Video Experts please step in…GoPro 4?

[DaveTN]

The GoPro Hero 4 has been released. I’m pretty disappointed. They said they would keep the price the same and it would have an LCD back for active viewing.

The top of the line “Black” edition doesn’t have an LCD screen. They added $100 ($500) to it and took away the remote (now $80 option) that was included with the previous edition.

Apparently when shooting in 4K-30 the LCD would cause a heat problem. So instead of turning off the LCD in that mode with the OS; they removed the LCD all together.

The Silver edition is $400 with no remote, but has an LCD screen and it appears to me the only difference is that it is 4K-15 instead of 30.
Because of the LCD I will probably buy the Silver edition. I’m just going to be using this for general use. I’m not familiar with 4K video. Is the frame rate difference a big deal? Would 4K video even make a difference on a monitor or an HD non 4K TV?

I thought these would be hard to get, but they are available everywhere. I wonder if the price will drop back down.

Comparison:
http://shop.gopro.com/compare?category=cameras Edited October 18, 2014 by DaveTN

[Sam1]

I had an original Gopro and got rid of it a long time ago for a Contour.  The Contours became a lot more popular with people on the racetrack because the clarity was much better with all of the signal interference and G forces occurring.

 

Can't speak to the quality of the new GoPro's, but I would buy a new contour before even considering another GoPro.

 

<edit> I just did a quick search and seen this thing:  http://www.amazon.com/Sony-HDR-AS100VR-Action-Camera-Remote/dp/B00HNJWTDW

 

Has remote screen you wear like a watch and can see the action live.  That's pretty cool

Edited October 18, 2014 by Sam1

[TacoBubba]

Up close the 4k may look a little blurry. But that isn't a game changer. However, 4k tv hasn't taken off in a big way on the consumer side....yet. if i wanted the lcd screen id get it. New versions vof gopro always evolve and the quality is good so maybe later updes will fix the heat problem. Its mostly what happens in post that makes good video

[DaveTN]

Anyone using one yet?

[glowdotGlock]

I have an Ion Air Pro 3 wifi. I have tried GoPros and like the ion much better. Worth a look. I can do 1080 at 60fps and 720 at 120 fps. Here is a video I shot of it on a plane.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YHYgM9agi8&list=UUIkqHGCeUyMbtKLqc72e4-A

[Sam1]

That thing runs pretty good for the ridiculous amount of interference that would occur on an RC.

[Hozzie]

I have been considering getting an action camera for a while now myself.  This thread may push me to do it.  I did a quick search for 2014 reviews and found this comparison.  I haven't looked at all details yet, but it seems to not bash any of them.

 

http://gizmodo.com/the-best-action-camera-spring-2014-edition-1547049331

[DaveTN]

I have done most of my research and I’m locked in on GoPro. Most of those reviews say the same thing; you can buy cheaper, but you can’t buy better.

[Dolomite_supafly]

Personally I would rather have FPS than resolution, especially if you are going to video any fast paced stuff. We have a Hero 3 and cannot be happier with it.

[Hozzie]

I have been researching this since you posted it earlier.  I think I am going with the GoPro 4 silver as well.  I hate to spend the extra $150 over the Sony AS100V that I like, but I think in the end it is the better action cam.  

[DaveTN]

Personally I would rather have FPS than resolution, especially if you are going to video any fast paced stuff. We have a Hero 3 and cannot be happier with it.

Well, that’s what I was wondering. In an application other than trying to video a bullet is there much noticeable difference in 4K 15 fps and 4K 30 FPS or 1440p 80 and 1440p 48.
What happens if you video in 4K and view it on an HD TV that is not 4K?

[DaveTN]

I think I am going with the GoPro 4 silver as well.

Well, I can assure you that as soon as I buy one they will either drop that $100 they added or include the remote.

I have had the wife watching for deals, but of course since it just was released a couple of weeks ago there aren’t any. But everyone has them there isn’t any shortage.

[Hozzie]

I agree. I will just use an app on my iPhone for the remote. I will be watching midwayusa for one of their $xx off of $yyy deals. Sometimes they don't exclude them. I am impatient so I will probably give it a week or so and just order it.


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[Lumber_Jack]

I agree. I will just use an app on my iPhone for the remote. I will be watching midwayusa for one of their $xx off of $yyy deals. Sometimes they don't exclude them. I am impatient so I will probably give it a week or so and just order it.


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Did y'all ever move forward with a purchase?

[Hozzie]

I did, but I ended up taking it back.  The issue for me is the superwide field of view.  It is good for certain things, but I also wanted to use it as a hunting camera.  It was the end of the season so I decided to wait and see what comes out this year.  I think I am going to go with an actual HD Camcorder and one of those flexible holders.

 

I will say that the video itself was very good, but not what I was really looking for.  They do make different lenses for them, but I didn't want to mess with that.

[DaveTN]

Did y'all ever move forward with a purchase?

I bought the Hero 4 Silver. I’m happy with it.

[Lumber_Jack]

I did, but I ended up taking it back. The issue for me is the superwide field of view. It is good for certain things, but I also wanted to use it as a hunting camera. It was the end of the season so I decided to wait and see what comes out this year. I think I am going to go with an actual HD Camcorder and one of those flexible holders.

I will say that the video itself was very good, but not what I was really looking for. They do make different lenses for them, but I didn't want to mess with that.

I was reading that you can change the field of view to "narrow" in setting and it removes the fish eye affect. Did you do this and it was still an issue?

[Hozzie]

It helped a bit, but still wasn't what I was hoping for.  I understand why they set it as they do, but for hunting, everything is just too far away.  I determined I really needed something with Zoom.  

 

I was shooting a target with my bow at 20 yards and it looked like it was 60 yards away. As hunting is my primary use with it, it just wasn't going to work as I wanted it to.  I think for an all around take it anywhere camera, it is great.