| The GoPro Hero3The Hero3 fills a profitable niche in a crowded imaging market where other devices, such as digital still cameras and video cameras, are losing market share. I think we would be safe to assume that the average enthusiast doesn’t want to strap their iPhone to the nose of their model plane any more than somebody would strap their DSLR with a 34 lbs 500 mm Sigma lens to their ski helmet (yes – this is a real lens).
So their lunch won’t be eaten by the other ends of the imaging market. Waterproof housings and surf board mounting systems aside, what makes this camera technically interesting? It turns out, a lot. For the repair-focused teardown treatment, visit the folks over at iFixit. |
|
| Technical SpecificationsNiche gadgets get a bum wrap, mostly because most people buy cheap, low quality devices and expect them to deliver. Our experience with the GoPro was nothing but a premium one in terms of materials and build quality – and an attractive MSRP to boot.
The camera uses Wi-Fi for communication with other devices (like phones and PCs) and owners can download iOS and Android apps. Wi-Fi is a relatively high power way to communicate for a handheld device, but it makes sense when considering the benefits of transferring large video files “in the field.” Notably, even with the available bandwidth, it has a fair bit of lag for real-time viewing on devices. Other specifications:
|
  |
| Inside the RemoteThe remote is purpose-designed to be rugged and usable with gloved hands. It isn’t doing much, so there isn’t too much to say about it. But it is Wi-Fi, which we assume is for longer range communication, that is interesting enough in and of itself. Wi-Fi is enabled by the Atheros AR6103.
According to their website, it is ”Atheros’ third-generation Wi-Fi solution, featuring 802.11n for portable consumer electronics devices. Based on the game-changing AR6003 Wi-Fi chip, the AR6103 brings 802.11n throughput, range and power efficiency to portable CE devices…” |
   |
Chips CataloguedThis is a whole bunch of goodness. I know it sounds like we are gushing, but we didn’t expect this device to be quite so advanced. Texas Instruments and Qualcomm Atheros are the big winners here.
|
|
| A Closer Look at the Sony IMX117Sony is a leader in the image sensor space, and here we have the Sony IMX117. This state-of-the-art Exmor-R sensor from Sony features a 1.55 µm back illuminated design on a ceramic substrate. The sensor supports 12 Mp imaging at up to an impressive 35 fps (though the camera advertises a burst rate of 30 fps).
We are showing an X-ray of the module and pixel pitch confirmation at right. |
|
| A Closer Look at Some of the Other ChipsFirst, the Qualcomm Atheros AR6233 802.11n Bluetooth combo. (sorry, low res only here).
Inside, we find two dies. The first with markings EGRET (2.42 mm x 2.54 mm) and the second VENUS (3.55 mm x 3.5 mm). At right, we are also showing the Ambarella A7-B0-RH single chip H.264 codec chip. This device is fabricated in a Samsung 45 nm LP process with an ARM11 core, and is capable of supporting 32 bit DDR3 DRAM. |
|
| A Closer Look at Some of the Other Chips (cont.)The memory is courtesy of ChipSip, a specialty memory module manufacturer that uses advanced packaging in the form of unique wire bonding to deliver a low profile device (first X-ray image). This device contains NAND flash and DDR3 DRAM.
The Freescale K20 MCU die, plus markings (second and third images). The Austria MicroSystems PMU die is quite a bit smaller than the 7 mm x 7 mm QFN56 package. For this teardown, we haven’t looked at the competition, but if AMS has a smaller die, they may have a cost advantage (fourth image).
|
|
Analysis on Devices Found in the GoPro Hero3
There’s an easier way to strap your waterproof camera to your jacket or wetsuit that gets far better quality results than the Hero3. It’s a killer product called the Surf Camera case @ surfcamera.com.
It turns your own compact waterproof camera like Sony or Pentax (which are way better quality at a lower price) into an action camera. A huge advantage also is that you can quickly free the camera from its mount and film your surroundings.
Nonsense.
A ‘normal’ Digicam is way to heavy for serious sport-action.
It is ok for people who don’t want to spend extra money for a professional sport-cam, but for all who want to get really good results with a bullet-proof camera system, there is nothing better than the Hero3 Black edition.
And the Hero has a nice wide-angle lens, nearly a fish-eye lens.
So it is a special package to do one thing right: record when you are busy doing something else.
Great – niche – stuff.
but the hero 3 is not reliable. It freezes.
i was watching a review of the gopro hero3 black,they were talking about the camera and price,,if it was to much and over priced,,,my god,,this sensor is the top of the line and new sensor sony r-exmor sensor.the manufacturing,lab testing,optics an other things that went into making this sensor and camera is just astounding work,,and these small common people are saying 400 dollars is to much maybe,,,my god,,the common man doesnt desrve this high technology,,just complain,,,go up and click on the blue SONY IMX117 and read that spec sheet,,the sensor in the new gopro her3 black is an astounding piece of tech for a camera that people just run around and play with,,400 dollars is sooooo cheap for this kind of high technology,,,people or americans are so spoiled and undeserving blokes,,,,
Did you happen to examine the label in the interior of the battery compartment? I have read some accounts that is made of a conductive foil. Could it be an RF shield? I have read anecdotes that some units have had this label installed high enough to make contact with the battery terminals. See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJHYbe42VQ4