Downloading video from Go Pro on vacation

[dbatts2002]

I just got a new Hero 3 black for Christmas - awesome present. I'm going to pick up a 64 GB MicroSD, an SRP red filter, and a grenade grip. I know that lights would be a nice add-on, lcd bacpac, tray, etc., but I just want a simple rig for now. So with simplicity in mind, how do you suggest I manage downloading the video while on vacation? Do I need to bring a laptop? Can I somehow drop it directly into a portable hard drive? How do y'all manage your video over multiple dives? Thanks for your advice!

 

[300winmag]

I bought a memory card reader for our tablet to download them to while on vacation. On a 10 dive vacation I collected just a hair under 60GB, bring multiple cards cause you might need them. especially if one fails.

 

[dbatts2002]

I bought a memory card reader for our tablet to download them to while on vacation. On a 10 dive vacation I collected just a hair under 60GB, bring multiple cards cause you might need them. especially if one fails.

I have a 64GB card but I thought that would get filled up pretty quickly (2 tanks). I have the SD adapter for my iPad, but I don't think it can handle 64GB. Are most people bringing laptops with them to download the footage?

 

[RockyHeap]

I love my Acer Aspire, very very small, lets you back up all data, web surfing, email and such while on vacation.

Acer Aspire One 10.1" LCD, Intel Atom Dual-Core, 1GB RAM, 320GB HDD Netboo at HSN.com at HSN.com

no it's not a powerhouse video editing machine, but to down-load/backup data, it's perfect for a small travel laptop.

 

[300winmag]

Laptops, Tablets or Memory cards are the way to go. I brought the Tablet (16GB) and 3 memory cards at 32GB each.
2 Tanks is probably 5 to 7GB assuming your recording the whole dive like me. Also I was recording 720P@60fps as Rocky here suggests and its great!

 

[RockyHeap]

Now try a week on a live-aboard boat, I'll average 20-25 dives over a week. Last trip was 19 hours of raw data shooting at 720-60 fps gets big file size FAST.


I highly suggest a small travel laptop, and a 1-2 Terabyte USB hard-drive.

 

[Marty Cerven]

I use a laptop and 1 terrabyte portable tough rubberized HDD, portable drives are prone to breaking so better off spending that little bit extra to get one that is shock proof and less likely that you will lose all your data. My next trip I would really like not to have to bring a laptop as all I need it for is to transfer from SD's to the external drive but a few weeks shooting 45Mbps protune footage will be taking up a lot of storage. Id ideally also use 2 drives for a backup in case one gets damaged so I dont lose footage but need to limit weight and gear. I may skip the laptop and just borrow a friends who said is bringing his along as I dont need to bring one beyond transfering and possibly having a quick look at footage to see if I need to delete any if stoage is running low by the end of my trip.

A couple of flights I will be on have very strict weight requirements and so any weight over 10KG may cause the luggage to get held back to the next flight that allows it even after paying for excess baggage. The problem of traveling to less accessible places is you need to travel light and I will have 2 cameras some accessories, some dive gear and some clothes. Packing will be tight and its just the smaller prop plane internal flights that are going to be a problem.

 

[300winmag]

Marty that sounds like fun, don't forget to do a test download on your friends laptop before you decide not to bring your own storage. I have been bitten more then once by technology lol

 

[clownfishsydney]

Netbook and external HDD as back up. Do not shoot the whole dive, only shoot what is interesting. It is boring to look at video when nothing is happening. We end up typically with 10 mins at the most from a 60 minute dive.

 

[Willar]

May I suggest a portable hard drive with built-in card reader like this:
Amazon.com: Digital Foci Photo Safe II PST-251 500 GB Digital Picture Storage (Blue/White): Camera & Photo

I've used one like this for years (a different, older model that isn't available now) for downloading photos and videos from SD cards. Worked great. Just plug in the card when you get back to the hotel, let it download while you are at dinner, or taking a shower.