Sport Pilot Talk

Rich, I thought about PM'ing you this request...but I'll bet a number of forum members would also be interested in your response, so I placed it here instead. I think of you as our principal go-to guy for flight video subjects so....

You've offered a number of what I would label 'video cam instructional videos', back in the earlier days of experimenting with your cameras while no doubt pleasing the merchants who kept selling them to you. <s> But some time has passed and it's pretty clear (my impression, at least) that Garmin's VIRB has emerged as the main GoPro competitor, at least in aviation circles. So I'm inviting you to watch this new AVweb video wherein Bertorelli compares the two camera brands in an operational sens. I'd welcome hearing what your reactions are to both his comments and the comparison video quality that's being displayed.

Even if you haven't used a VIRB personally - or have you? - what do you make of the feature & performance comments about it vs. the GoPro? And if you subscribe, it would be great if you also look at this month's Aviation Consumer article to see if it invites any additional observations from you.

Video is here: http://www.avweb.com/videos/Video-GoPro ... 731-1.html
AC article is here: http://www.aviationconsumer.com/issues/ ... 549-1.html

I'm hoping other members who have now had some experience with these two cameras (either/or) might also offer your comments as well, making this somewhat of a 'comprehensive user update' on using these cams in our planes. After all, Christmas is 'only' 3.5 months away.

Stand by, Jack. I have a couple of other irons in the fire, but this sounds like a good idea.

Meanwhile, others jump in!

--Rich

Jack--

1. Sorry, I still haven't invested in a VIRB and thus have zero experience with it. I continue to 'hang' with my GoPros. My old "how to" videos on the topic are now mostly outdated, and I'm about ready to retire them from YT.

2. I did just watch the Bertonelli video, though. He makes amazing stuff--always a real learning exercise in itself. And this seemed a very objective evaluation of the two cameras. (Er, let's edit that to: "..an attempt at an objective review?")

3. Bottom line, if I were starting out--or just a very casual user--I'd go with either one. A larger issue than which camera, is what you do with the footage afterwards, in terms of "enhancements" and general editing. That's where I'm putting my energy now--learning my particular editing software, Power Director. Meanwhile, I'm waiting for the next "latest and greatest" innovations from Garmin and GoPro.

4. These two leaders are public companies with stock listings, both selling for over $50 a share. So they've got the dough to R&D us to the next levels. However, GoPro could have an edge, with its single-produce line. Anyway, I can't wait until one of them releases something really Big, like remote zoom or pan capability. It's just a matter of time.

PS (1 hr later): Whoops! I guess I did allow Bertonelli one, low-pass 'fly-by:' the GoPro stickies and duct-tape camera attachments. Paul has a terrific sense of humor, so I assume he's just pulling our pants-legs, here!

Rich

I thought his piece was more of a puff for the VIRB. He mentions discount prices for it, but quotes retail on GoPro. No mention of battery life. Doesn't really go into resolution. 'Didn't like the way he casually discounted the obvious jello affect being worse on the virb.

Yeah, maybe he was sent a free VIRB--for review? Happens a lot (to others, besides me).

Reference: http://youtu.be/l8lkwBFz5XI

I've been using the Virb Elite for some time now. I like that I can turn it on and forget about it, battery life is 3+ hours. I also really like the GPS "Overlays" that can be used to enhance the flight review. The referenced video uses two Virb cameras. I agree, the "jello" effect is annoying but not consistent as can be seen in the exterior view.

I have never used a GoPro so can't do a factual comparison.

My next video coming in a few days, will be illustrating some of the major downsides to the GoPro--things I hope they fix soon (that happened to me 2 days ago, with five of their cameras running in/on my airplane) with all that money they got from selling GoPro stock!

References: http://youtu.be/OxyYCqRQe88 and http://youtu.be/1OdItC8MT3w

These are my latest examples of using the Virb cameras. Note very little "jello" or vibration. The exterior camer is located just aft of the right wing leading edge. I'll work on tilt and angle just a bit more but I am pleased with the overall result.

Dave, very nice job! I see what you mean about the GPS overlay; very clever. Wonderful panoramic view, too.

And Rich, thanks for taking a look at the video and your comments. And no, I don't think Paul was kidding about how his 'belt & suspenders' approach to mounting cameras externally.

For those of us outside the Experimental category, the legality of mounting cameras externally has always left me feeling uncertain about just what I'm allowed to do. As a follow-up to that video, Paul wrote an editorial on this subject, covered the FAA position (plus offered a link to their relevant memo), and I think it's 'practical' approach to the subject was a real breath of fresh air. And thankfully, even the FAA's position strikes me as reasonable - summarized as a) mount it with common sense and where you won't alter the flight characteristics of the a/c, and b) if you screw up, then you'll be responsible for your screw up.
http://www.avweb.com/blogs/insider/Came ... 739-1.html

These are my latest examples of using the Virb cameras.

Those are nice! Sorry if I asked before--and forgot--but, what editing software are you using? And did you "enhance" these two using it?

... the legality of mounting cameras externally has always left me feeling uncertain about just what I'm allowed to do. As a follow-up to that video, Paul wrote an editorial on this subject,

Yes, thanks for that, Jack. That's very good--maybe "must" reading--for each of us doing this. However, his link to the actual FAA document was not "live" for me. But I'll take his word as to the gist of what they said. PS: I saw a new episode of "Airplane Repo" two nights ago, where the camera guy was putting a GoPro on the aileron--but the repo guy told him to take it off. Staged maybe, like all of that show...

Rich

What editing software are you using? Camtasia. No enhancements. Virb Edit takes the clips from the camera and combines the GPS information if desired. I bring that (mp4) into Camtasia for content edits, transitions and titles. Then I add the soundtrack if needed.

What drives me nuts about the GoPro is the wobbly "jello" look that seems to pervade many of my videos, no matter how stable my mount is. Does the Virb suffer from that issue as well?

While I have seen it occasionally it doesn't seem to be pervasive.

I can always trace my jello back to vibration--either the camera/arm set-up used for attachment, or higher-frequency vibrations of the airplane itself, or propeller. In particular, throttle pull-back harmonics of the prop always creates jello (i.e., video wobble). And with the DUC prop I use, I get a lot of harmonics when I am throttling-back and descending, especially when over 5,000 MSL in cross or following winds. I plan for these situations and try to avoid them; and I know (and rely more on) those cameras it will have the least effect on.

Rich, sorry for the lack of an active link.

Here is the discussion on mounting external cameras by Paul Bertorelli along with an working link to the FAA guidance sheet.
http://www.avweb.com/blogs/insider/Came ... 739-1.html