GoPro is a brand privately owned company in San Mateo, California Woodman Labs that features "wearable" camera/camcorders such as helmet cameras that are targeted at adventure video/photography.

Widely used by professionals and hobbyists, the cameras have been used to film inside of the mouths of alligators, sharks and polar bears. ^[1]

History [edit]

The company was formed by Nick Woodman. Woodman said he was inspired to start the company following a 2002 Australia surfing trip in which he was hoping to capture quality action photos of his surfing, but could not because amateur photographers could not get close enough, or obtain quality equipment at accessible prices. His desire for a camera system that could capture the professional angles inspired the 'GoPro' name.^[2][3]

Woodman initially raised money for his company by selling bead and shell belts out of his VW van. Each belt sold for under $20. While making the belts he came upon the idea of providing a fashionable strap to attach a camera. At the time most straps were rubber wrist straps that were awkward, painful or easily broken.^[2][3]

In 2004 the company sold its first camera system—a 35 mm film version.^[2]

The cameras evolved, going from 35mm to digital, where it started recording 10 second clips, to 3 Megapixel digital cameras to its current configuration of having fixed lens cameras with a wide 170 degree angle in high definition 1080p cinema quality video. Two cameras can be connected to create 3D video.^[2]

The cameras have branched out from the surf crowd to be used by auto racing, skiing and bicycling as new adapters are created.^[2]

The parent company includes financing by several venture capital companies including Steamboat Ventures (affiliated with the Walt Disney Corporation), Riverwood Capital, Sageview Capital, Walden International, and U.S. Venture Partners. ^[1][3][4]

On March 30, 2011, it acquired CineForm. In particular the acquisition brought the CineForm 444 Codec into its control. The codec (which was used in the film Slumdog Millionaire) according to the press release "makes HD and 3D editing faster and more convenient without sacrificing image quality." It was used to roll out the 3D HERO® System shortly after the acquisition.^[5][6]

Controversy [edit]

In March 2013 GoPro issued a DMCA takedown notice to a site (Digitalrev.com) that had posted a negative review of its product, citing trademark use as a breach of copyright.^[7][8]

HD HERO cameras [edit]

A Gopro HD on a spearfishing mask

The company currently only sells three basic cameras, none of which in its native format have a viewfinder or zoom lens. The only menu is a 2-bit LCD that appears on the front of the camera and is cycled through by pressing combinations of the front button and a top shutter button. The cameras have dimensions of 1.6” x 2.4” x 1.2” (42mm x 60mm x 30mm) (HERO2). Ranging from capturing stills at 5 to 12 megapixels. The cameras are bundled with a clear polycarbonate HD Housing (with glass lens) that is rated shockproof and waterproof to 180 ft/60 meters. The housing consists of a quick-release buckle on the top and threads at the bottom which can be used with a special screw to connect to all of the GoPro mounts. The housing has metal buttons which are synched to connect to the camera's controls. The housing has a "skeleton" backdoor option to allow better capture of audio in situations where it is not necessary for the camera to be water tight or shock proof (but wishing to take advantage of the mounts)^[9]

In addition to the usual camera features, the cameras also include an upside down mode to make the photo/video appear upright when played; interval shooting of every 2, 5, 10, 30 or 60 seconds allowing the camera to continuously shoot unattended; 3 photo burst; and self-timer. The camera spec sheet notes they have a proprietary 1050 mAh lithium-ion battery (HERO3), Aperture: f/2.8, and rated >1.4 V/lux-sec in video mode.

Camera lines [edit]

HD HERO3 [edit]

Released November 2012. Woodman Labs is reusing the name "HERO 3" after three generations of cameras have superseded their former model called the "Digital HERO 3."

• Available in three models: White, Silver and Black. All of which are wi-fi capable, uses a microSD card and have improved sound quality compared its predecessor HERO2. However, unlike the HERO2 there is no dedicated Mic input. This is solved by using a USB adapter. The Black Edition introduced a new sensor type claimed by its manufacturer to have "2x the light sensitivity". The Black Edition captures up to 240 frames per second but at a limited 848x480 pixel resolution.

Go Pro Hero 3 Black Edition

HD HERO3: Black Edition [edit]

Capable of capturing digital video up to 4K and 2.7K resolution. Frame rate is lowered to 15 frames per second when capturing at 4K resolution.

HD HERO3: Silver Edition [edit]

The Silver Edition retains the same features of the predecessor HD HERO2, but is smaller, lighter, and shares the same high quality sound as the Black Edition. The Silver Edition uses the same sensor type as the previous HERO 2.

HD HERO3: White Edition [edit]

The White Edition is a new entry-level model for Woodman Labs. Still pictures are captured at a lower resolution than the Silver and Black edition at 5MP. And the burst mode is reduced to 3 still photos per second (as opposed to 30 photos per second on the Black Edition). The White Edition uses the same sensor type as the first HERO HD.

HD HERO2 Professional cameras [edit]

On October 24, 2011 GoPro introduced the HD HERO2 Professional. Marketed as "Twice as powerful in every way", the Hero 2 has an improved image sensor to 11 Megapixels, improved low-light capability and records up to 120 frames per second (WVGA only). The HERO2 has an MSRP of $299.99^[10] and is available with three different accessory packages: Outdoor Edition, Motorsports Edition, and Surf Edition.^[11] Each package includes different camera mounts and accessories.

Camera Optics: Lens Type: Fixed Focus (2ft/0.6m - ∞), glass

Aperture: f/2.8 (high performance in low-light situations)

Angle of View: 170° wide angle available in all modes

Angle of View: 127° medium angle in 1080p, 720P, or WVGA mode

Angle of View: 90° narrow angle in 1080p or 720P mode

Video HD Video Resolution Modes:

1080p = 1920x1080 pixels (16:9), 30 fps

960p = 1280x960 pixels (4:3), 30 fps or 48 fps

720p = 1280x720 pixels (16:9), 30 fps or 60 fps

WVGA = 848x480 pixels (16:9), 60 fps or 120 fps

Sensor Type: 1/2.3" HD CMOS

Light Sensitivity: Professional low-light sensitivity (>0.84 V/lux-sec)

Video Format: H.264 compression, saved as Windows- and 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)

External Input: Stereo 3.5mm jack

Audio Format: 48 kHz, AAC audio compression

Still Photo

Resolution: 11 megapixel, 8MP, or 5MP

Capture Modes: Single shot; photo every 0.5, 1, 2, 5, 10, 30, or 60 seconds; 10 photo burst; self-timer

Storage

Memory: SD card (SDHC), up to 32GB capacity (not included)

Average Recording Times (using 32GB SD card):

1080p (30 fps): 4h

960p (30 fps): 5.5h

720p (60 fps): 4h

720p (30 fps): 6h

WVGA (120 fps): 4.5h

Camera Connectors & Cables

PC Connection: USB 2.0 (data connection and battery charging)

HDTV Out: Mini-HDMI

TV Out: NTSC and PAL composite port

PC Compatibility: Windows® Vista or Windows® 7; Mac OS® X 10.5 and later

Power & Battery

Battery Type: Rechargeable 1100 mAh lithium-ion

Battery Life: Approximately 2.5 hours [1080-60FPS 30minutes]

Charging: via USB to computer or to power adapter (adapter not included)

Charge Time: 80% capacity after 1 hour from AC or DC source (requires adapter, not included) or 2 hours from USB port

Waterproof Camera Housing

Depth Rating: Up to 180 feet / 60 meters

Construction: Polycarbonate with stainless steel hardware

Size and Weight

Dimensions (H x W x D): 1.6" x 2.4" x 1.2" (42mm x 60mm x 30mm)

Weight: 3.3 oz (94g) including battery / 5.9 oz (167g) including housing

NOTE: Specifications are per manufacturer and are subject to change or revision at any time. From: https://www.pegasusautoracing.com/document.asp?DocID=TECH00075

HD HERO [edit]

HD HERO Naked - shoots a maximum of 1080p video (5 megapixels) that is compatible with the electronic accessories that may be bought for additional cost including the 3D HERO System (connects two separately purchased Naked cameras to create 3D video);^[12] Battery BacPac™ (can charge batteries separate from camera and can also be hooked to the camera to provide additional power);^[13] LCD BacPac™ (provides a clip-on LCD screen to preview and play back videos as well as control the camera's menus)^[14] (August 2011 suggested price of $199.99 )^[15]

The Naked camera line forms the basis for other bundles which are differentiated by the types of mounts they have (HD Helmet HERO, HD Motorsports HERO, HD Surf HERO). It was first listed on January 25, 2010.

Specifications : [edit]

• Sensor size : 1/2.5" - 5.70 × 4.28 mm
• Pixel size : 2.2 μm
• Image format :

HD HERO 960 [edit]

HD HERO 960 - shoots a maximum of 960p video and is not compatible with GoPro's electronic accessories although the camera is compatible with all GoPro mounts. It was first listed on August 6, 2010

Digital HERO 5 [edit]

The Digital HERO 5 (first introduced on December 5, 2008) had a 5 megapixel still photo sensor, and supported standard definition (512x384) video capture. It ran on two AAA batteries, had 16MB of internal memory, and could function with a 2GB SD card. It was the first GoPro HERO camera to use a 170° angle of view, ultra-wide lens.^[16] Its housing was aggressively—and extraordinarily—rated to 100 ft/30 meters depth. Its dimensions were 2.6" x 1.75" x 1.25" (66.04 x 44.45 x 31.75mm). The camera is not designed to work with the newer HD HERO line of housings, although the standard screw mounts are indeed compatible.^[17]

Digital HERO 3 [edit]

The Digital HERO 3 released in 2007 had a 3 megapixel camera and shot standard definition 512 × 384 video. It was rated up to 30 meters (98.4 feet) in depth.^[18]

GoPro HERO 35mm, All-Season Sports Camera [edit]

The 35mm camera (model #001) became available on April 13, 2005. It had dimensions of 2.5 inches by 3 inches and weighed 0.45 pounds. It included the camera, a clear case with quick release, a camera strap and ski glove adapter lash. It could pivot "on the fly" and was functional to 15 feet of water. It was described as a "reusable wrist camera" and included a roll of 24 exposure Kodak 400 film.

Mounting System [edit]

The GoPro Mounting System is based around tough plastic components, joined together by a comb joint and nut and bolt.

Handlebar Seatpost Mount [edit]

Designed for use on mountain bikes, this mount can attach to any circular tube with a diameter of 0.75″ to 1.4″ (1.9cm – 3.5cm). The mount comes with a short and long 90 degree arm for flexibility when mounting.

Roll Bar Mount [edit]

Similar in Design to the handlebar seatpost mount, the roll bar mount is designed to clamp on to circular tubes 1.4″ to 2.5″ (3.5cm – 6.35cm), such as those found in the roll bars of most sports cars.

Helmet Mount [edit]

A simple mount that straps through the air vent in your helmet.

Chest Mount Harness (Chesty) [edit]

The largest mount GoPro makes, this chest harness (also advertised and packaged as 'Chesty') is designed to fit onto the body of a human and provide a chest eye view. The mount has also been used to attach the GoPro to dogs and other animals. Made from Plastic and Elastic.

Adhesive Mounts [edit]

The commonly used mounts are attached with 3M double sided tape to flat or slightly curved surfaces. Then a quick release is easily attached to the sturdy mount.

References [edit]

External links [edit]

• gopro.com