GoPro Wifi Bacpac thread

klinquist · 06-07-2012, 08:50 AM

I picked up the just released GoPro Wifi Bacpac for my HERO2 camera yesterday. It is advertised as having several capabilities:

a) comes with a remote to remotely control the camera (actually up to 50 cameras!) from up to 600ft away
b) use your smartphone as a viewfinder & remote control
c) Live stream video from wherever you have a wifi connection. The manual shows the facebook and youtube icons...

The wifi bacpac is the same size as the LCD or battery bacpac, as expected. It comes with a new rear "door" (both waterproof and non-waterproof versions) to accomodate for the larger size. It has its own power button so the new rear door has an additional "push through" button on it.

It has its own battery contained within and the manual says that if the wifi bacpac's battery is fully depleted, it will use the camera's battery as a backup. I have not tested the battery life, I *hope* it at least equals the camera battery.

It looks like the bacpac has both wifi and bluetooth radios in it - I will have to use a frequency counter to see if the remote control it comes with is actually using wifi or BT (for my own curiosity).

I like the design of the remote control - it comes with a wrist strap as well as a clip that you can easily attach to a zipper pull or keychain. The clip is removed (by moving a slider on the bottom) and a special USB adapter is plugged in to charge and to update the firmware. I have not yet tested the battery life of the remote control.

The remote works well - it has a display on it that mirrors the display on the camera itself.

Unfortunately, capabilities b) and c) above have not yet been implemented. When you try to enable wifi from the new wifi menu setting on the gopro, it says "coming soon." The GoPro app for the iphone does not yet exist.

Some tech blog writeups have said that an existing wifi network will be required to use the smartphone gopro app as a viewfinder & camera control. Combing through the manual, I believe this is NOT true. I believe that the wifi bacpac will form its own ad-hoc wifi network which you can connect to with your phone.

I look forward to reviewing the full capabilities of this device once all the features are implemented. Using wifi as a transport protocol means I can sniff the traffic and maybe do some creative things.

klinquist · 06-07-2012, 05:35 PM

A reply from GoPro as to when the full capabilities will be available (via a software update):

Hi Kris,

Thank you for contacting GoPro!

We don't know the exact release date. This item should be released in the next couple weeks.

Please let us know if you have any further questions.

Many Thanks,
Kellie F
GoPro Support
www.gopro.com/support

SnoDrtRider · 06-07-2012, 06:14 PM

I've often thought that a remote shutter/record button would be great for conserving battery and SD card space on the Gpro. I haven't used my old Hero in a long time because it is just a PITA but once this set up gets sorted out I may need to spring for a new HD and the WiFi back.
Many times I have been riding down a road and thought "This would make a nice shot" but haven't taken the time to stop and take the photo.

dacrazyrn · 06-07-2012, 06:36 PM

Which one is the camera? I see no lens.
The remote control with smartphone would be better through a bluetooth…wouldn't it? Unless you want to pay that extra money to the corps for Hotspot smartphone. Not worth it just for that.

ktm950se · 06-07-2012, 06:58 PM

Following this closely...

ktm950se

EmmEff · 06-07-2012, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dacrazyrn

Which one is the camera? I see no lens.

Neither. On the left is the "back" (or module) for the GoPro camera, on the right is the remote that communicates with that module to control the camera (not shown, not included).

klinquist · 06-07-2012, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dacrazyrn

Which one is the camera? I see no lens.
The remote control with smartphone would be better through a bluetooth…wouldn't it? Unless you want to pay that extra money to the corps for Hotspot smartphone. Not worth it just for that.

You don't need an existing wifi hotspot (or paying for the ability w/ your cell provider) for this - the wifi bacpac can (err...will, once the software is updated) form its own ad-hoc wifi network.

dacrazyrn · 06-08-2012, 12:31 AM

so you connect an existing GoPro into it…K. Good if you already own one. Good idea to bring those in.
Must be working on a camera with all this incorporated into it. ?? I wouldn't be interested in buying all that and THEN a camera.

GoGo Gadget · 06-08-2012, 01:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dacrazyrn

so you connect an existing GoPro into it…K. Good if you already own one. Good idea to bring those in.
Must be working on a camera with all this incorporated into it. ?? I wouldn't be interested in buying all that and THEN a camera.

I doubt they are. This seems to be their format. They have the base camera, then various backpac add-ons so you add the capability you want. Extra backpac that is a larger battery, LCD view screen that the base camera lacks, or this wifi add-on.

Aviatordoc · 06-08-2012, 02:54 PM

I have one on order as well and get it by tuesday.

klinquist · 06-08-2012, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Smallberries

Response from GoPro on "why won't my remote connect"

I must say that updating everything was a breeze on my Mac.

(I also use Windows for many things, I happened to use my Mac for this... )

GB · 06-08-2012, 07:55 PM

Thanks for the review.. very interested in this.

Does the camera or the remote indicate the status of the camera? (recording, pause.. etc.).

klinquist · 06-08-2012, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GB

Thanks for the review.. very interested in this.

Does the camera or the remote indicate the status of the camera? (recording, pause.. etc.).

The remote has an LCD that mirrors the one on the camera. It also has a red LED that blinks with the camera's LCD.

SportFaller · 06-08-2012, 09:13 PM

One of the most frustrating technology days I've ever had.

followed every step just as listed on the gopro site, and no joy.

camera says it successfully updates, but I plug it back in and it wants to run the update again.

bacpac update freezes in the "importing to device" stage and forces a CineForm restart

I should have known better than to buy one from the first batch.

Guess I'll try tech support monday, was hoping to use it riding tomorrow...

GodSpeedRally · 06-08-2012, 10:50 PM

Damn, and I just bought one of those LCD screen pacs. Should I take that back in favor of this?
/?

06-07-2012, 08:50 AM	#1
klinquist ^OP Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Apr 2008 Location: San Jose, CA Oddometer: 356	GoPro Wifi Bacpac thread I picked up the just released GoPro Wifi Bacpac for my HERO2 camera yesterday. It is advertised as having several capabilities: a) comes with a remote to remotely control the camera (actually up to 50 cameras!) from up to 600ft away b) use your smartphone as a viewfinder & remote control c) Live stream video from wherever you have a wifi connection. The manual shows the facebook and youtube icons... The wifi bacpac is the same size as the LCD or battery bacpac, as expected. It comes with a new rear "door" (both waterproof and non-waterproof versions) to accomodate for the larger size. It has its own power button so the new rear door has an additional "push through" button on it. It has its own battery contained within and the manual says that if the wifi bacpac's battery is fully depleted, it will use the camera's battery as a backup. I have not tested the battery life, I hope it at least equals the camera battery. It looks like the bacpac has both wifi and bluetooth radios in it - I will have to use a frequency counter to see if the remote control it comes with is actually using wifi or BT (for my own curiosity). I like the design of the remote control - it comes with a wrist strap as well as a clip that you can easily attach to a zipper pull or keychain. The clip is removed (by moving a slider on the bottom) and a special USB adapter is plugged in to charge and to update the firmware. I have not yet tested the battery life of the remote control. The remote works well - it has a display on it that mirrors the display on the camera itself. Unfortunately, capabilities b) and c) above have not yet been implemented. When you try to enable wifi from the new wifi menu setting on the gopro, it says "coming soon." The GoPro app for the iphone does not yet exist. Some tech blog writeups have said that an existing wifi network will be required to use the smartphone gopro app as a viewfinder & camera control. Combing through the manual, I believe this is NOT true. I believe that the wifi bacpac will form its own ad-hoc wifi network which you can connect to with your phone. I look forward to reviewing the full capabilities of this device once all the features are implemented. Using wifi as a transport protocol means I can sniff the traffic and maybe do some creative things.

06-07-2012, 06:14 PM	#3
SnoDrtRider Got Snow? Joined: Mar 2006 Location: South Jersey... Close to the Pines Oddometer: 2,026	I've often thought that a remote shutter/record button would be great for conserving battery and SD card space on the Gpro. I haven't used my old Hero in a long time because it is just a PITA but once this set up gets sorted out I may need to spring for a new HD and the WiFi back. Many times I have been riding down a road and thought "This would make a nice shot" but haven't taken the time to stop and take the photo. __________________ Wayne - 1984 HD FXRS... Not your stereotypical Harley rider. 1980 Montesa Cota 200 Got Logs? 03 DRZ 400s Gone but not forgotten... Days get shorter, Nights get longer, Snow gets deeper... Life is good!

06-07-2012, 06:36 PM	#4
dacrazyrn ED RN Adventurer Joined: Jul 2007 Location: Greeley, CO Oddometer: 490	Which one is the camera? I see no lens. The remote control with smartphone would be better through a bluetooth…wouldn't it? Unless you want to pay that extra money to the corps for Hotspot smartphone. Not worth it just for that. __________________ Tracy E / Photos4Aidan.com / dacrazyrn.dpcprints.com / Can you SPOT me? “When you do things RIGHT, people won’t be sure you’ve done anything at all.” God in Godfellas-Futurama Life is Risk Management '09 BMW F800GS-Fate Honeyed GSabelle

06-08-2012, 12:31 AM	#8
dacrazyrn ED RN Adventurer Joined: Jul 2007 Location: Greeley, CO Oddometer: 490	so you connect an existing GoPro into it…K. Good if you already own one. Good idea to bring those in. Must be working on a camera with all this incorporated into it. ?? I wouldn't be interested in buying all that and THEN a camera. __________________ Tracy E / Photos4Aidan.com / dacrazyrn.dpcprints.com / Can you SPOT me? “When you do things RIGHT, people won’t be sure you’ve done anything at all.” God in Godfellas-Futurama Life is Risk Management '09 BMW F800GS-Fate Honeyed GSabelle

06-08-2012, 07:55 PM	#12
GB Mod Squad Joined: Aug 2002 Location: Toronto, ON Oddometer: 53,461	Thanks for the review.. very interested in this. Does the camera or the remote indicate the status of the camera? (recording, pause.. etc.). __________________ ADV decals, patches & flag? Here

06-07-2012, 05:35 PM	#2
klinquist ^OP Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Apr 2008 Location: San Jose, CA Oddometer: 356	A reply from GoPro as to when the full capabilities will be available (via a software update): Hi Kris, Thank you for contacting GoPro! We don't know the exact release date. This item should be released in the next couple weeks. Please let us know if you have any further questions. Many Thanks, Kellie F GoPro Support www.gopro.com/support

06-07-2012, 06:58 PM	#5
ktm950se Banned Joined: Jan 2007 Location: Southern Maine Oddometer: 1,385	Following this closely... ktm950se

06-08-2012, 02:54 PM	#10
Aviatordoc BMW K12S rider Joined: Dec 2008 Location: Chattanooga, TN Oddometer: 124	I have one on order as well and get it by tuesday.

06-08-2012, 09:13 PM	#14
SportFaller Dirt dont hurt, MUCH Joined: Sep 2008 Location: Laramie, WY Oddometer: 646	One of the most frustrating technology days I've ever had. followed every step just as listed on the gopro site, and no joy. camera says it successfully updates, but I plug it back in and it wants to run the update again. bacpac update freezes in the "importing to device" stage and forces a CineForm restart I should have known better than to buy one from the first batch. Guess I'll try tech support monday, was hoping to use it riding tomorrow... __________________ "The chokers, and the chain saws, and the log trucks have been stilled, now spotted owls, and hippy gals, run freely through the woods!" Bikeless in WY http://www.dakotadualsportriders.com

06-08-2012, 10:50 PM	#15
GodSpeedRally Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Jun 2012 Location: In my dreams Oddometer: 102	Damn, and I just bought one of those LCD screen pacs. Should I take that back in favor of this? /?

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