[Gerry]

I enjoy the ride, but seem to enjoy presenting the ride almost as much.. Videos are GREAT, but I find them likely more time consuming than the ride. To make the 'job' easier for all that follow, lets put in place a thread that provides insight as to what we use (camera) and how we process the image (software). We may as well include the reasons we use the hosting sight that we do.



Videos are great. I like presenting them, but sometimes they come out looking marginal. Lets help each other do the best that we are inclined to do; share your insights on video production here. Share your VIDEOS in the appropriate threads. Gerry

 

[Gerry]

Well, here is a start; I use a Kodak Zi8 which seems to do a pretty good job, but then I jump around on the settings alot. Mostly film in HD but there seems to be a couple of options as to frames-per-second.



My software, for which I paid good money is a pain in the ass. In my opinion, nothing intuitive about it. I would like to know what others are using besides Correl and Kodak Zi8. Please include the "good, bad and the ugly". Thanks, Gerry

 

[Rainman]

I use a GoPro Hero 960. I use resolution 2 (r2) and have it mounted on top of my helmet. I sometimes use my chest mount, but I feel the helmet mount gives a better view and provides a more stable video for the viewer.



I download it directly into iMovie on my Mac.



I then cut out all the stuff that doesn't matter. For example, me talking to my Dad, stopping to look at the map, playing with my GPS, etc.



I then find the cool parts. A cool jump, me or my Dad falling, an elk running by, etc.



I drag and drop the cool parts into the viewer window. I export my movie to my hard drive so I have a "hard copy". I then upload the movie through iMovie to youtube.



IMovie is linked to my online youtube account and places it in my channel.



I then share the link with you guys.



I'm still playing with imovie. Sounds, music, fades, instant replays, etc. Every time I make a video I seem to get better.



I just don't want my videos to be boring. What may be cool to me may be lame to someone else. But its not just for my "viewers" its for my family and friends.

 

[Roninboise]

I have a Kodak Zi10. I bought a Neewel Products plastic sheath that is transparent and supposedly dust proof and water proof down to 20M. I built a styrofoam mount with a velcro strap to attach it to my chest protector. I used it for the first time last Tuesday when 6 of us went for a ride out at Bender Creek here in SW Idaho. The video looks pretty good. I do need to stay tuned a little better to the direction the camera is aimed.



I beleive the Admiral will be posting the ride results with some off his video and photos as well as some of my video.



I have used Picaso for a first experment in editing but have not mastered it yet.



Happy Trails All



Ron in Boise

 

[Gerry]

At least in the past, Mac was always regarded as more intuitive than the PC. I am happy enough with the Kodak, but Correl can be very frustrating. Since I have some new footage, I will give it yet another try. Likely what I need to do is simply spend more time with the software as practice makes perfect. I am certainly open to other options that allow a 'more' straight forward means of manipulating video 'footage'. Gerry

 

[ToyTank]

AVIDMUX is a free open source video/audio editing software I use. I think it is a german translation so sometimes it is odd. It does a stellar job though and did not take long for me to be able to make timelapse from a photo stream and stuff.



I prefer a hard mount to the bike for the camera this provides less shaking. A 1/2 or 3/4 in U bolt works great as the threads are 1/4-20 (standard US tripod size)and costs <$2 and widely available i.e. home depot or lowes. Fit on front blinkers or handle bars. Larger one you could mount on the fork also.



I have not used it on my bike but I have a large cupped magnet with a 1/4 20 stud I used to film from the top of my 4runner. Pull strength is 90 odd pounds if I remember it would sit well inside the fork or on top of the tank.

 

[ToyTank]

As far as action cameras I have a GoPro Hero 2 and a Contour Roam HD. I use the roam much more often although there are features it does not have.



Basically the Roam is cheaper has a tripod hole, rotating lens, easy to use switch and does decent 1080 @ 30FP. Takes pretty good time lapses. It is a stealthier look if that matters to you.



The hero does better video in a controlled situation but sound is bad through the stock case, it is hard to use with riding gloves, and no tri pod hole. Maybe it is just mine but the stock case mounting hinge seems flop about and vibrate.



Here is the U-bolt mount with Roam and the Magnetic mount. The Magnetic mount is $13 @ KJmagnetics

 

[Goofy Footer]

Filming is fun, editing takes a long time. I'm no pro but I do enjoy making videos if I have the time.



GoPro Tips/Tricks



I haven't made a TW video yet (took her on dirt for the first time yesterday) but here are two I've done with the GoPro 1



[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJestlO63V4&feature=BFa&list=UU7MYp4T8GY6gsS1AqQ2IJIA[/media]



[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pRK467eOyQ&list=UU7MYp4T8GY6gsS1AqQ2IJIA&index=4&feature=plcp[/media]



US/Mexico Border Fence Ride

 

[JagLite]

Fantastic video making Goofy Footer!



Thank you, thank you, thank you!



For demonstrating how to EDIT!



Far too many don't seem to know they can cut out the boring stuff.

Very frustrating to watch minutes of nothing to get to the seconds of good stuff.

 

[admiral]

For demonstrating how to EDIT!



Far too many don't seem to know they can cut out the boring stuff.

Very frustrating to watch minutes of nothing to get to the seconds of good stuff.

Good point. Most of the time I have about 90 minutes worth of video and try to edit it down to 5-10 minutes. When I want to show more I add another video or two, but try to keep the total length of any video to less than 10 minutes.But even then, they still can be boring!

 

[Goofy Footer]

Fantastic video making Goofy Footer!



Thank you, thank you, thank you!



For demonstrating how to EDIT!



Far too many don't seem to know they can cut out the boring stuff.

Very frustrating to watch minutes of nothing to get to the seconds of good stuff.

I'm glad you found it useful! That thread is a good read, I created it to be shared. Like I said, I'm no pro but its fun to make the videos (ideally on a rainy day). In the Canyon Sin Nombre ride video (the first one I posted), the beginning 3 riding clips all came from one video segment of about 1-1.5 mile worth of physical trail riding. I didn't want to post the whole 1.5 miles so I just cut it into sections. It makes the entrance into the canyon more exciting.



#1 Have fun with it. Just like riding it takes some time and can have a steep learning curve. But just like bikes, once you're able to ride a little bit (or in this instance have some basic understanding) you can have a lot of fun.



#2 Identify who you are making the video for and what you hope to accomplish with the video. Friends/family are more willing to watch longer clips of you because they are invested in you as a person. A random view on youtube gets bored around 3 minutes (if not sooner). If you want to watch and critique yourself then long clips are useful. If you want more entertainment:

-- get off the bike for other angles (ie walk along side of your buddy in a technical section, position the camera on the ground and ride towards & away from it, etc).

-- use different mounts for a variety of angles as I demonstrated in pictures in that thread.

-- don't just film riding (I recently went to Mexico to get lobsters, my friend took his camera into the kitchen and asked the chef to show him the live lobster)

-- tell a story (take a video pan of a road sign to help clue people into where you are)

 

[B-dub]

Great vids and thread. I certainly have a lot of room for improvement with my videos. I'll see if I can put your great advice to use. Thanks!

 

[Goofy Footer]

Another thing I should mention is that videos don't always have to be action packed with great clips.



Here is a compilation of pictures with some narration and good background music:

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3RshoeJ_oE[/media]



It has a funny story, some hilarious pictures and a smooth musical chord. I just re-watched the video because my buddy (whom I got into riding) recently got his first and only bike stolen from his house (the white DR650). In an effort to turn around karma and send positive vibes, I figured I'd include the video here. Its simple, fun and most everybody really enjoys this video.

 

[Goofy Footer]

Here is another good read from some ADV guys out of Australia Any tips for better motorbike videos?



They seem to stop often and film each other riding or doing tricks. Much less Point of View angles than typical ride report videos. This also means much more work to film however.