Rambos Locker Ocean Sports Video Blog

If you're a follower of my blog you would know my POV or on-canoe mounted cameras are GoPro Cameras and that they do a fantastic job in their role as a Fully Waterproof camera. Well guess what? .... I'm really excited to announce that GoPro are releasing a High Definition model with improve features ... the full story below.



The GoPro HD still has the killer 170 degree wide angle lens and will have three recording resolutions: 1080p (1980 x 1080), 960p (1280×960, so it’s similar to 720p but at 4:3 ratio), and 720p (1280 x 720). What’s even better is the camera can record 720p at double speed 60 FPS for buttery smooth high-def slow motion deliciousness. Here are the full video specs with bitrates, please note bitrates may change in final production version:

* 1080P 1980×1080 30 fps @12 Mbps
* 960P 1280×960, 30 fps @ 10 Mbps
* 720P 1280×720, 30 fps @ 7.5 Mbps
* 720P 1280×720, 60 fps @ 15 Mbps

The GoPro HD has a completely redesigned power system. The new power design includes a 1100 maH Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery pack. This provides greatly improved battery life over the original GoPro Wide series, especially in cold weather and cold water environments. This new battery pack should provide 2-3 hours of record time, and you can always pack extra batteries as well.

The camera will accept up to a 32gb SDHC card, which is good knowing the massive file sizes that 1080p video will produce. The video compression format is H.264, a great universal format for HD video.

In addition we’ve heard rumors of a wireless remote. There will also be an LCD "backpack" that you can clip on to the back of the camera and a battery attachment for increased recording time.

Exciting stuff, the only downside is longer editing time with the HD footage but will be worth it and will integrate perfectly into the Hi Def footage i shoot with my JetSki Rig. The 1280 x 720p 60frames per second is what excites me.

Price is being touted as US$299.
Should have a unit for testing soon.

This puts GoPro so far ahead of their competition as the most affordable, FULLY WATERPROOF High Def Camera on the market period.

GoPro you guys are Legends.....

Cheers Rambo

I'm constantly working on ways to improve video footage shot from moving boats or Jet Ski's. I've written a script for my camera program to stabilize extremely shaky footage, and I'm happy to say it works fantastic considering the boat is moving at 25 - 30 kph and the camera is hand held in a fig rig.

This next short video sample is a split screen format with the original footage on the left and the Stabilized on the right.

Cheers Rambo

This is what i’m using to shoot Karel Jr with from the Jet Ski. Purpose built for shooting Hi Def from a Jet Ski, with 7” external framing monitor, remote control zoom/record with TOSLINK fibre optic extender,1080i Hi Def Cam 2hr recording to SD Card, 4 hrs external battery pack. Comes with waterproof covers for the cam, monitor and remote.



Don’t be fooled by the little cam, it’s basically just a big Hi Def Bullet Cam, no moving parts and an awesome optical stabilization system.



A 12v battery in the bum bag runs the big monitor and the Cam. It has an 8.4v regulator in line to the HF100 and full 12v to the monitor.

The base of wheel has a 3/8 adapter to take a Gyro Stabilizer, but at $2500 …… well have to sell some DVD’s first. But i hired one and it’s awesome. It spins at 20,000rpm and trying to turn the wheel is like fighting a Formula 1 car around a corner, but dead steady footage even when the jet-ski bounces.


The monitor is already splash proof, the cam has a clear WP bag with glass port and the remote has just a clear bag (Not shown). It’s not for IN water only ON water. The cam bag had to have a breather as it generates heat, but that’s no problem. It’s definitely more versatile than a shoulder mount and more stable.


On mild days when there's little chance of getting the Cam wet, i just put a ziploc bag over the Cam with a hole for the lens and a small breather hole cut in the top of the bag. There is a UV filter for protection and a rubber band keeps the bag in place around the filter. Other times i put the Cam into a housing i adapted from an Everready 6v waterproof torch and mount that to the tripod head with the quick connect tripod mount.

The cam is secured inside the housing by foam inserts.The Canon HF 100 fit's perfectly into the area where the battery was and i have replaced the original torch lens with a low iron glass. Cables are routed thru a small rubber port in the torch housing to connect the extn monitor, extn power and fibre optic remote cable.


That is about prototype 10, i keep changing it all the time. I have clip on mounts for duel lights, external shotgun mike and a laser pointer and the best thing is, all the cam controls are available with both hands on the wheel and that is important for steady footage.

I suppose i should explain the Laser pointer. It helps train your coordination to keep a steady position even when bouncing around on the back of a Jet Ski. You aim it at say a white area on the hull of a canoe and try and maintain the spot in the monitor, especially when zoomed in. It also allows you to take your eyes off the monitor for a while, knowing that if you hold the spot, you have the framing you set up.

How it's made
The wheel is made from flexible 25mm poly pressure pipe and joined at the bottom with a copper "T" piece and riveted together. The Tripod head fits over the single end of the "T" and is also riveted in place.( The Slik tripod head still works as normal and the whole wheel will attach to a tripod just by screwing it on to the normal tripod screw mount via an adapter thread on the bottom of the wheel)

A car steering wheel cover is then stretched over the pipe for looks and to hide all the cables. The monitor clamp is adapted from a bike handle bar mount that comes with a GoPro Camera kit i had. Car DVD Monitor mounts will also work.

As i only use the Monitor for framing not focusing (i only use auto focus), the Sony DVD Car Accessory monitor is sufficient for my needs. Actually, its very good resolution and has good brightness controls. It's connected via av (composite) and works in playback or record mode.

I use the remote control to steer the Jet Ski while facing rearwards. .... Only kidding. I engage a driver and i sit facing the rear and shoot both sides and rear. Also turn around and stand and shoot over the drivers head. The wheel gives great stability control and you can access the remote with both hands on the wheel. You can see some footage here.
http://rambos-locker.blogspot.com/20...er-video1.html

That was my first time using the wheel, I have got better since and when i use the Gyro, it's steady as a rock. Requires good team work and communication between the Jet Ski driver and the Cam operator ..(me)

UPDATE
Ok, here are the pictures of version 12 ..whew. Will i ever leave this thing alone.

The HF100 is fully "dunk" proof now and the case looks less like a torch housing with the handle removed and painted. For on land shots, i just remove the glass screw on front and replace it with one with no glass.

The Button on top is a waterproof cable gland adapted to work as a power button to turn the Camera on and off. so now most all the controls are available from out side the case.

There is a tripod quick release mount fixed to the base of the housing for easy removal.

Cheers Rambo

I'm currently testing a few permanent solutions to fogging internally of the "Wide Angle" GoPro Lens. Nothing peeves me more than excitedly loading the days footage into the PC, only to find 40mins of it is engulfed in fog and useless, especially as i know there were some hooten' runs on it.

Here is what I'm testing and why it will work.

Protective Vents provide continuous airflow in sealed housings without allowing contaminants to enter because of the proprietary expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) membrane in the vent. This unique ePTFE membrane has a low surface tension, so it repels liquids, such as water, oil, and surfactants, as well as preventing dust, dirt, and other environmental contaminants from entering the housing.

You will need to drill a small hole in the case (about 3mm, i will be able to give you the tested location) and glue or press fit one of these little vents in the picture below. The alternative is to drill the same hole size and glue a stick on piece of the vent fabric over the hole. I like the first option better as it's permanent but just have to be sure there is no interference with the cam in the case.

I will have some feedback on the results in a couple of days. But test so far indicate it is a bloody ripper.

Cheers Rambo

I have started a GoPro User Forum for people interested in getting the most out of their Cameras. All the topics are covered..

Questions, Problems and Observations
Tips, Tricks and DIY Customizations
Trade, Exchange and best deals
Video Showcase - Your Videos
Editing and Software - Tips

Etc ....

Swing on over and join up and get some great info
http://goprouser.freeforums.org

Cheers Rambo

The first picture is obviously the remote control version. The transmitter has a range of 1km LOS and the four buttons have the following functions.

A - Powers Up/Down the GoPro and steps through menu.

B - Record On/Off and sets menu choices.

C & D do the same as A & B but on a different channel, that way I can control 2 GoPros independently or as many Cams as I want on each channel from just the 1 transmitter.

The second picture is the delay timers Type 1 and 2.

Type 1 will turn on the GoPro and activate record 5 seconds later.

Type 2 will turn on record only but it has AA Batteries in the box instead of AAA so will last 5 hours plus.

Both can be delay set from 1 min and up to 5 hours.

All totally waterproof and can take some rugged treatment.

There are 6 R/C type and 3 each of the delay timer Types.

Also some new mounts

Roll on Hamo …. Haahaaa.

My latest wireless HQ SuckerCam.

This little baby i made to suction mount onto any flat or curved surface, like an OC6 front or rear deck or as i have just done, behind me on the “Peggie OC1”.

It has 520 line Bullet Cam with 10 hour battery and Digital Recorder in the Pelican box. The picture quality is awesome. I have 2 lens for it, 127 degree wide angle and 90 standard. Weight is around 3LB.

This thing sticks like a leech, and after huliing big time yesterday in big surf, never moved. I do attach a lanyard just in case though.

Watch the video from the SuctionCam mounted only 3 ft behind me.

Not a big fan of the HelmetCam as it gives jerky footage, but it can be useful.

And RalphCam of Course