GoPro HERO 3 User Manual
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GoPro HERO 3 User Manual

GoPro HERO 3 User Manual

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Summary of Contents for GoPro HERO 3

  • Page 1 USER MANUAL...
  • Page 2 Join the GoPro party at facebook.com/gopro to see what other GoPro owners are capturing and sharing. Share your footage and join the GoPro movement!

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Camera LCD Status Screen Camera Menu Flow Chart Camera Software Updates Basics Camera Modes Camera Settings Set Up Wi-FI + Wi-Fi Remote Connecting to GoPro App Storage/microSD™ Cards System Requirements Transferring Files Playback Battery Important Warning Messages Camera Housing Using the Mounts...

  • Page 4: Accessories

    WEAR IT. MOUNT IT. LOVE IT. FEATURED ACCESSORIES HERO3+ ACCESSORIES Wrist Housing LCD Touch BacPac ™ Standard Housing Rechargeable Battery Battery BacPac ™ Dive Housing Lens Replacement Kit Wi-Fi Remote Protective Lens + Covers More HERO3+ accessories available at gopro.com The Frame...

  • Page 5: Mounts + Accessories

    SEE MORE AT GOPRO.COM MOUNTS + ACCESSORIES Helmet Front Mount Chesty (Chest Handlebar/Seatpost/ Surfboard Mounts Harness) Pole Mount Floaty Backdoor Head Strap Suction Cup Vented Helmet + QuickClip Strap Roll Bar Mount Tripod Mounts Anti-Fog Inserts Jaws: Flex Clamp Dual Battery...

  • Page 6: Hero3 Features

    HERO3 FEATURES 1. Camera Status Lights (Red) 6. Micro HDMI Port (Cable not included) 2. Shutter/Select Button 7. MicroSD Card Slot 3. LCD Status Screen (SD card not included) 4. Wi-Fi Status Lights (Blue ) 8. Mini-USB Port (Supports Composite A/C 5.
  • Page 7 HERO3 FEATURES 9. HERO Port 10. Battery Door 11. Wi-Fi On/Off Button 12. Audio Alert 13. Microphone...

  • Page 8: Camera Lcd Status Screen

    CAMERA LCD STATUS SCREEN The LCD screen displays the following information about HERO3 modes and settings: 1. Camera Modes/FOV (Field of View) 2. Capture Setting Modes (not shown) 3. Resolution/fps (Frames Per Second) 4. Time Interval Settings: (not shown) 5. Counter 6.

  • Page 9: Camera Menu Flow Chart

    CAMERA MENU FLOW CHART MODES CAMERA SETTINGS SET UP WI-FI * Playback only appears in LCD Status Screen if camera is connected to a TV or LCD Touch BacPac™ (optional accessory, sold separately).

  • Page 10: Camera Software Updates

    Swapping housing doors To get the latest features and best performance from your HERO3 camera, make sure you’re using the most current camera software. To check if software updates are available, visit: gopro.com/update. USING YOUR HERO3: BASICS GETTING STARTED Slim housing remove camera 1.

  • Page 11: Camera Default Settings

    To charge, connect the included USB cable to camera and connect the other end of the cable to a power source such as a computer, GoPro Wall Charger or GoPro Auto Charger. No damage will occur to the camera or battery if used prior to a full charge.

  • Page 12: Powering On And Off

    USING YOUR HERO3: BASICS POWERING ON AND OFF To power ON: Press the Power/Mode Button . The red Camera Status Lights flash three times and the Sound Indicator emits three beeps. To power OFF: Press and hold the Power/Mode Button .

  • Page 13: Camera Modes

    USING YOUR HERO3: CAMERA MODES OVERVIEW The HERO3 features several camera modes. To cycle through the modes, press the Power/Mode Button . The modes will appear in the following order: VIDEO Record Video PHOTO Capture a single Photo BURST PHOTO Capture up to 3 Photos in one second TIME LAPSE Capture a series of Photos at timed intervals...
  • Page 14 USING YOUR HERO3: CAMERA MODES VIDEO To record Video, verify the camera is in Video mode. If the Video icon on your camera’s LCD screen is not showing, press the Power/Mode Button repeatedly until it appears. To start recording: Press the Shutter/Select Button .
  • Page 15 USING YOUR HERO3: CAMERA MODES PHOTO To capture a Photo, verify the camera is in Photo mode. If the Photo icon on your camera’s LCD is not showing, press the Power/Mode Button repeatedly until it appears. To take a photo: Press and release the Shutter/Select Button .
  • Page 16 USING YOUR HERO3: CAMERA MODES BURST PHOTO In Burst Photo mode, your camera takes multiple photos in short time intervals— 3 photos /1 second. To capture a Burst Photo series, verify the camera is in Burst Photo mode. If the Burst Photo icon on your camera’s LCD screen is not showing, press the Power/Mode Button repeatedly until it appears.

  • Page 17: Time Lapse

    USING YOUR HERO3: CAMERA MODES TIME LAPSE Time Lapse mode captures a series of photos at 0.5, 1, 2, 5, 10, 30 or 60 second intervals. To capture a Time Lapse series, verify the camera is in Time Lapse mode. If the Time Lapse icon is not showing on your camera’s LCD screen, press the Power/Mode Button...
  • Page 18 USING YOUR HERO3: CAMERA MODES SETTINGS The Settings menu allows you to adjust a variety of camera settings including: Video Resolution Photo Resolution Time Lapse Burst Photo • and more ▶ See SETTINGS MENU to make changes, learn how to navigate menu options and read more details on each setting.
  • Page 19 USING YOUR HERO3: CAMERA MODES PLAYBACK Playback Video and Photos by connecting your HERO3 to a TV (requires Micro HDMI, Composite or Combo Cable, sold separately). You can also playback Video and Photos on the LCD Touch BacPac™ (optional accessory, sold separately). Playback appears only if camera is connected to a TV or LCD Touch BacPac.

  • Page 20: Camera Settings

    CAMERA SETTINGS SETTINGS To enter the Settings menu: 1. Verify the camera is in the Settings mode. If the Settings icon on your camera’s LCD screen is not showing, press the Power/Mode Button repeatedly until it appears. 2. Press the Shutter/Select Button to enter Settings menu 3.
  • Page 21 CAMERA SETTINGS VIDEO RESOLUTION/ FPS/FOV MODES You can change Resolution, fps (frames per second) and FOV (field of view) in the Video mode menu. You can also turn Auto Low Light mode ON/OFF. Once in the Settings menu: 1. Press the Shutter/Select Button to enter 2.
  • Page 22 CAMERA SETTINGS The HERO3 White Edition offers the following Video Capture modes: Video NTSC Field of Screen Best Use Resolution View (FOV) Resolution 1080p Medium 1920x1080 Use this mode when camera is mounted on a 16:9 vehicle, tripod or other stable object.
  • Page 23 CAMERA SETTINGS TIME LAPSE Several time interval options are available for Time Lapse mode, including 0.5, 1, 2, 5, 10, 30 and 60 seconds. UPSIDE DOWN Mounting your HERO3 Upside Down but wish the files to appear upright when viewing or editing? This setting eliminates the need to flip your video or photos after recording.
  • Page 24 CAMERA SETTINGS LOOPING VIDEO Looping Video mode allows you to record a continuously looping video that overwrites itself until you press the Shutter/Select Button to stop it. Looping Video options inlcude: (Default) Camera records until memory card is full, then overwrites Max video with a new video.
  • Page 25 CAMERA SETTINGS SET UP MENU The Set Up menu allows you to adjust the following camera settings: Default mode at Power Up One Button Mode NTSC/PAL On Screen Display Status Indicator Lights Sound Indicator Month/Day/Year/Time ▶See SET UP MENU section for a complete list of set up options.
  • Page 26 WIRELESS CONTROLS The camera’s built-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect to the Wi-Fi Remote or smartphone/tablet via the GoPro App. When Wi-Fi is ON, a Wi-Fi status icon will appear on the camera’s LCD Status Screen and the blue Wi-Fi Status Indicator Lights will blink intermittently.
  • Page 27 CAMERA SETTINGS DELETE Delete the last file or all files and format the memory card. During delete LAST or ALL, the Status Indicator Lights blink until operation is complete. CANCEL (Default) LAST (Formats SD card) To delete LAST or ALL: 1.
  • Page 28 CAMERA SETTINGS EXIT From the screen, press the Shutter/Select Button to exit the Settings menu. If at any time you wish to exit from the Settings menu, TIP: press and hold the Shutter/Select Button for two seconds.

  • Page 29: Set Up

    SET UP SET UP To enter the Set Up menu: 1. Verify the camera is in Settings mode. If the Settings icon on your camera’s LCD screen is not showing, press the Power/Mode Button repeatedly until it appears. 2. Press the Shutter/Select Button to enter the Settings menu 3.
  • Page 30 SET UP DEFAULT MODE AT POWER UP You can set the camera’s Default mode at power up to any of the following modes: VIDEO (default) PHOTO BURST PHOTO TIME LAPSE...
  • Page 31 SET UP ONE BUTTON With One Button mode selected, the camera automatically begins recording when powering the camera ON. One Button mode can be configured to start in Video or Time Lapse. (Default) To turn One Button mode ON: 1. Verify the camera is in Settings mode. If the Settings icon on your camera’s LCD screen is not showing, press Power/Mode Button repeatedly until it appears.
  • Page 32 ONE BUTTON, press and hold the Shutter/Select TIP: Button for two seconds. You will return to the ONE BUTTON menu where you can turn ONE BUTTON mode OFF. NOTE: One Button mode is disabled when connected to Wi-Fi Remote (optional accessory, sold separately) or GoPro App.
  • Page 33 SET UP NTSC / PAL The NTSC and PAL settings govern Video recording frame rate and playback when viewing Video on a TV/HDTV. Select NTSC when viewing a TV/HDTV in North America. Select PAL if viewing on a PAL TV/HDTV (most televisions outside of North America) or if viewing on a PAL TV/HDTV in any region.
  • Page 34 SET UP CAMERA STATUS LIGHTS Keep all four Camera Status Lights active, only two active (front and back) or turn OFF all lights. (Default) SOUND INDICATOR You can adjust volume or turn OFF the Sound Indicator. 100% (Default) MANUAL POWER OFF The HERO3 can be configured to automatically power OFF after a specific period of inactivity (when no Videos or Photos are being taken and no buttons have been pressed).
  • Page 35 SET UP MONTH / DAY / YEAR / TIME Set the HERO3 clock to ensure Video and Photo files are saved with the correct date and time. To change Month/Day/Year/Time: 1. Verify the camera is in Settings mode. If the Settings icon on your camera’s LCD screen is not showing, press the Power/Mode Button repeatedly until...
  • Page 36 SET UP EXIT From the EXIT screen, press the Shutter/Select Button to exit the Set Up menu. If at any time you wish to exit from the SET UP menu, press and hold the Shutter/Select Button TIP: two seconds.

  • Page 37: Wi-Fi + Wi-Fi Remote

    WI-FI + WI-FI REMOTE WIRELESS CONTROLS The built-in Wi-Fi allows your HERO3 camera to connect to the Wi-Fi Remote or to the GoPro App using a smartphone or tablet. To turn Wi-Fi ON/OFF via the Wi-Fi On/Off Button Press the Wi-Fi On/Off Button to turn Wi-Fi ON/OFF.

  • Page 38: Connecting To Gopro App

    You can customize the password at gopro.com/update. If you’ve already customized the password, enter that password instead of “goprohero”.) 7. Open the GoPro App on your smartphone or tablet. You will now be able to control the camera with your smartphone or tablet plus view, playback and share select content.*...

  • Page 39: Storage/Microsd Cards

    The HERO3 camera is compatible with 4GB, 8GB, 16GB, 32GB and 64GB capacity microSD, microSDHC and microSDXC memory cards. A microSD card with a Class 4 or higher speed rating is recommended. GoPro recommends using brand name memory cards for maximum reliability in high-vibration activities.

  • Page 40: System Requirements

    SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS The HERO3 camera is compatible with Microsoft® XP (Service Pack 2) or later and Mac OS X 10.4.11 or later. WINDOWS Windows XP (Service Pack 2 or later) Mac OS® X 10.4.11 or later or Vista 3.2GHz Pentium 4 or faster 2.0GHz Intel Core Duo or faster DirectX 9.0c or later Minimum 1GB of system RAM...

  • Page 41: Transferring Files

    TRANSFERRING FILES TO TRANSFER VIDEO AND PHOTO FILES TO A COMPUTER ON A PC: 1. Connect the camera to the computer using included USB cable. 2. Press the Power/Mode Button to turn ON the camera. 3. Double click “My Computer” and locate “Removable Disk”. 4.

  • Page 42: Playback

    PLAYBACK TO VIEW VIDEOS AND PHOTOS Videos and Photos can be viewed on a TV/HDTV or the LCD Touch BacPac (optional accessory, sold separately). PLAYBACK ON TV/HDTV To browse Videos and Photos: 1. Plug the camera into a TV/HDTV with a Micro HDMI Cable, Composite Cable or Combo Cable (optional accessories).
  • Page 43 PLAYBACK PLAYBACK ON LCD TOUCH BACPAC (SOLD SEPARATELY) Playback using the LCD Touch BacPac™ follows a similar process/procedure as described with a few slight variations. ▶See the LCD Touch BacPac User Manual for more information.

  • Page 44: Battery

    Shooting with Protune mode turned ON will increase power consumption. *Based on GoPro engineering testing. Actual performance may vary based on settings, environmental conditions, wireless connectivity and other factors. Maximum battery capacity will normally decrease with time and use.

  • Page 45: Charging The Battery

    You can also charge the battery outside the camera using the Dual Battery Charger (optional accessory, sold separately). No damage will occur to the camera or the battery if used prior to full charge. Spare batteries and additional charging accessories are available at: gopro.com.
  • Page 46 BATTERY USING THE CAMERA WHILE CHARGING You can capture Video and Photos while charging the camera’s battery. Simply plug the camera into a computer or any USB charging devide using the included USB cable. REMOVING THE BATTERY FROM THE CAMERA The HERO3 battery is designed to have a tight fit to maximize reliability in high-vibration activities.

  • Page 47: Important Warning Messages

    IMPORTANT WARNING MESSAGES MICROSD CARD MESSAGES No card present. The camera requires a microSD, microSDHC NO SD or microSDXC card to record Video or take Photos. SD FULL Card is full. Delete files or swap card. SD ERROR Camera unable to access card. FILE REPAIR ICON ON THE LCD If you see the File Repair icon on the LCD screen, your Video file was corrupted during recording.

  • Page 48: Camera Housing

    Slim housing closed Swapping housing doors CAMERA HOUSING ASSEMBLING THE CAMERA HOUSING To remove camera from housing: 1. Lift front of latch up to disengage from camera housing. 2. Pivot latch backward and pull up to release backdoor. Slim housing remove camera 3.
  • Page 49 CAMERA HOUSING Your HERO3 camera housing comes with two types of backdoors— Skeleton (non-waterproof) and Standard (waterproof). Skeleton Backdoor Standard Backdoor The Skeleton Backdoor (non-waterproof) The Standard Backdoor makes the provides better sound quality by allowing housing waterproof to 131’/40m. more sound to reach the camera’s Use this door when you need to microphone.
  • Page 50 mb Screw + Slim housing = Complete Unit CAMERA HOUSING SWAPPING HOUSING DOORS You can switch the Backdoor of your HERO3 camera to suit your activity and shooting conditions. To change backdoor: Swapping housing doors Slim housing insert camera 1. Open the Backdoor of the housing so that it is hanging downwards. 2.
  • Page 51 CAMERA HOUSING PREVENTING WATER DAMAGE TO YOUR CAMERA The rubber seal that lines the camera housing forms a waterproof barrier that protects your HERO3 in wet and underwater conditions. Keep the camera housing’s rubber seal clean. A single hair or grain of sand can cause a leak and damage your camera.

  • Page 52: Using The Mounts

    To attach your HERO3+ camera to a mount, you will need a Quick Release Buckle, thumb screw or hardware depending on the mount you are using. Quick Release Buckle + Thumb Screw + Slim housing = Complete Unit For more information on mounts, visit: gopro.com/support. Quick Release Thumb Screw...
  • Page 53 When applying mount, firmly press into place and ensure full contact over entire surface. For best results, attach the mount 24 hours prior to use. ▶See: gopro.com/support for more information on mounts. Locking Plug Using the HERO3 in high impact sports such as surfing or skiing...

  • Page 54: Customer Support

    CUSTOMER SUPPORT GoPro is dedicated to providing the best possible service. To reach GoPro Customer Support, visit gopro.com/support. REGULATORY INFORMATION To see the complete list of country certifications, refer to the WARRANTY + DISCLAIMERS document included with this product.

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