Are you the type to throw yourself into extreme pursuits? Or do you prefer a leisurely stroll? David Crookes discovers that whatever your idea of fun, it’s better with a GoPro camera
What are they?
GoPros are a range of high-definition video cameras that have become popular among people who want to capture dramatic, extreme-action, point-of-view footage of thrill-seeking escapades. They are small and sturdy, which makes them easy to attach to anything from helmets and handlebars to skateboards and surfboards. Although they have been sold by a company called GoPro (gopro.madison.co.uk) since 2002, the name has become a proprietary eponym - used to describe similar products by rival manufacturers. ‘Hoover’ is probably the most famous example of such an eponym.
How do GoPros work?
Using special mounts, you can attach it to whatever you want. When the device is turned on, it captures wide-angle footage with great depth of field and sharpness, thanks to its advanced inner components. There are only a few buttons, and slots for connections and SD cards. These, along with on-board WiFi, let you control the camera remotely, alter the video settings and get footage off the camera. The settings can be adjusted remotely using a remote control or a free app (bit.ly/proapp377).
So what's new?
GoPro has refreshed all its products and is making a lot of noise about its Hero range. Priced £329.99, The Hero4 Session is 50 per cent smaller and 40 per cent lighter than earlier models, and is able to plunge 10 metres (33 feet) underwater without the need for a special case. It takes video in 1080p at 60fps (frames per second). At the top of the range, the Hero4 Black, priced £409.99, films footage in 4K; for those on a tighter budget, the new GoPro Hero+ LCD adds an LCD screen to the most basic Hero and costs £249.99.
How does the GoPro app work?
The app, which was recently updated to work with the Hero4 Session, offers full remote control of the camera functions while allowing you to see live previews of what your camera is seeing. It also lets you copy videos and photos to your device to play back later, and you can even delete files saved on the microSD card inserted into the camera. But the killer feature is HiLight Tagging, which lets you mark key moments during recordings, making it easier to share the best moments with friends.
What other companies make action cameras?
Sony’s impressive AS100V Action Cam was released last year, while Panasonic has launched a wearable camera, the HX-A500 4K. TomTom’s new Bandit has a built-in media server, letting you edit video without having to download it. Now, even mobile phone companies are getting in on the act. In June, EE announced the 4GEE Action Cam, which streams to a service called Skeegle. This gives it the jump on GoPros, which don’t have internet broadcasting as standard, although add-ons are available.
Why would I want a GoPro?
Because while they are all the rage with extreme-sports fans, they’re just as good for filming more sedate pursuits, such as a countryside bike ride or a round of golf. You could even attach one to a drone for some stunning aerial shots or take inspiration form Dave Akerman (www.daveakerman.com), a high-altitude ballooning enthusiast who straps GoPros to home-made “space crafts” powered by a Raspberry Pi computer to send live images from near space.
What do people do with the footage?
A lot of it ends up online. Around 6,000 GoPro videos are added to YouTube every day and searching the site for ‘gopro’ throws up 14.5 million results. A man fighting off a Great White Shark in Sydney Harbour (bit.ly/shark377) a year ago has attracted a whopping 31,613,946 views and an official GoPro production showing close-up footage of lions in Pretoria (bit.ly/lion377) has been watched 27,707,450 times.
Animals are popular choices, then?
It would seem so. You can attach a GoPro to your pet to see how they see the world from their perspective (which makes for a nice spin on the web’s ubiquitous cat videos). But sometimes, animals like to take control of their own filming. Two pieces of footage show seagulls snatching GoPros and taking to the air in Spain’s Cies Islands (bit.ly/gull377) and in San Francisco (bit.ly/seagull377). Thankfully, neither device appeared to be harmed following the impromptu ‘bird’s-eye’ views.
Can I make money from these videos?
Yes, and it's become easier to do so now that GoPro has launched a content licensing portal (bit.ly/gplicence377) that allows advertising agencies to discover, license and download the best GoPro flicks. It launched with more than 600 amateur and professional videos. But even on YouTube, there is an opportunity to make money from the most popular footage (bit.ly/earnyoutube377).
Are there other benefits to GoPros?
One growing use for these cameras is security. Cyclists have taken to wearing them on their helmets so they can film cases of bad driving and instances of road rage (Daily Mail writer Sarah Vine disparagingly dubbed them the “Cycle Stasi” and “Lycra-clad moral vigilantes”). But similar, cheaper cameras are also being placed on car dashboards. These so-called dashcams help with insurance claims and accident reports. Even the British bobby is getting in on the act: video cameras - albeit not GoPros - are now also worn by police officers, perhaps to avoid any future ‘Plebgate’ incidents.
Could I just use my mobile phone instead?
Of course, but a smartphone is less robust than a GoPro camera and not as suitable for rugged rides or for sending into the air. Mobile phones may be replacing standalone compact cameras but not many people would want to use them as an action-cam. GoPro is now worth a cool $3bn (about £1.9bn) and CEO and founder Nick Woodman told the Daily Telegraph that he even wore one on his head to film when his three sons were born.
Are GoPros the future of filming?
Quite possibly. Every Toyota Tacoma truck sold next year will come with a GoPro camera mount and we may see more Hollywood films containing GoPro footage. Director Michael Bay has been using the technology since 2013 and indeed, the GoPro HD Hero is listed at imdb.com (bit.ly/pain377) as one of the cameras used to make the 2013 film Pain & Gain, staring Mark Wahlberg.