Go Pro HD video camera's

[KiwiBirkin]

My wife got me a new toy for Christmas the new Go Pro HD Motosport video camera. These new cameras do full HD 1080p video recording to a SD card it can also be configured for other modes but the one that had me interested in them was the HD 720p 170 deg FOV mode which means you capture a lot more of the action you are shooting and also gives a better sense of speed in a car. This is what I got in the package I also purchased a roll bar mount and a mount for my windsurfing board so i can shoot windsurfing footage as the camera in the waterproof housing is waterproof to 60m.

 

http://www.goprocamera.com/images/products/large/683_large_CHDMH-001-01-683x426.jpg

 

Here are the specs for the camera from the Go Pro HD web site

 

Camera Optics

* Lens Type: Fixed Focus (2ft/.6m – ∞), glass

* Aperture: f/2.8 (high performance in low-light situations)

* Angle of View: 170º ultra wide angle in WVGA, 720p, or 960p mode

* Angle of View: 127º wide angle in 1080p mode

 

Video

 

* HD Video Resolution Modes: (subject to change, pending final firmware release)

o 1080p = 1920x1080 pixels (16:9), 30 fps, 15 Mbit/s data rate

o 960p = 1280x960 pixels (4:3), 30 fps, 12 Mbit/s data rate

o 720p = 1280x720 pixels (16:9), 60 fps, 15 Mbit/s data rate

o 720p = 1280x720 pixels (16:9), 30 fps, 8 Mbit/s data rate

o WVGA = 848x480 pixels (16:9), 60 fps, 8 Mbit/s data rate

* Sensor Type: 1/2.5" HD CMOS, 2.2µm-sized pixels

* Light Sensitivity: Super low-light sensitivity (>1.4 V/lux-sec)

* Video Format: H.264 compression, saved as Windows- & Mac-compatible MPEG4 (.mp4) file

* Exposure Control: Auto with user selectable center weighted average and spot metering settings

* White Balance: Auto

 

Audio

 

* Microphone: Built-in, mono with AGC (automatic gain control)

* Audio Format: 48 kHz, AAC audio compression

 

Photo

 

* Resolution: 5 megapixel

* Capture Modes: Single shot, photo every 2, 5, 10, 30 or 60 secs.; 3 photo burst; self-timer

 

Storage

 

* Memory: SD card, up to 32GB capacity (SDHC)

* Average recording times (using 32GB SD card):

o 1080p (30 fps): 4h 21m

o 960p (30 fps): 5h 26m

o 720p (60 fps): 4h 21

o 720p (30 fps): 8h 09m

o WVGA (60 fps): 8h 09m

 

Camera Connectors & Cables

 

* PC Connection: USB 2.0 (data connection and battery charging)

* HDTV Out: HD NTSC & PAL (component cable incl.)

* Audio Out: Combo 2.5mm jack with stereo audio and composite video out

* PC Compatibility: Windows® XP (Service Pack 2 or later) or Vista; Mac OS® X 10.4.11 and later

 

Power & Battery

 

* Battery Type: Rechargeable 1100 mAh lithium-ion

* Battery Life: Approx. 2.5 hrs

* Charging: via USB to computer or optional power adapter

* Charge Time: 80% capacity after 1 hour with optional power adapter; or 2 hours with a computer’s USB port

 

Waterproof Camera Housing

 

* Depth Rating: Up to 180 feet / 60 meters

* Construction: Polycarbonate and stainless steel

* Hardware: Stainless steel

 

Size & Weight

 

* Dimensions (H x W x D): 1.6” x 2.4” x 1.2” (42mm x 60mm x 30mm)

* Weight: 3.3oz (94g) incl. battery, 5.9oz (167g) incl. housing

 

I first mounted the camera to the roll bar of Grace and took it out for a test run a couple of days ago using the HD 720p 170 deg FOV mode and all I can say is i'm impressed by this cameras optics and the quality of video it shot for a camera package that cost NZ $550 I purchased a Panasonic full HD video camera to go to Aussie with and I would say now that the GO Pro HD takes better quality video than the Panasonic camera does. I next tried the suction cup mount on the nose cone facing back looking at the driver and passenger and put the camera in 1080p mode this mode puts the FOV to 127 deg which is still quite a wide FOV compared to a normal video camera that is about 54 deg FOV. The video quality was once again fantastic and the image was stable and clear while traveling at 120 kmhr the suction cup stayed put and I have been assured by the seller it wont come off and has been through all sorts of hell in tests before release.

 

Anyway I thought I would share this as It really is a great camera if you want to shoot any sort of good video footage in your car, I plan on using it a lot when im in Grace and also windsurfing/snowboarding and out down the beach on my Blowkart , all i have to do know is learn the art of good video editing to make intresting videos to put up on Youtube.

 

I have uploaded a small clip to Youtube to show the view you get from the camera in HD 720p 170 deg mode but Youtube has downgrade the picture slightly I have put a link in the videos section.