Video Cameras

Ian M · 09 December 2011, 21:56

Christmas is coming, those wonderful people at HM Revenue and Customs have sent me a nice little cheque, and I have been inspired by Mr Whisper

So, I know very little about video cameras, but I know that I want something that I can use on the RIB. I have seen good things about the GoPro HD, and I now see that there is a GoPro HD2 I think it is. Would I be making a smart move putting my money into one of these? Is there a suitable mounting for use on the A frame etc. Are they rugged? Anyone any experience of this latest model? Shoud I be considering anything else? As always, your thoughts appreciated

Hightower · 09 December 2011, 22:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian M

Christmas is coming, those wonderful people at HM Revenue and Customs have sent me a nice little cheque, and I have been inspired by Mr Whisper

So, I know very little about video cameras, but I know that I want something that I can use on the RIB. I have seen good things about the GoPro HD, and I now see that there is a GoPro HD2 I think it is. Would I be making a smart move putting my money into one of these? Is there a suitable mounting for use on the A frame etc. Are they rugged? Anyone any experience of this latest model? Shoud I be considering anything else? As always, your thoughts appreciated

I'm sure I saw a couple of Gopro camera's being used by the Frozen Planet team. If it's good enough for them.........

Ian Austin · 09 December 2011, 22:30

Hi Ian
I bought myself a Oregon ATC9k Water Proof Action Camera - HTC9K GPS Unit | Oregon Scientific

mine came with a GPS module, have used it couple of times but i am struggling to edit the video's, but that me i think, came with a HDMI cable and it plugs straight into my 42 inch flat screen and the picture is brilliant and it shows all the data as well, speed, G force, etc

Will have another go at editing again when i get my laptop back from being repaired and i will try and bang something on youtube.

Ian

Andy B · 09 December 2011, 23:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian M

I have seen good things about the GoPro HD, Are they rugged?

not the most exciting footage but it proves a point i think

Lost GoPro HD Hero Cam found after 2.5 months at Sea.mp4 - YouTube

Leapy · 10 December 2011, 04:55

Been using a GoPro HD this year on both RIB and canoe. Excellent results. Used the self adhesive mounts on the A frame and console - and canoe body - and all are well stuck. Initially used a lanyard too but don't bother now.

Also got the GoPro race car roll bar mount which is big enough to clamp to A frame tubes - there's two: make sure you get the bigger one if you go this route. Not tried it yet as the self adhesive mounts are so good but it looks robust.

Picture quality is superb and advertised as broadcast quality. They used a shit load of them on "the recent I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here"...results were impressive.

MarkM · 10 December 2011, 07:19

Use the VIO-HD for general use and the Drift-HD for a second picture "in picture". Both have a sublime footage.
Started with the first VIO (non HD), but at the moment just HD.
For about one year experimenting with setups, different editing programs such as iMovie - Final Cut Express - Final Cut Pro X, audio, etc.
See Mark Mulders's videos on Vimeo for most of the testing.
This autumn I made a 18,5 GB video in HD, that is 3,5 hours, of an outing with SBF-members to Rotterdam. Busy editing and hopefully ready before Christmas. Will put it on the same Vimeo site when finished.

There are lots of problems to handle. Most difficult was power supply. Drift has nice batteries even a long-life one and a power pack. But VIO has only 4 AAA batteries and doesn't show when they are finished, so lots of recordings missing. Made a connection direct to the household battery in the Scorpion but that gave a terrible noise of the electronics and the engine. Finally used a noise filter and foam around the microphone.

Now I have 5 positions for the camera's on the RIB and my head and everything is fine.

Jimbo · 10 December 2011, 08:00

I've got a GoPro and a GoPro Hero HD, and they're both brilliant. They aren't the smallest of standalone cameras around, but they're so easy to use and well supported by accessories, they're great.

As with all these things, make sure you budget for all the accessories you'll want too - it's easy for them to start sucking up cash on mounting kits, memory cards, batteries, lenses etc. That said, they are very well supported in accessories and you can get clamps for almost everything.

I've done a couple of days this year where we've had professional film crews out with us, and lots of their footage was taken with GoPro's - for example they use them filming bits of Total Wipeout, and if anyone has seen the advert for Rotary Watches (which I'm in...) some of that was filmed with GoPros. Gives you an indication as to the output quality.

Things to consider:
- Buy a spare battery or two, and a standalone charger.
- Spend the money on decent High Speed SD cards; it's pointless sacrificing quality for storage space. You need fast reliable cards.
- Consider your editing computer; the files are BIG and unwieldy.

I've got about 300gb of raw video footage that my computer just isn't fast enough to edit (saving up for a better machine!) and I think the only thing the HD2 adds is High Definition at 60fps rather than 30. Honestly, for most stuff, 720p at 30fps seems quite sufficient, and is much easier to work with.

Festinghouse · 10 December 2011, 08:34

very good quality - look closely and you will see them being used on tv a lot. mythbusters use them, deadliest catch use a couple for some of their more 'exposed' shots.

C-NUMB · 10 December 2011, 09:19

I have no experience about the Go Pro so cant compare, but think the Drift hd 170 is good and great value for the money Drift HD170 Stealth Action Camera: Amazon.co.uk: Sports & Leisure

Particularly like the inbuilt screen an remote control. What i don't like(as not a mac user) is the video format MOV when editing, but used AVS and that worked OK.

MarkM · 10 December 2011, 14:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by C-NUMB

I have no experience about the Go Pro so cant compare, but think the Drift hd 170 is good and great value for the money Drift HD170 Stealth Action Camera: Amazon.co.uk: Sports & Leisure

Particularly like the inbuilt screen an remote control. What i don't like(as not a mac user) is the video format MOV when editing, but used AVS and that worked OK.

I use MPEG Streamclip, it's free, and you get any format you like. After that you import the clips to Windows or Mac.

Mbryant · 10 December 2011, 15:13

I've got the GoPro HD and it's very good. I was impressed with the amount of stuff in the box (battery, all the wires and plenty of mounts).

Battery life is good, mine goes all day (7-8 hours) before it runs out, this is taking photo's not video mind. However I would purchase a second just in case! The only problem I have had is the suction cup coming off when its been attached on a cold morning and the surface heats up but a trust shoe lace seems to work as a back up.

GoPro have also started doing 3D if you have 2 cameras - anyone tried this?

C-NUMB · 10 December 2011, 15:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkM

I use MPEG Streamclip, it's free, and you get any format you like. After that you import the clips to Windows or Mac.

Thanks for the hint, will try that one!

whisper · 11 December 2011, 17:28

Hi Ian, I really like the idea of a gopro hd and I'm thinking of getting one myself.

For the Jolly to the Folly I used a secondhand 'Drift x170' just to get an idea about action cameras. I got it two days before so had little time to get a feel for it. Everything I pointed the camera at seemed to work quite well in the movies so I was pleased especially as they cost less than £100. However it didn't like the changes of light and it made the sky flash quite a bit. I wish I could try the hd version called a 'Drift hd170' which sells for around £150 and it also has a rechargeable battery.

At the moment I'm looking at the prices of a 'gopro hero2' and I think the cheapest I have found it for is £259.99

Have you seen the video on their website? Apparently it was all shot 100% with hero2 cameras!

GoPro Official Website: The World's Most Versatile Camera

PS. I like the bit near the waterfall

tony t · 11 December 2011, 18:02

a 'Drift hd170' which sells for around £150 and it also has a rechargeable battery.

This is what i have now brilliant bit of kit

whisper · 11 December 2011, 18:10

It also has a remote control to start and stop recording, an LCD screen on the side to see what you are recording and also loads of mounts.

Have you got a link to any video shot with your HD170 Tony?

tony t · 11 December 2011, 18:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by whisper

It also has a remote control to start and stop recording, an LCD screen on the side to see what you are recording and also loads of mounts.

Have you got a link to any video shot with your HD170 Tony?

The Anglesey 2011 was shot with the drift HD i have been using a drift camera for a couple of years now and upgraded to the HD about 8 months ago it might play... i,m slowly going through my videos on fooktube to see what plays and what i have to delete and upload again...i have a fixing on my aframe which is great for shots if its just me on domino thats when the remote control comes in handy

as you can see after 4 mins in

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89dGW7hNbh4

Ian M · 11 December 2011, 18:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by whisper

Hi Ian, I really like the idea of a gopro hd and I'm thinking of getting one myself.

For the Jolly to the Folly I used a secondhand 'Drift x170' just to get an idea about action cameras. I got it two days before so had little time to get a feel for it. Everything I pointed the camera at seemed to work quite well in the movies so I was pleased especially as they cost less than £100. However it didn't like the changes of light and it made the sky flash quite a bit. I wish I could try the hd version called a 'Drift hd170' which sells for around £150 and it also has a rechargeable battery.

At the moment I'm looking at the prices of a 'gopro hero2' and I think the cheapest I have found it for is £259.99

Have you seen the video on their website? Apparently it was all shot 100% with hero2 cameras!

GoPro Official Website: The World's Most Versatile Camera

PS. I like the bit near the waterfall

The cameralabs.com videos of the Hero HD/HD2 are quite compelling. I find myself drawn towards it but some of the features of the Drift HD are attractive, particularly the remote control.
Decisions, decisions

C2 RIBS · 11 December 2011, 18:50

This video is from a Go Pro HD

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fwYt..._order&list=UL

We have the drift which I have personnaly found harder to use despite a remote switch you can wear on your wrist.

hadd · 11 December 2011, 19:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by tony t

a 'Drift hd170' which sells for around £150 and it also has a rechargeable battery.

This is what i have now brilliant bit of kit

Might just get one of these myself, ready for the next cruise

Ian Austin · 11 December 2011, 19:13

Oregon ATC9K also has an LCD screen to see what you are recording and what you have recorded (replay), remote control, rechargeable battery, waterproof to 20mtrs without putting it into a box and the gps module shows speed, g force and it tracks you position.

Ohh it takes stills as well, when you want or programed for i think 1 every 2 seconds, 5 seconds, 10 seconds.

Well worth a look at, i payed no where near the list price