I got a GoPro, Now what?

[Fred1956]

I bought a GoPro Hero, (actually I ordered some for the shop but, hey, we have to demo for product knowledge-Right?) I have figured out how to film and I made an under visor mount. I shot some footage on Thursday evening-

http://www.youtube.com/user/FMPowersports

& now I have questions....

1) It seems horribly slow to upload, do I need to change it to a different kind of file type? if so what is the best/better program for that? ref- I run internet connection from a router that connects to a T1 connection that is about 200 feet away
2) files won't e-mail so I assume upload to You Tube/Vimeo then share link is best option ?
3) How do you add music etc ? I see some cool stuff on You Tube and I want to understand how they do it...
4) The video above was shot at r1 which is lowest resolution that the Hero will do (I think) and quality doesn't appear to be the best...I shot lo res hoping upload would be better


I am semi computer literate but this is my first venture into movies. I'm using a Dell laptop and running Windows XP Pro with service pack 3. I tried 'Movie Maker' but it doesn't recognize an MP4 file so I know something has to change ?? I have read online but it seems confusing. Help or direction to get help will be much appreciated

Thanks

[Fred1956]

Visor mount-

[lankydoug]

Hope you get it going I'd like to see more of those awesome Arkansas trails.

[Stoby]

i used a trial of corels studio to transfer & edit but i really dont know enough to give any advice
Stoby

[GMP]

I make a living as a software engineer, but trying to get something to work with H.264 HD video on a less than new machine running XP is next to impossible. My Xenon powered desktop development machine in work will run it with the right codecs, but I don't want to use that for personal applications. I tried it on a friends Macbook Pro, and it worked great, so I bought one this week. First Mac, and I really like it for this stuff, plus the web and mail. As soon as I get in tune with OS and iMovie, I'll start posting some stuff.

[swazi_matt]

Originally Posted by Fred1956

Visor mount-

i like this setup, is it easy to convert the image so that it is right side up?

[GMP]

Yes, very easy, just a setup option in the GoPro itself not an additional operation. The visor mount provides great video perspective. So far I've used it with the stock mount system and its slightly low. Biggest problem though is noise in the video from either slop in the snap mount of the visor itself. I'm going to figure this out this week and fix it either with something like this or a chin bar mount. Hope to shoot some race footage at a south Jersey enduro next Sunday.

[Fred1956]

Originally Posted by swazi_matt

i like this setup, is it easy to convert the image so that it is right side up?

I fabbed a small aluminum plate that uses the basic clip in mount without the GoPro base. Very simple but keeps the camera up out of the field of vision and I (don't think) I had any of the 'noise' that Glenn mentioned. I have the drawing in a CNC mill program and am getting some more made for friends helmets. Mounted with 2 10-32 screws.
And as Glenn said the upside down shot is a setting in the GoPro itself, the camera shoots upside down but auto converts playback to right side up. Sweet option.

[Fred1956]

Originally Posted by lankydoug

Hope you get it going I'd like to see more of those awesome Arkansas trails.

We're fixing to start laying out for the Almosta Race and I'd like to film the work and then do a time lapse of it for the Almosta page on FB. Planning on cutting in a bunch of virgin trail for this one. That's why I'm trying to learn this. The onboard camera is a sweet deal, a friend of mine just bought a Contour HD, the GPS is cool but the price and IMO quality of the cases, choices of mounts, etc is why I went with GoPro

[Fred1956]

Originally Posted by GMP

I make a living as a software engineer, but trying to get something to work with H.264 HD video on a less than new machine running XP is next to impossible. My Xenon powered desktop development machine in work will run it with the right codecs, but I don't want to use that for personal applications. I tried it on a friends Macbook Pro, and it worked great, so I bought one this week. First Mac, and I really like it for this stuff, plus the web and mail. As soon as I get in tune with OS and iMovie, I'll start posting some stuff.

So I basically need to look at upgrade to Mac? They say Mac is THE choice for graphic stuff. Dang I'm getting to old to learn this hi-tech stuff! Oh well I hear an active mind fights off Alzheimers....