GoPro release HD Hero 2 camera

A new, updated version of the ever popular GoPro HD Hero ‘action camera’ has been released and it looks like quite a massive step up over the old model; in fact it’s said to be twice as powerful.

As well as the usual full HD 1080p video, wide angle lens, waterproof casing and loads of mounting options, version 2 features a hike up in sensor size, a faster image processor, sharper lens plus the ability to stream video or be remotely controlled over WiFi . Best of all, it looks like the user interface has been vastly improved over the old model, which could be a bit tricky to navigate at times.

It’s also sprouted four LEDs to signal recording, which will hopefully result in less videos that start with a close up face and the words “is it on?”…

The GoPro HD Hero 2 is available exclusively in the UK and Ireland from Madison, priced at £299.99 and they’ll continue to offer the standard models for the forseeable future, priced from £199.99 – £249.99 down from £264.99 – £299.99.

Anyway, here’s the raw, uncut press release…

2x More Powerful in Every Way, The HD HERO2 Democratises Professional Image Capture and Broadcast with Support for Remote Control and Live Video Streaming from Virtually Anywhere to the Web

GoPro today announced the release of its new HD HERO2® camera. Twice as powerful as GoPro’s original HD HERO camera, the HD HERO2 enables consumers and professionals to capture and broadcast their lives most exciting moments in professional quality 1080p HD video and 11 megapixel photos. The new HD HERO2 is now available exclusively in the UK and Ireland from Madison for £299.99.

“The new GoPro HD2 moves the action camera market up to a whole new level and puts even more clear blue sea between GoPro and the rest of the pack.” – Dominic Langan, CEO, Madison

Arguably the most versatile camera in the world thanks to its innovative mounting system, renowned durability and small form factor, the HD HERO2 surpasses its predecessor with several technology upgrades. The HD HERO2’s new processor delivers twice the processing power, taking full advantage of a new high-performance 11 megapixel sensor that delivers more than twice the image detail along with professional low-light performance. A totally redesigned wide-angle lens was required to take full advantage of the HD HERO2’s increased image-processing, resulting in a lens that’s twice as sharp as the previous model. And with the arrival of GoPro’s new Wi-Fi BacPac™ and Wi-Fi Remote products slated for release this winter, the HD HERO2 will enable video remote control via the Wi-Fi Remote, smartphones and devices, tablets and computer, as well as enabling live GoPro video broadcast from anywhere there is Wi-Fi or a mobile hotspot.

Famous for its globally best-selling HD HERO line of wearable and gear mountable cameras, Go-Pro spared no expense developing the HD HERO2.

“GoPro created a new category of camera with the HD HERO back in 2009, and it’s gone on to become one of the best-selling video cameras in the world,” says Nicholas Woodman, CEO and found of GoPro. “With these big shoes to fill, we invested massively in engineering the HD HERO2 to be one of the greatest, most versatile cameras of all time. We think we’ve achieved our goal and we’re very excited to see the content our customers around the world capture and share with their powerful new GoPros.”

The HD HERO2 benefits from a complete redesign that results in dramatically enhanced image quality and ease-of-use:

List of HD HERO2 Feature Enhancements:

• Professional 11MP Sensor
• 2x Faster Image Processor
• 2X Sharper Glass Lens
• Professional Low Light Performance
• Full 170º, Medium 127º, Narrow 90º FOV in 1080p and 720p Video
• 120 fps WVGA, 60 fps 720p, 48 fps 960p, 30 fps 1080p Video
• Full 170º and Medium 127º FOV Photos
• 10 11MP Photos Per Second Burst
• 1 11MP Photo Every 0.5 Sec Time-lapse Mode
• 3.5mm External Stereo Microphone Input
• Simple Language-based User Interface
• Compatible with Wi-Fi BacPac™ and Wi-Fi Remote™
– Long Range Remote Control of up to 50 GoPro Cameras per Wifi Remote
– Wi-Fi Video/Photo Preview, Playback and Control via GoPro App
– Live Streaming Video and Photos to the Web

Visit http://gopro.com/hd-hero2-cameras for more information on the HD HERO2, Wi-Fi Bac-Pac and Wi-Fi Remote products.

Upgraded Professional Photo Quality and Features

The HD HERO2’s photo capture performance has also been significantly upgraded. In addition to much improved low light performance, the HD HERO2 can capture up to ten 11 megapixel photos in a ten second burst mode, as well as automatic time-lapse photos with quick .5 second timing between photos. This dramatically increases the success-rate when attempting to capture maga-zine cover quality photos during fast action sports and activities.

Simplified User Interface

GoPro also placed a priority on redesigning the HD HERO2’s user interface for dead simple ease-of-use. The HD HERO2 features a totally new, straightforward language-based user interface that eliminates the need for instructions.

“The HD HERO2 is much, much easier to use than the original HD HERO. If you know how to use a traditional camera, you can use the HD HERO2 straight out of the box without instructions. This makes the HD HERO2 very powerful as an everyday, easy-to-use consumer camera, whist retaining all of the features, modes and performance that has made GoPro the best-selling small form factor HD camera to Hollywood,” said GoPro’s Director of Product Definition, Rudy Samuels.

Specialised Right Down to the Packaging.

The HD HERO2 sells in three bundled-accessory configurations, each containing the necessary mounts for particular genres of use or activity. The HD HERO2 is backwards compatible with all existing GoPro mounts and accessories.

The original 1080p HD HERO camera is now available for SRP £199.99 – £249.99 (previously £264.99 – £299.99) through your local GoPro retailer. The Wi-Fi BacPac and Wi-Fi Remote are also compatible with the original HD HERO camera, but functionality is limited to remote control only. Video and photo streaming is not supported.