GoPro Dive Housing in Canada

After what seems like an eternity the GoPro Dive Housing is now available in Canada. For about 2 or 3 years now people (including us!) have been petitioning GoPro to make a flat lens dive housing for GoPro cameras to improve the GoPro’s video quality underwater. It is quite ironic that one of the big selling features of the GoPro cameras is that they are waterproof to 60 metres, however the convex lens cover on the standard housing makes the footage from the GoPro quite soft and blurry. In the past the way around this problem was to either buy a third party flat lens conversion kit or to buy a third party modified housing. Both options were relatively expensive and not all that confidence inspiring.

Now we have the GoPro Flat Lens Dive Housing which is an official GoPro product and like the original housings it is rated to 60 metres. The housing looks a little bit odd but it works just the same as standard GoPro housing, fitting all the HD version of the GoPro (including the 960, HD Hero and Hero2 cameras). The flat lens on the GoPro Dive Housing makes underwater footage and photos shot with the GoPro nice and sharp, just like they are on land. You can also use the GoPro Dive Housing on land and still get clear, sharp shots although you do run the risk of scratching it up (at this stage there isn’t a lens replacement kit available like there is for the standard housing) – we’d suggest using the standard housing on land and saving the GoPro Dive Housing for underwater use. Check out this promo video shot by GoPro for the release of the flat lens dive housing:

GoPro WiFi Bacpac and Remote Control out now

GoPro have raised the bar in the helmet cam world with the release of the GoPro WiFi Bacpac and Remote Control this week. The GoPro Wifi Bacpac, like other GoPro Bacpacs, clips on to the back of any original HD Hero or new Hero2 camera and comes with replacement rear doors so that you don’t lose any of the normal functionality with your camera. It should be noted however that the GoPro WiFi Bacpac does not have full functionality with the original HD Hero cameras – more on that later. The GoPro WiFi Bacpac and Remote Control are currently only available in a combo kit however they will be available separately at a later date.The GoPro WiFi Bacpac and Remote Control has two very distinct, different purposes:

Full function remote control

First and foremost, the GoPro WiFi Bacpac allows the GoPro Remote Control to “talk” to  your GoPro camera which has allowed GoPro to build the first ever full function remote control every seen for a helmet cam. The GoPro remote control, which works with both the original HD Hero and the newer Hero2 cameras, has a screen and two buttons that replicate the screen and buttons on the camera. You can use the remote control to start/stop recording, change settings, power up/down the camera, etc – basically anything you can do on the camera you can do on the remote control. And the remote control, just like the camera, will let you know when the camera is recording via a red flashing light.

Live streaming

The other feature that the GoPro WiFi Bacpac brings is the ability to live stream video over a wi-fi connection – at least it will have that functionality once GoPro release the necessary firmware upgrade and GoPro app. At the time of writing, neither of these were available. GoPro are very tight-lipped about what resolution video will stream at and they really haven’t released any technical info, so at this stage it is hard to say just how the live streaming will work and how useful it will be. It should also be noted that the live streaming option will only work with Hero2 cameras. Apparently the original HD Hero cameras do not have the necessary hardware to allow live streaming.

First thoughts

We’ve had a quick play with the set-up and feel that the remote control is an awesome addition to the GoPro camera – the number of times we said “is this thing on?” or “is it recording? can you see the red light?” dropped instantly to zero. As with all GoPro bacpacs, it does add some size and weight to the camera. We can’t really comment on the live streaming aspect as that hasn’t been released yet. One thing to remember is that for the system to work, you have to make sure the camera, remote control and Wi-Fi bacpac (which has it’s own internal battery) are all charged and that it’s easy to forget to turn off the remote contol so that when you go to use it next time it is dead flat.

GoPro Hero2 now works with 3D Housing with firmware upgrade

The latest GoPro Hero2 firmware upgrade to v.70 includes some new features including compatibility for the GoPro Hero2 with the 3D Housing. The GoPro 3D Housing allows you to connect two GoPro cameras together to create stunning 3D videos. And now there has never been a better time to go 3D because you can pick up the GoPro 3D Housing in Canada for just $79. The GoPro 3D Housing comes with adhesive based mounts for curved and flat surfaces along with some extra mounting hardware. All you need to add is two GoPro cameras. The GoPro 3D Housing works with both the original HD Hero and the HD Hero2 cameras, however you can’t mix and match and use one of each.

Check out this video from the GoPro Bomb Squad shot using the GoPro 3D Housing at the Katthammaren Wall in Norway:

Open box review of GoPro HD Hero2

Our friends over at Launch Helmet Cams Canada just shot us this open box review they did of the new GoPro HD Hero2. Check out this video to see what comes inside the box of the GoPro Hero2 outdoor edition point of view camera and get an early look at some of the new features on the HD Hero2:

 

GoPro HD Hero 2 camera with wi-fi announced

Big news from the GoPro camp this week – a new GoPro camera called the HD Hero 2 has just been announced. The GoPro HD Hero 2 looks a lot like the GoPro HD Hero which has been a crowd favourite for the past couple of years, but as you would expect from GoPro there is a lot of new features and improvements with the GoPro Hero 2. GoPro are saying the HD Hero 2 is “2x more powerful in every way” and this is why:

GoPro have upgraded the sensor in the HD Her0 2 and it now takes up to 11MP stills (plus you have the option of taking smaller 9MP or 5MP stills to conserve card space). On the video front there is a lot more field of view options, including full 170 degree field of view in 1080p mode. The frame rate has also been bumped up in the 480p (standard definition) mode to massive 120 frames per second.

Coinciding with the launch of the GoPro Hero 2 was the announcement of a new GoPro Wi-Fi backpack which will also come with a wi-fi remote control. Apparently the GoPro wi-fi backpack will allow you to live stream video via wi-fi to any smartphone, tablet or computer that has the GoPro app on it. The GoPro wi-fi backpack will also come with a remote control that will allow you to stop and start recording remotely (much better than using the buttons on the camera which can be a pain to use). The only catch with the GoPro wi-fi backpack is the live streaming functionality will only work with the HD Hero 2. If you’ve got the original GoPro HD Hero  you can use the wi-fi backpack and remote control but you wont be able to stream videos.

Other updates on the GoPro HD Hero 2 include some new connecting ports such as a 3.5mm microphone input and a mini HDMI output. The LCD screen (the one that shows you what mode the camera is in, how many clips you’ve shot,etc; not the optional backpack that you can get for playback) has been upgrade and it looks like it will be a lot easier to read and interpret. LED status lights have been added to all sides of the GoPro HD Hero 2 to make it easier to know if the camera is recording or not.

The GoPro HD Hero 2 is set to be released in Canada some time in November. While you are waiting check out this cool promo video they put together for the HD Hero 2:

GoPro Cliff Jumping

As summer comes to a close it’s always good to look back at what we did with our summer. What did you do with yours? Camping, fishing, mountain biking, climbing…… cliff jumping? With the abundance of water in Canada it only makes sense to seek out some cliffs to jump off. Even better, grab your GoPro camera and film yourself cliff jumping! We found this cool edit from Mowgli cliff jumping with his GoPro at Lynn Canyon in North Vancouver, BC. These guys braved the icey cold water in Lynn Canyon and found some cool drops and chutes to throw themselves off, throwing some pretty nasty flips while they are at it:

The GoPo HD Hero camera is the perfect camera for cliff jumping. The combination of a nearly indestructible waterproof housing that is rated to 60 metres and a wide range of mounting options make the GoPro HD Hero the natural choice for cliff jumping videos. The GoPro HD Hero also shoots in 60 frames per second allowing you to slow down your cliff jumping videos and see all the action.

GoPro sale in Canada on now

We just got word that the GoPro HD Hero is on sale for a limited time in Canada at select online retail stores for $349 with a free 8GB SD memory card included. Check out the link to the Launch Helmet Cams site to pick up this deal.

The GoPro HD Hero is the world standard for point of view video capture. It is used by professional videographers and amateur sports player alike. The GoPro HD Hero is available in a range of kits that include different mounting options, with the GoPro HD Helmet Hero being the most popular model. GoPro HD Hero cameras can be body worn via helmet and chest mounts; they can also be mounted in almost any other location with use for bar, tripod and surface mounts.

The GoPro sale price for the GoPro HD Helmet Hero is for a limited time, so get in quick and pick up a GoPro HD Hero at this special sale price.

Escape work – GoPro Headstrap Mount

Most of the GoPro videos you see from a HD Hero camera mounted to someones helmet or their bike. But what about the GoPro Headstrap Mount that comes with the GoPro HD Helmet Hero package? The GoPro Headstrap Mount looks pretty goofy but surely there is a good use for it?

It would seem the guys from the band Biting Elbows came up with a cool idea for their latest music video, which was shot entirely using a GoPro camera mounted to the GoPro Headstrap Mount. It’s such a cool video and seeing as it’s Friday and I’m “escaping” work by posting this (shhhh, don’t tell the boss!), it seems very fitting. Just remember, you might look a bit weird wearing the GoPro Headstrap Mount but no one will know that when they are watching your video.

Amazing boat crash from GoPro Australia

OK, we know it’s supposed to be all Canadian content, but we had to share this video from GoPro Australia. Shot with a GoPro HD Hero camera mounted on to the Team Hooters boat at the World Jetsprint Championships. At the end of the day one person walked (well, hobbled maybe) away with a broken leg and that’s it. Pretty darn lucky if you ask us! The camera is mounted using a GoPro Roll Bar Mount and the video was shot in the r3 mode which is 720p at 60 frames per second.

Awesome video effect using GoPro array in Whistler

If you find yourself with a lazy 30 or so GoPro HD Hero cameras lying around and are wondering what to do with them, then this is the video for you. By setting up an array of GoPro cameras side by side along a curved rail, they have managed to make some Matrix style effects in a real life situation – in this case Mike Montgomery and Kelly McGarry dropping bombs on the 2011 Red Bull Joyride slopestyle course in Whistler, BC right here in Canada.

The GoPro HD Hero lends itself so well to this sort of application because it is so small and thanks to it’s low price. Retail value of this rig is probably around $9,000 which might seem like a lot, but when you compare it to the cost of production level cameras and rigs that is an absolute deal!

**UPDATE** If you are looking for more info on how the GoPro Array is made, check out this post from the GoPro site.