Newb with some questions

A

Amd241997

Wannabie Member
Don’t know if this is the appropriate section, but I’m a total newb to motovlogging and figured I’d ask here.

I just picked up myself a new to me 2016 YZF-R3 a couple of weeks ago and really want to start motovlogging. I can’t afford the best camera right now, but I got myself a second hand GoPro Hero 2 (eventually I’ll be upgrading to the newest GoPro) and plan on using a lapel mic plugged into the GoPro for direct audio. I guess my questions are:

Is this still an acceptable camera to use?
What’s the best definition and frame rate to use?
What SD card?
Best PC/Laptop for editing? Can I do it on an iPad mini 2?
Is the GoPro editing software good enough to use?
Anything else I should be aware of?

I really just want to get the most out of my videos so they’re clear and look good to the viewers. Content and whatever else is a whole nother topic, just mainly concerned about what I need to get the most out of my GoPro Hero 2. Thanks!
 
Hiya, welcome to the forum.
I'd possibly go at 1280/960 @ 48fps which would give you the best compromise on frame rate and resolution.
As for SD card, don't buy a cheap one off ebay etc, make sure it is a genuine card as there are a lot of fakes. You'll want a class 4 or higher for the Hero 2, I'd recommend a class 10 or better though as that will allow you to do time-laps photos etc if you wanted to. I think you would want a 32Gb card, not sure if it supports larger.
As for editing, the better the PC specs, the easier it will handle editing. I hate Apple products so wouldn't know about that. I'd suggest a PC with separate graphics card and a decent amount of RAM.
If you go the PC/laptop route, check out Wondershare by Filmora, it is very cheap but it is very very user friendly and has a lot of the features that the professional editing software offers, but is far easier to learn. Windows MovieMaker is a bit too basic and I think the GoPro software is not ideal for motovlogging really.
Only thing to be aware of IMO, is do it for fun, for your own enjoyment, for your own creativity and style. Don't try and copy others, there are a million others doing exactly that all struggling for the same audience. Go your own path and the audience you find will hang around a lot longer hopefully! :-)
 
HippoDrone said:
Hiya, welcome to the forum.
I'd possibly go at 1280/960 @ 48fps which would give you the best compromise on frame rate and resolution.
As for SD card, don't buy a cheap one off ebay etc, make sure it is a genuine card as there are a lot of fakes. You'll want a class 4 or higher for the Hero 2, I'd recommend a class 10 or better though as that will allow you to do time-laps photos etc if you wanted to. I think you would want a 32Gb card, not sure if it supports larger.
As for editing, the better the PC specs, the easier it will handle editing. I hate Apple products so wouldn't know about that. I'd suggest a PC with separate graphics card and a decent amount of RAM.
If you go the PC/laptop route, check out Wondershare by Filmora, it is very cheap but it is very very user friendly and has a lot of the features that the professional editing software offers, but is far easier to learn. Windows MovieMaker is a bit too basic and I think the GoPro software is not ideal for motovlogging really.
Only thing to be aware of IMO, is do it for fun, for your own enjoyment, for your own creativity and style. Don't try and copy others, there are a million others doing exactly that all struggling for the same audience. Go your own path and the audience you find will hang around a lot longer hopefully! :)
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info! As for the pc route what amount of ram and I looking at and how does it affect the editing process? I’m a newb to computers as well so if there’s any light you can shed on that. Does the brand of the SD card matter as well? My whole reason for starting up a motovlog is really to document my progress as a new street rider and to just entertain the viewers with where I’m riding and possibly a topic that interests me for that particular video. Thanks again!
 
I'm not a PC expert sorry. I have a gaming PC which is quite a beast and it deals with 4K footage with multiple "Picture in Picture" edited in just fine, but I don't really do 4K much (am a 1080/60 kinda guy) and can render videos quite quickly and the PC is stable. I'd suggest dusting off your Google-Fu and doing some research yourself. In the meantime, try with the equipment you have and see how it performs.
I am currently using SanDisk memory cards, although I am not using SD cards as the GoPro Hero 5 takes Micro SD cards.
If you are new to bikes then you may find it better to get some time in the saddle before you add motovlogging to your rides.
 
HippoDrone said:
I'm not a PC expert sorry. I have a gaming PC which is quite a beast and it deals with 4K footage with multiple "Picture in Picture" edited in just fine, but I don't really do 4K much (am a 1080/60 kinda guy) and can render videos quite quickly and the PC is stable. I'd suggest dusting off your Google-Fu and doing some research yourself. In the meantime, try with the equipment you have and see how it performs.
I am currently using SanDisk memory cards, although I am not using SD cards as the GoPro Hero 5 takes Micro SD cards.
If you are new to bikes then you may find it better to get some time in the saddle before you add motovlogging to your rides.
Click to expand...
I’ve been on dirt bikes for years and I’ve only been riding street for a few weeks, but I’m just trying to get an idea on a setup ahead of time. Thank you for the info though. Think I found something that’ll work for a pc for now.
 
HippoDrone said:
If you are new to bikes then you may find it better to get some time in the saddle before you add motovlogging to your rides.
Click to expand...
A good middle ground would be recording the rides, and possibly adding a voice over, later.

I would not stress too much about camera specs. I filmed with old chinese knock offs, so far. True, I upgraded my camera this winter, but that was not as much to improve on video quality, but rather on comfort of use. I went with Garmin Virb ultra 30, because of it's physical flip switch. Feedbackwise it is far better, when using with gloves.
 
Welcome. Yes the Hero2 is a good platform. You have a ready microphone jack and no need for any USB adapter/converter. Get a proper class 10 SD card and you are fine. As for editing if you want free there's Windows Live Movie Maker otherwise others you have to pay. Not sure about the GoPro editor never used it.

Have fun. Ride safe, safe ride!
 
The Hero 2 is a great camera. Doesn't have 60 FPS like the later models in 1080 but it was a work horse for me. Hard to use now that I destroyed the LCD with a tomahawk but it still records when I can get it on, if you're interested in seeing that footage its in my motovlog Winter Is Coming (shameless plug). Class 10 SD card always, if not you're risking losing you audio. But I personally record audio on a seperate recorder. I use an app on my iphone called Voice Record Pro as it allows a greater range of GAIN because my bike is so loud I need that extra help that even stereo recording wasn't giving me. Plus I'm using a Polaroid Cube now and I have to record seperately because there is no extrernal mic on the Cube. You can try and edit on an iPad with iMovie, but its limited. The GoPro software on a Mac or PC will give you more versitlity. Adobe Premiere is the top end side of editing programs but there is a cost and learning curve that might not be worth it just starting out or if you're only using it for having fun making motovlogs. I happen to have an Adobe CC subscription so I have the whole suite for work. I'm a Mac guy and will always say just buy a Mac.
 
I can't comment on the camera because I'm not sure how it compares to GoPro alternatives available nowadays. SJCAM and Gitup offers good cameras with external mic input for less than 150 - 200 USD which also can record in 1080p which imo is necessary nowadays.

I think 1080p @ 60 fps would be more than enough.

I recommend getting a class 10 Sandisk or Strontium SD cards. They are quite affordable and works great unlike many others out there.

I'm using Davinci Resolve video editor on my macbook air. It is free and should suffice for people that are new into editing. It is also available on Windows as well.

I hope you are aware that YouTube recently changed it's policies. So forget about making any money at all, instead focus on improving the video.
 
dudeNigel said:
I'm using Davinci Resolve video editor on my macbook air. It is free and should suffice for people that are new into editing. It is also available on Windows as well.
Click to expand...

I totally forgot about Resolve. I am currently learning how to color correct from an editor friend of mine and that's what he's using to teach me. He works mainly with Premeire but does all of his color correcting and sound engeneering in Resolve.
 
The GoPro Hero 2 can record in 1080/30, or 720/60. Try both to see which you prefer - probably 108030.
HippoDrone is from the land of driving on the wrong side of the road, so DON'T record in 48 fps! In the US we use 30 or 60 fps. It will be smoother at higher frame rates, but in your case at the cost of lower resolution.
Post some videos so we can see what it looks like.
As for editing, I recommend using the industry-leading Avid Media Composer (I've been using it professionally for almost 20 years, so I'm a bit biased). They recently released a FREE version that I use to edit my motovlogs at home. Check it out, the price is right:
http://www.avid.com/media-composer-first
 
For starting out an iPad will work. I highly suggest using it. iMovie has a lot more capability than what you’d expect and unless you’ve done a lot before you’re editing is going to be garbage. No offense, that’s how we start out. So get good content. After a few videos you’ll start to learn what you can do and what you want to do. Then you can look into software that has those features and match that to computer specs. I’m a big fan of use what you got. When you outgrow it you’ll have a better understanding. Then you can ask more specific questions.
 
Just a warning if you plan to upgrade to a newer GoPro just know that in order to connect a mic into your helmet there is a $50 mic adapter that you'll need and it's pretty bulky. So be prepared to find a way to attach it to your helmet without a lot of movement so your audio quality won't suffer.
 
Javiyellow said:
Just a warning if you plan to upgrade to a newer GoPro just know that in order to connect a mic into your helmet there is a $50 mic adapter that you'll need and it's pretty bulky. So be prepared to find a way to attach it to your helmet without a lot of movement so your audio quality won't suffer.
Click to expand...
Velcro works a treat
 
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