Can someone teach me about GoPro cameras please?

[RedSpectrumPictures]

I am going to purchase a GoPro camera soon, however I am slightly confused about the different models.

I understand the newest model is the GoPro HD Hero 2 - I will probably not get that one

I am confused about the GoPro HD Hero -
In some test videos, the ratio of the video is in standard definition, however the video is hd - http://youtu.be/bDLoEiBsIOw
And in other videos, the video fills the full youtube video frame - http://youtu.be/k9Ayw-9NjJ8
Is it still the same camera in both videos? Or is it something to do with post production that causes this odd ratio

Could I also get a list of all of the models of gopro please, so I have a clear understanding in what I am looking for?

Thank you in advance to anyone that can answer

 

[marvinhello]

Get the Hero 2, it's has better resolultion and is eligible of the upcoming new "Protune" firmware which has Technicolor Cinetyle and increased bitrate.

 

[simonpwood]

The GoPro Hero is HD; 1920 x 1080.

Don't judge its quality with youtube; people can do what they want with it in post, crop it to any ratio, convert it to SD.

But the source video from the camera is HD.

 

[RedSpectrumPictures]

Thanks for the reply. So are the 'HD Hero' and 'HD Hero 960' two different models, or just one model with the option to do 1080 and 960?

 

[mburkefilms]

The HD Hero 960 shoots at a maximum resolution of 1280x960.

Here, this should help:
http://gopro.com/product-comparison-hd-hero2-hd-hero-cameras/

 

[RedSpectrumPictures]

Thanks Michael, that comparison chart was actually very useful.

 

[RedSpectrumPictures]

I am still slightly confused about aspect ratio - does 1280x960 mean it will be 16:9? (fill a youtube video screen)

 

[simonpwood]

In this day and age you really want full HD. Get the HD Hero or the HD Hero 2.

The 960 is not full HD.

 

[RedSpectrumPictures]

Okay thank you
I think I am going to purchase this one - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-GOPRO...Camcorders&hash=item46033bf543#ht_4924wt_1270
Its the full HD hero, but without all of the mounts. As I only want the handlebar mount for bikes, which you have to buy separately anyways

 

[simonpwood]

Good luck with it.

The nice thing is that all the accessories you buy for your GoPro are upwardly compatible with newer GoPros, so you never lose your investment in accessories like mounts.