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GoPro Setup Guide
Updated over 2 months ago

Before you capture a performance, it's best to set up your GoPro settings; this can be done on the GoPro’s themselves, or via one of the third party Apps linked below.


Here’s what you’ll need:

Item

Note

GoPro Hero 7 or newer

For issues & support with your GoPro camera, please contact your GoPro reseller. For Move AI required settings see below.

Camera mount

You can use a tripod, clamp or any other stable attachment that connects to a GoPro

Camera Tools for Hero Cameras App



or;

This is a 3rd party app, that can control up to 10 cameras at once. Please contact the developer for support. https://www.toolsforgopro.com/cameratools

GoPro remote

GoPro 'The Remote' released Feb 2021 controls a maximum of 5 Hero8, 9 or 10s at once

USB-C cable

1 per camera, to connect to a portable charger, if using.

Portable battery pack for GoPro

These are useful for long duration captures.

SD cards

Make sure that they meet the specification of the capture settings (resolution & fps) you are recording at.

Objects or tape to identify the perimeter of the volume on the ground

This is helpful for the actor to understand the perimeter of the capture volume.

Please note: this is the recommended kit list for MOVE AI motion capture. MOVE AI is not liable for any faults with equipment.

GoPro Tools for Heroes App

For further guidance with the GoPro application, visit https://www.toolsforgopro.com/cameratools_help

If the Tools for Heroes app has not been set up before, you'll need to pair the cameras to the device. To do this, follow the steps below:

  1. Download the Camera Tools for Heroes app from this link.

  2. Turn on the GoPro and go to Connections and then to Connect Device.

  3. Select GoPro Quick App (even though we are not using this).

  4. Open the Tools for Hereos App and select the + symbol to add a camera.

  5. Select the desired camera

    1. If your camera doesn't appear in the list, check the following things:

      • Reboot the GoPro

      • On the GoPro, head to the connection settings and reset connections.

      • On the iPhone, head to the Settings App and check the Camera Tools For Heros App has permission to use Bluetooth.

  6. The app will now ask to pair with the camera, select Connect Camera to confirm this.

  7. Within the settings of each camera, there is an option to sync the clock to the device running the App. Note that this does not provide timecode synchronization, but this will ensure the timestamps of the videos will be aligned for ease of management.

Before proceeding, check on the GoPros that:

  • Control Mode is set to 'Pro'

  • Video Mode is set to 'Highest quality'

If you have set up the app before, follow these steps:

  1. Make sure the Bluetooth is turned on and that you are connected to the GoPros you wish to use.

  2. Click 'Control all cameras' and then 'Settings'

  3. Select whichever camera you'd like to use as the master and enter the following settings

Camera Settings

Except for those noted as crucial, feel free to adjust the other settings to optimize the footage based on your shoot. Unsure which settings to use, feel free to ask us!

Capture mode

Video

Resolution

HD/4K - dependent on the desired volume

FPS

50/100 or 60/120 - higher frame rate for faster movements and swap between multiples of 50/60Hz depending on the lighting refresh rate in your country

Lens

Linear - this is crucial

Hyper smooth

Off - this is crucial

Duration

No limit

Timer

Off

Bit Rate

High

Shutter

Auto

EV Comp

0

ISO Min

100

ISO Max

1600

White Balance

Auto

Sharpness

High

Colour

Flat (Indoor) or Natural (Outdoor)

Raw Audio

Low

Wind

Auto

Mode

Video

Anti-Flicker

50Hz or 60Hz - This should match the refresh rate of the lighting in your environment.

Video Compression (Hero 10 & older)

H.264 + HEVC or H265

10 Bit (Hero 11 & Newer)

Off


Using the Tools for Heroes App as a Remote

You can control multiple GoPro's simultaneously using the app:

  1. First, hit the Control all Cameras button and hit Connect all.

  2. Then check all cameras are connected by showing as so in green.

  3. Frame up the cameras by checking the live preview by tapping on the picture frame icon.

  4. Press Control all Cameras again.

  5. Select Record all.

  6. When your action take or calibration has finished, select Stop all.

  7. You can also power all cameras off by selecting Control all Cameras followed by Power off all.



What is the minimum and maximum frame rate and resolution for your system with GoPros?

We currently support a minimum resolution/framerate of:

HD: 1920 x 1080 @ 60fps


And a maximum resolution/framerate resolution of:

4K: 3840 x 2160 @ 120 fps


How do I get files off my GoPros?

We'd recommend using the StarTech Expander hub. This means you don't have to take the SD cards out of the GoPros: LINK


Can I edit the videos to the takes I want?

You can, but make sure that audio or timecode are not stripped out during this process. You can also specify the time range in the clip you wish to process in the platform if that's easier.


What video file formats do you support?

We support:

  • AVI

  • MP4

  • MOV

What Codecs do you support?

We support:

  • H.264

  • H.265/HEVC

  • ProRes422

For efficiency of processing in the cloud, H.264 & H.265 are preferred.


How do you sync videos?

Some cameras already have sync through timecode or genlock, such as the OptiTrack Prime Colour, BlackMagic Ursa and Sony RX0II.

GoPros are asynchronous. For GoPro shoots, we recommend performing 3 claps at the start of each take with your hands or a clapperboard. We use the peak of the audio to automatically sync the clips in the cloud.


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