GoPro HD HERO Camera
GoPRO HD HERO Camera with No Case
Have you heard about the GoPro HD HERO Camera? Because this camera is AMAZING!
This isn’t your bulky SLR camera to go bird watching with. The HERO is meant for people who are in action. Running, biking, racing, flying. This camera was meant to be worn or mounted on to your equipment. This is the smallest, most durable, and highest video capturing camera ever made at a low, low price.
The GoPro HD HERO Camera is designed to withstand the most extreme sports and activities while still affordable for the average consumer. All the HD HERO cameras can be worn or attached to your body or equipment to capture clear, HD video. Other cameras cost 10 times as much for the same level of video quality, small size, and durability. How is this possible? The people who built the HD Hero are all tech nerds united in their common bond for all things active, athletic, and exciting. This is their only focus, their excellent product. From motorcycles to skydiving to surfing, the HD Hero has been hailed by experts in every field as the very best camera in quality, cost, and size.
Though the Surf Hero has a few quirks, after testing it for the past six months I can honestly say it’s one of the coolest, handiest little cameras I’ve ever used. And best of all, now I can surf and shoot photos at the same time. – Surfline
Packs more power than most professional cameras on the market today…the GoPro is one of the most entertaining cameras I’ve ever used. – NY Times September 2010
First off, the GoPro HD Helmet HERO shoots amazing quality video for such a small package. To say it’s professional quality would be true, as I’ve even used it to shoot footage at my day job as a TV news videographer. – Utah Outsider
The Best HD Quality Video & Photo
What’s the most important feature about a camera?
It’s video quality of course. The GoPro HD HERO shoots in all of the best high definition video resolutions including 1080p, 960p, and 720p. It can even shoot 30 frames per second (fps) and 60 fps for 720p mode.
What does 1080p mean for you? 1080p stands for 1920 x 1080 pixels. It is the highest resolution that HDTV can provide. Most computer monitors cannot even go beyond 720p. The highest frame rate currently is 60 fps. A frame is basically one still image so 60 fps would be 60 images in one second. This would be the same as capturing thirty two megapixel photos every second. There is an experimental 72 fps, but it’s not public. With the hero you get the following:
- – 1080p: 1920×1080 Full HD with a 127 angle of view, 30 fps, and 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio. The 127 degree wide angle is narrower than the lower resolutions. The great thing is most cameras only have one lens angle. This has two! Great for shooting in a car, on a bike, or on top of your helmet.
- – 960p: 1280×960 Ultra Wide and Tall HD with a 170º angle of view, 30 fps, and 4:3 aspect ratio. The 4:3 aspect ratio means you get to see 25% more at the top and bottom of the screen compared to the 16:9 ratio.
- – 720p: 1280×720 Ultra Wide HD featuring a 170º angle of view, capable of shooting both 30 and 60 fps, and 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio. With the 60 fps, you can play back video in slow mode and look even better.
Point blank, the HD Hero provides the best quality video recording you can buy today. It matches the same quality you would get from a HDTV or video from a Bluray player. You can easily watch them on your large screen HDTV and be amazed. This is better than DVD quality. Although these cameras were originally built for consumers, many professional athletes and production companies use them now.
The GoPro HD Hero can also shoot 5 megapixel photos for still shots. It also handles taking three photos in a row or self-timer based shot. You can also easily make it shoot automatically every 2, 5, 10, 30, or 60 seconds.
You won’t see any wearable camera with more storage capacity. These things can take 32 GB SD cards which allow for over 9 hours of HD quality video or thousands and thousands of still photos.
Crystal Clear Audio
No need to fret over manual changes, the smart technology (AGC automatic gain control) in the camera automatically adjusts to get the best sound. In addition, in cases where you don’t have to worry about water damage, you can use a non-waterproof back door which allows more sound. The result is even better sound quality. However, this is completely optional, and the sound quality is still superb with the waterproof door attached.
Rechargeable Battery & Built in Warmer
Here’s something I bet you never heard before. The camera also features an integrated battery heater that makes your battery stay warm in cold climates. Finally, a second battery can be added to double the battery life to five hours of continual recording.
Shockproof, Waterproof to 180’ / 60m
What’s everyone’s greatest worry with a new electronic gadget? That it will easily break if dropped or encounters any water. Don’t worry. This thing is a tank. These cameras have a highly well designed polycarbonate exoskeleton casing which makes it completely waterproof up to 180 feet (that’s 65+ yards!). You can also drop it on the ground or throw it across the room all you want. These things won’t break. They are built with active lifestyles in mind who will be surfing, biking, or even race car driving.
If the terrible should happen, a replacement lens kit is only $20. That’s less than 10% of the camera’s cost. Likewise, even if you somehow sledge hammer the case, you can get a replacement for only $40. So go nuts, capture that wild footage. This is completely water proof and shock proof from rocks, rain, snow, and surf.
GoPro HD Hero Reviews
You should do some research before buying a new product. The GoPro HD Hero is an investment that will last a long time. Luckily, we’ve compiled some reviews from across the internet highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of the GoPro HD Hero.
We include reviews from tech sites along with customer reviews here to get a full sense of the HD Hero. You’ll also see some of my clarifications because some of these problems were due to previous bad firmware or other defects that have since been fixed. You have to decide for yourself whether the few flaws are relevant to you or not. Most likely, they won’t matter because this is the best camera for active sports that you can buy today.
Below is my review combined with other experts’ thoughts.
CNET rates the Hero at 3.5 out of 5 stars with 4/5 stars among customers.
The GoPro HD Hero camera continues from its predecessor as the best camera able to handle any rough activity while tiny enough to carry anywhere. Unlike its predecessor, its new lithium-ion battery lasts an additional two hours and can shoot impressive HD video. It is one of the smallest HD cameras at only 1.6 inches by 2.4 inches by 1.2 inches. There’s only two buttons and a small LCD screen to control it.
Another new addition is the expansion port which will allow future addons such as a dedicated, larger LCD screen and a second battery pack to double its power. They call these addons “backpacs”, so far only the LCD screen backpac is available. But it’s awesome to see this modular design feature meaning you’ll get many years of new features and support.
CNET points out, “the true appeal of the GoPro line of cameras is the wide range of relatively cheap mounting accessories.” Very true words indeed. GoPro has many mounting accessories that can be purchased on the cheap to attach your GoPro camera to helmets, surf boards, bikes, vehicles, and just about anything you can imagine.
In addition, unlike say more expensive cameras or an iPad, the GoPro is not fragile. It ships with a polycarbonate shell that makes it both shock proof and water proof. Try that with any other camera!
Even if anything breaks, you can easily buy a new housing shell, mounting kit, or lenses for cheap, cheap prices under $40 dollars.
If there is one complaint it is that the video doesn’t perform that great in dark light conditions. To be fair, this is pretty true for all cameras this small. All cameras operate by light, the more light, the better it can handle the night. The smaller the camera, the less light that’s possible.
On the other hand, CNET notes that the audio quality is superb:
One area that we didn’t expect to notice a dramatic improvement was in audio quality. The HD Hero does a good job of capturing engine noises while blocking wind noise when mounted outside of a vehicle, but it can also capture clear dialog when mounted inside of a vehicle’s cabin.
Endgadget also reiterated praise for the audio saying it’s the best in its class
he vented rear door on the new case (and surely some internal tweaks) results in impressively good sound. Even at speed only a modest amount of wind noise muffles the experience. It’s a huge leap forward and the best we’ve yet heard on this type of camera.
Another downside by CNET is that the GoPro has an initial learning curve with only two buttons to interact with along with a small LCD screen. But they note, “the menu system isn’t impossible to navigate and there really aren’t that many commands to memorize.” Come on, if you are seriously using this device then you should easily figure it all out after your first try. I admit, I’m the guy that never looks at the manual when using a new gadget, but I did have to flip through the manual for the GoPro. Once. After my first trial and error, I got it. It’s actually very intuitive.
Finally, the third and last common downside is the difficulty telling what the camera is actually shooting. With the tiny screen, it’s hard to tell exactly if you’re shooting what you want. Again, I would say it’s a matter of trial and error. It takes a few uses to intuitively know the field of vision that the camera shoots.
So, what’s the final word? The GoPro has a few flaws, but it is by far the best rugged camera out there today shooting amazing HD Video and great audio quality.
Pros:
- Shoots 1080, 960p, and 760p HD Video!
- Tiny size
- Shockproof and waterproof
- Multiple inexpensive mounts and replaceable cheap lens and case
- Best audio quality in its class
- Rechargeable linthium-ion battery (no more AAAs)
Cons:
- Only 2 button interface
- Small LCD screen
- Difficulty framing shots initially
Some more reviews and quotes:
CNET
“Compared with the competition from the ContourHD, the GoPro HD Hero Motorsports offers users much more flexibility of video resolution, exposure controls, and still photography that hasn’t been matched by any mountable camera system that we’ve tested.”
Additionally, the GoPro system’s polycarbonate shell makes it a much more rugged unit, able to take knocks in stride and be used under water. If the unit goes flying off of your car, it’s not the end of the world, just order a new lens ($20) or shell ($40) and you’re ready to record again.
“Shoots fantastic HD video at breakneck speed. Ships with enough mounts to start a very tiny Canadian police force. So small and lightweight we initially mistook it for a Sarah Palin speech. Includes both waterproof and standard housing. Exceptionally rugged”
“The GoPro HD Hero is an absolutely massive step forward from the old model in terms of visual and audio fidelity. There’s simply no comparing the footage you’ll get from one of these to the footage from the originals”
“The GoPro Hero is my favorite sports cam. Cheap, impossibly rugged, with endless mounts for cars, bikes, helmets, chests, surf and snowboards. The new HD version does HD, 60FPS and recharges. I love it even more now.”
“At first glance the GoPro HD Hero camera looks like a toy you would find inside a carton of cereal; it’s a tiny little box, just a couple of inches square in every direction. But as soon as you turn it on and begin recording images or video, you realize it packs more power than most professional cameras on the market today.
The camera, which is designed to be beaten, tossed around and submerged in almost anything, is easily one of the most fun cameras I’ve ever used.”
Amazon Customer Reviews: 5/5 Stars
Read More“I bought this camera for use with my flying student to gauge their performance during maneuvers and have a permanent record of what we accomplished during their training. What I got was a camera that would fly in all weather and conditions”
GoPro HD Hero Fan Videos
Be sure to change the resolution mode to the highest available otherwise you’re not truly seeing what this camera is capable of. These are some great videos. Some of them are promos by GoPro, and others are fan submitted. All of them are absolutely gorgeous and awe inspiring.
GoPro HD HERO Specifications and Packaging
Alright, so you read about all the great benefits that the GoPro HD Hero camera offers. Now, we’re going to cover the actual technical specs. For the geeks out there, this is probably the first page you want to see.
What Comes in the Box:
- Your HD HERO Camera
- 1 Rechargeable 1100 mAh Lintium-Ion Battery (lasts up to X hours)
- 1 Waterproof Housing Case for the Camera (does muffle sound)
- 1 USB Cable to connect camera to computer
- 1 HDTV Cable to connect camera to HDTV or LCD Monitor
- 1 Composite Video and Audio Out Cable for regular TV
- 1 Quick Release Buckle
- 1 Curved Adhesive Mount (stick the camera on a surface)
The camera comes with a 1 year warranty from the maker. Remember, some credit cards automatically give you an extra year of coverage too. Check your credit card terms.
Technical Specs:
- Lens Type: Fixed Focus (2ft/.6m – ?), glass
- Aperture: f/2.8 (high performance in low-light situations)
- Angle of View: 170º ultra wide angle in WVGA, 720p, or 960p mode
- Angle of View: 127º wide angle in 1080p mode
Video
- HD Video Resolution Modes: (may change with firmware updates)
- 1080p = 1920×1080 pixels (16:9), 30 fps, 15 Mbit/s data rate
- 960p = 1280×960 pixels (4:3), 30 fps, 12 Mbit/s data rate
- 720p = 1280×720 pixels (16:9), 60 fps, 15 Mbit/s data rate
- 720p = 1280×720 pixels (16:9), 30 fps, 8 Mbit/s data rate
- WVGA = 848×480 pixels (16:9), 60 fps, 8 Mbit/s data rate
- Sensor Type: 1/2.5? HD CMOS, 2.2µm-sized pixels
- Light Sensitivity: Super low-light sensitivity (>1.4 V/lux-sec)
- Video Format: H.264 compression, saved as Windows- & Mac-compatible MPEG4 (.mp4) file
- Exposure Control: Auto with user selectable center weighted average and spot metering settings
- White Balance: Auto
Audio
- Microphone: Built-in, mono with AGC (automatic gain control)
- Audio Format: 48 kHz, AAC audio compression
Photo
5 megapixel resolution with several modes including standard single shot, three photo burst, continual interval shoots, and self-timer.
Storage
Requires SDHC card up to 32 gigabytes. Note, you will likely run out of battery power before you fill 32 GB unless the camera is plugged in. Or you just don’t want to transfer/delete video, I would recommend less storage.
Average recording times (using 32GB SD card):
- 1080p (30 fps): 4h 21m
- 960p (30 fps): 5h 26m
- 720p (60 fps): 4h 21
- 720p (30 fps): 8h 09m
- WVGA (60 fps): 8h 09m
Connectors & Cables
* PC Connection: USB 2.0 (data connection and battery charging)
* HDTV Out: HD NTSC & PAL (component cable incl.)
* Audio Out: Combo 2.5mm jack with stereo audio and composite video out
* PC Compatibility: Windows® Vista or Windows® 7; Mac OS® X 10.4.11 and later
Power & Battery
* Battery Type: Rechargeable 1100 mAh lithium-ion
* Battery Life: Approx. 2.5 hrs
* Charging: via USB to computer or optional power adapter
* Charge Time: 80% capacity after 1 hour with optional power adapter; or 2 hours with a computer’s USB port
Waterproof Camera Housing
* Depth Rating: Up to 180 feet / 60 meters
* Construction: Polycarbonate and stainless steel
* Hardware: Stainless steel
Size & Weight
* Dimensions (H x W x D): 1.6” x 2.4” x 1.2” (42mm x 60mm x 30mm)
* Weight: 3.3oz (94g) incl. battery, 5.9oz (167g) incl. housing
Optional Accessories
* Additional Rechargable 1100 mAh Lithium-Ion Battery
* Full Line of Mounting Accessories
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General
- Product Type Camcorder, Digital camera – Compact
- Width 2.4 in
- Depth 1.2 in
- Height 1.7 in
- Weight 3.3 oz
Main Features
- Resolution 5 megapixels
- Color Support Color
- Optical Sensor Type CMOS
- Effective Sensor Resolution 5,000,000 pixels
- Shooting Modes Frame movie mode
- Exposure Metering Average,
Center-weighted - Exposure Modes Automatic
- White Balance Automatic
- Digital Video Format H.264,
MPEG-4 - Still Image Format JPEG
- Max Video Resolution 1920 x 1080
- TV Tuner None
- Video Capture H.264 – 1920 x 1080,
H.264 – 1280 x 960,
H.264 – 1280 x 720,
H.264 – 1280 x 720,
H.264 – 848 x 480
Memory / Storage
- Supported Flash Memory SD Memory Card
Lens System
- Type Lens – F/2.8
- Focus Adjustment Focus free
- Min Focus Range 23.6 in
- Max View Angle 170 degrees
- Lens Aperture F/2.8
Additional Features
- Self Timer Yes
- Additional Features USB charging,
Audio recording,
Interval shooting mode,
1080p Full HD movie recording,
USB 2.0 compatibility,
Shock resistant,
Water resistant
Microphone
- Type Microphone – Built-in
- Microphone Technology Electret condenser
- Microphone Operation Mode Mono
Connections
- Connector Type 1 x USB, 1 x Composite video/audio output, Component video output
- Expansion Slot(s) 1 x SD Memory Card
Miscellaneous
- Carrying Case Marine case – Polycarbonate
- Underwater Depth Up to 197 ft
- Cables Included USB cable, Component video cable, A/V cable
Battery
- Supported Battery 1 x Li-ion rechargeable battery – 1100 mAh ( Included )
Manufacturer Warranty
- Service & Support 1 year warranty