Okay Geek Farm
Gadget Review: GoPro Hero HD Camera
Nick Mahar
If you have ever watched shows like the Office or The Hills, most shots in the car are used with little cameras like this one or even this camera specifically.
The device is easily my favorite sport, live action, beat the crap out of camera. It's not only cheap, strong, with amazing attachments for cars, bikes, boards, helmets, jet skis, everything! The new HD version shoots 60FPS and it makes me love it even more.
I first owned the regular TV Broadcast type and was very pleased but the new GoPro Hero HD tops even this. The new GoPro Hero HD is much like it's original but with obviously HD. The device comes with awesome mounts for every kind of surface or you can obviously make your own.
The product includes:
1. Awesome mounts for every type of platform.
2. Cheap and Capable.
3. A full 17 Degree wipe angel lens and case that can sustain up to 100 feet under water(trust me, it doesn't leak).
4. This device and it's mounts are very rugged and can stand a lot of beating up.
5. Video and Picture Mode.
Here is a video showing off it's HD footage on a surf board.
As you can see the device puts out great video, especially with it being such a small device. In the normal 60 frame per second mode you can shoot in standard definition of 848x480 or HD at 720p/1280x720. I know that 1080i/1080p is better than 720p, but i still really can't see the difference. Either way you will be getting a beautiful 16:9 ratio. (Note it's ideal for motor sports or other activities not involving seeing you whole body.) The 60 fps modes are much smoother in normal playback but always play back great in slow motion.
Within it's 30 fps mode, there are modes for 720p but at 1280x960, which is 4:3 HD. That is what the surfing video above uses. Also the 30 fps mode has 1080p mode that is 16:9 and 30 fps. The range of vision is limited though from 170 to 127 degrees. Added now is a center weighted mode for exposing the road when shooting inside a car.
Storage Capacity
I find that I can get a lot out of my little device, even with perfect quality video. The specs always vary but here are the averages.
Average Recording times:
1080p: 12 min/GB
960p: 14 min/GB
720p: 16min/GB @30fps 11 min/GB @ 60fps
Sound
The sound isn't the greatest but you can't ask much out of this device. Personally i think it's fine even when incased within its waterproof casing like the surfing video.
Pro Use
If you want to see professional video that uses this device, check out Nitro Circus on MTV and I believe The Office while in the cars.
If you have the original that doesn't shoot HD i don't see much of a reason to buy this unless you really want the HD. If you don't have this little thing at all, it's great for sports, playing around, or just cool shots at a cheap price. I highly recommend you buy it.
-NM
