GoPro HD vs. Drift HD170 video camera - Page 5

Mark Carson · 22nd August 2011, 03:57

One thing about my GoPro HD Hero video camera that I've always unhappy with is wind noise. So today I tried using a small voice recorder taped to the rear of my M6 in conjunction with the GoPro (mounted on the left rear side window). This was I was able to get a sound recording right near the exhaust and out of the main airflow. I then combined the audio from the voice recorder to the video during editing. I suppressed the audio produced by the camera. However, I did use the camera audio to sync the audio from the voice recorder to the video source. I used the closing of the driver's door as the sound "marker". Once aligned, additional editing (to shorten the video) was easy.

Camera: GoPro HD Hero (with "BacPac" LCD screen)
Voice Recorder: Sony "IC Recorder" (internal mic used - no covering over the mic)

1) Yes, I know, the camera is not level.
2) I only was driving at "neighborhood" not warp speeds to there may well be a lot more wind noise at highway speeds.
3) I used flimsy blue painters tape which was able to hold the voice recorder in place at these modest speeds. During filming, I used more tape than is shown in the photo below.

During editing I could listen to either track (from the camera or the voice recorder) and it was like night and day.

Judge for yourselves - but I'm pretty happy with the results of this quick test video.

And of course, this approach could be used with any video camera (Drift, Contour, GoPro, etc.)

+ YouTube Video

whatheheck · 22nd August 2011, 06:12

That is awesome Mark! Great idea!

And I like your suggestion about the door closing as your audio marker to synch the video to the audio. Smart!

I just ordered this one from Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Thanks again for the great idea.

Dan

Mark Carson · 22nd August 2011, 06:23

Hi Dan,

Will do, but its getting a bit late today (sun going down soon). Maybe I can give it a try on the way to work tomorrow as that has some freeway driving.

It is a Sony IC Recorder, ICD-PX820 but I think other recorders could work just as well. I got it a year ago and did have it in my pocket during my M3 GTS race car ride (as a passenger) at Miramas. I can't believe that I have been planning on doing this for a year a never got around to it until now.

I have the bass up a bit here on my computer's speakers (which a sub-woofer) and the idle rumble is great. I can't complain about the frequency response. An external mic with your Drift is no doubt a better solution (since you have no sync issues) but I think the key here is the placement near the exhaust. And perhaps the voice recorder has noise cancelling built-in (but I'm just guessing here).

I kept justifying the expense with the story/plan that I will let my daughter use the voice recorder when she starts college (which is tomorrow - but she won't need it on the first day).

Aloha

whatheheck · 22nd August 2011, 06:25

You're always welcome Milton!

Quote:

Originally Posted by MKSixer

Dan,

Thanks for another amazing video. The raw capture and editing are fantastic! You guys had a very nice 1,500+HP convoy! I especially liked the footage when you passed the white econobox...you were really getting on with the program!!

I'm expecting my camera by Wednesday and hope to put some footage up on the weekend! Thanks for sharing!!

Kindest Regards,
Milton

SeaM6 · 22nd August 2011, 06:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by whatheheck

Here you go, part 2!

Early morning drive with board members 2

Dan,

Great video. Is the mic wire long enough that if you stick the camera at the end of the truck, will the mic be place around the license plate or exhaust area? Asking the question more for myself since I don't have a roof for the camera.

Jim

whatheheck · 22nd August 2011, 06:40

The external mic cable is not long enough for me as I mount my camera on the roof.
But since you will place your video camera on top of your trunk - the mic cord should be long enough.

I measured the mic cable = it is 38" long.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeaM6

Dan,

Great video. Is the mic wire long enough that if you stick the camera at the end of the truck, will the mic be place around the license plate or exhaust area? Asking the question more for myself since I don't have a roof for the camera.

Jim

whatheheck · 26th August 2011, 06:29

Here you go, I created a new thread:

Drift HD170 Video + better audio

SeaM6 · 26th August 2011, 07:16

Oh, thanks Lord, my prayer was answered just five minutes later.

I turned the volume so loud that my neighbor (whose study room is literally three feet from me) yelled at me "Hey, you, what channel are you watching? Send me the link."

whatheheck · 29th September 2011, 18:07

Thought I'd give an update on this.

1) Thanks to Mark Carson for recommending to use a stand alone digital audio recorder.
Wind noise problem solved!

Here's the latest video I created using Drift HD170 and Olympus mini digital audio recorder.

Early morning drive part 4

2) I found a great deal on our local Craigslist on a HD GoPro so I bought it yesterday.
Now I can shoot two videos at the same time and mix and switch the two videos during video editing.

I will shoot GoPro HD video and Drift HD170 video soon, mix the two and post it here once Im done.
We'll see if anyone of us can tell the difference or see which one is better.
I plan to keep both though. One forward facing video and the other one facing the rear or side.

Dan