentioned in a thread about 3D printed accessories and some of my early stuff is on Thingiverse for the DIY crowd or on Shapeways for those not inclined to print it themselves. Of course my newest and most sculpted stuff is only on Shapeways. I will also take requests to design mounts and try to accommodate unique mounting challenges.

@ahultin Thanks for the mention.

Although I too am a Clyde I rarely venture into this forum.

PhotoJoe 

I'm going to pretend to be offended by that!

TrojanHorse

Well, cool!

Alas, I lack a 3D printer. I can't believe there's a tech toy on earth that I don't already own but there you have it. Thanks for the link - I see myself gracing you with an order shortly. Now I need to get another go pro housing so I can be uber lazy.

ckFoxTrot

There are some GoPro resolutions and fps that are better than others in terms of sharpness. If you search "best gopro resolution" or something like that one of the top returns will probably explain it well. The resolution and fps you choose depends on if you want to do any slow-mo too.

I usually run 1080 60 wide. Superview is cool but can get a bit old.

As for the battery... they can run down quick. Might be worth picking up the bacpac battery add on. Turning the record/wifi lights off can help extend battery life, as well as turning WiFi off. I usually turn WiFi on to set the camera angle. If I forget (or neglect) to turn it off, that can run it down pretty quickly.

1242Vintage

I've had the GoPro for a couple years and usually only turn it on for mountain and CX races. I use the footage as a learning tool. Also since promoters tend to use the same locations and in many cases the same layout from year to year I use it as race prep. Default in 720p and 30fps. I have the small memory chip and a spare battery and usually just wipe out the footage from the camera when done so I never worry about setting the date and time. I have the clear plastic case with the holes that let you hear ambient sound better and a K-edge handlebar mount. I upload to Vimeo and YouTube.

For race video, typically what I do is take some stills of the local area and a sign for the park. Put that up front in the video along with the date. I only use the video from the first lap. Then to make it interesting I'll grab some music from a free archive (just remember to credit the artist) to put behind it, otherwise all you hear is my breathing.

Have caught lots of little funny antics during CX races and more than my share of crashes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHnMkTsE1lE . Video suddenly goes sideways and then all you see are other racers going by.

And then there just the silly stuff that happens https://vimeo.com/108745916 https://vimeo.com/71122767 when you turn the camera on and let it run.

JTXFitness

To edit we like using Premiere and for filming if in doubt just go with the default settings. Go Pro studio comes in handy if you accidentally film the wrong way for example. Here's a quick video on the London to Brighton bike ride that we did a few weeks ago using a Go Pro-

TrojanHorse

Hey, your first post is supposed to be something along the lines of a new thread with a question that's been asked a billion times and is probably stickied at the top. Welcome to BikeForums.

I've taken a bunch of video now and STILL haven't edited more than about 4 minutes of it. Shameful, I know. I keep waiting for a few hours of peace to get after it.

I will say that I bought a k-edge combo garmin / go pro mount and that thing has been steady as a rock. I had nothing but trouble with the go-pro handlebar mounts.

And I bought a big old battery on amazon (Brunton All Day Gopro Hero 3) that lasted 8+ hours on Saturday. I wasn't recording the whole time but the gopro was on from start to end.

NOLABIKER

You want GoPro tips? Check out this guy's YouTube channel. I've wasted many many hours at work watching his videos. Good stuff.

https://www.youtube.com/user/micbergsma