Video recording with data overlay: single box solution vs smartphone app?

CB72

CB72

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I just bought myself the new GoPro Hero 5 and I'm looking into data overlay solutions.
So far, I see two major options: eitheir go the smartphone route with applications such as Harry's laptimer or Track Addict (http://racerender.com/TrackAddict/Features.html) or else go for an integrated solution such as the Qstarz 6000S (http://racing.qstarz.com/Products/LT-6000S.html)?
In eitheir case the main issue seems to come from the fact that GoPro does not provide the I/F definition to control the camera remotely.
Both the Track addict and Harry's websites share the same concern with no support currently offered for the Hero 5?
Beyond that remains the question of the smartphone vs the integrated solution?
A long time ago, I bought one of the first releases of Harry's laptimer and I got it to work only once on a track that was already in their database.
For my local track, no way to load it on my Ipod...
Reading the current documentation of Harry's laptimer is scary to say the least (http://www.gps-laptimer.de/compatibility/ios)
On top both SW providers recommend to use add-on GPS receivers adding not only to the cost of the solution but the complexity when your concern is on driving the car.
On the other hand there is an integrated solution in one box with an appropriate screen, 10 Hz GPS rate, a large track library and many software features available at your fingertips.
A PC based SW package is also offered to allow post race data overlay.

What experience do you NSXprimers have with these various solutions?
 
A quick update:
As far as I understand neitheir "Track Addict" nor "Harry's laptimer" can trigger the GoPro Hero 5 in order to synchronize the video from the GoPro with the data recorded on the smartphone.
What should work is to use the smartphone to take the video and at the same time record the data while driving.
As I want to use the GoPro that is unaccessible whith my harness on, I will launch the camera through my smartphone ( done through the "Capture"application) and later on overlay the video with the track data through a separate application.
FYI the "Capture" application from GoPro is not obvious to get working (at least on my Iphone SE) to the extent that there is a "support" notice available on their site...
Welcome to the "open systems" world!
 
Good news, the GoPro 5 can be triggered by "Track Addict"!
To do this you need to get the connection going between your Iphone and the GoPro through the GoPro "Capture" application.
Once this is established ( you will see the video from the camera on your smartphone), you turn on "Track Addict" and you simply press "ext camera" and then when you push the record button on "Track Addict" it will start recording simultaneously on the GoPro (for the video) and the Iphone (for the data).
Kind of magic no?
From this standpoint the GoPro/smartphone combo is superior to the standalone laptimer/GoPro combo where one can't synchronize the video and data streams.
The remaining potential drawback is the GPS update rate that's quite slow on the Iphone ( 1Hz) vs the laptimer that runs at 10 Hz.
A work around exists with a separate GPS receiver hooked up to the smartphone....
 
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Boostedtaco said:
I haven't used any of those. I have a RaceCapture that supposedly can trigger GoPro's. I haven't figured out that portion yet. The learning curve is steep for someone like me

https://www.autosportlabs.com/product/racecapture/

https://www.kickstarter.com/project...-podium-race-it-share-it-prove-it/description
Click to expand...

It looks like an interesting proposal.
Their product appears to be a standalone laptimer with a built in GPS receiver working with a remote display such as a smartphone.
What worries me a little is the paragraph related to the connection to the GoPro: https://wiki.autosportlabs.com/RaceCapturePro2_GoProWiFi
Let us know when you've worked it out?
 
CB72 said:
Good news, the GoPro 5 can be triggered by "Track Addict"!
To do this you need to get the connection going between your Iphone and the GoPro through the GoPro "Capture" application.
Once this is established ( you will see the video from the camera on your smartphone), you turn on "Track Addict" and you simply press "ext camera" and then when you push the record button on "Track Addict" it will start recording simultaneously on the GoPro (for the video) and the Iphone (for the data).
Kind of magic no?
From this standpoint the GoPro/smartphone combo is superior to the standalone laptimer/GoPro combo where one can't synchronize the video and data streams.
The remaining potential drawback is the GPS update rate that's quite slow on the Iphone ( 1Hz) vs the laptimer that runs at 10 Hz.
A work around exists with a separate GPS receiver hooked up to the smartphone....
Click to expand...
this is so cool I have always wanted to figure out how to overlay data on the Gopro from track addict just need to upgrade from my old Gopro 3 now I suppose and next is figuring out how to have the screen in screen shot so I can have a couple of cameras linked
 
Hi Cam,

The GoPro 3 might be compatible with the Capture application if it's WiFi enabled.
According to GoPro it's the case through the Capture application?
Beware however that my old Hero 2 with it's BacPac could not be updated despite what GoPro says...
https://gopro.com/help/articles/Block/GoPro-Mobile-Apps-Compatibility
Moreover controlling multiple cameras doesn't seem possible at least through Capture...
https://gopro.com/help/Capture
But it might be possible through "Harry's Laptimer" Grand Prix edition (but I can't test it as I don't own the upgrade from "Petrol Head").
I believe that the way the connection works is that the link between the camera and the smartphone is established through WiFi and thereafter the data is transferred through Bluetooth.
In practice "Capture" gets the link going and thereafter it's the laptimer SW on the Iphone that controls the camera.
To be confirmed!

John
 
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cool appreciate this, I want to upgrade anyway since looking at the quality difference between my hero3 and the 4 is quite significant, multiple camera's with data overlay is something most track guys want. It should be easier than this
 
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