GoPro Hero HD!

[bdrake529 0]

I've been quite impressed with how easy it is to get very cool angles with the GoPro Hero. Unfortunately, the video quality is horrific (I'm an HD snob now), so I've not considered it anything more than a cool toy.

Could this change that?

http://www.pitchengine.com/gopro/gopro-to-launch-new-wearable-hd-camera-from-the-skies-at-outdoor-retailer/18503/


(credit to Jarno for posting on his WWWN).

Anyone played with this camera yet? Reviews?


Release says it'll be $299. I just got a CX100 for $439. I'd imagine the lens and imager (Exmor) is much higher quality on the CX100, so I'm not sweating my purchase at this point. But if the lens/imager is half-way decent on the GoPro, and it shoots in 1080p, it could be an interesting contender due to its smaller size and thus, easier ability to mount in creative locations.

Brian Drake

[DSE 4]

According to information from GoPro, the compression rate will still keep it less than optimal, but with the resolution there......it can easily be fractalled up...

[bomb420 1]

Hypoxic is actually a dealer with GoPros. I'll try to get a sample as soon as possible. I too thought the SD version was a neat camera, but the quality was pretty damn bad. Hopefully they also fixed the black dot sun problem.

-Trunk

HYPOXIC

[DSE 4]

Quote

Hypoxic is actually a dealer with GoPros. I'll try to get a sample as soon as possible. I too thought the SD version was a neat camera, but the quality was pretty damn bad. Hopefully they also fixed the black dot sun problem.

-Trunk

That's a relatively "easy" fix, I'm betting they don't have any dynamic range restriction (which is dumb, because they'd get a better image with narrower latitude).
I had forgotten you'd become a dealer. Justin rocks, yeah? They're really good people. One of those situations where my opinion was swayed 180 from my original (I thought their products all sucked, based on an early product experience).
They are 110% a rock-solid company to deal with.

[parachutist 2]

Quote

Hypoxic is actually a dealer with GoPros. I'll try to get a sample as soon as possible. I too thought the SD version was a neat camera, but the quality was pretty damn bad. Hopefully they also fixed the black dot sun problem.

-Trunk

I was curious about the black hole sun issue, and release date for the HD GoPro... so I e-mailed their tech support, and heres' the answer I got:

From: [email protected]
Sent: Jul 28, 2009 5:15 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: RE: GoPro Case 08642: When will the HD version be available?

Hi Chris,

Sorry, but at this point we do not yet have an estimated release date for the HD HERO. The image sensor that will be used in the HD HERO will be able to accurately represent direct sunlight.

Please let us know if you have any further questions.

Many thanks,

GoPro Support
http://www.goprocamera.com

[g3ninfinite 0]

anyone have any new info?

[DSE 4]

all I know is I'm still on a list to receive one for review, and allegedly they're not shipping yet.

[g3ninfinite 0]

found this.... not much info but oct sounds good and a good impression is better than a shitty one.

http://pointofviewcameras.com/blog/pov/article/gopro-hero-wide-hd-first-impressions/

[DSE 4]

I'd seen that, but the first "review" is as valuable as the paper it's printed on. No discussion of dynamics, no discussion of imager, noise, bitrate, etc.
This guy got a first look, but it appears he wasn't allowed to edit or transfer. The information he posted has been available from Justin at GP for a while now.
I'm expecting it to be a decent cam, and they say they've got the dynamic range issue licked...but at the expense of what? If anything?

[uscallesen 0]

There's some demo video available now - doesn't look to bad actually - I'm especially impressed by the slow-mo video.

http://www.goprocamera.com/hdheropreview.html

[Sangi 0]

So fucking awesome, I'm so gonna be buying this!

"Dream as you'll live forever, live as you'll die today." James Dean

[bdrake529 0]

Damn, that does actually look pretty good.

And I must admit, if it's genuinely good quality, I'm going to be a bit pissed off.

Camera helmet - $500
Various RAM mounts - $75
CX100 - $430
Opteka 0.3x - $100
Hypeye D - $100
CX100 Box - $100

If this little bitch can accomplish essentially the same thing (cool mounting positions, good quality footage, wide angle), with more variety in mounting locations (due to size/weight), I'll shell out for it, but I won't like it.

Please Spot, tell me something bad about the GoProHD to make me feel better...

Brian Drake

[MaD117 0]

I know what I am going to ask to Santa Claus this year ! Awesome !!

[bdrake529 0]

Looking through the samples, some of the footage is in 4:3 and isn't as impressive (like the BASE stuff), while the 16:9 stuff really makes me go wow! Is this mixing GoPro SD with GoProHD footage. Will the HD have a 4:3 SD option? The 16:9 footage makes me want to buy this now. The 4:3 footage, not so much.

Brian Drake

[DSE 4]

You're not seeing it on a big screen. That's where you'll see the macro-blocking of this, and other small format mp4 cams. Don't be pissed, you're in the best situation. Macroblocking is bad enough in AVCHD as it is.
Very wide lens plus mp4 shrunk down for the web=good picture. Same thing on a 42" panel...not so good.

[bdrake529 0]

Thanks Spot, that's what I needed.
Still, this camera is a must-buy already. With my plethora of mounts, I can get quality CX100 footage and throwing in the occasional shot from the GoProHD (in really creative mounting spots) won't look so bad.

Brian Drake

[DSE 4]

I think you oughta put a mount inside your container so we can see those lines lifting out. Maybe a mount on your chin cup with the stickum tape.
j/k Serious about the in-canopy, even if it's just for 7 seconds from deploy to ground.

It'll cut well as long as it's not a primary view cam. Because it's 4:2:0 colorspace, it'll allow you to match it up reasonably well using Color.

[grayhghost 0]

the HD is much improved but still has the jello

when I tried it the 1080 option was acting up, but I am sure they will fix that before release

I will be getting one for sure, under the proper lighting conditions the size fully outweighs the quality issues

Now how will I grade GoPro, CX100 and 5D Mark II footage together?

[DSE 4]

The 5d is gonna be a bitch to match, but Color will get you close. Colorista will get you closer.

The "jello" (horizontal macroblocking) is expected from low-bitrate, non-profiled MP4. the 720p is pretty nice with 60p, but the slo mo only makes the horizontal look more strange.

[PhreeZone 15]

I've ran SD bullet cams inside packjobs for opening shots before. HD would be a lot nicer.

Yesterday is history
And tomorrow is a mystery

Parachutemanuals.com

[g3ninfinite 0]

anyone ever attach a go pro to a liquidflatlock? Or is the proprietry mount a must?

[billvon 2,734]

>anyone ever attach a go pro to a liquidflatlock?

I've done it with both a Flatlock and the Goldmember, but ended up just using the adhesive one they send with it. Works well and is small.

[nigelh 0]

www.rcb-lab.com do a bracket for the GoPro and the Zkulls quick release

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Team Dirty Sanchez #232

[Maxx 1]

http://www.goprocamera.com/hdheropreview/

Here is some very cool footage from the GoPro Hero HD.

[grosfion 0]

Hi,

Nigel can you get a picture of the bracket? I could not find anything on their webpage.
To mount it on a helmet with the standard box it seems to have a lot of snag points.

cheers,
Marcus