GoPro Hero 2 Announced

[Cablebandit]

HALF MOON BAY, CA (October 24, 2011) – GoPro today announced the release of its new HD HERO2® camera. Twice as powerful as GoPro’s original HD HERO camera, the HD HERO2 enables consumers and professionals to capture and broadcast their lives’ most exciting moments in professional quality 1080p HD video and 11 megapixel photos. The new HD HERO2 is now available at Our Online Store, specialty retailers around the world, and at Best Buy for MSRP US$299.99.

Arguably the most versatile camera in the world thanks to its innovative mounting system, renowned durability and small form factor, the HD HERO2 surpasses its predecessor with several technology upgrades. The HD HERO2′s new processor delivers twice the processing power, taking full advantage of a new high performance 11 megapixel sensor that delivers more than twice the image detail along with professional low light performance. A totally redesigned wide-angle lens was required to take full advantage of the HD HERO2′s increased image-processing, resulting in a lens that’s twice as sharp as the previous model. And with the arrival of GoPro’s new Wi-Fi BacPac™ and Wi-Fi Remote products slated for release this winter, the HD HERO2 will enable video remote control via the Wi-Fi Remote, smartphones and devices, tablets and computers as well as enabling live GoPro video broadcast from anywhere there is Wi-Fi or a mobile hotspot.

Famous for its globally best-selling HD HERO line of wearable and gear mountable cameras, GoPro spared no expense developing the HD HERO2.

“GoPro created a new category of camera with the HD HERO back in 2009, and it’s gone on to become one of the best selling video cameras in the world,” says Nicholas Woodman, GoPro’s founder and CEO. “With these big shoes to fill, we invested massively in engineering the HD HERO2 to be one of the greatest, most versatile cameras of all time. We think we’ve achieved our goal and we’re very excited to see the content our customers around the world capture and share with their powerful new GoPros.”

2x as Powerful in Every Way:

The HD HERO2 benefits from a complete redesign that results in dramatically enhanced image quality and ease-of-use:


List of HD HERO2 Feature Enhancements:

Professional 11MP Sensor
2x Faster Image Processor
2x Sharper Glass Lens
Professional Low Light Performance
Full 170º, Medium 127º, Narrow 90º FOV in 1080p and 720p Video
120 fps WVGA, 60 fps 720p, 48 fps 960p, 30 fps 1080p Video
Full 170º and Medium 127º FOV Photos
10 11MP Photos Per Second Burst
1 11MP Photo Every 0.5 Sec Timelapse Mode
3.5mm External Stereo Microphone Input
Simple Language-based User Interface
Compatible with Wi-Fi BacPac™ and Wi-Fi Remote™
Long Range Remote Control of up to 50 GoPro Cameras per Wifi Remote
Wi-Fi Video/Photo Preview, Playback and Control via GoPro App
Live Streaming Video and Photos to the Web
Read more about the HD HERO2, Wi-Fi BacPac and Wi-Fi Remote products.

Upgraded Professional Photo Quality and Features

The HD HERO2’s photo capture performance has also been significantly upgraded. In addition to much improved low light performance, the HD HERO2 can capture up to ten 11 megapixel photos in a one second burst mode as well as automatic time-lapse photos with quick .5 second timing between photos. This dramatically increases the success-rate when attempting to capture magazine cover quality photos during fast action sports and activities.


Simplified User Interface

GoPro also placed a priority on redesigning the HD HERO2’s user interface for dead simple ease-of-use. The HD HERO2 features a totally new, straightforward language-based user interface that eliminates the need for instructions.

“The HD HERO2 is much, much easier to use than the original HD HERO. If you know how to use a traditional camera, you can use the HD HERO2 straight out of the box without instructions. This makes the HD HERO2 very powerful as an everyday, easy to use consumer camera while retaining all of the features, modes and performance that has made GoPro the best selling small form factor HD camera to Hollywood,” said GoPro’s Director of Product Definition, Rudy Samuels.

Specialized Right Down to the Packaging

The HD HERO2 sells in three bundled-accessory configurations, each containing the necessary mounts for particular genres of use or activity. The HD HERO2 is backwards compatible with all existing GoPro mounts and accessories.

Click each product name for a complete list of included mounts and accessories:

HD HERO2 Outdoor Edition – $299.99
HD HERO2 Motorsports Edition – $299.99
HD HERO2 Surf Edition – $299.99
The original 1080p HD HERO camera is now available for MSRP US$199.99 – $239.99 (USD) (previously $259.99 – $299.99) through GoPro.com and GoPro’s worldwide authorized dealer network. The Wi-Fi BacPac and Wi-Fi Remote are also compatible with the original HD HERO camera, but functionality is limited to remote control only. Video and photo streaming is not supported.

[Wockman]

The 120 fps would be fun to play around with some slow-mo shots.  This might make me upgrade from my 3 year old standard def GoPro Wide...

[Mastros2]

Thanks Chris.  I was already looking at the GoPros.  This is a nice upgrade.

[expatbrit]

Really interested to see how actually easy it is to operate. I have the first gen, and it's odd-on as to if I start, stop, power-on, or whatever and what I film is anyone's bet.

[zer0netgain]

Really interested to see how actually easy it is to operate. I have the first gen, and it's odd-on as to if I start, stop, power-on, or whatever and what I film is anyone's bet.

+1

I got the 2nd Gen.  Thought they were crap.   Video quality was useless to me.

Many say it's not that bad.  I don't know how I got two bad ones for testing.

Too bad they still won't dump the overly-wide FOV, but being able to go to lower resolution (focusing more on the center of the sensor) to emulate narrower FOV is a much needed fix if they won't make a normal version to compete with the wide version.

If the get the bugs out, it might really be worth owning.  It certainly has potential.

[camaroz1985]

I like the remote feature.  Currently I have to start the camera before I strap myself in to my race car and edit all the footage until the actual start of the race.  I will be picking one up when they come out.

Edit: Looked on their website, and the wifi remote will work with either the HD or HD2 so maybe I won't have to upgrade, as I am happy with the video quality, though having 2 cameras would be nice.  It sounds like you can stream video from the camera while recording it with the wifi, so that might be nice to send back to the pits for real time video.

[expatbrit]

I have to admit, I've been looking hard at the Replay XD1080 as a replacement for the GoPro. I'm just frustrated with the lack of feedback and indicators on the latter.

And either is safer than my usual 'wave the camera around in the left hand and snap away' way of getting riding photos.

[AzItLies]

I have the previous version of the gopro and it's okay vid wise. Sounds like the new one will be a bit sharper still.

But what they should have added was Image Stabilization. There's virtually no where on the bike you can mount one of these without getting vibration in the vid?

I have software that can clean that up pretty well, but if the mount point is really vibey it will still be able to be seen. This seems like a big oversight on their part of motorcyclists...

[zer0netgain]

I have the previous version of the gopro and it's okay vid wise. Sounds like the new one will be a bit sharper still.

But what they should have added was Image Stabilization. There's virtually no where on the bike you can mount one of these without getting vibration in the vid?

I have software that can clean that up pretty well, but if the mount point is really vibey it will still be able to be seen. This seems like a big oversight on their part of motorcyclists...

For me an issue is self-cleaning lenses.

I have the POV setup, and the singular down side is that the video is only good until the lens protector gets gooed up with junk.  There is nobody that makes a mounting setup that "self cleans" so dirt, bug guts, etc. doesn't ruin your video 30 seconds after you start rolling.

It's why I don't bother putting the video kit on most times I could use it.  Getting quality footage is a crap shoot if you gotta deal with bugs and debris.

[sfarson]

I have the previous version of the gopro and it's okay vid wise. Sounds like the new one will be a bit sharper still.

But what they should have added was Image Stabilization. There's virtually no where on the bike you can mount one of these without getting vibration in the vid?

I have software that can clean that up pretty well, but if the mount point is really vibey it will still be able to be seen. This seems like a big oversight on their part of motorcyclists...

Consider hanging the cam off the lower left side of the helmet (Top of helmet is too extreme).

After recording 1000's of ride vids since '04, experimenting with every mounting location, different cams, and making every mistake one can make, and continuing to repeat them , I basically record from the helmet nowadays.  Vibes are minimized.  It gives the perspective as if in the saddle.  Can see the bike move/sway underneath.  One helmet mount - any bike.  With a modest screen, minimal noise/bugs.  Easy on/off with the left hand.  Can look in the mirror quickly to see if it is recording, etc.

Bunch of them here.. http://rmridervideo.com

[AzItLies]

Consider hanging the cam off the lower left side of the helmet (Top of helmet is too extreme).

After recording 1000's of ride vids since '04, experimenting with every mounting location, different cams, and making every mistake one can make, and continuing to repeat them , I basically record from the helmet nowadays.  Vibes are minimized.  It gives the perspective as if in the saddle.  Can see the bike move/sway underneath.  One helmet mount - any bike.  With a modest screen, minimal noise/bugs.  Easy on/off with the left hand.  Can look in the mirror quickly to see if it is recording, etc.

Bunch of them here.. http://rmridervideo.com

One of my helmets still has the GoPro mount on top of it. I took it off the other one. A helmet mount, while less vibration for sure, seems fine if you're filming someone in front of you.

But if it's just you, because we keep our heads level with the horizon in a turn, the vid just doesn't give a viewer the feel for the ride...

I've posted this vid http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-ilxAZjo8I before, GoPro is attached to the front of the bike, pretty boring after about the two thirds mark, but it shows the lean angle, much more fun to watch imho...

[sfarson]

...
But if it's just you, because we keep our heads level with the horizon in a turn, the vid just doesn't give a viewer the feel for the ride...
...

Huh?  Sure it does.  It gives the closest proximation to the piloit's p-o-v.  One sees the bike moving underneath; there is still an angle in the curves; one can optionally (and selectively) look around for the viewer, like when riding alongside a lake, or above a canyon... just like when you ride.  If anything, a cam hanging low on the front of the bike gives an artificial p-o-v.  Is it even from a bike?  Only a fixed view?  Wind noise?  Bugs?  I've recorded/edited hundreds of mount-to-the-bike vids.  They can entertain for awhile, or for difference sake.  The lower mounting height, closer to the road, gives one the impression of going faster than reality.  There is greater lean angle because of the fixed mount, but at the end, it falls short of capturing what that road/ride is really like, what is in the vicinity, and what it is like from the saddle.

I record from all kinds of mounting locations, but opt for the helmet mount most of the time for all the reasons noted above... and would even if it didn't minimize vibrations.

http://youtu.be/GPwfVm2Z8ww

[AzItLies]

Huh?  Sure it does.  It gives the closest proximation to the piloit's p-o-v.  One sees the bike moving underneath; there is still an angle in the curves; one can optionally (and selectively) look around for the viewer, like when riding alongside a lake, or above a canyon... just like when you ride.  If anything, a cam hanging low on the front of the bike gives an artificial p-o-v.  Is it even from a bike?  Only a fixed view?  Wind noise?  Bugs?  I've recorded/edited hundreds of mount-to-the-bike vids.  They can entertain for awhile, or for difference sake.  The lower mounting height, closer to the road, gives one the impression of going faster than reality.  There is greater lean angle because of the fixed mount, but at the end, it falls short of capturing what that road/ride is really like, what is in the vicinity, and what it is like from the saddle.

I record from all kinds of mounting locations, but opt for the helmet mount most of the time for all the reasons noted above... and would even if it didn't minimize vibrations.

http://youtu.be/GPwfVm2Z8ww

well... I hope it's okay if I disagree? it's okay isn't it? it's okay if I have a different opinion right? huh? ...

[sfarson]

Of course it is.  

[paul13131313]

  Got mine last christmas and mounted in front of mohawk on helmet.Mohawks are now illegal if longer than a 1/4",so I removed mine to avoid a ticket.Now have room for another camera on back!
HD Motosports version.Perhaps I'll upgrade when this newer version is at a lowered price.

I like it.One button on/off and four hour record time w/32GB card/spare battery attached.

I dont like the fishbowl view in less than 1080p.

[David Morrow]

Really interested to see how actually easy it is to operate. I have the first gen, and it's odd-on as to if I start, stop, power-on, or whatever and what I film is anyone's bet.

It would be nice to see a firmware update for our older models to give us that same ease of use.

[camaroz1985]

The original HD can do one button power on/record, it is in the settings menu.