Action camera's

[windy]

G'day guys. So the mrs has decided that she is buying me a go pro or the like for my bike. I just thought I would ask you guys for your thoughts on what's the best, go pro, contour etc. I have no idea. I might be pushing my luck if I ask for a go pro black but thought I would see what else you guys recommend.
Also how are you mounting them to your bikes? Accessories etc.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Cheers,
Nathan

[Negrogrande]

I use a GoPro (number 1) near indestructible,replacement lenses (casing) are only $25
have mounted it everywhere, Helmet front & rear of bike and swingarm.
for an idea of the quality and mount positions check my videos http://www.youtube.com/user/raggamuffin1985/videos

[chubb]

I would definitely go with the gopro..

ease of use, replacable bits and good solid plastic casings

[Marshy]

Never tried any of the others, but I love my two gopros!! It depends on what you're after, but I value image quality and sturdiness over price. You can actually get some very good results from much cheaper cameras (Senator8 uses some good-but-cheaper-than-gopro ones very effectively), and there's an argument for more cameras/multiple views being better than one top-quality camera.

[Team Zero]

I run a go pro 2 and the quality is amazing. There are a few drawbacks in terms of the shape and lack of screen. Overall though they are tough and easy to use. Best of all everyone users them so advice and parts (mounts etc) are easy to come by.

[Mouse]

What settings do you guys have your go-pros on? I want this sorted for the 23rd August!!

[Mr.Ed]

The settings will depend on what camera you have, I prefer the look of the footage on high fps and reckon it looks a million bucks on anything that's moving fast. Unfortunately youtube butchers it down to 30fps when you upload it but even then it still looks better than regular 30fps footage for some reason. When I watch the original footage on the TV or computer it just blows me away.

I have the gopro2 so 90% of the time I'll shoot in 720p@60fps. I've used a mate's GoPro3 Black Edition a few times and not only the image is better at just about every setting, it looks AWESOME in 720p@120fps. Not sure if anyone here likes to edit their videos but if you do, high fps will allow you to do some AMAZING things with your footage (i.e. slow it down to 1000fps with Twixtor).

Also, anyone in the market for a new camera might want to skip the Contour. Don't get me wrong, they're good cameras but the company just went belly up...

http://www.geekwire.com/2013/contour-closes-seattle-hq-surprises-employees-execs-mum-status-gopro-rival/

[Little Mick]

i killed my hero 2 :jaw: casing smashed...and camera and mem card girked... was on triple trees when it went... unlucky... i bought a hero black 3 to replace it...

[Mouse]

Thanks Ed,

Yeah i have the same camera - i will run it on 720@60fps.

[Marshy]

I always run my Hero 1 and 2 on 720@60fps (actually, to be honest, I've been running them in PAL format, so 50fps, but I was thinking last time that I should switch them to NTSC). The doubled frame rate is waaaaay more important than the difference between 720p and 1080p.

I'm sooooo keen to get the Hero 3, as I spend a lot of time editing my race vids. So far it's been an expense I haven't incurred, but it's only a matter of time!

[windy]

Thanks for all the help guys. So what I have read the hero 3 white edition isn't worth buying. And the hero 3 silver is about the same as the hero 2 but with wifi etc.
The hero 2 isn't available anymore..

[Mr.Ed]

The one to have atm is the Black Edition... you need to keep an eye out as every now and then they're on sale somewhere. Kogan had them at $379 delivered about a week or 2 ago... There's rumour (and some decent evidence to support them) the GoPro4 is going to be released in December and that it will again double the specs. This will mean 1080p@120fps and 720p@240fps!! I might have to upgrade my computer before trying to edit those! hahaha

One thing to consider though, is the fact that they will probably record in 4K@30fps. Now I know almost no one has a 4K TV yet and that I said that higher fps is better than higher definition... but recording in 4K means the footage will be 'watchable' for a very long time. I used to have the old cameras that recorded in 240p and these days I look at the footage and wonder how good my imagination was back then! The only problem is that if the current black edition is anything to go by, the gopro4 won't hit these shores till late march at least.

Also, run your gopros in NTSC. There's no reason to run your camera in PAL these days. Back in the day, yeah... a lot of the TVs/monitors would only do PAL but I don't think there's any that won't recognise NTSC and switch to it automatically these days. It also means you get an extra 10fps...

[Marshy]

New xmas presents!!! 4K recording!! <drool> :love: I was eyeing off a 4K tv yesterday in JB (and I saw some really big ones in China recently too).

[Mr.Ed]

The GoPro3 Black already has the ability of recording in 4K but it's only @15fps so unless you're recording a landscape, don't bother! hahaha

[BoB]

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/170987100957?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649
Im running the liquid image ego.same one as senator8 is running. Had the chance to play with the gopro 3 and the liquid one and I cannot see any real advantage the gopro had , they are both on par with each other I couldnt see the value in the gopro for the money as the liquid one is 140 on ebay delivered. For mounting on the bike nice and compact and the liquid image app works very well with the wifi.
Big $$$ if you have 2 gopros and bin them liquid image not as pricey.

[Mr.Ed]

If you're not considering the Black Edition, I agree that the Liquid Image camera has a lot of bang for bucks!

[Marshy]

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/170987100957?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649
Im running the liquid image ego.same one as senator8 is running. Had the chance to play with the gopro 3 and the liquid one and I cannot see any real advantage the gopro had , they are both on par with each other I couldnt see the value in the gopro for the money as the liquid one is 140 on ebay delivered. For mounting on the bike nice and compact and the liquid image app works very well with the wifi.
Big $$$ if you have 2 gopros and bin them liquid image not as pricey.

I'm just about sold, BoB!! I've been putting off buying the Hero3 because of the cost, but I'd really like wifi capability, AND I'd like to cover the bike in cameras for multiple angles. So two more of these (to add to the two early Heros) might just be the ticket! And that'll be 2 new cameras for less than the price of one Black.

[Negrogrande]

does anyone know how well the liquid images crash? My goPro has had a tough life not just on the bike

[windy]

Thanks guys. I might grab one of these

[windy]

Bob what mounts are you using?

[BoB]

I used this mount on the tail section last time and drilled two holes in the plastic base to bolt to the tail piece that already had a hole (didnt know how good the sticky tape mount was)

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/170997597257?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649
the good thing with the ego is that you dont need to put it in a bulky case to mount it . The base of the camera has a tapped thread to mount . You can still get a case to mount it also if you prefer .

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Liquid-Image-Ego-Series-Waterproof-Clear-Case-/170997595064?pt=AU_Cameras_Photographic_Accessorie s&hash=item27d0403bb8

I will post some pics tomorrow of how i mounted it

[BoB]

Senator8 ...have you any pics of the mounts your using / any feedback on the egos your using?

[fitzy]

like the looks of the egos as well, might get one and use it with my go pro 2 hero ;)

[senator8]

Senator8 ...have you any pics of the mounts your using / any feedback on the egos your using?

I'll post some pics up later of the mounts I have. For those of you that already have gopros I have read but not needed to try myself that with a little filing the ego mounts will fit into the gopro stick on tabs. My opinion is the ego mounts are cheaper and better quality anyway. Alex Cudlins gopro mount snapped the first time he used it at EC!

The reason I went with the ego was it is full hd 1080 30fps or 720@ 60fps. Plenty for my use. I'm not producing a Hollywood movie and 720 still looks great on the big tv. It's wireless so I can adjust everything from exposure for dark days to viewing (width) angle, see what I'm shooting and view it when I get back to the pits from my iphone or download the file to the phone and send it straight to youtube. All this for $150! I bought 3 for the price of one gopro. I like Marshy use multiple camera angles, but mine are for assessing my riding. as well as enjoying the watching later.

Liquid image are not a new company. They have been making action camera goggles for years. I've recommended these to quite a few mates and all are happy and so far, touchwood - no issues. I'm not knocking Gopro, but for the money I'm not buying one either.

[Mr.Ed]

I second everything above. 720p@60fps is PLENTY! The only reason I mentioned the other specs on the Black is because, as I said, if you're good at video editing (and that's a pretty HARD thing to do), more fps will let you do a lot of cool stuff. That's it. Also, Ryan has both the gopro3 Black and the Ego and he reckons image quality is the same when the settings are the same... he also uses the gopro mounts on the ego and vice versa. And if the ego mounts are better, I might have to buy some myself 'casue the gopro ones are #$%#%&

[Marshy]

Ok, I'm totally sold on the LI!!!! Thanks to windy for starting this thread, and for everyone else's knowledgeable comments - I've changed my mind on buying new cameras (and ideally I want some new ones before PI in a few weeks).

[Marshy]

Group buy, anyone?? I'll organise it. Who's in?

[BoB]

im interested in getting another one .

[BoB]

mounted on tail , drilled the plastic feet and used bolts , but the tape may be ok . Had the holes already in the feet from mounting on the oggy knob

http://imageshack.us/a/img834/6329/1xow.jpg


mounted on the oggy knob , hoping that the oggy knob will take the damage as its wider than the ego..

http://imageshack.us/a/img6/9887/qd7i.jpg

[Medic!]

Group buy, anyone?? I'll organise it. Who's in?
I'm in if I can sell my akro slip ons in time.

[Mr.Ed]

mounted on tail

http://imageshack.us/a/img834/6329/1xow.jpg


mounted on the oggy knob , hoping that the oggy knob will take the damage as its wider than the ego..

http://imageshack.us/a/img6/9887/qd7i.jpg

Word of advice, Ryan's was mounted same as yours on the tail and it broke off mostly likely due to the vibration. It actually broke the base of casing (see through bit) and not the mount... One advice I'd give to anyone running ANY of these cameras is to ziptie it to the bike in case they come loose. I have mine mounted on the triple and I made a sort of a 'leash' out of zipties that I secure to the camera/bike. It has saved me a few times already...

[BoB]

Word of advice, Ryan's was mounted same as yours on the tail and it broke off mostly likely due to the vibration. It actually broke the base of casing (see through bit) and not the mount... One advice I'd give to anyone running ANY of these cameras is to ziptie it to the bike in case they come loose. I have mine mounted on the triple and I made a sort of a 'leash' out of zipties that I secure to the camera/bike. It has saved me a few times already...

Thanks Ed.

[senator8]

Here are some of my mounts.

http://i1064.photobucket.com/albums/u365/senator8/cammounts_zps2ae88100.jpg (http://s1064.photobucket.com/user/senator8/media/cammounts_zps2ae88100.jpg.html)
http://i1064.photobucket.com/albums/u365/senator8/cammount2_zpsf083bb45.jpg (http://s1064.photobucket.com/user/senator8/media/cammount2_zpsf083bb45.jpg.html)
http://i1064.photobucket.com/albums/u365/senator8/cammount1_zps44895cd5.jpg (http://s1064.photobucket.com/user/senator8/media/cammount1_zps44895cd5.jpg.html)




And here is my newest edition, given it's first shakedown yesterday, It's a lower spec replay xd it is only 720@ 60fps. Not as powerful or featured as it's full hd bigger brother but it is smaller comes with everything needed including many mounts and under $200. I'm going to use it for mounting in spots to see suspension working, swingarm etc as it is very easy to mount almost anywhere. Tried it yesterday mounted to my engine case looking at the front wheel. Did a great job. As you can see it looks tiny in my hand (Baddie, are those words familiar to you?)

http://i1064.photobucket.com/albums/u365/senator8/replay720xd2_zpsa9ba6f43.jpg (http://s1064.photobucket.com/user/senator8/media/replay720xd2_zpsa9ba6f43.jpg.html)
http://i1064.photobucket.com/albums/u365/senator8/replay720xd1_zps0ad8c9ed.jpg (http://s1064.photobucket.com/user/senator8/media/replay720xd1_zps0ad8c9ed.jpg.html)

[BoB]

As you can see it looks tiny in my hand (Baddie, are those words familiar to you?)
what big hands you have...

[Mr.Ed]

that little camera is awesome! You can even mount it under your belly pan if you want to* Also, the LI mounts looks heaps stronger the gopro ones...


*Disclaimer, do not do that. It's a stupid idea and it will get hit with rocks, pieces of rubber and should you ever feel the 'need' to jump a curb it may decide to divorce your bike

[fitzy]

put me down mate

[fitzy]

love that for sub 200 i can come back to the pits and check footage and adjust where needed via iphon for half the price of the go pro! Saying that will still be mounting my go pro so can run front and rear facing

[senator8]

Here's the test footage from the new mini camera. Did a great job mounted on the engine cover! No audio though from the vibration and wind noise.


http://youtu.be/BF9stk9BYos

[Medic!]

Nice. Cool watching the tyre working.

[Marshy]

Wow, that's awesome!!

[windy]

Awesome... I am in for one of these.
Marshy when are you looking at doing a group buy? I would need to get a few mounts as well if they are not included.
Thanks for all the help and advice guys.

[Medic!]

Going to have a look at jaycar as I think I saw these there last week and from memory $149

[windy]

Guys I just spoke to sydney ebikes on parramatta road.
They have the liquid ego for $149. He is going to call me back with a price for multiple cameras.

[Medic!]

Do these have input for external mic?

[BoB]

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/271211062600?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

Just got a couple of these to try , nice and cheap , metal body , screws into the base of the Li , plenty of adjustment. Haven't tried it on the bike yet , aslong as the locking screw doesnt come loose it should work ok.

[BoB]

Do these have input for external mic?

No I cannot see any place to plug in an external mic

[senator8]

Hey Rob, can you update my firmware in my three cameras next week, pretty please?

[BoB]

Hey Rob, can you update my firmware in my three cameras next week, pretty please?
I will post up a how to for updating the firmware in the li so the liquid image app will work. Happy to do yours Rick .

[Negrogrande]

I'm interested in a group buy

[windy]

Sydney ebikes just called me back and the best prices they can do is $199.

[Marshy]

Sydney ebikes just called me back and the best prices they can do is $199.

Umm, isn't that $50 more than they are advertising them for?? :confused:

[windy]

Yeah it is, he tried to tell me that the price on the website was a special they had and he hasn't updated the page since. So on that note I just left it at that.

[Marshy]

That's illegal!!

[windy]

I guessed as much.. They only other place I have seen them for $149 is flea bay..

[senator8]

This is where I got mine http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Liquid-Image-Ego-Series-Mountable-Camera-HD1080P-Wifi-Genuine-Australian-Stock-/170987100957?pt=AU_Video_Cameras&hash=item27cfa01b1d

[windy]

This is where I got mine http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Liquid-Image-Ego-Series-Mountable-Camera-HD1080P-Wifi-Genuine-Australian-Stock-/170987100957?pt=AU_Video_Cameras&hash=item27cfa01b1d

Guys I just contacted the seller of the above item. They said that they can do a deal of $135.95 for 10 units, Including freight.
I am thinking about going down this path, was a little concerned about warranty issues but they have a warranty policy..
What you think?

[Negrogrande]

Guys I just contacted the seller of the above item. They said that they can do a deal of $135.95 for 10 units, Including freight.
I am thinking about going down this path, was a little concerned about warranty issues but they have a warranty policy..
What you think?

Only $4 of the advertised price, no real margin in that...

though $140 is still a good price

[senator8]

I have found them great to deal with and the best prices and aussie seller.
Is it really worth all the messing around with a group buy to save $3! Just buy one or two. You just saved $60 by the sounds of it - $139 posted

[Mr.Ed]

Is it really worth all the messing around with a group buy to save $3!

http://img.gawkerassets.com/img/18x0ifu3g6p6sgif/original.gif

[Marshy]

http://noethics.net/News/images/stories/cheapskate1.gif

[chubb]

http://noethics.net/News/images/stories/cheapskate1.gif

Hey budget racing needs me to be as cheap as possible

[Negrogrande]

Hey budget racing needs me to be as cheap as possible

I can relate to the above.

My mum is my biggest sponsor

and I'm 28

[Baddie]

Hey $3 is still $3....For someone living on struggle street I can feed all four of us on $3.00.

http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/8738/rq9v.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/24/rq9v.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

I've just Got back from testing my new camera on my push bike...I might need some gloves fingers where cold...:laugh:



http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/4743/86cb.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/191/86cb.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

[Marshy]

:pound: :pound:

[Baddie]

Sorry senator for posting picture from your private collection.

[senator8]

Come on Baddie. No need to pretend its my pic. Your husband doesn't even visit this forum does he? So no need to worry mate.
Why don't you post a pic of you riding your motorbike? Or haven't got any?

[BoB]

Is that your new track bike baddie

[Marshy]

Sorry senator for posting picture from your private collection.

http://cdn.memegenerator.net/instances/400x/37678877.jpg

[Marshy]

Is that your new track bike baddie

http://nowiknow.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/01-gold-bar.jpeg

[BoB]

Liquid Image Ego firmware update.. after purchasing my ego i wanted to use the wifi using the ipod as a screen and the liquid image app but it didnt work without the firmware upgrade so i used another app, action connect and this works if you dont want to use the liquid image app / firmware upgrade but no where near as good .
I did the following for the firmware upgrade.

Make sure when you unzip the file and save it on the sd card you rename it "firmware" with the file type .bin , dont have the version number included as the camera wont find the file to upload .

Firmware Version: 3.3.1.0
Date Posted: 20130-1-8
Major improvements since last release (v2.2.2.2)
1. Improve the remote browsing speed for camera contents.
2. Improve the image/video quality, typically indoor case.
3. Add Underwater mode (can be set through associated APP).
4. Charging speed through DC Adaptor is increased by twice.
5. LED indicator and Beep sound can be disable/enable from associated APP.
6. Support image flip mode (set through associated APP).
7. More Video resolution can be set through associated APP
8. Improve the speed of Wi-Fi coming to ready for operation (from 18s to now 9s)
9. Support more status parameters reported to associated APP, now APP can show the camera battery, Micro SD card status.

UPGRADE INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Ensure your battery is fully charged.
2. Connect your camera to your computer.
3. Make sure you Micro SD card is correctly formatted.
4. Download the file “firmware_V3310.zip” from the link: http://www.weltin.com.hk/support/liquid-image/
5. Unzip the downloaded “firmware.bin” and copy into the Micro SD root directory.
6. Disconnect the camera from the computer, the camera will auto power off
7. Press and hold “Shutter” button, then press “Power” button, release the two buttons when you see the words “Up” on the LCD screen.
8. The camera will automatically upgrade itself, after the process (normally within 1 minute), the camera will automatically shut down.
9. Restart the camera, wait till the Wi-Fi icon pop up (around 25s), then the camera will automatically restart by itself, it’s normal, after that, the camera is ready for use.
Notes: after upgrade, you may need to set up the camera Data/Time (through APP “Action Connect”) again, the APP will sort the camera contents according the DateTaken parameter, so it’s very important.

[fitzy]

thanks for this just updated mine now

[Marshy]

Me too, thanks BoB!!

[senator8]

And thanks for doing mine Bob :)

[senator8]

Here's my first play using some data overlay from the gps laptimer - It's race 3 from Saturday sprints at Wakefield


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tqe2MSK7DsY&feature=em-upload_owner

[Marshy]

Nice video! Very crisp footage.

[chubb]

Special software that you use?

[senator8]

Dashware.
Next step is to get one of marshy's data logger dashes for the old girl.
Oooh that will be flash ;)

[BoB]

im looking for some basic software (free) to edit some of my camera footage what do you recommend ?

[senator8]

For single or multiple views?

[BoB]

just single at the moment , just want to chop the beginning and end off of the footage .

[chubb]

Windows movie maker.. easy

[senator8]

^^^^ what he said.

[Marshy]

WMM is great; very easy to use. The only downside is that it doesn't preserve the 16:9 aspect ratio (or at least it never used to. Maybe it's improved?). For everything else, it's actually really good.

[BoB]

Windows movie maker.. easy

the windows movie maker i have doesnt seem to recognise my .mov files from the camer . It found an avi file but when played did nothing in the window on the rhs of screen .(black window ). I may be doing something wrong . will try a few again.

[senator8]

Check and update it first. Also, even if it shows in the preview panel, it takes quite a while to load the file. You can see if its loaded on the bar at the bottom. It won't play until 100%

[Mr.Ed]

The only downside is that it doesn't preserve the 16:9 aspect ratio (or at least it never used to. Maybe it's improved?). Haven't checked but pretty sure mine does...

[fitzy]

where have we all mounted them ,, i currently run my go pro on the tree facing through screen .. looking for somewhere else for liquid image?

[Marshy]

I got pretty creative down at Phillip Island. On the swingarm; under the tail looking at the shock and then off to either side, then at the rear tyre; triple clamps looking forward, then looking back up at me; the fairing just in front of the brake lever looking back at the throttle hand, and then looking forward (I had a gopro and a LIC taped together at one stage, facing in either direction, but they were a bit heavy for one mount and there was too much vibration.

The mounts on the LICs feel more secure than the gopro ones (the curved ones are very similar, but the LIC flat ones have twice the sticky area). Also they are noticeably lighter, so less vibration and less worry about shaking loose. I taped the plastic covers to the camera, then used the top hole to lockwire the camera to the bike (required for racing now) just in case.

[Marshy]

Some of my camera angles from the weekend:

http://tarmactalk.com/forum/images/uploads/cam-1.jpg

http://tarmactalk.com/forum/images/uploads/cam-2.jpg

http://tarmactalk.com/forum/images/uploads/cam-3.jpg

http://tarmactalk.com/forum/images/uploads/cam-4.jpg

http://tarmactalk.com/forum/images/uploads/cam-5.jpg

http://tarmactalk.com/forum/images/uploads/cam-6.jpg

http://tarmactalk.com/forum/images/uploads/cam-7.jpg

http://tarmactalk.com/forum/images/uploads/cam-8.jpg

http://tarmactalk.com/forum/images/uploads/cam-9.jpg

http://tarmactalk.com/forum/images/uploads/cam-10.jpg

[BoB]

nice camera work marshy , it must have taken you another 5 mins to get ready , having to turn on all the cameras.

[Marshy]

At least it gave me something to do in that horrible, eternal one-and-a-half minutes between the 2 minute siren (adrenalin really starts, but nothing to do to relieve it) and the 30 second siren (tyre-warmer removal time)!!

[dan]

They look great!

[Medic!]

Guys check out the new steady cam mounts. Think there may be some issues when facing rear.


http://youtu.be/Xbd7TtKrDFc

[Marty]

nice camera work marshy , it must have taken you another 5 mins to get ready , having to turn on all the cameras.

On the gopros you can do the remote wifi switch on, where u can use the external remote or smartphone app to trigger them all on in one click. If I had more than two on my bike I'd consider trying it out

[Saturnalian]

On the gopros you can do the remote wifi switch on, where u can use the external remote or smartphone app to trigger them all on in one click. If I had more than two on my bike I'd consider trying it out

The Laptimer App that i use has a function to link the GoPro's and trigger them when you cross the start line

[Marshy]

The Laptimer App that i use has a function to link the GoPro's and trigger them when you cross the start line

That's pretty cool! What's the App, Jamie?

[chubb]

I think it's Harry's lap timer app

Only for apple I think

[Saturnalian]

That's pretty cool! What's the App, Jamie?


I think it's Harry's lap timer app

Only for apple I think


Sorry, Hi. Harry's Laptimer it is. There is an Android version out now available for Android V4.0 onwards.

Check it out here.....http://www.gps-laptimer.de/Home.html

J.

[chubb]

I have to say after using those replay cameras that they work great.. shoot well and clear

only thing is that they have half the battery life of the gopros.. I suppose that is to be expected seeing that it is like 3 times smaller than the gopro!

[KANGA]

I have to say after using those replay cameras that they work great.. shoot well and clear

only thing is that they have half the battery life of the gopros.. I suppose that is to be expected seeing that it is like 3 times smaller than the gopro!

Are you using the 1080 or the 720 ones chubb? I noticed the 720's price are pretty cheap now. I like the design of the replays to.

[chubb]

I got the XD1080 and the XD1080 mini.

I use the mini for the rear so it doesn't stick out like dogs balls