A bit frustrated by camera & audio - Suggestions?

[Skyd]

Hi all,

So I'm on a budget here as many people are. When I first decided to get into doing Motovlogging and making videos in general I was thinking well maybe I can pick up a used GoPro for a decent price. But I wanted the option for external mic. I found myself climbing into a price range I wasn't crazy about.

I ended up coming across the Akaso V50x action cam, which has external mic capabilities. I picked it up for $90. I've made a few videos with it of working on my Hawk and I've taken some others with it mounted on the dash of my Jeep. Overall I think it's a great camera for the money and the video is decent, especially with outside lighting. HOWEVER, and this is a big however.....the audio falls out of sync. I've done a bunch of research and tried some of the potential fixes to no avail. As a last ditch effort I wrote to Akaso and they responded to try converting the file with handbrake. Well I've already done that and it doesn't work.

SO - I'm not sure what I want to do. I'm wondering if I should just suck it up and spend a bit more for a decent used GoPro and use the Akaso for 2nd cam angles. Money is an issue so I'm looking for best bang for the buck kinda of thing. Alternatively I could use an external audio source and try to sync it up but that's not my favorite idea.

My requirements are seemingly simple to meet for a cam - I want to shoot 1080p 60fps and I want an external mic option. Image stabilization would be ideal as I'm dual sport riding. It also needs to use standard "gopro" type accessories as I already have chest mount, dash mount, chin mount, head mount, and I don't wanna start over.

Ideas? I'm not at all opposed to buying decent used or refurbished. If I can get a season out of a used camera and hopefully make a little bit of money to support my hobby here, I'd be happy about that.

 

[BikeFather]

It sounds like you made up your mind already, and you are pretty much set on the GoPro.

The other alternative which will definitely be cheaper is to get an external recorder. - the audio quality is usually better with this, as you can manually adjust your mic gains.

It really depends on what you prefer. I have both, and even now I keep going back on forth between these 2. GoPro = convenient as I don't need to take with me another external recorder.

External recorder - audio quality is better.

I guess it all depends on which one is more important for you and within your budget.

 

[YBGuy]

Go Pro Hero 4 with Purple Panda all the way....and a fluffy cat wind screen too.

 

[Skyd]

It sounds like you made up your mind already, and you are pretty much set on the GoPro.

The other alternative which will definitely be cheaper is to get an external recorder. - the audio quality is usually better with this, as you can manually adjust your mic gains.

It really depends on what you prefer. I have both, and even now I keep going back on forth between these 2. GoPro = convenient as I don't need to take with me another external recorder.

External recorder - audio quality is better.

I guess it all depends on which one is more important for you and within your budget.

Well it's not that I'm set on the GoPro, it's that the cheaper Akaso is not giving me consistently synched audio. There may be a million other cameras out there that do a great job of it, I just don't know what they are. Likewise I don't know which GoPro will fit my budget and needs.

Sounds like the GoPro 4 is worth looking at though?

I like the idea of better audio but not so much the convenience factor both during recording and in post as I'll be doing a fair amount of off road riding and not so sure where I'd even put the recorder.

 

[YBGuy]

Well it's not that I'm set on the GoPro, it's that the cheaper Akaso is not giving me consistently synched audio. There may be a million other cameras out there that do a great job of it, I just don't know what they are. Likewise I don't know which GoPro will fit my budget and needs.

Sounds like the GoPro 4 is worth looking at though?

I like the idea of better audio but not so much the convenience factor both during recording and in post as I'll be doing a fair amount of off road riding and not so sure where I'd even put the recorder.

The GoPro Hero4 with the Purple Panda works well for me. But make sure you invest in a high performance micro SD card too. That is important to keep the video and audio in sync. Also the high megabit rates of 1080p60fps or higher require a better SD card or you may get choppy video playback.

My micro sd card of choice is the:
SanDisk 128GB Extreme MicroSDXC
If you are on a budget you could go cheaper, but I think that card is only like $25-30 these days.

My previous SD card:
SanDisk 128GB Ultra MicroSDXC

But lately I have been trying to do the 2.7k video and I seem to run into choppy video sometimes with this sd card.

 

[Skyd]

Ok that's good to know - I almost always buy sandisk or samsung SD cards. I've got a couple of 32gb around right now.

 

[WaltInPA]

My micro sd card of choice is the:
SanDisk 128GB Extreme MicroSDXC
If you are on a budget you could go cheaper, but I think that card is only like $25-30 these days.

But lately I have been trying to do the 2.7k video and I seem to run into choppy video sometimes with this sd card.

That is the same card I use - I think I got a 2-Pack of them from Costco for less then $40

I'm recording 2.7K at 30fps and haven't run into any syncing issues. I'll have to keep an eye out of I ever decided to bump it up to 60fps.

 

[Skyd]

wow you only get 2 minutes to edit a post huh.....well anyway I just picked up a Gopro Hero4 silver off ebay at a decent price. 2 batteries, all the manuals, a couple of cases, and a few mounts and other things. So now I wait.

 

[Skyd]

another update - I also just grabbed a 2 pack of 64gb Sandisk extreme cards with the U3 speed rating so I should be good to go there. I wonder actually if my samsung card is too slow on the Akaso and that's the whole issue. I'll have to try it out and see, but now I'll have 2 cams either way

 

[YBGuy]

another update - I also just grabbed a 2 pack of 64gb Sandisk extreme cards with the U3 speed rating so I should be good to go there. I wonder actually if my samsung card is too slow on the Akaso and that's the whole issue. I'll have to try it out and see, but now I'll have 2 cams either way

Cool, let us know how it goes.

 

[YBGuy]

That is the same card I use - I think I got a 2-Pack of them from Costco for less then $40

I'm recording 2.7K at 30fps and haven't run into any syncing issues. I'll have to keep an eye out of I ever decided to bump it up to 60fps.

I just noticed you edited my post quote. Just to clarify, I ran into some sync issues with the ultra sd card at 2.7+k res, but not on the extreme sd, that card seems to do really well. If you bought the extreme card you should be pretty good to go with higher fps and resolution.

 

[WaltInPA]

I just noticed you edited my post quote. Just to clarify, I ran into some sync issues with the ultra sd card at 2.7+k res, but not on the extreme sd, that card seems to do really well. If you bought the extreme card you should be pretty good to go with higher fps and resolution.

I must have gotten mixed up - I thought you went to the Extreme from the Ultra and were having issues with the Extreme.

I'm using the Extreme (there is also an Extreme Pro but I don't have any of those).

 

[Dewey316]

I use a Hero 3+ fory chin mount, partly because I had it, but it is also really easy to attach a mic to. I tried the purple panda, and found it picked up to much wind noise, especially on an open dirt helmet with goggles, it might be to hot for you. I ended up using a spare Sena mic I had from an old headset, it just velcros on so I could place it somewhere where no vents pushed wind at it. Don't be afraid to play around with things to get better.

 

[Hippo-Drones]

Regarding the OP, I would look into your memory card, now you have 2 new ones ordered see if they perform the same on your original camera. Also sadly there are a lot of fake memory cards out there, so only buy from a reputable seller.
Also, when you are recording at 30/60fps, check that you actually are doing so in the video properties once you have downloaded it to your PC, most cameras are not a true 30/60fps and are just shy, that may also cause the audio to go out of sync with the video.

 

[Skyd]

Regarding the OP, I would look into your memory card, now you have 2 new ones ordered see if they perform the same on your original camera. Also sadly there are a lot of fake memory cards out there, so only buy from a reputable seller.
Also, when you are recording at 30/60fps, check that you actually are doing so in the video properties once you have downloaded it to your PC, most cameras are not a true 30/60fps and are just shy, that may also cause the audio to go out of sync with the video.

Ya I thought of that, being my SD card on the other one as it is a Samsung Evo card but it's a U1 by the look so I'm betting it's too slow. I'll give it a go with the better card when it gets here.

 

[Drakhen99]

Regarding the OP, I would look into your memory card, now you have 2 new ones ordered see if they perform the same on your original camera. Also sadly there are a lot of fake memory cards out there, so only buy from a reputable seller.
Also, when you are recording at 30/60fps, check that you actually are doing so in the video properties once you have downloaded it to your PC, most cameras are not a true 30/60fps and are just shy, that may also cause the audio to go out of sync with the video.

All good info from the respondents... the only caveat I've found is that while I set a GoPro to 60fps or 30fps, Windows reports them at 59.94 and 29.97, respectively. This causes audio sync issues with OBS set to 59.94 or 29.97 - I find that I have to set OBS to 60/30 to match the GoPro footage, otherwise it falls out of sync, noticeably after several minutes.

I use a Hero 3+ fory chin mount, partly because I had it, but it is also really easy to attach a mic to. I tried the purple panda, and found it picked up to much wind noise, especially on an open dirt helmet with goggles, it might be to hot for you. I ended up using a spare Sena mic I had from an old headset, it just velcros on so I could place it somewhere where no vents pushed wind at it. Don't be afraid to play around with things to get better.

That's interesting - I use a Purple Panda on my GoPros, and it definitely picks up more wind noise than I'd like ... does anyone know a similar mic to the Sena? I don't have a spare one sitting around like you do. I'd love to get better audio on my half helmet

-John

 

[Theodor]

I am amazed about the suggestion by the manufacturer to convert the clips. How could converting a file help, if audio is off sync in the original file already?
One of the cheap options would probably also have been to invest in your labor. What I mean is split the audio from the video file and while cutting the vlog, just adjust the audio positioning of each cut. That is a terrible thing to endure, but definitely cheaper than purchasing a new camera.

 

[Drakhen99]

I wish I thought of this earlier... in Davinci Resolve there is a feature called Elastic Wave, in the Fairlight tab. It allows you to drag the end point of the audio, which may line it up throughout the clip, unless it drifts back and forth during the clip.

-John

 

[Skyd]

I am amazed about the suggestion by the manufacturer to convert the clips. How could converting a file help, if audio is off sync in the original file already?
One of the cheap options would probably also have been to invest in your labor. What I mean is split the audio from the video file and while cutting the vlog, just adjust the audio positioning of each cut. That is a terrible thing to endure, but definitely cheaper than purchasing a new camera.

Ya, well one of the suggested online fixes I came across was to use handbrake to force constant FPS, but it didn't work in my case. I thought about splitting the audio but the problem is that it's not a consistent thing. I think what happens is the camera drops frames but the audio of course stays consistent so as time goes on the sync gets worse.

As far as they're suggestion, I'm not all that surprised. I knew what I was getting into buying an off brand. It's a shame because it's actually a great little camera for under $100, but the response wasn't even in very good english. I guess kudos for them responding at all because alot of times with these companies you never hear back.

I wish I thought of this earlier... in Davinci Resolve there is a feature called Elastic Wave, in the Fairlight tab. It allows you to drag the end point of the audio, which may line it up throughout the clip, unless it drifts back and forth during the clip.

-John

That's interesting, I don't use Davinci I use PowerDirector but I wonder if that would have worked. I don't think it drifts back and forth but I think it compounds as time goes on.

 

[R-Rated]

Hi all,

So I'm on a budget here as many people are. When I first decided to get into doing Motovlogging and making videos in general I was thinking well maybe I can pick up a used GoPro for a decent price. But I wanted the option for external mic. I found myself climbing into a price range I wasn't crazy about.

I ended up coming across the Akaso V50x action cam, which has external mic capabilities. I picked it up for $90. I've made a few videos with it of working on my Hawk and I've taken some others with it mounted on the dash of my Jeep. Overall I think it's a great camera for the money and the video is decent, especially with outside lighting. HOWEVER, and this is a big however.....the audio falls out of sync. I've done a bunch of research and tried some of the potential fixes to no avail. As a last ditch effort I wrote to Akaso and they responded to try converting the file with handbrake. Well I've already done that and it doesn't work.

SO - I'm not sure what I want to do. I'm wondering if I should just suck it up and spend a bit more for a decent used GoPro and use the Akaso for 2nd cam angles. Money is an issue so I'm looking for best bang for the buck kinda of thing. Alternatively I could use an external audio source and try to sync it up but that's not my favorite idea.

My requirements are seemingly simple to meet for a cam - I want to shoot 1080p 60fps and I want an external mic option. Image stabilization would be ideal as I'm dual sport riding. It also needs to use standard "gopro" type accessories as I already have chest mount, dash mount, chin mount, head mount, and I don't wanna start over.

Ideas? I'm not at all opposed to buying decent used or refurbished. If I can get a season out of a used camera and hopefully make a little bit of money to support my hobby here, I'd be happy about that.

I vote for considered buying a used GoPro Hero4 Silver? They shoot 1080p60 and the mic adapter work well if you can find them. I have read all over the internet that the imitation adapters might not work at all but I know the real GoPro adapters work good.

Then you can use your editing software for stabilizing the footage and even do the 4k rendering method for YouTube that I and a few others do even with more recent models of GoPro.