Yes, it’s true, I haven’t been resting on my laurels all this time, in fact there’s some exciting stuff coming up in the world of DemonView! Want to know more? Then keep on reading!
So what’s new?
Well simply put, DemonView is expanding! I’m going to be covering more topics this year, all to provide you with more information and entertainment. There’s a new YouTube channel that’s slowly taking off called “DemonView Drives“. Click the image below to go there!
This channel is all about my misadventures concerning vehicle repair, maintenance and restoration. I may know a lot about cameras and camera equipment, but I know NOTHING about cars. However, as they say, you’re never too old to learn and I intend to prove that’s true…. or injure myself trying. So make sure you check that out and join in my frustration as I try to get a classic SUV back on the road!
Other things to look forward to!
Well we have a whole slew of new (and retro) hardware reviews coming.
New Podcasts!
New flight videos!
New Adventures on the road and on the river!
and coming for the end of 2024….. a secret project that you can all enjoy, it combines cars, GoPro’s and airplanes! This will be the biggest DemonView production yet and you’re all invited to watch!
Yes, you read that right. For those of you who want/need longer shooting times from your camera, this may be the battery that solves all your issues!
Presenting the Fitstill Extended GoPro Battery.
If you want to shoot for 3hrs in 5.3K 30FPS, here’s your solution!
So what is it and more importantly, does it work?
Here’s what it is!
The Fitstill extended battery pack for the GoPro camera is an extended battery that fits inside and around your GoPro camera. This is somewhat reminiscent of the types of extended batteries that you would see for professional DSRL or mirror-less cameras but scaled down for the GoPro Hero line of the cameras.
The design is pretty unique as it almost looks like part of the battery pack actually fits inside the camera (which it does) but it actually doesn’t use the battery contacts to power the camera. Instead, it actually connects to the USB-C port of the camera to provide power. The part that fits inside the battery chamber more or less acts as a guide to line up the USB-Port properly to avoid damage. So that’s actually a pretty smart design. This also means you still have full access to the touchscreen of the camera as the battery doesn’t block it in any way.
You can see the USB-C connection in this picture.
So does it work?
Well, this is where it gets interesting.
According to the Amazon Page, this product is designed for the Hero 10 camera, in fact, the wording specifically states “Only for Hero 10 black”.
Not my imagination, it clearly states “Only for GoPro Hero 10 Black”
However, when the product arrived, it clearly said on the Box “For the Hero 9 and Hero 10 camera”. Now I’m going to hazard a guess that this product (and packaging) was created before the Hero 11 and Hero 12 were released. So since fortune favors the bold (and the foolish alike) I decided to test this battery pack with the Hero 10, Hero 11 and Hero 12. The results were interesting. ( I recently gave away my Hero 9 to my brother in Florida).
Now please note, that all 3 cameras were running the GoPro Labs firmware and that the power checking requirements had been bypassed using the TUSB=1 command.
With the Hero 10…… the battery pack simply didn’t work. It did nothing. Nada. Zilch! I couldn’t get the camera to even show a sign of life. I thought that maybe I had damaged the USB-C port, but after attaching the camera to the media mod (and successfully detecting it) and connecting the camera directly to USB power (which worked) it seems there may be a compatibility issue. Maybe. It’s also possible that the USB-C port of the camera is damaged, but it’s odd that the media mod and external power still worked. So, Hero 10 owners beware!
With the Hero 11, when the battery pack was attached… there were no issues! The camera powered right up and stayed turned on. I even filmed a few clips without any issues whatsoever.
With the Hero 12, the camera also powered up and recorded. However at one stage the rear display didn’t work properly, but a simple reboot seemed to fix that issue. Odd, but a temporary issues.
I then decided to put the battery pack through its paces. So I set the Hero 12 up to record in 5.3K 30FPS and the results were…….. actually pretty impressive.
Please note the Hero 12 in all its glory filming away. I also included the Portland Oregon weather report!
I managed to shoot in this resolution and frame rate for nearly 3 hours! (about 2hrs 59 minutes if you want to be exact), so I was very impressed. Now since the camera was still and mounted on a tripod, I did have hypersmooth turned off (it wasn’t needed) and the bit rate set to standard (I simply didn’t need a high bitrate for this test). So, I would expect that 3 hours in 5.3K 30FPS was probably the most I would get out of the camera in these settings. I expect times will differ based upon resolution, frame rates and hypersmooth options.
Still, 3 hours……. color me impressed!
So all is good?
Well there are some issues to be fair.
A: This battery plugs into the USB-C port of the camera, if you use it, you’re not going to be able to connect a media mod or external mic to your camera (although with the Hero 12, you still have the option of using your bluetooth audio headset). So that’s unfortunate.
B: I wouldn’t classify the frame as particularly sturdy. It feels a bit cheap and flimsy. Remember, a chain is only as strong as it’s weakest link. This applies to the frame that this battery and camera sit in. Although it has a nice wide locking mechanism at the top, the clip is simply held in place by two tiny pieces of plastic. Should one of those snap or break, your camera could easily end up falling out of the frame. I really wouldn’t have minded paying $20 for a sturdy aluminum frame.
C: It’s not waterproof or weatherproof, nor does it claim to be. I’m not sure how hard it would have been to put a rubber gasket around the edges of this battery pack, but if Fitstill had put such a gasket in place, this would have been a fantastic extended battery pack.
D: For the price, I doubt that it is cold weather compatible. Usually cold weather batteries are a lot more expensive. Unfortunately I don’t feel like throwing this in a freezer to find out (I don’t have that type of budget) but pretty sure this is a summertime battery only.
E: It powers off after about a minute or so of nonuse. This is hardly surprising, in fact most USB power banks to the exact same to conserve battery life. This does however mean that the battery pack isn’t suitable for schedule capture where your camera spends long times powered off.
Taking into account all of the above, is it still worth a purchase?
I think it depends on your need. If you want to film for extended periods with your GoPro Hero 11 or 12, then yes, this is well worth looking into. Only if you don’t need to use the media mod or external audio however…….. and you don’t need it to be weather proof or work in cold weather. I don’t think I would trust it mounted on an airplane or a car though for fear of the hinges failing. Then again, I’ve dealt with this design problem before with 3rd party knock off protective cases using the simple cheap hack of wrapping a rubber band around the outside to stop the case from opening.
Either way, for me, I’m pretty sure this battery pack will prove to be plenty useful over the coming summer months.
Please note that the article above contains links to Amazon. I get a small payment for any purchase made through these links and it’s a great way for you to support DemonView.com website and YouTube channels.
At the last investor relations call, GoPro confirmed there would be four new cameras released this year. However, what can we realistically expect from these forthcoming models? Well, I’m here to break it down for you based upon what GoPro themselves have had to say on the matter as well as some knowledge not readily available anywhere else.
It’s finally arriving!
Camera 1:
What’s been confirmed?
No rumors here! Nick Woodman already confirmed there will be an “Entry Level” model introduced mid 2024. This is outside of the normal GoPro release target of September, so it looks like GoPro could be trying to release the camera to target the summer months and budget conscious consumer.
What to expect!
In my opinion, there is no doubt this “entry level” camera will be based upon the popular Hero 12 platform. However, it will likely have important shooting options removed and well as accessory support. It will still likely use the popular GoPro mounting options (built in folding fingers, maybe with a ¾ camera thread too). I would expect though that the camera will not have media mod options or support for the GoPro Mic Adapter or support for the Max Lens Mod. Slow motions and 5.3K may be off the table (so no chances of people setting up their camera incorrectly and having it overheat). So we’re possibly looking at a 4K and 1080P model camera with maybe basic photo options (no raw support). Since the Hero 10 currently sells for $250, I would expect the entry level camera to have to target the $200 or less price point. Any more than this, and people will want all the features (and more) of the Hero 10.
Camera 2 & 3!
What’s been confirmed?
No surprise here, the Hero 13 will be along in September (which is GoPro’s usual release date for their mainstream cameras). Let’s not forget though, last year, Nick Woodman did say that they were working on the Max 2 camera and that it would be “worth waiting for”. Co-incidentally, there was (a now removed) article talking about work on the Max 2 all the way back in March of last year. It seemed to be in the prototype phase at that point, but if this is true, then it would be realistic to expect the sucessor to the Max this year.
What to expect!
With the Hero 13, it may be finally time to get a camera redesign. The Hero 9, 10, 11 and 12 all shared the same form factor. The design wasn’t without issue, especially where the media mod was concerned. Having to remove the entire media mod from the camera just to access the battery and SD card was a huge pain. This is an area that GoPro need to look at and improve. I doubt we’ll see a huge improvement in terms of resolution or frame rates, just simply based on the fact that so many people try to edit their footage on budget $300 mobile devices. It’s no use releasing an 8K camera shooting at 240FPS if no one can edit the footage! With that, I would expect several improvements in terms of color (HDR 2.0) and the GPLOG profile being even flatter, the usual (but entirely unnoticeable update to hypersmooth). However, if the Hero 13 finally gets a GP3 upgrade (a bit too soon in my opinion) then we can expect a Max Lens Mod 2.0 compatibility, but with HDR (2.0) support. We may finally get a camera capable of outputting 4K in webcam mode or using the media mod which many people would immediately love.
With the Hero Max 2.0, well this gets interesting. Remember that removed article I mentioned about the Max 2.0 prototype. Well at the time, they were running it using the GP2 chip. So I would expect the Hero Max 2.0 to feature higher frame rates than previous models (in Hero mode at least) with a 4K Hero mode. I would expect some of the features of the Hero 12 to make it to the Hero Max also. So HDR support, in camera night effect shots, and bluetooth audio support. GoPro really need to make the Max something special, but already there may be bad news. The original Hero Max always had GPS issues when exporting footage, with the Hero 12, the GPS was removed to help prevent overheating issues, and I would expect this GPS removal to also be present in the Hero Max 2.0.
The fact that the Hero Max 2.0 will also be using the GP2 chip, would indicate to me, that the Hero 13 will also be sticking with the GP2 chip.
Camera 4!
What’s been confirmed?
Nothing. Nada! Zero! However if we look at GoPro’s past releases and their claim to want to produce more “niche” camera’s, then I think it’s save to say the GoPro Hero 13 mini would be on the cards. The Hero 11 mini sold quite well and was a favorite among people looking for a smaller camera that had a smaller footprint. Although it lacked photo mode and GPS support, that didn’t seem to deter buyers and they were happy to purchase. GoPro have no doubt realized this is a good sales route to support and I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Hero 13 mini on shelves this year.
What to expect!
Well 1 of 2 options.
Option 1: The most realistic expectation would be a Hero 13 mini. Although people were happy to purchase the Hero 11 mini, they soon became very unhappy with their purchase. The built in battery was a constant source of issues for many users, whether it be the battery dying in the camera and not recharging or the fact that you had to wait for the camera to recharge before you could use it. There was also no Webcam support. I think GoPro will have learned from these mistakes and basically release a camera with the issues of the previous model addressed. So, webcam support may be an option in this model. However, what I’d really like to see is a removable battery. This way even if there is a battery failure, you can simply replace the battery rather than send the entire camera back to GoPro for replacement. Having the video mode bells and whistles of the 13 black supported too will make this model a great contender for many FPV pilots.
Option 2: The 1” sensor model. This is something that people have been requesting for years. A GoPro with a larger sensor for shooting better video at night or in low light situations. However the issue with 1” sensors is the inablity to focus on close objects. Vlogging with a 1” sensor using a selfie stick would require quite a long selfie stick indeed due to the focal lengths involved with a 1” sensor.
This truly would be a “niche” camera for GoPro and one that may prove to be problematic for users who don’t understand the optical issues at hand. With a larger sensor onboard though, without upgrading the processor, GoPro may have to even cut back on video and photo modes for such a model and I don’t think people would be happy with that (although putting 1080P and 2.7K on the chopping block may be an option). A 1” sensor would also be ideal for those ultra slow motion shots that naturally require more light due to the high frame rates involved.
Final thoughts:
It will be an interesting year for GoPro. I’m not sure they really hit the sales figures that they wanted last year and there is some really tough competition on the market at the moment. GoPro have always had the habit of releasing a model every year with just incremental updates. Last year, apart from the GPS removal, there was no significant hardware updates from the Hero 11 to the Hero 12. Instead the Hero 12 was given completely new firmware to enable new features and modes on the camera. While this caused some major backlash and disappointment from customers initially (myself included) the Hero 12 has weathered the storm and those that purchased it, are happy with the performance. This is also a sign that GoPro’s small engineering staff were hard at work designing something truly special for this year. I really do hope that they can deliver on expectations this year.
GoPro have their sights set on the future and to survive, they need to be innovative and offer something that customers feel they “must have” from their action cameras. However, they are still on the back-foot in the software department and are losing ground to their competitors. So big risks may not be something they are willing to look at. This worries me as if you don’t take big risks, in the face of stiff competition, you are doomed to die a slow death. I don’t want to see this company fade away to obscurity or be bought out by a bigger company only to be closed down. Let’s hope that 2024 is the year that GoPro well and truly impresses their customer base and more.
It’s still happening, even though I’ve warned people again and again and again… not to buy bargain basement, cheap, unreliable SD cards…….. they are still doing it. At this point I feel like I’m banging my head against the wall trying to get people to stop making this mistake. The only reason I’m doing this is because I actually DON’T want you to start having issues or worse, lose precious footage of what you filmed.
So, let’s (once again) go through all the reasons you shouldn’t be using cheap SD cards purchased for a bargain price!
1. Low Write Speeds
Cheap SD cards often have low write speeds. This can be a significant issue, especially for photographers and videographers who need to quickly save high-resolution images or videos. A slow write speed can cause your camera to lag, missing crucial moments. They can also cause your camera to overheat as it tries to write vast amounts of data quickly onto an SD card that’s far too slow.
2. Risk of Data Corruption
Another major concern with cheap SD cards is the risk of data corruption. If an SD card is not reliable, you may end up losing your precious memories or important data. This is particularly true for fake memory cards, which may report a large total capacity to your device when in reality, they contain a much smaller capacity. This will result in you thinking you’ve recorded footage, but when you go to view it later on, you see that somehow, mysteriously, your footage has now disappeared for no reason.
3. Limited Lifespan
SD cards have a limited number of read/write cycles. Every time you access data on it, the remaining lifespan decreases. Naturally, the lifespan also varies depending on the quality of the SD card. A product from a reputable brand will live longer than a cheap no-name card.
4. Potential for Fake Products
Cheap SD cards are often fake. These cards can cause more harm than good, especially if you use them to store important data. It’s always better to buy from reputable retailers to avoid the risk of getting a fake product.
So how do you spot a cheap/fake SD card?
First of all, THE PRICE IS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE! Trust me, you are not, I repeat NOT going to get a 1TB SD card for $25 and under. Compare the price of a well known brand such as a Sandisk Extreme Pro. You’re looking at $137 for a 1TB card. A 512GB Samsung Pro Plus card will set you back at least $50. So if you see some no name brand SD card offering 1TB for $25, then trust me, it’s either a fake card or a woefully slow and unreliable card.
Secondly of all are the reviews. If your card is as good as it seems, then it’s going to have hundreds of reviews giving it 5 stars. It’s not going to have 10 reviews or less all typed in poor English. Again, let’s compare the well known brands of Sandisk and Samsung. The Sandisk Extreme Pro has over 1,700 user ratings on Amazon. The Samsung Pro Plus has over 18,000 ratings on Amazon. A cheap, unknown brand SD card claiming to be 1TB… has just 14 ratings on Amazon… with only 3 reviews.
Stop stop stop stop stop stop stop stop stop stop stop stop stop stop buying cheap SD cards and just throwing your money down the drain. If you do buy a cheap SD card, when you have issues with your camera, stop blaming the camera, stop blaming the company that makes the camera. Instead find the nearest mirror that you can, take a long hard look in it, and blame the person you see looking back at you. You’re the problem, not the camera!
Conclusion
While it might be tempting to save money by buying a cheap SD card, the potential problems you could encounter are simply not worth the risk. From slow write speeds to data corruption and limited lifespan, cheap SD cards come with a host of issues that could end up costing you more in the long run. So, next time you’re in the market for an SD card, remember: you get what you pay for.
Yes, we’re nearly there! As of writing this piece, we are 8 days away from Christmas. You may be getting gifts from loved one or have bought gifts for loved ones, however what we all want is for Christmas to go off without a hitch. With that in mind, I’m going to share with you my 8 essential tech tips for Christmas. So, without further hesitation, here we go!
8: Read the manual!
This should go without saying, but you’ll notice that when you buy some tech these days, it may come with a small “Quick start” guide on a single sheet of paper or small card, what it usually doesn’t come with, is a manual.
How do I use this confounded thing????
This is simply because no one reads the manual anymore. People want to pick up an item, power it on and use it. They then blame the item when something goes wrong (and it will). The manual not only has instructions on how to properly use the item in question, but it usually has problem solving tips within.
Read the manual and avoid frustration!
So, if you’ve bought someone a tech gift, download the manual and read it. Not only will this give you an idea of how to use the product, but when someone runs into trouble, you’ll have inside info on how to fix the issue (and look like a superhero at the same time). User manuals can usually be found in the support section of a manufacture’s website.
Be your kids Superhero by fixing their tech issues!
7: Get spare batteries!
If your tech gift uses batteries, don’t make the mistake of
A: Assuming batteries come with it!
Or
B: Assuming the batteries that come with it are fully charged!
This can be tricky; a lot of items can’t be opened without ruining the packaging. Understandably, you don’t want to give someone an opened gift. So, buy a spare battery and standalone charger and charge the batteries in secret. That way not only is your gift ready to use Christmas morning, but you can also charge any spare batteries while the item is in use.
I always make sure I have spare batteries charged, ready to go!
6: Insurance!
Some items are built to be tough; others can be quite delicate. A lot of companies will offer extra insurance for a product for a low fee. If you’re spending over $300 on an item, extra insurance for $50 that guarantees a replacement might be worth it. If something happens, you don’t want to have to dish out another $300 to replace the item. So, anything to ease the cost of a replacement is a good idea.
Kids will break things, be prepared.!
5: Accessories
Accessories make a cheap but ideal gift! Accessories can add to the fun of the main gift and can be a great cheap option. Let’s say you’ve bought someone an R/C car. Buying some small foam safety cones now gives them an obstacle course to drive around.
An R/C car is more fun with an obstacle course racetrack!
Bought someone a camera? Those same cones could be a prop for forced perspective shots. The point is that accessories don’t have to be expensive. Simple props can elevate a gift and give a person many more hours of enjoyment. Just use your imagination!
Mini props for RC cars or photography!
4: Regulations and laws!
Some of you may be getting a drone for Christmas. Toy drones are usually exempt from certain regulations due to their weight, but other drones may not be. Know the regulations and laws regarding drone flying, where you can fly them and where you can’t fly them. You don’t want to buy someone a drone and suddenly end up with a fine for thousands from the FAA in return.
Know the drone laws or face the consequences!
There are lots of online resources, YouTube videos etc. all about the laws and regulations regarding drone flying. Learn them and make sure you’re familiar with them before you fly otherwise you could be in real trouble. You can even make money from your drone with a Part 107 license.
A part 107 guide explains all you need to know about drone flying!
3: Keep tabs on your item!
I’m now a big fan of Apple AirTags. They are handy small devices for keeping track of your items with no monthly fees. If the item you’ve bought for someone comes with a carry case? Pop an airtag in it. Bought an R/C car? Stick an AirTag inside it if you can. In the case of an action camera, there may not be room for an AirTag on it.
AirTags are a must have if you own an Apple iPhone or iPad!
In which case look up other ways to keep track of the item. For example, with GoPro camera’s, you can load on a special firmware called GoPro Labs Firmware. This allows you to add owner and contact information into the camera firmware itself. This can be used to display a name, an email address and phone number on the rear screen of the camera when it’s powered on. Fantastic if you ever lose your camera and someone else finds it.
GoPro Labs Firmware. Everyone should be using it!
Even if the SD card is removed, this info is still displayed on the camera as it’s part of the operating system.
At the very least, get an ultraviolet marker to write information on the device if you have to.
Ultraviolet markers may be low tech, but they work!
2: Get the right SD Card!
Although not all devices use an SD card, in the case of action cameras or drone, they need one. I’ve been telling people for years to use the right SD card in their cameras. I’ve published this on my website, mentioned it in forums, I’ve made videos about this on my channel. Yet even now, every other day people ask why they are having issues with their camera and mention they are using a totally unsuitable SD card. People seem to think that all SD cards are the same, I assure you they are not. Cheaper SD cards are usually unsuitable as they simply aren’t fast enough for the device they are used in. This leads to crashing, overheating and even damaging the device in question. People will spend over $300 on an action camera and accessories, and then try putting the cheapest slowest SD card in the camera and then wonder why it’s not working properly. STOP DOING THIS! Get a Samsung Pro Plus SD card for your camera and stop using cheap slow SD cards that can damage your camera.
The only SD card you should be using in your action camera!
1: HAVE FUN!
So, you’ve gotten or bought someone a tech gift for Christmas. It’s no use putting it on a shelf and only looking it and never using it. You don’t become an expert with an item by not using it. Is there a risk of breaking or damaging something? Sure, but there’s no reward without risk. The trick is to avoid unnecessary and dangerous risks.
Get out there and have some fun!
So have fun, enjoy your gift and master using it……….. then get a YouTube channel and make some money showing other people how to do the same thing.
Have fun and make money with a YouTube channel!
Merry Christmas folks!
This article contains links to 3rd party retailers for some items. If you purchase using these links I get a small fee. This is used to help fund this website and create more YouTube video tutorials. So please use the links above to help fund all of this hard work and to prove to the world, you’re not the Grinch.
By now it’s no secret that the GoPro Max 2 is coming. This was confirmed by Nick Woodman himself in the last investors relations call. When asked if the GoPro Max 2 was coming, he said that it was and that it would be “Worth the wait”. There may be actually quite the wait though as according to GoPro’s own product roadmap, the next camera coming will be an “Entry Level” camera mid 2024 with 3 cameras possibly coming Sept 2024. That would indicate the Hero 13, Max 2 and one other camera, possibly another Bones or Mini model.
So with no clear indication of when the Max 2 will arrive, what can we at least expect for the Max 2 to provide us in terms of specs and hardware? Well luckily that one is a little clearer thanks to some insider leaks, good hard detective work and just come plain common sense. So with that in mind, let’s look at some of the possible features of the GoPro Hero Max 2.
1: New Sensor and Processing Chip.
This is hardly surprising given the age of the original GoPro Max. However early indications have revealed that the GoPro Max 2 designers have been using the 5.3K Sony Sensor that’s currently offered in the GoPro Hero 12, as well as the GP2 chip also being used in the Hero 12. If true, that has a number of implications which I’ll cover shortly, but it’s also a little concerning in a way. The GP2 chip will be 4 generations old by the time the Hero 13 rolls out (being introduced with the release of the Hero 10). That’s not to say there isn’t a lot of power left under the hood, but when you expect a 4 generation old processor to the heavy lifting of stitching 2 separate images together into one seamless video, you worry about having to overclock the processor resulting in overheating issues or to keep things running cool, eliminating some features from the camera (such as the removal of GPS from the Hero 12).
2: The Removal of GPS.
Although GPS stats were a fun thing to play with, GoPro never had much support for GPS and Telemetry information in their app. Their app only had the barest of stickers available. If you wanted access to all of the GPS and Telemetry information you had to look at 3rd party software such as the excellent GoPro Telemetry Extractor software. If that GP2 processor has to be overclocked or pushed to it’s limits to support a 360 camera, then just like the Hero 12, we can expect GPS support to be dropped. Then again, GoPro were never really able to solve the GPS issues associated with the Hero Max anyway, so dropping GPS support might be a huge headache and time saver for GoPro.
3: Even better stitching with less chromatic aberrations.
The GoPro Max featured the Sony IMX577 sensor which was a 12.3mp sensor. The Max 2 is rumored to be using the Sony IMX677L sensor which is actually much taller and is a 27.5mp sensor. In theory, this means that selfie stick removal and top stitching could be more effective with less curvature of the lenses given the fact that the IMX677L is a much taller sensor. This would mean less image stretching during the stitching process.
4: HDR Video
This one goes without saying. With the 360 competition already offering this on previous models (and the Hero 12 being the first GoPro to support this) the Max 2 will have to offer a HDR video option. However, this means that GP2 processor will be under some extreme pressure to perform perfectly. Given that HDR requires at least 2 exposures to be combined into one image, if you multiply that by 2 separate lenses, that’s 4 times the work the GoPro Hero 11… and that’s before stitching too. So it’s possible that GoPro may scale back some features when the camera is recording in HDR (such as no live preview for instance).
5: In camera effects (Star Trails, Light Painting, Vehicle Lights etc).
One of the greatest features introduced with the Hero 11 was the “in camera” night effects. The GoPro Hero 12 not only retained this cool little feature, it now allowed you to shoot some of these using the Max Lens Mod 2.0 for an even wider FOV when using these modes. One of the greatest features the GoPro Hero Max 2 could have is letting users film these scenes in glorious 360. The end result could be out of this world!
6: Bluetooth audio support.
In the past, external audio on GoPro’s 360 cameras simply wasn’t supported. This was likely due to the fact that plugging in external cables or microphone adapters would result in stitching errors within the 360 image. The simplest way to solve this issue is to give the GoPro Hero Max 2 the same Bluetooth Audio support that the Hero 12 currently has. This would allow users to record audio via the camera mics but have a separate audio track for Bluetooth headsets. An essential “must have” for Max 2 users as this would allow them to record from an external audio source without the need to run cables into the camera or have issues with image stitching.
7: No major increase in resolution or frame rates.
Now this may surprise some people, especially those who’ve read the usual rumor mill tripe where idiotic lazy writers just double the specs of the previous model GoPro. This never actually happens and there’s a very good reason for that. Most people are editing their GoPro on budget mobile phones. If GoPro were to present an 8K camera shooting at 120FPS encoded at a high bit rate in HEVC…. the complaints would be endless “I can’t edit footage on my phone…”. So GoPro will likely keep the resolution in the 5.7K to 6K range at most. Just enough to give the camera an edge on the competition but still allow people to edit footage on their $300 mobile phone.
So these are the most likely things we’ll see from the Hero Max 2 when it’s finally released. However, that doesn’t mean there isn’t one thing I’d personally love to see on my Max 2 wish list. That’s accessory support. When the original Max was released, accessories were few and far between. You could have some plastic lens protectors and a larger selfie stick…. and that was about it. The Max 2 is a chance for GoPro to make some intelligent design choices and sell some additional accessories for the camera.
With less curved, less protruding lenses, there’s a possibility to actually have ND filters for the Max 2, this would be a huge bonus for users who want truly cinematic looking 360 footage complete with pleasing motion blur.
Should GoPro redesign the Max 2 so that the power port was nearer the base, then the ability to use external power banks or even the Volta itself without visible stitching issues would be a huge bonus.
The GoPro USB-C passthru door (GoPro’s best ever invention in my opinion) or similar for the Max 2 would also be welcome. This would allow users to externally power their Max 2 for those 360 night lapse shots.
A GoPro mount with an LED light built in. It’s unlikely that you could add a media mod or cold shoe to the GoPro Max 2 without having those stitching issues, but if you had an thin LED light that could attach to a selfie stick with the GoPro Max 2 mounted on top of that light, that would turn your 360 camera into the ultimate vlogging camera. In fact, maybe this is a design that could solve the Max Media Mod issue. Rather than a case that surrounds the camera, have something much lower profile that the camera actually sits on. One that offers a light, front and rear microphones also. The Media Base! I’m guessing that’s too radical an idea though and we may have to wait for the GoPro Max 5 for something like that to be introduced.
In the meantime, GoPro have a lot of work to do to make the Max 2 competitive in this market. I for one though, am looking forward to seeing what GoPro comes up with.
With Black Friday and Cyber Monday here, what are the actual best deals that you should be looking out for? It’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the advertised low prices out there, but if you’re not careful, you can end up actually paying more money for products that you don’t actually want or even need. So, I’m going to share with you some of my own personal top picks and advice that you should be looking for! You can click the picture to open an Amazon link if you want to purchase any of these items.
Large Screen TV’s
A large screen TV may not be the bargain you think it is!
This is “Where they get ya!” Although you may see some great deals on TV’s, you need to be very diligent about reading the actual specifications. The claims of 4K with a large size of 65″ or more for a cheap price may seem like a bargain, but you could end up regretting your purchase. Think about it this way, if someone offered you a million-dollar sports car for just $200,000 you would think you were getting one heck of a deal. But if someone said that million-dollar sports car had the engine of a Ford Pinto in it… you would likely think it wasn’t a great deal at all. That’s the same thing with cheap 4K tv’s. Such cheap TV’s usually only have a native 60Hz refresh rate. This can lead to visual tearing or blurring during action scenes or sports scenes. Most of these cheap TV’s combat this by having “Tru motion” or other such features that claim they can offer up to 240HZ refresh rate. However, this is usually a software feature that can give your picture the cheap “soap opera” looking picture and cause artifacts in the picture to appear. So, you need to pay attention to the “Native” refresh rate in the specs. If the “Native” refresh rate is 60HZ, I would avoid purchasing, especially on anything larger than 32″. You want at least 120HZ or faster as the “native” refresh rate to avoid issues.
This Sony has a native 120Hz refresh rate which is what you’re looking for in a large TV.
Home Projectors
Home projectors are a great alternative to large screen TV’s.
Home projectors are a great alternative to owning a large screen TV. They don’t take up much room, they can offer a significantly larger picture for under 1/3 of the cost of a large screen TV. They are also portable and can be used indoor or outdoor. However, just like large screen TV’s, there are certain projectors that should be avoided. A lot of projectors on sale will use terms like “1080P support” or even “4K support”. Does that mean you’re getting an actual 1080P or 4K projector for an ultra-low price? Well no, in fact the “Actual” or “native” resolution can be a lot lower, often 640×480 or even lower! On a tiny screen (think about the size of a wristwatch) such low resolution probably won’t affect you. However, when you’re stretching that image to 60″ or even 120″ … the picture you see will look like it’s made out of Lego bricks. So, you will want to check the “Native” resolution to ensure (at the very least) the projector in question is actually a 1080P projector. If you’re spending more money and want a much higher definition picture, then you’ll want a “Native” 4K projector. Also, the larger the picture you want from your projector, you’ll want to check that refresh rate and make sure it’s at least a “Native” 120Hz.
This budget projector has a native 1080P resolution and won’t hurt the wallet.
This higher end projector features 4K native resolution and will give you a true home cinema experience.
Action Cameras
Not all cameras are created equal!
There is a reason that GoPro Action camera’s cost a lot of money. They simply offer the highest resolution combined with the highest frame rates and best picture quality available. There are other cameras out there that you can buy, but it really is a case of “You get what you pay for”. Don’t bother asking “What cheap camera’s offer GoPro video quality”, the simple fact is, they don’t. However before buying an action camera as a present for someone (or yourself for that matter). Ask yourself what it is you’ll be filming the most. Are you interested in filming vlogs while you travel capturing night and day footage? or are you interested in capturing high speed action sports? You may actually be better off purchasing a different camera based upon what you actually need the camera for.
The GoPro Hero 12 with 10bit color, GP-LOG and HDR video modes.
There’s no doubt that the GoPro Hero 12 is a great action camera. With superior (Emmy award winning) stabilization, 240FPS slow motion at 2.7K, this is the epic action camera that the pro’s use. The creator edition gives you a whole vlogging production studio in one convenient bundle. These are the camera’s that I personally use and depend on.
The DJI Osmo Action 4. Superior low light performance!
While the Osmo Action 4 may not offer the same high resolution and high frame rates as other models, where it does beat them is in low light performance. With a larger sensor, your low light shots are going to look significantly better than most of the competition.
The DJI Pocket 3 may look odd, but it’s one of the best cameras out there!
The DJI Pocket 3 may not be well suited to action (it’s not waterproof) but if you want the ultimate in low light shooting and vlogging, this may very well be the camera for you. Not only does it offer the best low light shooting around, it’s built in gimbal, auto tracking features and superior software beats any camera out there for travelling vlogger creators.
Final Thoughts
Although you may be tempted by all the supposed deals you find this Black Friday or Cyber Monday, remember, it’s critical to do your research first. The last thing you want to do is accidently purchase some old, outdated product or model, just because you saw it had a huge discount. Check the specs, read carefully what it is you are buying and remember to keep that receipt! The bargain you pay for may end up not being such a bargain if you don’t research your purchase first!
Good luck!
Please note that the above article features affiliate links to products. I do receive a small commission for anything purchased and this helps out with my YouTube and Website creation. So thank you for all those awesome supporters who use my affiliate links!
The Hero 12 finally went on sale today, admittedly it’s a pre-sale with the actual camera not hitting shelves or shipping until the 13th. However GoPro were pretty forthcoming with all the details about their latest flagship camera. So the question now is whether or not people will be upgrading. Well, in this article we’ll be looking at the good, the great and the terrible decisions that GoPro seem to have made and my thoughts on these changes.
THE GOOD:
Increased battery life.
So turning off wireless connections, hypersmooth, screens and voice control.
5.3K 60FPS can now shoot for up to 70 mins compared to 35 mins on the Hero 11
4K 120FPS can now shoot for 58 minutes compared to 28 mins on the Hero 11
Slight increases by 13 – 14 minutes in 4K 30FPS and 1080p 60FPS
A lot of people have been pretty impressed by this and GoPro claim to have reworked power management from the ground up. So with some other power saving changes made (more on that in a moment), this is a pretty impressive jump in battery life in some pretty impressive frame rates and resolution.
Max Lens Mod 2.0
4K 60FPS Hyperview in 177 degrees with horizon lock.
Again, something a lot of people were wanting. Now this Max Lens Mod 2.0 is a GoPro 12 exclusive which is strange to me. After all, the Hero 12 is using the same processor and sensor as the Hero 11. However it’s possible that this performance is only possible in the reworked power management so this could explain why the Max Lens Mod 2.0 is not backwards compatible.
New mounting fingers.
1/4 inch tripod mounting adapter now built into the mounting fingers. While this doesn’t seem like a huge upgrade, it will expand compatibility for the camera when using a lot of 3rd party mounts. So it’s a simple upgrade, but a good one.
Expanded 8:7 modes.
So even star trails now supports 8:7 modes. This adds a lot more options when editing your video footage as now you have the ability to reframe even more of your shots.
Night effects photo modes.
So now when you use the night effects option to record night effects video, a still photo will also be automatically generated showcasing your shot. So an excellent option when it comes to posting to social sites as you no longer have to get a screen grab, you’ll now get a separate photo of your night shot.
Hypersmooth 6.0
The new hypersmooth has improved the Auto boost function by processing 4X as much information. This means your footage is even smoother than before. Hopefully this will also solve the horrible panning issues that hypersmooth is well known for.
THE AWESOME:
Live Preview:
Preview while recording is back! Yes, for all the complainers out there, you can now preview your footage while recording. Handy for setting up shots if you’re filming solo as now you can monitor your shots and ensure that your camera angles are properly set up while recording.
Bluetooth Audio support:
Now you can use your Bluetooth headphones as a microphone. This is a pretty huge update as you no longer need to use the media mod for external audio. You can also control the camera via voice commands using your Bluetooth headset. This will be huge for moto vloggers. You can also record your Bluetooth audio and external audio as a separate track and record sound using the camera mics too. So this will really benefit the more professional creators who work with multiple audio tracks.
HDR video and GP LOG Video Mode:
HDR is going to give you fear better shots in different lighting conditions. The Gp LOG formats gives you the flattest recording option in 10bit for much better color grading in post production. GoPro will be releasing some LUT’s to support this
Improved navigation menu’s:
Menu’s have been improved and cleaned up, so now it’s much easier to adjust settings on your camera. There is also a built-in display specifically to let you know what footage has been uploaded to the cloud and what is still waiting to be uploaded.
TimeCode Sync:
So for those using multiple cameras or timecode supported devices who need to sync their cameras up, this is a huge advantage for professional creators.
New Sequence photo mode:
Before with a sequence of photo’s, image information was shared across the photo sequence. So in timelapse photo modes, there was no sudden jumps in color or lighting during the timelapse sequence. However this meant that if you wanted to grab an individual photo from a sequence, you may not have been getting the optimal color and lighting for that one shot. So with the new sequence mode, each photo is taken individually and color and light corrections are applied individually.
THE BAD!
NO GPS SUPPORT ON BOARD!
Gyro data is still there, but no GPS. So likely you’ll need to use the app or a new remote to record GPS data. This is pretty much what we’ve seen from the competition who also didn’t have GPS support built in. Instead GPS data had to be logged via the camera app or a GPS remote. However the results have been less than optimal. I feel that this change was made to reduce overheating (no longer logging GPS data while the camera is recording) and increase camera runtimes. There is a new FCC application for a new remote, so we’ll see what that brings. Hopefully with the new Bluetooth 5.2 on board, range and connection won’t be an issue.
So my overall opinion on the camera is this. The Hero 12 has some very interesting new features, however the only hardware change is the Bluetooth upgrade and the removal of the GPS chip. For someone who is an avid aviator, the removal of GPS is a very big blow. On the other hand, I use a Bluetooth aviation headset, so the ability to record ATC and cockpit talk while the camera is mounted outside the airplane is compelling. In fact I predict a lot of people will want to ditch their media mods and use Bluetooth mics…. and then go back to using a media mod when they realize how terrible Bluetooth microphones sound.
I ordered a GoPro Hero 12 due to the fact I want to give viewers of my website and channel an in depth review. However if I wasn’t a creator… I’m honestly not sure I would have purchased one. A lot of my viewers seem to feel the same way. Maybe when the camera arrives I’ll change my mind, but as of right now, I’m just not feeling it…
Are you looking forward to buying the GoPro Hero 11… I mean… GoPro Hero 12… when it’s released in the next 2 weeks? Well GoPro are betting big on this one… by making this their smallest update yet.
Let’s take a quick look at the specs of the Hero 10, Hero 11, and the alleged specs of the Hero 12.
GoPro Hero 10
GoPro Hero 11
GoPro Hero 12
5.3k 60FPS
5.3k 60FPS
5.3k 60FPS
8 Bit
10 bit
10 bit
1/2.3″ CMOS
1/1.9″ CMOS
1/1.9″ CMOS
Timelapse 4K
Timelapse 5.3K
Timelapse 5.3K
Rear Display 2.27″ Touch LCD
Rear Display 2.27″ Touch LCD
Rear Display 2.27″ Touch LCD
Front Display 1.4″ Color LCD
Front Display 1.4″ Color LCD
Front Display 1.4″ Color LCD
HDR Video
Aspect Ratio 16:9 4:3
Aspect Ratio 16:9 4:3 8:7
Aspect Ratio 16:9 4:3 8:7
Max Lens Mod
Max Lens Mod
Max Lens Mod 2.0
Hypersmooth 4.0
Hypersmooth 5.0
Hypersmooth 6.0
As you can see, on paper, all 3 models are pretty similar. The main difference between the Hero 10 and Hero 11 was that the Hero 11 had a taller sensor with allowed for an 8:7 shooting aspect ratio. There was an increase to 10bit color and some built in camera effects (night trails, light painting etc). While the taller 8:7 sensor could be considered a significant hardware upgrade, I’m not convinced that the other features (in camera effects, 10bit color) couldn’t have been implemented into the Hero 10 with a firmware upgrade.
Now we have the Hero 12. Which on paper, seems to be a Hero 11 in every single regard. This is a huge costs savings for GoPro as it means they haven’t had to spend time and money with developing, testing or implementing new hardware features. In fact, just about everything “new” with the camera would be on the software side of things. There will be one or two new accessories no doubt (the Max Lens Mod 2.0 has all but been confirmed) and the Hero 12 will have HDR video shooting capabilities (the spec sheet also claims LOG, however the packaging doesn’t mention this at all).
Top 5 reasons why all of the above actually GOOD for the end user!
1: Due to the time saved by NOT investing in new hardware and testing, GoPro have had the time to build upon a stable and proven platform. This means that the GoPro Hero 12 may be GoPro’s most reliable and stable camera yet.
2: Even though there’s no major hardware changes, there still could be other changes under the hood, for instance new thermal compounds and materials could help run the camera even cooler as could a redesigned PCB.
3: Professional users have been requesting LOG for a long time, now they may finally get it. Prosumer will finally be able to avail of HDR video.
4: GoPro will have new accessories for the new model. A Max Lens Mod 2.0 has been confirmed (and advertising seems to suggest it may even offer nightlapse capture). A new remote is also on the way according to the FCC filing.
5: Those who have invested in previous model cameras will find that for the most part, their accessories still work and are supported by the Hero 12 (batteries, cases, selfie sticks etc), so no need to invest in newer accessories if you don’t want to.
Top 5 reasons why all of the above is actually BAD for the end user!
1: No new obvious hardware innovation from GoPro. This may be the “slightest” update of their camera yet. This does kinda make you feel a bit “ripped off”. It’s hard to justify an investment in the latest Hero 11… I mean…. Hero 12.
2: GoPro used to set the bar and they set it high. With these incremental updates, the competition is just edging closer and closer. This makes it hard to justify staying with GoPro regardless of whether you’re a loyal fan or a casual user. We’ve seen the Osmo Action 4 release with a larger sensor which may offer better low light capabilities. GoPro seem content with giving users a recycled camera so to speak.
3: You really can’t help but feel that all of these “new” features of the Hero 12 could have just been implemented into the Hero 11 with a firmware update, after all, it’s the exact same camera. Some blue sparkles on the camera housing doesn’t mean a darn thing.
4: If GoPro have been saving time and money by turning a Hero 11 into a Hero 12, couldn’t they have put the time and money into improving the GoPro app? What’s it been? 2 years and we still can’t make a Multi Clip Edit in 5.3K without black clips appearing in our final edit?
5: If this new camera really is a Hero 11 with a locked out firmware upgrade…. Will future camera’s follow this trend When do we get a subscription model basis of “You can activate Hypersmooth 9.0 and 8K resolution for just $20 a month”. You can scoff at that if you want, but in the back of your mind… you know BMW has done it with their “heated seats”, Tesla has done it with their FSD … what makes you think GoPro won’t try this? After all, they admit the saving grace of their company has been their GoPro Plus subscription…
So at the end of the day, the GoPro Hero 12 may be GoPro’s biggest gamble yet. In short, by not investing (seemingly) in any significant new hardware, they have potentially saved time and costs on research and testing with their latest model camera. So to me it seems they have taken the GoPro Hero 11, written a “12” on the side of it and have passed it off as a brand new camera. If this works, then GoPro stand to make a nice profit from the sale of an old camera, as a new model camera. Investors will be impressed for sure.
However it may also blow up in GoPro’s face. Even before the camera announcement, people (myself included) were excited by the prospect of a significant GoPro hardware upgrade. Not only has that rug been pulled out from under our feet, but when the official specs were finally leaked, it seems a lot of people (myself included) were seriously underwhelmed. A lot of people are under the impression that the GoPro Hero 12 is just a re-dressed GoPro Hero 11. No matter what extra software tricks are up the camera’s sleeve, the incentive to buy just isn’t there. So GoPro may just learn the hard way why it’s not a good idea to quit impressing their customers and lack of sales will hit GoPro where it really hurts.
Now all of the above is pure speculation, the GoPro Hero 12 may have some serious tricks up its sleeve and be able to knock our socks off. GoPro may have spent the last year winding back and ready to deliver a serious clout in about 2 week’s time when the camera is finally released. All the naysayers may end up eating their own words in spectacular fashion……… however… as of right now…. It just doesn’t feel like that’s likely.
The GoPro Hero 12 details have finally come and here’s the summery of the “real” leaks about the Hero 12. I’ll be sharing my feelings about this in a YouTube video later on. In the meantime, here’s the summery below.
The GoPro Hero 12 will have the same resolution (5.3K video, 27MP photo)
Battery life at 5.3K 60FPS will be 70 minutes (so 9 minutes longer than current)
Battery life at 5.3K 30FPS will be 1.5 hours
Battery life at 1080P 30FPS will be 2.5 hours (150 minutes compared to previous model 137 minutes)
The camera will have a HDR video mode in 5.3K. Unknown if this is present in all resolutions and frame rates
LOG Video Option available
Hypersmooth 6.0
Same size rear screen as previous models.
Release date is September 13th.
Battery life seems to be the main touted upgrade, but there is still an unconfirmed rumor that there will be new accessories.
There now follow addition information that was confirmed by Nick Woodman during August investors relations call (in case you missed it).
New version of “Quik for desktop” to be released in Q4 of this year.
New desktop version of Quik will have cloud access and synced edits across platforms (assuming original footage has been uploaded to the cloud first?)
A “slate of new hardware and software” this year (so maybe an additional GoPro model before Christmas? Is this why no major hardware work on the Hero 11… I mean… Hero 12?)
A new “entry level GoPro” Mid 2024.
A new “premium” subscription tier to be introduced. Only thing confirmed about this is that it will allow you to use images from any camera for editing.
English