Stereo audio recording with the GoPro HD Hero via Sanyo Exacti

One major feature which I've really wanted for the GoPro HD Hero is stereo sound recording capability. The GoPro HD Hero's spectacular image quality really begs for stereo sound recording since the quality is so high. Missing that feature, I've been looking for a way to add it to the GoPro.

I subscribe to Woot.com and a SANYO Xacti ICR-XPS01M linear PCM digital sound recorder was the sellout item on Sunday the 16th. I grabbed one. Product info here.

http://sanyo.com/soundrecorder/

It's a slick looking device that offers stereo recording, super thin design, high quality stereo mics and long battery life. The functions are pretty straight forward. A big record button, digital VU meter. Touch screen interface, etc.

I'll have to figure out how to mate this recorder with the GoPro HD. Syncing them will be fairly straightforward. I need to use a trick like the Hollywood studios use. Simply make a loud clap noise when you start captures on both devices and then sync it up in iMovie or whatever video editing app you use. The spike will be very clearly visible.

The other challenge will be to come up with a very powerful wind screen since I plan on using it on my ebike going over 40mph at times and if there's a headwind, the wind noise will be immense!

More later,

Ambrose

New mounting position for the GoPro on a bike

I had a chance to video my bike ride with our girls this morning. I spent a few minutes making sure the location of the mount would work well and this was made very easy with the LCD BacPac.

The bike mount allows the camera to sit dead center and high up so that the view was unobstructed.

Off-Topic - Google + (Plus) Invites

Sorry for the off-topic posting, however, I've been able to get a Google + account and want to pass along my good fortune to others who may want one. Just send an email to my Gmail account here:

ambroseliao at gmail dot com

Of course, remove all the spaces, replace the "at" with an "@" and replace the "dot" with a "."

If you don't know what Google + Plus is, it's the new social networking site that's a direct competitor to Facebook. It is a bit more open and seems to be a bit more secure than FB as well as being more capable and infinitely less burdened with ads, "pokes" and other fluff.

I'll try to get the invite out to you as quickly as possible.

One note:After giving out invites for a day or two, I've found that Gmail and Yahoo email accounts get an invite almost immediately and others either are delay or don't get them at all...

Keep that in mind when you send me the request.

Thanks,

Ambrose

New Epic GoPro Video: Monster Energy Supercross 2011 Highlights

Amazing video.

Music is dramatic video footage is amazing!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2fejJhCt6Y

Enjoy!
Ambrose

GoPro LCD BacPac Arrives!

I finally received the GoPro LCD BacPac over the weekend. Total of $62.70 shipped!

It's a chunky little package but I'm loving it so far. It turns the GoPro HD Hero from a film based camera (where you have to wait until the film is processed) to a true digital camera! No waiting!

Sima SL-20LX 40 LED light

I couldn't resist this little bitty light to go along with the GoPro since it will help in low light situations. This is the one area where the GoPro HD Hero is not great. Images can be grainy without enough light.

This should do the trick at least for close-in objects. What's especially nice is that it comes with a bracket so that it can be mounted much more easily on cameras that don't have a hot shoe!

http://goo.gl/RsiCI

Using a hiking pole as a extension arm...

I saw this hiking pole on sale at Meritline.com and thought immediately of using it as an extension arm for the GoPro HD Hero. It's small and light, is extend-able and has a pivoting tripod mount near the handle. I had to give it a try.

http://www.meritline.com/telescopic-aluminum-shock-absorbing-hiking-pole-camera-mount-walking-stick---p-64589.aspx

The 1/4"x20 mount is located underneath the compass. Just twist off the compass and mount our GoPro.

I put the GoPro HD tripod mount on the polycarbonate case of the camera and mounted it to the hiking pole. My technique really stinks right now and so the video below is tilted and wobbly, but you can get an idea of what a low angle shot looks like.



This is of my soft-coated wheaten terrier named "Cosmo!"

More later,
Ambrose