GoPro Hero User Manual

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The HERO features several camera modes. To display the modes, 
press the Power/Mode button repeatedly. 
These modes appear:
Video (default) Record video
PhotoCapture a single photo
BurstCapture 10 photos in 2 seconds
Time LapseCapture a photo ever y 0.5 seconds
SettingsAdjust camera settings
/ Camera Modes / Video Mode
CAPTURING VIDEO 
To capture video, verif y that the camera is in Video  mode. If the Video 
icon [ 
  ] does not appear in the upper left on your camera status 
screen, press the Power/Mode  button repeatedly until it appears.
To Start Recording:  
Press the Shutter/Select  button. The camera emits one beep and the 
camera status lights flash while recording.
To Stop Recording:  
Press the Shutter/Select  button. The camera status lights flash three 
times and the camera emits three beeps to indicate recording has 
stopped.
If the memor y card is full or the batter y is out of power, your camera 
automatically stops recording. Your video is saved before the camera 
powers off.
PRO TIP:  With QuikCapture,  you can quickly turn your camera on 
and immediately begin capturing video just by pressing the  Shutter/
Select  button. To turn off QuikCapture,  see QuikCapture (page 29) .  
						

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/ Photo Mode
In Photo  mode, you can capture photos at a resolution of 5MP with 
Ultra Wide FOV. 
CAPTURING A PHOTO  
To capture a photo, verif y that the camera is in Photo  mode. If the 
Photo  icon [ 
 ] does not appear in the upper left on your camera 
status screen, press the Power/Mode  button repeatedly until it 
appears.
To Capture a Photo:  
Press the Shutter/Select  button. The camera beeps two times, the 
camera status lights flash and the counter on the camera status 
screen increases by one.
/ Burst Mode
With Burst mode, you can capture 10 photos in 2 seconds (5 fps).
CAPTURING BURST PHOTOS  
To capture a Burst  photo series, verif y that the camera is in Burst 
mode. If the Burst  icon [ 
 ] does not appear in the upper left on your 
camera status screen, press the Power/Mode  button repeatedly until 
it appears.
To Capture Burst Photos:  
Press the Shutter/Select  button. The camera status lights flash and 
the camera beeps multiple times. The counter on the camera status 
screen increases by 10.  
						

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In Time Lapse mode, you can capture a photo ever y 0.5 seconds.
CAPTURING TIME LAPSE PHOTOS 
To capture a Time Lapse series, verif y that the camera is in Time 
Lapse  mode. If the Time Lapse  icon [ 
 ] does not appear in the 
upper left on your camera status screen, press the Power/Mode 
button repeatedly until it appears.
To Capture Time Lapse Photos:  
Press the Shutter/Select  button. The camera status lights flash each 
time a photo is taken.
To Stop Time Lapse Photos:  
Press the Shutter/Select  button. The camera status lights flash three 
times and the camera emits three beeps.
PRO TIP:  With QuikCapture,  you can quickly turn your camera 
on and immediately begin capturing Time Lapse photos just by 
pressing and holding the Shutter/Select  button for two seconds. To  
turn off QuikCapture,  see QuikCapture (page 29) .
/ Time Lapse Mode
In Settings  mode [  ], you can change the video resolution and 
change settings that apply to all camera modes.
NAVIGATING SETTINGS MENUS   
With your HERO, you can navigate the settings menus using the 
buttons on the camera.
To Navigate Settings Menus:
1.  Press the Power/Mode  button repeatedly to c ycle to Settings  
mode [ 
 ], then press the Shutter/Select  button to select it.
2.  Press the Power/Mode  button repeatedly to c ycle through the 
various settings.
3.  Press the Shutter/Select  button to open a setting.
4.  Press the Power/Mode  button repeatedly to c ycle through the 
options for that setting.
5.  Press the Shutter/Select  button to select an option.
6.  To exit, press the Power/Mode  button to c ycle to E XIT, and then 
press the Shutter/Select  button.
PRO TIP: To exit from the Settings menu at any time, press and hold 
the  Shutter/Select  button for two seconds.
/ Settings Mode  
						

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RESOLUTION 
The HERO includes the video capture resolutions listed below. 
All video is captured at an Ultra Wide FOV, which provides the largest 
field of view and best image stability. Ultra Wide FOV is best when you 
want to include as much content as possible within the frame.
SuperView delivers the world’s most immersive field of view. More 
ver tical 4:3 content is automatically stretched to full-screen 16:9 for 
stunning widescreen playback on your computer or T V.
Video   
Resolution FPS 
(NTSC/
PAL)
FOV
Screen Resolution
10 8 0 p 30/25Ultra Wide 19 2 0 x10 8 0 , 16 : 9
720p* 60/50Ultra Wide 1280x720, 16:9
720p* SuperView 60/50Ultra Wide 1280X720, 16:9
* All 720p resolutions include Auto Low Light. This feature automatically optimizes fps according to 
lighting conditions.
/ Settings Mode
/ Settings Mode
Video SettingBest Use
10 8 0 p Highest resolution enhances clarity and detail 
to yield stunning results.
720p Great for handheld shots of others and when 
slow motion is desired. Best for capturing 
fast-moving objects.
720p SuperView Great for body- or gear-mounted shots, when 
you want to capture your own perspective, and 
 
when you want the maximum ver tical FOV.
PRO TIP:  Easily create epic GoPro-style videos using free   
GoPro software. Learn more and download this software at   
gopro.com/getstarted .  
						

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/ Settings Mode
SPOT METER
Spot Meter is good for filming into a setting where the lighting is 
different from where you are, such as filming the outdoors from within 
a car or a shaded environment while standing in the sun. Spot Meter 
automatically sets the exposure based on a single spot in the middle 
of the image. When Spot Meter is turned on, [ 
 ] appears on the 
camera status screen. The options for this setting are Off (default) 
and On.
UPSIDE DOWN
If you mount your camera upside down, you might have to rotate the 
files during editing. This setting eliminates the need to flip your video 
or photos after capture when the camera is mounted upside down. 
The default setting is Up.
Setting Description
Up    
Camera is used right-side up.
Down    
Camera is used upside down.
/ Settings Mode
QUIKCAPTURE
With  QuikCapture , you can quickly turn your camera on and begin 
capturing video or Time Lapse photos. The options for this setting are 
On (default) and Off.
To Use QuikCapture to Capture Video:  
With the camera powered off, press and release the Shutter/Select  
button. Your camera automatically powers on and begins capturing 
video.
To Use QuikCapture to Capture Time Lapse Photos:  
With the camera powered off, press and hold the Shutter/Select  
button for two seconds. Your camera automatically powers on and 
begins capturing Time Lapse photos.
To Stop Recording:  
Press and release the Shutter/Select  button to stop recording and 
power off the camera.  
						

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/ Settings Mode
NTSC/PAL
The Video Format settings govern frame rates for recording and 
playback when viewing video on a T V/HDT V.
Setting Description
NTSC (default) Viewing video on a NTSC T V/HDT V (most 
televisions in Nor th America)
PAL Viewing video on a PAL T V/HDT V (most 
televisions outside of Nor th America)
LED
This setting determines which camera status lights to activate. The 
options for this setting are Both On (front and rear), Both Off, Front On, 
and Rear On. The default setting is Both On.
BEEPS
You can set the volume for the sound indicators to be 100% (default), 
70%, or Off.
/ Settings Mode
DATE/TIME
Your camera’s date and time are automatically set when you connect 
your camera to GoPro software. This setting lets you manually set the 
date and time, if needed.
DELETE
This setting lets you delete the last file, or delete all files and format the 
memor y card. LED lights blink until the operation is complete.
NOTICE : If you select All/Format, the memor y card is reformatted, 
which deletes ever y video and photo file on your card.  
						

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For best results playing back your content on a computer, visit  
gopro.com/getstarted  to download the latest GoPro software.   
Be sure your Mac
® or Windows® computer meets these minimum 
system requirements:
Windows Mac
Operating 
System Windows 7, 8.x
OS X
® 10.8 or later
CPU Intel
® Core 2 Duo™ (Intel 
Quad Core™ i7 or better 
recommended) Intel Dual Core
™ (Intel 
Quad Core i7 or better 
recommended)
Graphics Card Card that supports 
OpenGL1.2 or later
Screen 
Resolution 1280  x 800
1280  x 768
RAM 2GB (4GB or greater 
recommended) 4GB
Hard Drive 5400 RPM internal drive 
(7200 RPM drive or 
 
SSD recommended) 
If external, use USB 3.0 
o r e S ATA 5400 RPM internal drive 
(7200 RPM drive or 
 
SSD recommended) 
If external, use 
Thunderbolt, FireWire 
or USB 3.0
/ Minimum System Requirements
To play back your video and photos on a computer, you must first 
transfer these files to a computer.
TO TRANSFER FILES TO A COMPUTER:
1.  Download and install the latest GoPro software from   
gopro.com/getstarted . The HERO camera was designed to 
communicate with GoPro software to help you easily locate   
and transfer your files.
2.  Connect the camera to your computer using the included   
USB cable.
3.  Power on the camera.
4.  Copy the files to your computer or external hard drive.
5.  To play back the files, use GoPro software.
PRO TIP:  You can also transfer files to a computer using a card reader 
(sold separately). Connect the card reader to your computer and inser t 
the microSD card into the reader. You can then transfer your files to 
your computer or delete selected files on your card.
/ Transferring and Playing Back Files  
						

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Your HERO camera, batter y, and housing are integrated. You cannot 
remove the camera from the housing, or remove the batter y from  
the camera.
The batter y icon displayed in the camera status screen blinks 
when the batter y drops below 10%. If the batter y reaches 0% while 
recording, the camera saves the file and powers off.
MA XIMIZING BATTERY LIFE  
Extreme cold temperatures can decrease battery life. To maximize 
batter y life in cold conditions, keep the camera in a warm place prior 
to use.
PRO TIP:  QuikCapture h elps maximize batter y life. For details, see 
QuikCapture  (page 29).
CHARGING TIME  
The batter y charges to 80% in approximately one hour and 100% in 
approximately two hours when using a USB charging adapter. Some 
chargers might charge at a slower rate.
/ Batter y / Batter y
USING THE CAMERA WHILE CHARGING 
You can capture video and photos while charging the camera’s   
batter y. Plug the camera into a USB charging device using the 
included USB cable. Per formance of non-GoPro chargers cannot be 
guaranteed. You cannot use your HERO  while charging it through a 
c o m p u t e r.
NOTICE : Only use USB charging adapters marked 5V 1A. If you do not 
know the voltage and amperage of your charger, use the included USB 
cable to charge the camera from your computer.  
						

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/ Batter y
BATTERY STORAGE AND HANDLING 
The camera contains sensitive components, including the battery .
Avoid exposing your camera to ver y cold or ver y hot temperatures. 
Low or high temperature conditions may temporarily shor ten the 
batter y life or cause the camera to temporarily stop working properly. 
Avoid dramatic changes in temperature or humidity when using the 
camera, as condensation may form on or within the camera.
The integrated camera housing protects the camera and batter y from 
water damage. For more information, see Camera Housing  (page 
39).  Do not turn on your camera if the camera (inside the housing) 
gets wet. If yo ur camera is already on, turn it off immediately. Allow 
the camera to dr y thoroughly before using it again. Do not dr y the 
camera or batter y with an external heat source such as a microwave 
oven or hair dr yer. Damage to the camera or batter y caused by contact 
with li quid (inside the housing) is not covered under the warranty.
WARNING:  Do not drop, disassemble, open, crush, bend, deform, 
puncture, shred, microwave, incinerate, or paint the camera. 
Do not insert foreign objects into any opening on the camera, 
such as the mini-USB port. Do not use the camera if it has been 
damaged—for example, if cracked, punctured, or harmed by 
water. Disassembling or puncturing the integrated batter y can 
cause an explosion or fire.
/ Important Messages
MICROSD CARD MESSAGES
NO SD No card present. The camera requires a 
microSD, microSDHC or microSDXC card to 
capture videos and photos.
FORMAT SD? Card is not formatted or is improperly 
formatted. Select Yes to format the card, 
 
or select No and inser t a different card.
NOTICE : If you select Yes, all of the content   
on the card is deleted.
FULL Card is full. Delete files or swap card.
SD ERR Camera is unable to read card formatting. 
Reformat the card in the camera.
PRO TIP:  Reformat your microSD card on a regular basis to ensure 
that the card can continue to receive information from the camera.  
						

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/ Important Messages
FILE REPAIR ICON
If you see the File Repair icon on the camera status 
screen, your last video file was corrupted during 
recording. Press any button to repair the file.
TEMPERATURE ICON
The Temperature icon appears on the camera status 
screen when the camera becomes too hot and needs 
to cool down. Simply let it sit and cool before attempting 
to use it ag ain. Your camera was designed to identif y 
conditions of overheating and is designed to respond 
accordingly.
/ Camera Housing
Your HERO camera comes with two types of backdoors : Standard 
Backdoor (waterproof) and Skeleton Backdoor (non-waterproof).
The Standard Backdoor makes the housing 
waterproof to 131’ (40m). Use this door when you 
need to protect the camera from water, dir t, sand, 
and other environmental hazards.
The Skeleton Backdoor (non-waterproof) 
provides better sound quality by allowing more 
sound to reach the camera’s microphone. It also 
reduces wind noise at speeds up to 100mph when 
mounted on helmets, motorc ycles, bikes, and 
other fast-moving vehicles. Use this backdoor 
only when sand, excessive dir t/dust, and water 
damage are not a risk. This backdoor is also 
recommended for use inside vehicles.
PRO TIP:  Apply Rain-X
® or a similar anti-beading solution to the 
camera housing lens to prevent water spots from forming when using 
your camera in rain or water.