HD Video Tips,Tricks and Questions

[scott bockingMember]

With the ever increasing number of HD cameras getting around out on the trails I thought it would be good to start a thread were we can share things we have learnt.
When you are new to it the settings in the camera alone can seem daunting let alone the whole subject of editing.
Whether you have a question or a tip, stick them here and everyone into filming and uploading can chime in.

One thing I have been doing recently with my GoPro is to run the open back housing in fine weather. It allows the camera to breath much better and the audio is much richer. Sure if it is super dusty it is not ideal but that is not a problem where I live. The HD GoPro do run hot and unless you plan to submerge it snap the open back housing on. The heat the camera generates can cause slight fogging in the sealed housing that you may not be able to see on the lens but will give a subtle softness to your footage. Great for 80’s porn but not so good when you are chasing a mate down a piece of singletrack.

STM

[murph the surfMember]

Hey STM
Well, I need help???? :laugh:
Have just taken our first bit of footage on Tims new GoPro Hero camera
Can’t seem to view or edit or do anything with it on the prehistoric computer that we own
We have viewed the footages on the TV easy enough but would like to get in and edit some of the crap out and add music and stuff
We used a program called U-Lead in the past with an older style cam corder (spelling) and made a couple of great DVD’s of the bikes at Dads farm.
Have just installed Nero 9 but it asking for a “Net framework 3.0” thingy to be installed
All this is jibber talk to me
Any ideas??
What program do you use when editing and or viewing your snippets
Any help muchly appreciated.
I should just stick with the stills, much easier
Cheers
Murph

[scott bockingMember]

Hey Murph
We all need help :laugh:

To handle HD file sizes you need a fast computer that has modern hardware to edit. Ulead is a good program and the newer versions will edit HD but your computer won’t allow that to happen. You have three options.
Firstly you can run your old PC and software and set the camera to VGA which is low resolution. That will shoot files similar to your old camera and work with your current computer. It does mean a big sacrifice in image quality but it will allow you to edit and for ride reports on YouTube links it is ok.
Secondly you can always film in HD in short bursts and load the unedited footage directly to YouTube. You can not view the files on your PC but you can watch it on the TV, work out the ones you want and them save them in a folder on your PC and upload from there. That will maintain the quality.
The third options the one I have just done and bought a new model iMac.

Hope that helps.

STM

[Peter HornMember]

Hi STM

I have this god aweful Adobe software, great if you want to do something for Cannes but f’n useless to me … suggest that unless your a complete tech head you go past this software… or am i just a no-hoper?
Anyone whose used the Adobe stuff and has tips i’d be happy to hear from.

Iva

[scott bockingMember]

Iva wrote:

Hi STM

I have this god aweful Adobe software, great if you want to do something for Cannes but f’n useless to me … suggest that unless your a complete tech head you go past this software… or am i just a no-hoper?
Anyone whose used the Adobe stuff and has tips i’d be happy to hear from.

Iva

Hi Iva.
I take it you are talking about Adobe Premiere. It is s high end program and not an ideal editor for basic stuff. They do sell user guides but they are bigger than the bible and more complex. :laugh:
Try Pinnacle Studio HD or one of the Vegas Pro products if you are on a PC. You can pick them up for under $100 and it they a very intuitive interface.

STM

[peteMember]

I have a Pc ( wish i had a Mac ) i have 8 gig of ram and have a decent grafics card, I use Divx to watch my videos and i use After Affects and Vegas Pro to edit, it all seems to work for me but the only thing is that the editing part can take time and i dont always have the time.

Like STM says filming in short sections is a good idea, i do this as it just makes life easier when messing around with it later, i put my cam on a mate and he filmed in 15 minute sections which made my brain and my computer want to explode when i was trying to scan through it to pick out the good bits :S

I have been scared of using the open back on my cam but to combat the fog inside i use super soakers, we use them when we are diving in our camera housings to help keep the camera safe when uder water, you can pick them up from dive shops, camera shops, ebay, or i think Go Pro might sell them as well.

Good thread STM, maybe the new OBT spirit award winner could let out some of his hints.

PTW

[Nathan HeatherMember]

I have had the fogging problem on a ride up here in rocky so i may try this skeleton door instead. I wonder how much dust is to much?

[Robert JillettMember]

Hi All,

Great thread idea STM we all should be able to pick up and give out some good tips. :laugh: :woohoo:

I was looking at getting a new camera and was going to get the new go pro until i came across the contour roam searching on the net.
So now the problem is what to buy?

So I was wondering has anyone got or have used the contour roam, and is it as good as it reads on the net.

I have read good things about it. Fully sealed unit, waterproof to 1mt and from what i have read takes a good vid.
Would be interested in some feedback before i part company with the cash.

Cheers
Rob400

[GregMember]

What do you Go Pro open back users think of putting a little bit of fabric over the back, inside, to stop the dust?

I used mine for the first time on the weekend but due to dust used the waterproof housing which really restricts the sound. Was thinking of using some micro fiber or something stuck to the inside of the back door.

Workable?

[scott bockingMember]

Nato wrote:

I have had the fogging problem on a ride up here in rocky so i may try this skeleton door instead. I wonder how much dust is to much?

If it is super dusty use the full housing but dust equals dry conditions which won’t cause fogging anyway. When humidity is high is when you will fog and high humidity normally means less dust so use the open back. If you are concerned put some tape over the rear jacks or slip some stocking over the open back and that will keep the dust out. I have been running the open back with no issues and the picture and audio are better. Even when you can’t see the fog there can be a very subtle layer that effects the clarity. If the rain stars rip it off and stick it in your pocket.

STM

[scott bockingMember]

Rob400 wrote:

Hi All,

Great thread idea STM we all should be able to pick up and give out some good tips. :laugh: :woohoo:

I was looking at getting a new camera and was going to get the new go pro until i came across the contour roam searching on the net.
So now the problem is what to buy?

So I was wondering has anyone got or have used the contour roam, and is it as good as it reads on the net.

I have read good things about it. Fully sealed unit, waterproof to 1mt and from what i have read takes a good vid.
Would be interested in some feedback before i part company with the cash.

Cheers
Rob400

Hi Rob

I haven’t used the Contour but it looks like a good unit.
Check this out
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAQ10RamNOg&feature=related
STM

[GregMember]

I will read this through and will need help as I purchased a HD GoPro today from Sutto’s. Bloody good price and they have at least one left in stock, see Scotty

TB

[DudeMember]

pete the wulf wrote:

I have a Pc ( wish i had a Mac ) i have 8 gig of ram and have a decent grafics card, I use Divx to watch my videos and i use After Affects and Vegas Pro to edit, it all seems to work for me but the only thing is that the editing part can take time and i dont always have the time.

Like STM says filming in short sections is a good idea, i do this as it just makes life easier when messing around with it later, i put my cam on a mate and he filmed in 15 minute sections which made my brain and my computer want to explode when i was trying to scan through it to pick out the good bits :S

I have been scared of using the open back on my cam but to combat the fog inside i use super soakers, we use them when we are diving in our camera housings to help keep the camera safe when uder water, you can pick them up from dive shops, camera shops, ebay, or i think Go Pro might sell them as well.

Good thread STM, maybe the new OBT spirit award winner could let out some of his hints. PTW

PTW….It’s an exercise in fustration……so hints …do wheelies when you are being vidioed. 😆 😆 😆

I have developed a process that makes little sence but works…my computer is a bit older (5 years) and worked fine with the old gopro but the files on the new gopro hd and language is a bit different……bigger…..so..

I would..import to computer sd card and would have to use windows live.

then
would convert mp4 to wmv via useing the windows live movie maker.(which I find a painful editing tool) I do a real rough edit and make a movie using this program…

then
I can import this file/movie and use ‘windows movie maker’ and do editing and

then I have the end product that I can make dvd’s. :dry: :dry: :blink: :S

other tips would be don’t bother to vid early or late in the day (the sun’s rays play havick with the quality of vid)……..constantly wipe the cam lens to remove mud and dust.

dude

[Nathan HeatherMember]

How long do 5 minute videos roughly take to upload to youtube? With a good speed net mine usually take about 8 or 9 hours!! Is that normal?

[scott bockingMember]

Nato wrote:

How long do 5 minute videos roughly take to upload to youtube? With a good speed net mine usually take about 8 or 9 hours!! Is that normal?

If you are loading up in 1080p that sounds about right.720 will do the job but it will still take hours. Just do it overnight.

STM

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