Using the GoPro Hero 7 Black

Unlike the GoPro Hero, the GoPro Hero 7 Black has a built-in touchscreen.  This makes navigating all of the features much easier than on the GoPro Hero.  The ease of access means that a lot of settings are now much easier to change – this article will help you get your head around what you can do on the GoPro Hero 7 Black.

What’s in the case?

• GoPro Hero 7 Black (in housing)
• MicroSD card
• MicroSD → Standard SD card adapter
• USB-C cable
• USB-C → USB-A cable
• Battery charger
• Power supply

Preparation

Inserting the battery

The GoPro Hero 5 Black uses a rechargeable battery (the battery charger is included in the case). To access the battery compartment, you first need to remove the housing. To do this, undo the clip on the top of the GoPro, next to the SHUTTER button. This will release the back panel and you will be able to slide out the GoPro. The battery compartment is on the bottom of the GoPro. The batteries simply push into the compartment and pull out using the tab – the same goes for inserting the batteries into the charger.

Inserting the microSD card

The GoPro Hero 7 Black uses a microSD card. The microSD card slot is housed in the battery compartment. The microSD card should already be in the GoPro – but if not, it may be in the SD card adapter – this looks like a standard SD card and is included in the case. To insert it simply push it in – it will only fit in one way so don’t force it!

The microSD card is very small so take care not to lose it. 

Once the battery and SD card are inserted, close the battery compartment and slide the GoPro back into its housing. Make sure the clip on the top is secured.

Turning on

To turn on the GoPro, press the MODE button on the right-hand side once. The red light in the top left of the touch screen should flash on, as should the red light on the front, top left corner of the LCD screen.

Modes

The GoPro has 3 main camera modes – each of which has 3 capture modes. To change between camera modes press the MODE button. This will cycle through each mode: Video, Photo, Burst and Time-lapse.

Video mode

This is for capturing video. Within this mode are video-only capture, video + photo capture and looped capture. To navigate between these tap the video camera icon in the bottom left of the touch screen.

Video-only capture captures only video (as the name suggests).

Video + Photo capture captures video and photos – which are taken at user specified intervals.

Looping capture keeps the camera running from the first push of the shutter button, then will only save the final five minutes of recording before the SHUTTER button is pressed again to stop recording.

Tap the icons at the bottom of the screen to change the resolution (RES), the frame rate (FPS) and the field of view (FOV). Note that some combinations of parameters are incompatible – for example 4k resolution at 240 FPS.

Excessively high resolution and FPS settings will take up more space on the SD card and shorten the battery life of the GoPro – bear this in mind if filming for longer periods of time.

Photo mode

Photo mode takes photos. Capture modes include: photo-only, night photo and burst.

Photo-only simply takes photos.

Night photo optimizes the GoPro for taking photos at night.

Burst takes several photos on pressing the shutter at a specified rate.

To switch between capture modes tap the camera icon in the bottom left corner of the screen.  To change the parameters such as the photo quality, the FOV and burst rate, select the icons across the bottom bar of the screen.

Time-lapse

Time-lapse mode is for capturing footage over a long period of time at a low frame rate, so when it’s played back at a normal frame rate, it appears to be sped up. Time-lapse mode has three capture modes: time-lapse video, time-lapse photo and night-lapse photo.

Time-lapse video captures frames at a set interval and transfers them into a video file.

Time-lapse photo captures frames and saves them as individual photos.

Night-lapse photo is used for minimal light scenarios.

More advanced settings can be accessed by swiping to the left of the screen.

Capturing

Video

In order to start recording, simply press the SHUTTER button – located on the top of the GoPro. Press again to stop recording.

Photos

To take a photo press the SHUTTER button once.

Post-capture

Viewing video and photos

To view your photos and videos, swipe right – this will take you to viewing mode where you will be able to watch the footage you have captured and view any photos you’ve taken. You may also delete unsuitable files.

Transferring footage to a computer

Once you’ve finished filming/photographing you will need to transfer the files on to your computer. To do this, eject the microSD card and insert in into the SD card adapter. Insert the SD card adapter into your computer and transfer the files over.

Live Streaming

Wired streaming

You can also use the GoPro to live stream. To do this you will need cable #15 (microHDMI→StandardHDMI). Plug the small end into the GoPro and the standard end into the TV or Projector.

You may also download the GoPro Capture App to remotely control the GoPro from your mobile device – you will need to connect the GoPro and your device to the same network.

To access the GoPro network settings swipe down on the screen.

For more advanced use please refer to the GoPro Hero 7 Black manual (below).