BK, Jake et al, what is the skinny on the Hero video cameras, ad how easy is it to upload?
Heres some coo, footage, not sailing but cool

http://www.break.com/index/cool_backyard_track.html

It's easy. You either connect the cable to the camera and download or get a card reader to pop the SM card into (recommended! much faster). You get a ready to edit video file out of it just like a digital camera.

yeah its really really simple.

SADLY I keep forgetting to mount the video camera whenever I go sailing.

Yep, super easy.

How bout the resolution of the finished product? I don't need something spectacular but I don't want something thats going to be too grainy etc. Ed

the latest and greatest is Hero5? Or is there something better?

The Hero5 is the best micro-camera for sailing.
I really like the Flip Mino HD but it doesnt have a waterproof housing yet.

I did all of these with the Hero3 and Windows Movie Maker. The videos look better on my computer, than they do on Youtube. If you select "watch in high quality" just below the video, the picture is pretty decent.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWDAsmQtIsQ&feature=channel_page
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wFAVnWstms&feature=channel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fodevJuORmU&feature=channel

Underwater Case - $49.99

Hero 3 and 5 both have the same output resolution (512 x 384). You will want to output your video from your video editing software usually at 480 x 360.

The Hero 5 has the newer higher resolution sensor which will result in better video. The Heros also have wide angle versions available now.

I havn't tried the Mino HD yet, but from the specs its worth a look and is most likely worth the extra change if available. The mino HD video resolution is HD 1280 x 720 (double the Hero resolution) and records at an impressive 8.8 Mbps.

Remember, for anything video, resolution is only part of the story. Video bandwidth (aka bitrate) is just as important. You can have the best quality 1920 x 1080p HDTV and if the video bandwidth from the cable company is low for a particular channel, it wont look that good. Thats why a lot of HD folks were using over the air HD signals, they were broadcast at a higher video bitrate than some cable HD signals. To digress a little more, a cable HD channel may run at 5-10 Mbps, where a Blu-Ray disk may be recorded at 35 Mbps. Big difference. Pretty much you get what you pay for, the more you spend, the better your video will look.

I saw that too, but check the fine print.
"Designed to work with the Flip Ultra (not compatible with Flip Video or Flip Mino camcorders)."

The underwater case doesnt fit the Mino HD.

Another benefit of the Hero5 vs the Hero3 is the optional 180 fisheye lens case.

the plastic case that comes with it isnt waterproof? It sure looks like it.

he's talking about something else...the hero case that comes with it is most definitely waterproof.

Yes the Hero is very waterproof, I shot this video going downwind at the Tiger Worlds where it got VERY wet :

(editing it took away some of the quality, it looks much better straight from the camera.)
Click on the video to view it in high quality on Youtube.

The Flip HD doesn't have a waterproof case, the Flip Ultra does but its quality is no better than the Hero5.

nice shots tony Where do you mount your cam?

How does the hero 5 compare to this one?
http://www.murrays.com/mm5/merchant...02&Category_Code=E&Store_Code=MS

Wheres a good place to buy one?

And is the wide angle better? And And, do they come with editing software? What do you use to edit?

Preferred the Hero to that one, ended up selling it on ebay. I havent tried the wide angle Hero but have one coming. Ill post some vid with it.

They dont come with editing software, but there are plenty of cheap editing programs. Everyone has their favorites, Premiere, Final Cup, iMovie, etc. I use Sony Vegas, you can get a lite version of Vegas for around $100 or so with the rebate. http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs...tId=8198552921665500056&tab=Features

All newer MACs come with IMovie (it is very easy to learn).

Premiere is professional level software and not hard to use, but can get "deep".