Used DaVinci Resolve to Create My First Video from Hero 10 Black Footage

I was able to successfully record some good footage using my new Hero 10 Black.  

As well, instead of taking the footage to one of my Mac so that I could edit it using iMovie, I tried DaVinci Resolve (free version).

I thought that I'd have problems using DaVinci since I've heard that it was somewhat more technical than iMovie, but it was easier than I thought, because it was very similar in usage th iMovie and Cyberlink PowerDirector.

It is posted here:

First GoPro Hero 10 Black Gotcha - Preview Not Available

I've run into an very irritating issue that a shitload of folks appear to be complaining about with the later version of GoPros.  It's not really an issue with the action camers, but an issue with the Quik software.

Folks expect to be able to use the GoPro Quik app as a camera viewfinder while recording video footage.  That's how I've been using my Hero 4.  That's also how I'd been using the Akaso Brave.  That's also how I'd been using the Polaroid Cube+.

The issue is that, for latter GoPros (Heroes 10, 11, and 12), the app will not preview while recording.  It only allows you to preview before recording.  If you try to preview while recording, the following message shows:  "Preview Not Available".

At first I was super angry about this, but then I realized that the newer cameras are super capable and the preview feature has limitations in showing the footage as it is being recorded.  Now, if the GoPro folks admitted that, I'd be OK with it, but in almost all cases, when customers complain about it in the Support forums, they never give a straight answer to their customers.

Now, this is the only bad thing I've found thus far, and it's not so bad that it overshadows the good things about the camera.  Previewing is important to most folks, though, and it goes beyond previewing - being able to look at the footage as you're recording means that if you see mistakes, you can immediately stop and correct the issue(s).  You can't do that if you can't see how the camera is recording or framing the footage.  

This issue is why I hate GoPro.  They've always acted like they're the only action camera company in existence.  Luckily, I didn't pay all that much for this camera.

If I keep finding out bad things about GoPro, I'm going to pivot to DJI and never look back.

UPDATE (12/27/2023) - Here's more info, for clarity-sake (and GoPro, for once, being direct and clear on the issue):  GoPro 9 - 'Preview not available' when recording

Spigen ArcHybrid Magsafe Portable Charger

We celebrated Christmas one day early this year, since my daughter flies back to Michigan on Christmas Day.

I received the Spigen ArcHybrid Magsafe portable charger (5000 mAh / 7.5 watts) for Christmas.  Little did I know that Spigen's product page for this item states that it will not work with the iPhone 13 Pro!  It appears to work without issue, though.  I've a JETech gel case with Magsafe and it works well.

I had the ArcHybrid listed on my Elfster wish list last year and decided to "let it ride" this year.  I do sometimes sometimes find myself with a somewhat low battery on days where I'm traveling and out walking/hiking.  This will come in handy.  As well, it can charge other items, I believe.

I'll give a summary of my usage once I've used it a while.

GoPro Hero 10 Black - Received!

I posted that I bought a refurbished GoPro Hero 10 Black from Amazon and that I was awaiting the package to arrive.

The package arrived yesterday.

I was surprised when I opened it.  Why was I surprised?  Well, the product description stated that I'd be receiving only the GoPro itself and no accessories.  I was expecting nothing other than the camera (I also expected that no battery would be included).

This (<=== link is here) is the one that I bought.

I received the camera, two batteries, a USB-C to USB-A charging cable, two mounts and a case.  I was shocked.  I basically got everything that I'd get if I bought a new product.

The camera doesn't appear to be refurbished at all.

About the only thing that was off-putting was that I had to charge the the batteries sequentually with the battery compartment door left open.  The charging process was long in duration, as well.  This was so much of a pain that I immediately began searching for a dedicated battery charging caddy, which I didn't initially anticipate needing to purchase.  I bought the GoPro Enduro 2-battery & charger combo pack from Best Buy (local purchase) for $59, just so I wouldn't be having to charge each battery sequentially.

I haven't really used the camera yet, as I'm actually afraid to go out and about - around here, there's a lot of chaotic last-minute Christmas shopping going on and traffic has been horrendous.

I've got the camera set up to use with the Quik app - was easy to set up.  It can be used with my other GoPro fittings and attachments (many of them were designed by 3rd party attachment makers).

I've also developed a To-Buy accessory list:

I can't wait to use this camera while at my next shooting activity!

Out with Akaso Brave 7 LE - In with GoPro Hero 10 Black!

I bought an Akaso Brave 7 LE in December of 2021.  I was trying to buy an action camera to replace my aging GoPro Hero 4 Silver.  It came with a huge accessory pack with many clips and fittings.  I bought an extra battery for it.  It had some features that my Hero 4 didn't have.  It's smartphone app was actually pretty nice.  I could also use it as an web cam.  It also had a tripod mount on the bottom of it.  It's UI was nice.  Also, it had two displays, one in front and one in back.

I ended up being somewhat disappointed with it because the video footage wasn't as crisp as my old ass Hero 4!  Audio wasn't all that great, either.  I stopped using it for a while.

Maybe a month ago, I began to use it again.  I sorted out the video footage issue.  The main issue was that when indoors, the captured video footage was grainy.  When in somewhat dark settings, the grainy footage was even worse, but I found out that I the Brave has light settings that I can control manually.  I tried the varios settings and found that the footage was actually pretty decent!

Not long after, I was changing the battery and the battery door on the camera cracked.  A day later, the cracked portion detached completely.  This was devastating since the door couldn't close properly - the battery would move around in it's compartment.

Luckily, I'd bought a 3-year warranty with Asurion (I bought both through Amazon).  I submitted a claim and they approved it.  They wanted me to send the camera back to them.  I sent them the camera (and the detached piece of battery compartment door).  As soon as I sent it, they reimbursed me.

I've never had anything fail that I'd bought Asurion insurance for, until now.  I'm very glad I bought it.

So, I took the funds they returned to me and, after some researching, bought a refurbished GoPro Hero 10 Black that comes with an extra battery.  I bought it through Amazon.  I bought 2 years of Asurion insurance for it.  What's cool is that I can buy additional insurance on a refurbished product.

I'd looked at the Hero 11 and 12, but those were beyond my budget.  I looked at the Mini but it has a non-removable battery (that's something I don't want).  I also looked at the DJI Osmo Action 4 but that was even more expensive than the Hero 12 (it's competition).

I really just want a camera to replace my aged Hero 4.  I can still use the Hero 4 but I can retire it from being my primary camera.

The Hero 10 won't be delivered until Dec 21, though, but I don't mind.

In the next year or two, I can get the either the Hero 12, the Action 4, or even the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 (a great gimbal camera).