This little camera/camcorder is incredible. I have been planning to get one with my REI dividend+membership sale, and with videos like this, it’s easy to see why…
Sugar Cane GoPro HD PPG from Brett Paull on Vimeo.
A good review for the camera can be seen here ENGADGET REVIEW
I don’t really want to go into all of the pros and cons of this little gadget except to say, I am completely impressed. The design leaves a lot to be desired in my view. The boxy look, depth, and weight could be better…common GoPro…everyone else is doing streamlined bullet-cam-styled cams…why still the box? The top latch seems very flimsy to me too, but I hear the package holds up well, and they have a very loyal following both with the new HD version, and older standard definition one.
The thing can go up to something like 170ft deep in water, has a heater (that’s right I said heater) to keep the battery functioning in cold temperatures, can take 5mp photos both manually and at intervals, and can take HD video at up to 60fps!!! The attraction for me is the ability to mount it anywhere…for example, check this video out…this fellow turned it into a “chase cam” by putting it in a little wind-sock sort of device that follows behind his paraglider (attached to the trailing edge break lines)…
Or this one, where another person has attached it to the top of his wing…
Again, after seeing it in person, I was a little disappointed at the physical design of it, but it’s easy to forget when you weigh that with it’s good sides…this camera/camcorder has truly been impressive so far, with features, and applications that seem too good to be true for the price…
…almost forgot to mention…”early 2010″ GoPro plans to add accessories to the GoPro HD that hook into the back, which will allow it to have an; lcd screen, extended battery, and who knows what else…
Anyone have any personal opinions on it, or have used it themselves?…please feel free to leave comments!
Cheers,
Justin
I was actually searching through a WordPress support forum for the theme I’m using when I ran across this WP site. I have always been a big fan of projectors over their big screen counterparts, but they cost a pretty penny to keep them running. When I went to the University of Washington, they allowed you to rent out these things free of charge. My buddies and I would rent them for parties at the house to watch movies and play games on…sometimes having a couple in different rooms. Free = awesome, but if you own one, you know that when you have to replace the bulb, it will cost you!
Enter the world of laser projectors. It goes without saying, they will be more energy efficient, and will certainly have a life span that will trump the old bulb projectors.
It’s been a while since I’ve posted anything to my site. I would post more often if it weren’t for the fact it is such a graphics intensive site. With every post I have to create/edit two display pictures to exact pixel dimensions, and it’s become a pain to do. I might end up changing the layout of this site later on because of that.
Anyway, a couple weeks ago I spent an absorbent amount of time on a new project; setting up an HTPC. This is a Home Theater PC for those who don’t know. I have an old desktop I wasnt doing much with, so I decided to try it out. An HTPC is basically a beefed-up TiVo that requires no monthly service. Depending on what software you’re using, the posibilities are limitless. The most familiar one would be Microsoft’s version we know as Media Center. This was released on it’s own in the 2005 XP version, and recently in a couple of the Vista versions. Of course you need to either have purchased a pc with it, or buy an OEM version which can only be used once, and can cost a pretty penny. I’m not a fan of being locked down to an expensive route that is limited by good ol’ Microsoft so I went with MythTV…the Linux version. There are many ways to go about this. You can add MythTV to an existing distro such as SuSE, Fedora, Ubuntu etc… or run something like Mythbuntu that runs almost solely for the purpose of using MythTV (although you can expand the distro later on)….BTW…I want to stop here and mention I am NOT in ANY WAY an expert in this stuff so don’t count on this article covering all posibilities or being completelyh correct..this is just my experience with it. Ok then…with that out of the way…let’s carry on…
So back to MythTV…it was complicated and I couldn’t get it to work. I tried Mythbuntu, MythDora, KnoppMyth, and Ubuntu with MythTV running inside of it. I’m just not that great with Linux, and frankly don’t want to spend my life trying to figure out command lines to get a simple task running. I’m a very patient person and did truly spend a lot of time with this, but it just didn’t work for me. Next—> Run software in Windows XP.
My first experience here was MediaPortal. Now this program is awesome…but not polished enough, and I’ll explain why. It is a memory HOG, and just wouldn not cooperate with my old PC (not even that old). ——-BTW, ti should have mentioned this earlier…the desktop I keep refering to is a Dell Dimension 4500. I’ve upgraded it to 1GB RAM, 60GB HD for OS, 500GB slave HD for storage, 500W power supply, Nvidia GeForce PVR 6200 256Mb graphics card, two (2) Hauppauge PVR-150 TV cards w/one remote, and a P4 2.4Ghz processor. Ok…again back to the HTPC battle… ——–I also couldn’t get the channels to upload for the TV guide, or my IR remote to work. I spent a rediculous amount of time with this software but just couldn’t get it to work…and from the forums and posts I ran across, I didn’t seem to be alone in my struggle. I do want to say however, if you have a powerful enough computer and can get through the initial setup, this program is really top notch and with the plugins and skins out there, the posibilities are truly endless. They claim to be working on a completel re-build of the software and should be relasing it Christmas of 09…I will be sure to check it out…althought again I don’t have high hopes with the hardware I currently have.
Up next, I tried SageTV (trial version). I would recommend this one for anyone who wants it all, and wants it simple…but can afford the $100 cost to purchase it. This program really does a great job (although I couldn’t get some of the channels to load…Discovery is my favorite and it didn’t show up…negative check here). It is simple, easy to set up, and runs well on my machine. It is however, unlike my previous recommendations not free, and therefore the user doesn’t have as much control over its capabilities. I would also like to recommend BeyondTV. I haven’t used it, but this too is a program you have to purchase and I hear it is up there with SageTV.
About to give up, I finally ran across the winner; GBPVR. This program is free, easy to set up, and runs extremely well with my hardware…in fact, it’s pretty much built for my PVR-150 TV tuner cards. Within the hour I had this up and running. Forums are very helpful, and there are a number of plugins to add whatever you want it to do. Right now I can see a TV Guide for a few days in advance, record two shows at once, and look them up with descriptions and other info. I have a weather forecast, commercial skip, and a very visual skin (I’m using an analog TV so the best I can get is S-Video quality…not that great for txt…ok for video though). You can add other things such as NetFlix instant play and other such things but I haven’t played with those yet. My remote also worked instantly, and without trouble (I’m not using the IR Blaster though so YMMV). I should mention however, Miscrosoft did a security update last night, and upon restart I can’t get the remote to work…have tried a number of things and still no luck. Not sure what the deal it, but for weeks I’ve had no trouble…I can watch M.A.S.H. after work now!!!
*Sigh*……it’s been a long stressful road but I finally have something working. So to sum it up…if you’re good with linux, go with MythTV, have a powerfull computer, go with MediaPortal, want free simple functionality GBPVR, simple and reliable but costs money SaveTV (maybe BeyondTV…again haven’t tried it).
As a last note, I forgot to mention. I tried making my own wooden cast for the computer too, but it didn’t work out that great and I ended up ditching it. I have pictures on my camera but can’t find the cable to upload them…oh well, it was fun anyway…although I’m sure my neighbors didn’t like me sawing and grinding in my apartment 
It’s rewarding and a good use for an old PC but it takes patience so if you’re going for it, good luck….for now I’m done with it…it’s time to go outside!
*UPDATE: I figured out the remote problem and it was simple. I was so focused on the software end I didn’t even think about the hardware. After installing the second TV tuner card I had the remote connected to the lower card’s input. Aparently it uses the first PCI slot however so it wasn’t seeing the IR reciever…after I moved it one card up we were up and running!
