Harry's LapTimer with Extra Cam Recordings (Go Pro)

[harrysDavid]

Today I used the latest version of Harry's for the first time with an external GoPro. When I try and play back that video it will show the GoPro portion of that video as "offline." That's fine. Harry's make it very clear you need to transfer the file to Harry's and link it.

The iPhone camera version version is fine and the video plays fine if I "edit" and "delete" the GoPro camera/external cam. It can be exported, the overlay's work, etc., all.

The problem here is the video file it wants for the GoPro Extra Cam:

"djv-xxxxxxxx-GP" isn't how the GoPro video files are named. The GoPro video for that session was actually 2 videos because I hit the 4gig Go Pro limit and it rolled over.

I'm missing something here, even after reading the "How To." :

Harry's implies(?) it made smaller, lap, based video files named what it "djv-xxxxxxxx-GP" on the GoPro, but that's not the case. The GoPro video is one big gopro* video like it always is, and for this session, 2 of them because of the 4 gig limit.

Note: I am not asking how to transfer files to a place Harry's can see them. I understand that very clearly. I am asking how to get Harry's this exact lap it wants with that file name? Surely Harry's doesn't expect me to edit the GoPro video and export as that specific name?

Thank you for your time.

[Harry]

The name shown for the external cam link in LapTimer is a kind of placeholder and does specify a filename like used by action cams. LapTimer does not get information on the real name from any cam currently, so this is an "open" link initially. To associate such an open link with a real video file transferred, please use the Re-Link function available in Video Details. It removes the placeholder and replaces it by the URL / filename selected. This operation preserves any sync information, so video and lap data are in sync from the beginning.

LapTimer has no multi file support for session videos. In case the laps to be overlaid are covered by the first video file, you can re-link this file and things will be fine. In case laps to be overlaid are in further files, you need to join the videos on a desktop first. The alternative is to add this fragments to laps manually and set the sync point manually too. Laps crossing fragments cannot be overlaid using this approach.

- Harry

[ereynold60]

Some additional information regarding Harry's suggestions above and some tips.

1. For joining the GoPro files, don't use the GoPro studio app. It will take forever as it requires each video file to be converted to AVI, then "authored" into a new movie, then exported and re-converted back to MP4. It will take nearly half a day to process 25 minutes of video.

2. Use FFMPEG instead. it is somewhat cumbersome, as it is a command line tool, but it is lightning fast as it simply joins 2 or 3 or more video files together, in a "copy/append" manner. Use google to search out "FFMPEG Concatenate" or go to https://trac.ffmpeg.org/wiki/Concatenate

3. After you've joined your video files together, you may likely exceed the 4GB file size maximum on your device. I run into this when my video is over 20 minutes (roughly). Here you want to download and use "HandBrake" and re-render the video at a lower bitrate or slightly lower quality... I find that bit rates between 15 to 18 kbps will take a 5GB or more file down to under the 4GB limit.

4. Transfer your processed video file back to the phone, the re-link as Harry's outlines above. Now you can render out a full session and include PiP video as well if you like.

.... and yes, the above is quite a PITA... but it is possible to produce high-quality full session overlays using GoPro video and also include PiP video from your phone's view. Hope this helps.