GoPro Introduces the World’s Smallest, Most Advanced On-board 1080p HD Camera for Motorsports

Dec. 7, 2009 - PRLog -- GoPro (http://www.gopro.com), the world’s leading manufacturer of on-board cameras for motorsports, unveils its new HD Motorsports HERO camera to the auto racing industry at the 2009 PRI Trade Show (http://www.performanceracing.com/tradeshow/). GoPro’s HD Motorsports HERO camera marks the industry’s highest performance 1080p HD on-board video camera.

The HD Motorsports HERO captures professional-grade 1080p, 960p and 720p HD video at 30 and 60 frames per second (60 fps in 720p). Designed for film and TV professionals and consumer enthusiasts alike, GoPro's HD Motorsports HERO camera boasts higher performance than action sports cameras costing ten times as much. The HD Motorsports HERO launched at retail in early November 2009, MSRP $299.

Sample videos and the HD Motorsports HERO catalog can be seen at:  http://www.gopro.com/hdheropreview.html

"GoPro is proud to be the leader in in-car, onboard camera technology," says Nicholas Woodman, GoPro's founder and CEO. "We cannot thank our customers enough. Their incredible support has helped GoPro develop the world’s best selling line of in-car cameras and we’re very excited to launch our best camera yet: the 1080p HD Motorsports HERO.

The HD Motorsports HERO allows consumers to capture professional-grade 1080p / 960p / and 720p video and is the size of a matchbox."

GoPro is also proud that the HD Motorsports HERO features an incredibly powerful sound recording system in addition to the professional-grade HD video. At speed on a motorcycle or inside even the quietest streetcars, you’ll hear the pull of your motor...not the drone of the wind and road.

"Sound is as important as HD resolution when it comes to capturing your life's most exciting moments," says Woodman. "We're obsessed with creating the best wearable and gear mountable cameras for sports, and that means paying as much attention to the sound quality as to the video quality. I’m lucky enough to race cars as a part of my R&D duties at GoPro and when I review my race I want the sound to be perfect. That’s my ‘HERO moment’ and I want it to not just look good...I want it to sound like it did in the car, at speed. That’s the level we’re building to, and we’ve achieved it.”

The HD Motorsports HERO also captures automatic 5MP photos 2, 5, 10, 30 and 60-second intervals during your drive or ride, hands free. Press the shutter button once and record up to 2.5 hours of poster-print quality photos.

At a remarkable $299 retail price, the matchbox-size camera easily mounts to any vehicle, helmet, or motorcycle. The camera’s quick-release mounting design makes it easy to reposition the camera around your vehicle for professional quality HD video from several angles. Included are mounts for two helmets and three vehicles, as well as a suction cup for maximum versatility and convenience. The housing is waterproof to 180’ / 60m and protects against rocks and other hazards thanks to its removable polycarbonate housing.

The HD HERO is not simply an upgrade from the original and beloved Motorsports HERO. New features include a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that features the industry’s first internal heating system to keep your battery warm for longer recording times in cold temperatures.

Other enhancements include louder audible and brighter visual indicators to communicate the camera's operational status. And now you can use up to a 32GB SD card to store over 8 hours of HD video. You can also plug the camera into a car’s cigarette lighter to power the camera for longer than the 2.5 hours provided by the internal battery. Endurance racing and recording is now a reality with GoPro.

Durability and easy of use are GoPro trademarks, so it's no surprise that GoPro's bombproof mounting hardware and waterproof housings live on with the HD Motorsports HERO.

The HD Motorsports HERO comes standard with the industry’s widest-angle lens of 170° (960p and 720p) and 127° (1080p).

"With so many professional film and TV producers, race teams, and drivers already using GoPro cameras in their own productions and racing, it was inevitable that GoPro would build industry leading technology into our latest camera, the HD Motorsports HERO," says Woodman.

PRI attendees can expect the usual excitement around GoPro’s exhibit (booth #337) where they can meet the team and view high definition, action-packed footage firsthand.

GoPro is also proud to be the on-board camera of choice for the 4th Annual PRI Championship Karting International All Star Classic (http://www.performanceracing.com/tradeshow/events/all_sta...) on Thursday night, December 10th at 7:00 p.m. Footage captured on GoPro’s HD Motorsports HERO camera will be aired on the Fox Sports Network’s coverage of the race.

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About GoPro
GoPro is the world's leading manufacturer of ultra-convenient wearable and gear mountable digital cameras. Its markets include outdoor sports and motorsports. Since 2004, GoPro has been designing cameras and accessories that make it easy for people to capture images and video during their favorite activities. Its products include the patented HERO line of shockproof/waterproof wearable cameras and gear-attachment devices.

Be a Hero…GoPro