GoPro 4 Black VS Silver

[WuffRuff]

I'm thinking whether to get the GoPro 4 Black or Silver.

Pros of Black: 4k resolution
Cons: No LCD
Cons: Poor battery life (1hr 15 mins for 4k and 1 hr 36mins for 1080)

Pros of Silver: LCD Screen to frame and touch screen control
Pros: Longer battery life (1hr 59mins for 1080)
Cons: Lower resolution compared to Black's 4k

I wonder is 4k resolution really necessary or even noticeable on a computer screen or even normal TV screen?
Can you tell the difference between 4k and 1080 on a computer screen or even home TV screen?
I'm guessing that 4k would be necessary only for huge cinema screens.
I also expect the post-processing for 4k would take much longer.

Can any video expert enlighten me about this 4k thing.
Thank you.

 

[RyanKhoo]

I am no video expert.

But i always record in 4K bcos in post, i can zoom in or panned without getting blur.

If you record in 1080p, and in post you try to zoom or do some panning, the video will be blur.

For video processing in 4K, you need to have ample harddisk space. From my case, i find 4K use 3x the space of 1080 in avchd. For processing, if you use final cut pro x, you can create proxy media to speed up things ...

So the choice is yours. Hope this help ...

Cheers

 

[JacePhoto]

i was a past user of GoPro. Never managed to get any decent image (4K or not) from it. It's probably me.

But LCD is a must for me, unless you are an expert or regular user i.e Knowing what you will get when you mount on a particular angle, vehicle.

I couldn't use much of the Hero 3 Black when i didn't have a LCD. It was most shoot and miss. Regardless of which model you choose, you may want to budget for the LCD.

 

[sachokphantom]

One of the reason I brought the sliver is because of the LCD screen. I am still learning to use it. But as for the video between 4k and 1080. Yes, you can see the diff when viewing it on your computer.

 

[WuffRuff]

If I upload 4k videos to youtube, would it take very long to load?
And would the difference between 4k and 1080 be visible on youtube?
Does youtube even allow 4k uploads?

 

[kandinsky]

If I upload 4k videos to youtube, would it take very long to load?
And would the difference between 4k and 1080 be visible on youtube?
Does youtube even allow 4k uploads?

Youtube has supported 4K uploads since 2010, just that not many people could afford to shoot 4K content until quite recently.

http://youtube-global.blogspot.sg/2010/07/whats-bigger-than-1080p-4k-video-comes.html

There are plenty of 4K videos on youtube now, you can actually watch them and see for yourself if there's a difference to you. You'll need to click settings and select 4K.

Examples:
https://www.youtube.com/user/Panasonic4K
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wcgq8yRq_Pw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNJdPyoqt8U
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kObNpTFPV5c
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTcNtgA6gHs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zk9J5xnTVMA

If you google around, you can find various sources to download sample 4K files to get a feel of the file size, view it on your comp, and see how long it uploads to youtube, etc... Of course, unless the owner gives clearance to publish the edited footage, make sure it's a private video, and you're uploading only to get a sense of the speed and conversion.

Here's one source to DL 4K footage from Hero 3 Black:
http://wideopencamera.com/cameras/gopro-hero-3-black-4k-video-demo-cineform-1-3-2-update-link/

 

[HanaaZ]

I'm thinking whether to get the GoPro 4 Black or Silver.

Pros of Black: 4k resolution
Cons: No LCD
Cons: Poor battery life (1hr 15 mins for 4k and 1 hr 36mins for 1080)

Pros of Silver: LCD Screen to frame and touch screen control
Pros: Longer battery life (1hr 59mins for 1080)
Cons: Lower resolution compared to Black's 4k

I wonder is 4k resolution really necessary or even noticeable on a computer screen or even normal TV screen?
Can you tell the difference between 4k and 1080 on a computer screen or even home TV screen?
I'm guessing that 4k would be necessary only for huge cinema screens.
I also expect the post-processing for 4k would take much longer.

Can any video expert enlighten me about this 4k thing.
Thank you.

I would go for the Siver, the picture is awesome and it's an all rounder, it has a touch screen AND the battery is slightly better than in the black... When I was choosing the one to buy, I found this article quite helpful:
http://hzz.hubpages.com/hub/gopro-hero-4-black-vs-silver"]http://hzz.hubpages.com/hub/gopro-hero-4-black-vs-silver
Hope it helps...

 

[Bamboopictures]

Very much want a Hero4 Silver but I'm spooked by early reports of battery overheating, camera freeze etc. Anyone have a good (or bad) tale to tell about the new hero 4?

 

[kandinsky]

Very much want a Hero4 Silver but I'm spooked by early reports of battery overheating, camera freeze etc. Anyone have a good (or bad) tale to tell about the new hero 4?

Lol, their official advice is to shoot shorter clips, or use lower res modes:

The HERO4 Black features unique high-performance video modes: 4K30/24, 4K24 SuperView, 2.7K48/50, 2.7K30 SuperView, 2.7K 4:3, 1440p80, 1080p120/90, 960p120 and 720p120. When using these video modes, it is normal for the camera to become warm and use more power.

Using these high-performance modes in higher temperatures decreases camera recording time. In addition, lack of airflow around the camera, using the camera with the GoPro App, or in combination with BacPac accessories further increases camera temperature and power consumption, and decreases camera recording time.

If the camera gets too hot, a message appears on the screen indicating that the camera is shutting down. The camera stops recording, saves your video, disconnects from the GoPro App, and powers off. If this happens, let your camera sit and cool before attempting to use it again.

For extended recording time in high-performance video modes, capture shorter video clips when in stationary use, and/or limit your use of features that increase power consumption, such as the GoPro App or BacPac accessories. To control your camera remotely at higher temperatures, use the GoPro remote instead of the GoPro App.

http://gopro.com/support/articles/h...ure-and-performance-in-high-performance-modes

I think it can't be helped with some of these cameras especially when in the UW housing. I was testing my Sony action cam some weeks ago. Under the mid-day sun, with wifi connection on, got pretty hot and batt life inevitably took a hit. There was also some mild fogging inside the case. Guess gotta consider getting those anti-fog inserts.

 

[Bamboopictures]

Thanks for the advise!

 

[RyanKhoo]

Pros of Black: 4k resolution
Cons: No LCD
Cons: Poor battery life (1hr 15 mins for 4k and 1 hr 36mins for 1080)

Black Version even though no LCD, can we use their Apps to use the iPhone as the LCD ?

Thanks

 

[Bamboopictures]

Yes, or you can attach a LCD touchscreen to the back. Wifi drains the battery faster than an LCD back.

 

[RyanKhoo]

Yes, or you can attach a LCD touchscreen to the back. Wifi drains the battery faster than an LCD back.

Thanks Bamboo ... cheers