Should I record in 4k 60 FPS?

  • Thread starter Deleted member 5472
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Which choice do you find the best?


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Deleted member 5472

Hello everyone!

I just recently picked up the new Hero 7 Black and am having some trouble trying to pick a resolution and stabilization mode. My choices for recording are:

4K 60FPS w/Hypersmooth stabilization
2.7k 60FPS w/Hypersmooth or 2.7k 120 FPS without any stabilization
1080p 60FPS w/Hypersmooth

If you guys could give me some honest input on which resoluton, fps, and stabilization mode you would consider best. I'm currently in the process of making my first motovlog and I just had to drop 2 hours of footage because the standard stabilization was being really jerky and making odd movements. Could I also get some input on what you guys think of the new hypersmooth stabilization mode and if you would like to see a motovlog with hypersmooth?
 

HippoDrone

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Hey, I have the Hero 7 Black, I actually use it as a bar mounted facecam as the stabilisation on it is a bit weird when helmet mounted and does stutter a bit, it works fine on the bars as a secondary camera though. I use it at 1080/60 Linear view with hypersmooth switched on. If I was going to use it as a helmetcam the only thing I'd change from that is switching from Linear to Superview. I also suggest with the 7 changing the sharpness to medium as high can cause artifacts.
The main reason I don't record higher than 1080 is due to battery life and memory card space, I often do longer rides or visit places where I film too so 1080 allows me much longer to record. Several of us on the forum have been experimenting with resolutions and there is a decent thread on it here:

https://motovlog.com/threads/making-1080p60-look-like-4k-by-getting-youtubes-bigger-bit-rate.17619/
 

SM26

Supermoto isn't just a bike, it's a way of life
Oct 29, 2015
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Husqvarna 701SM 2018
2.7K @60FPS with hypersmooth

and here is why:
going with the process of elimination

1. 2.7K@120 FPS is the only one without stabilization, and IMO you should always stablies if you can
(unless you ride a dirt bike, in the dirt sometime the stabilization is too good, but for road use, always stabilize.)

2. So we are left with 1080 vs 2.7 vs 4K
it's 2019 (almost), why stay at 1080 if you don't have to?

3. 4K will drain your battery, puts heavy load on your PC (edit and storage), and not everyone has 4K monitor,
especially if we are talking about mobile viewrs.

4. so the only option left is 2.7K@60FPS with stabilization.

have fun!
 
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HippoDrone

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I run a powerbank to my helmetcam... but still use a Hero 5 Session even though I have a 6 and a 7 Black, upscaling 1080/60 to 4k/60 using a 45Mbps bitrate will get you decent quality on YouTube which is where it matters! :)
 

HippoDrone

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.... am not saying don't record in 2.7k/4k, just that it isn't yet really worth doing so unless you do not have an issue with filling your memory cards up faster and increased editing time! :)
 
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Deleted member 5472

I decided to record in 2.7k 60FPS today and Adobe has given me problems when trying to export the videos etc. So I just down scaled the footage I have no to 1080 60FPS and have decided to stick to that resolution for the next time I record.

Thanks for all of your input!
 
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LoneWally

All Season Rider
Aug 29, 2017
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I record personally record at 1080p at 60fps. I watch YouTube vids t 1080 as well. Recording at this means I get somthing like 4+ hours on my 64GB card
 

TWWaffle

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Mar 9, 2018
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If you have no issues with your computer system processing and playing 2.7k video, go that route. I personally record in 2.7k and downsample to 1080p. I've recently favored recording with my iPhone at 1080p 60fps though... I didn't realize the value of actually playing the shot over and over until I get the right composition. Definitely not a luxury with the GoPro I have haha.
 

MotoNordic

Moto Nordico
Aug 11, 2018
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Honda CBR 600
Im planning to record all vlogs in 2019 (and beyond :D) at 4k, right now it´s still pretty dark and the days are short here in sweden so until the sun I out I´ll go with 30fps.

Many people watches our videos on their phones and then 1080p is great!
However there are people watching our videos on their 4k tv´s or computer screens so if you have a camera capable of delivering this, why not?
Also in a way you are future-proofing your videos for the viewers getting 4k screens in the future :)

64GB gets me more then 2 hours of recording at 4k60fps which is more then enough for pretty much all my vlogs, if not I could just bring a spare memory card or simply get a bigger one.

I don´t experience any difference in fcpx compared to editing 1080p so that´s not an issue, also I have a USB-outlet on the bike to keep the camera powered.

Even if you intend to only upload 1080p videos you might benefit from recording in 4k, you can crop. aka zoom in to something you want to highlight and still keep the full hd while zoomed in and if you shoot in low light conditions the downscaling helps getting rid of some of the noise.
 
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D-Cycle

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It's all about what your computer can handle with editing. Mine is drastically slower editing in 4K, so if I ever do, I create proxies in Premiere for smoother editing. Most videos I upload are in 1080p @ 30fps. Currently, Youtube doesn't need 4K for good videos, but it won't be long before it's the standard.
 

SighBored

@thesighbored
Jan 18, 2015
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I tested my friend's Hero7 and the output was HEVC which I must say I do not like at all.. Not so compatible to playback (my Macbook doesn't support it) and editing with FCPX is a pain being laggy..
 

Bike4Fun

Bike4Fun - Motovlog
Apr 10, 2019
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60fps are superb, but if you film in Europe with electric light, better is to use 50fps. Cause the electric network works with 50hz...
 
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SM26

Supermoto isn't just a bike, it's a way of life
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Electric network hertz? Does that effect the camera? I'd like more info on this!

This is a short one, and it covers the basic.

Electric grid AC is in hz.
Your camera has FPS settings
And sometimes you can even change the shutter speed as well.
 

HippoDrone

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It is why cameras often have 25, 30, 50 and 60fps options so as to be the same frequency (or a division of it) as the lighting in different parts of the world. If I was filming indoors in the UK I'd go with 25 or 50fps, in the USA I'd go with 30 or 60fps (when under artificial lighting)
 

Mutant

Wannabie Member
Apr 22, 2019
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Depends on what your going to be using the footage for IMHO.
If your planning on uploading to youtube I would recommend 2.7K @60.
I just finished uploading my first test video to youtube and must say the 1440p looks better.
 
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