GoPro HD Hero 2 issues - continued...

I've had two problems with my Hero 2 recently, this weekend was one of those lightbulb moments - they're not seperate issues, they're related and i've just not realised it until now. Refering back to a previous post GoPro Protune firmware - buy a faster SD card! I'd been trying out the Protune feature and found that the footage was jumpy, I'd put it down to my SD card and the increased write demands of the firmware. Because of this, I ordered myself a Sandisk Extreme Pro card, with a 95mb/s write speed, this would easily cope any write demands. Yet my video was still stuttering. I've also recently been experiencing some freezing and lock ups when cycling through the camera recording modes, I'd logged this with GoPro and they're looking into the problem.

It was at that moment that the light switched on! of course they're not seperate issues, they've got to be related. After doing some googling and reading through some forum posts, it appears that it's an issue that's out there, but not affecting all camera's, even if using the same firmware version. (I got a ZeroAccess! virus from one forum for my troubles, I don't know what site it was as my PC had to be cleaned right back to (hopefully) get rid of it)

It looks like I might have to return my camera to GoPro, I followed the instructions they sent me and applied another firmware. I seemed to improve a little, but it's always difficult to tell when it's an intermittant fault. However the freezing still happened, thankfully the camera is in warranty, i've just got to find my reciept! Some sites mention that they've cleaned the freezing by rolling back to an older firmware, I've been reluctant to do this, as I'd really like to use the Protune feature.

GoPro HD Hero 2 freezing issues.

I updated my GoPro to the Protune firmware version when it was released a few weeks ago, since then I've been experiencing slowness and freezing when cycling through the camera's recording modes. I've turned off the Protune options and I still experience the problems, the freeze can be for a matter of 4 or 5 seconds between modes or can last much longer forcing me to have to remove the battery to reset the camera. I've also tried it with and without the Wifi Bacpac attached, I've logged an issue with GoPro. Will have to wait for their response.

*follow up post

Android GoPro app finally released!

The GoPro Android app is now available for download from the Google Play store - woohoo!! Hearing that the app has finally been released, I downloaded it this evening. Initially the installation failed, but after clearing some space on my HTC Wildfire I was able to install the app. If you can't remember what you set your GoPro's wireless password to be, you'll need to connect the wifi bacpac to your PC and check (or reset) using CineForm Studio.
To connect your GoPro to your phone:-

1. If you've not used the Wifi Bacpac and remote previously, chances are you'll need to update your camera and wifi bacpac's firmware. (Follow the instructions within Cineform studio and the GoPro website.
2. Go into the settings menu on the GoPro, and change the Wifi mode "Phone & Tablet"
3. Turn on your phone wifi, it should find your GoPro's network quite quickly, something like GOPRO-BN-123456, chances are it will be the only GoPro wireless network you'll find - unless you happen to be lucky enough to own more than one GoPro. You can always check your GoPro's wireless name from Cineform Studio.
4. Using your password connect to your GoPro wireless network.
5. Once connected, start the GoPro app - and see if you're pointing the camera in the right direction!

Obviously I can only comment on how the app looks and runs on my rather old HTC Wildfire (running Android 2.2.1) The interface consists of a small preview window, roughly 1" by 1/2"; a maximise button, a record button, a settings button and some information on the battery, connection and number of shots. There's also an on /off button that allows you to power on or off the actual GoPro camera. Initial opinion's on the app are:-

1. It works!
2. You can change most (not checked fully yet) of the camera settings from the app.
3. The preview isn't fully live, there is some delay in it updating.
4. The 'Locate Camera' feature might be useful, especially if you put the camera down and it's getting dark - or worst case - if you break a mount and loose the camera. The volume of the 'beep' is quite loud, but if you're at the beach/motorcircuit, the sound of the surf/engines may well overpower it.

Looking forward to getting out and trying the app.