Autocross and GoPro
 

Finally ordered a GoPro camera to start doing some video during my runs. For those that AutoX using a GoPro where is the best mount spot for the best images? Any tips?

You need to put it somewhere you can see the driver's inputs. On the driver's side quarter window is a good spot.
Only done one event in my car so far:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=985VnvvRFDQ
In retrospect the camera was a little high, will put it lower next time, so there's more to see through the windshield, less of the roof.

I agree, need to be able to see more of what's in front. Maybe on the roof?


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I'd rather have this view, than a perfect view forward but no idea what the driver is doing with the wheel

Do yourself a favor and get an external microphone, and a suction cup mount

Amazon.com : GoPro Suction Cup Mount : Camera & Photo

If you have a Hero3, you'll need an adapter, and if you have a Hero2, you'll be able to directly connect it. Of course, you'll need a 6-12' extention cord, and need to tape it to the panel gaps. I mount the microphone with tape just above the licence plate, in the recess.

Amazon.com : GoPro 3.5mm Mic Adapter : Headphone Adapters : Camera & Photo

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1


A couple samples of mine:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxCh...IpVPI8SI1X18Wg

with in-car at the end, attached to the right side of my helmet. (the mic is located about 6" above the exhuast exit here, so you can hear why it needs to be farther away).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evA3...IpVPI8SI1X18Wg

I like the roof mount better for watching my lines afterwards, since it's similar to a view that's in Gran Turismo :tup:

I normally use a two camera setup, which you can see here on reversed version of the course in j-rho's video: El Toro 081714 - YouTube

However, I think with only one camera, j-rho's angle is about the best you'll get while still including driver inputs. I've tried mounting it inside the rear window, as far forward as possible, which worked alright (AAA 112313 Practice Jeff - YouTube), but you can see the white balance is pretty bad. Perhaps with spot metering mode and the camera aimed properly at the middle of the windshield it would look better.

The biggest thing you can do to improve the quality of your videos is to get better sound. Newer GoPros may be better, but on the Hero1 and Hero2, the mics are horrible. I use a $50 stereo mic (http://amzn.com/B00006HOLL) with a right angle adapter (http://amzn.com/B008SFSIXU). You can see it at the top of the "driver cam" in the first video I linked. It has a custom fuzzy thing that I sewed on to it do reduce wind noise, but I'm not sure how much it really helps.

EDIT: Aw snap, beat to the punch by NoGrip on the external mic advice.

Jeff's spot there is pretty good - a little higher and further forward, it'd be perfect.

Liked where I had the camera in my Viper since I could kinda see the feet too, though it was only in SD...
jrho_2010Nats_day2_run1.mp4 - YouTube

I'll have to get a mic for sure. I ordered the Hero3+ Black Motorsports Edition. I have my next event on the 7th, so I'll play around with it. I do like the view where you can see the driver.

What apps you you guys using for the lap tracking? I found RaceTrace, any others? I have a PLX Kiwi if there are any that can upload that data.

here is my last event where I put the camera on my helmet. I have few other videos with different view.

I use a Ram Mount on my cross bar inside, and tape a ext mike below the license plate, between the exhaust tips. I also use a polarized filter on the lens. It helps with the white-out, and going into and coming out of the shadows. Have the camera set at 1048x48 wide.

Got a trackday tomorrow. I'll post pictures of my set-up when I come home. ;)

Search. Start on page 10. :D

http://www.the370z.com/exterior-inte...inside-13.html

Suction cupped to Front Windshield and to front of hood:


Suction cupped to Roof:


Suction cupped to Rear glass:


Mounted on Top of helmet (not in Z d/t headroom, I can put it on the side but then it makes me tilt my head)

Welcome to Harry’s GPS LapTimer

Harry's Lap Timer

Video of it in action https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d39FbJzfQTs

Here is my video from the event a week ago. I finally got an external mic which I hook up to my GoPro that's mounted on the bar behind our seats. AK370 has a nice writeup on how to make a custom mount there that doesn't cost much and requires one quick trip to Home Depot. I also tried a new spot on the outside of the car, right on top of the roof. Gives me a bit better sense of how close I'm getting to some of the cones.

I feel that the roof is too high, personally. You lose a sense of the speed. I like helmet mounts, and an over-the-shoulder is always good.

I bought a suction cup mount to use for the drivers side rear window view and also made one the mounts the AK370 posted the DIY. Sunday I plan to do the 3-4 morning runs with one and the afternoon runs with the other.

Are there any special camera setting you guys use? I've got the 3+ Black and the default mode is 1080P super wide. Here's the quick video I shot after installing the AK370 mount.



I think I need to angle the mount more toward the windshield, but not too bad for the first attempt

I changed the setting from 1080P super wide to 1080P medium. Adjusted the mount a bit, but I'm going to move it down just a bit to try to get less mirror but still see the hood.

I use a homemade mount out of PCV that attaches to the rear crossmember; http://www.the370z.com/exterior-inte...30-ak370z.html

For audio I use a seperate audio recorder and splice the sound in using Power Director. I have the recorder inside the car so there is very little wind noise and the audio quality is better then what the Go Pro can do.

Putting the camera on the front bumper is a good location too, gets it nice and low

I use 1080P and medium FOV for the Black. I am not a fan of the Wide FOV and I don't have anything that can process 4K.

angle the pipe down, lower to about shoulder height. then angle the camera mount up straight out the front windshield

I try get the camera just below my ear.

exactly!

mounting on the rear hatch glass worked out pretty cool


excuse the stupid screenshot...my friend uploaded it

Ended up lowering the bar like suggested, camera just above my ear level. Ran a external mic, mounted to the top of my license plate frame. Thanks for all the tips, and thanks to AK370 for the mount instructions. I need a second battery, mine died and didn't get my last 2 runs (which were my fastest)

Only problem with that is the fact that like, 50% of your recorded footage is....blackness, and messes w/ the white balance of the video. Cant see ****, really.

Not a fan of that position lol.

If you set the GoPro to spot meter mode, and very carefully aim it so that the center of the picture is in the middle of the windshield, it will white balance for the outside rather than inside of the car, and mostly fix this problem.

EDIT: I just watched the video again and it appears that's what was done for this video. I personally think it's fine. It's about the best you can do if you want to get the course ahead AND the driver's inputs at the same time.

Watch in hd on a good monitor. Can see just fine.

I'm at work right now. Good monitor I have, but good connection I do not.

I'll try again at home.

Eh, so I bumped it up here at work and went full screen, and I'll stick to my guns - I dont like it. I think cruzthepug's spot (directly above my original post) is far superior - the vast majority of the video is his front windshield, with the entire steering wheel and his hands exposed. Also shows his head movements well, without wasted space for the roof and the side windows.

Your spot works and will get the job done in a pinch, though.

here is my set up at the track

it was in a pinch. not my gopro. friend was on the track and had to call him to run back and set me up lol

take the link above and subtract everything before the last /

From my last trackday. I use a polarized lens on the camera. Helps with going into, and coming out of shadows. Have the mike mounted between the exhaust tips. Have the sound turned up. :D The biggest problem I have is my computer. It doesn't have enough a$$ for editing. :(

Does the Harry's Lap Timer sync with the GoPro? I found TrackAddict and it can sync and control the camera, but I like Harry's overlay and features better.


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