GoPro has come home.

I've received my GoPro back yesterday, after a quick test it appeared to be working, with playback appearing smooth and without any of the 'stuttering' previously exhibited. Even when I turned the Protune option on, there were no footage problems and the menus scrolled with crashing the camera. When connected to my computer I was prompted to upgrade the firmware - I chose to ignore this for now and contacted GoPro for advice as the firmware mentioned it fixed (amongst other things) freezing issues. TBH I'd have liked to have had some information from GoPro if they'd identified the problem.

Today, the camera froze again while navigating through the menu options. (argh). I decided to bite the bullet and apply the firmware, HD2.08.12.222.WIFI.R56.00. I installed the firmware to the camera, wifi bacpac and remote, so far the menu's and the video has worked correctly. Only time will tell if this has finally fixed the issue!

GoPro dilemma.

Is it worth trying to sell my HD Hero 2 and Wifi bacpac, and put the money towards a new Hero 3 Black Edition? Decisions decisions.

GoPro to be returned.

I've now received an RMA from GoPro to send the my GoPro back, so it looks like I'll be without it for the Christmas Holidays. I was hoping to be able to have used it for the MTB clubs Xmas Eve ride, but that seems unlikely now. I don't know how long a turn around they have on repairs, but it's going to be several days in transit. Hopefully it will be sorted and I'll have a camera back that doesn't freeze when changing recording modes; a working Protune mode will be good to!

The support from GoPro has been good (despite not been able to resolve the problem with out having to return the camera). My allocated support technician replied to my emails promptly, so can't grumble on that front.

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.

#Looking out for a Hero...a GoPro HD Hero 3

An intriguing post on Facebook this evening by GoPro:-

The most epic news in GoPro history drops tonight. Ready to be blown away?

There are plenty of rumours on the Internet about a HD Hero 3, and equally as many different spec sheets! I'm assuming GoPro's news will be a confirmation of the camera and it's spec. I'm available if GoPro would like to send me a camera to review!! ..please...

GoPro Protune firmware - buy a faster SD card!

Last week saw the release of the Protune firmware for the GoPro HD Hero 2, the firmware offers some key updates for those who hope to do that little bit more with their footage. The key change is the reduction in the compression ratio, resulting in a data rate of 35mbps rather than a 20mbps, this reduces the amount of artifacts caused by the compression of the footage. Another major change is the addition of a 1080p @ 24fps mode, this allows the footage from the GoPro to be more easily integrated with output from other camera systems without the need to convert the frame rate to match.

The update also reduces the amount of in camera processing (reduced sharpening and a netural colour profile, amoungst other changes), this allows for more flexibility in the post processing of the video.

A couple of things to note:-

I currently use a Sandisk Extreme SD card, it's a class 10 card, I've had no problems with using it in the GoPro. With the Protune update switched on and recording at 720p at 60fps, the playback was jumpy, with a stutter in the video at roughly every second. Checking into the spec of the card, I think I've found the 'problem', the card has a write speed of 30mbps, obviously the protune update switched on it increased the data rate is 35mbps, 5mbps faster than the card can handle, hence the juddering video. I've been looking at buying a larger card for a little while now, it looks like I'll also have to make sure it's got a faster write speed.

One other thing I've noticed, I set my GoPro to PAL rather than NTSC, since the update this appears to always be set to NTSC. You can change the setting to PAL in the menu, but after you've exited the menu, if you go back in, it appears as NTSC again. Is this by design or by bug?

*follow up post.