GoPro Hero3plus Black Edition User manual

User ManUal

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table of contents
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other GoPro owners are capturing and sharing. Share your
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Accessories 4
Mounts + Accessories 5
HERO3 Features 6
Camera LCD Status Screen 8
Camera User Interface Flow Chart 9
Soware Updates 10
Basics 10
Camera Modes 13
Camera Settings 20
Delete 26
Set Up 28
Wireless Controls 36
Storage/SD Cards 38
System Requirements 39
Transferring Files 40
Playback 41
Battery Life 43
Important Warning Messages 45
Camera Assembly 46
Customer Support 52

4 5
HERO3 ACCESSORIES
Wrist Housing
Replacement Housing
Rechargeable Li-Ion Battery
Lens Replacement Kit
Caps + Doors
32GB/16GB microSD™
More HERO3 accessories available at gopro.com
PREMIUM ACCESSORIES
LCD Touch BacPac™
Battery BacPac™
Wi-Fi Remote™
The Frame Mount
(HERO3 accessory)
MOUNTS + ACCESSORIES
Helmet Front
Mount
Chest Mount
Harness
Handlebar/Seatpost/
Pole Mount Surfboard Mounts
Floaty Backdoor Head Strap Suction Cup Mount Vented Helmet
Strap
Roll Bar Mount Tripod Mount Anti-Fog Inserts Grab Bag of
Mounts
Curved + Flat
Adhesive Mounts Side Mount Camera Tethers Wi-Fi Remote
Mounting Kit
see More at gopro.comwear it. MoUnt it. love it.

6 7
Hero3 featUresHero3 featUres
1. Status Indicator Lights (Red)
2. SHUTTER/SELECT Button
3. LCD Status Screen
4. Wi-Fi Indicator Light (Blue)
5. POWER/MODE Button
6. Micro HDMI Port
(Cable not included)
7. microSDTM Card Slot
(SD card not included)
8. mini-USB Port
(Supports Composite A/C
cable/3.5mm stereo mic adapter,
not included)
9. HERO Port
10. Battery Door
11. Wi-Fi ON/OFF Button
12. Audio Alert

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caMera lcd statUs screen caMera User interface flow cHart
MODES
CAMERA SETTINGS
SET UP
WI-FI
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. Time/Storage/Files
7. Battery Life
Note: The icons displayed above will vary depending on what mode your camera is in. *Note: White Balance only appears in your camera display if Protune mode is
turned ON. Playback only appears if Playback is activated.

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UsinG YoUr Hero3: basics
GETTING STARTED
Before using your HERO3 for the first time:
1. Insert a microSD™, microSDHC™ or microSDXC™ card into the card
slot with label facing forward, narrowest part of the card first.
Speed Class 4 or higher cards are recommended. When using 0.5 second Time
Lapse, a Speed Class Rating 10 is required.
2. Place battery into the camera.
3. Charge battery. The included lithium-ion battery comes partially charged. 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.
PRO
TIP:
Status Indicator Lights when camera is OFF and
charging, show:
• Status Indicator Lights are ON when charging.
• Status Indicator Lights are OFF when charging is complete.
▶See BATTERY LIFE for more information.
▶See PROTUNE for more information.
software UPdates
GoPro releases product updates through soware updates. Check
to see if any updates are available for your camera or other GoPro
products. Visit: gopro.com/update.
UsinG YoUr Hero3: basics
CAMERA DEFAULT SETTINGS
The HERO3 White Edition camera powers up with the following default settings:
Video Resolution 1080p30fps
Photo Resolution 5 Megapixels (MP)
Photo Burst 3 photos in 1 second
Time Lapse 0.5 seconds
Wi-Fi OFF
PRO
TIP:
Want to change your VIDEO and PHOTO settings?
▶See SETTINGS MENU to make changes.

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POWERING ON AND OFF
To power ON:
Press and release . The red Status Indicator Lights flash three times and
the Sound Indicator emits three beeps.
To power OFF:
Press for two seconds, then release. The red Status Indicator Lights flash
several times and the Sound Indicator emits seven beeps.
PRO
TIP:
Want to turn your HERO3 into a “one-button” camera that
automatically starts recording Photos or Videos once it
turns ON? Set the camera to ONE BUTTON mode.
▶See ONE BUTTON mode for more information.
UsinG YoUr Hero3: basics
OVERVIEW
The HERO3 features several camera modes. To cycle through the modes, press .
The modes will appear in the following order:
VIDEO Record Video
PHOTO Capture single Photo
PHOTO BURST Capture Burst photos
TIME LAPSE Capture Time Lapse photos
PLAYBACK
Appears only if the camera is plugged into a TV/HDTV.
PLAYBACK allows you to play Photos and Videos
on a TV/HDTV (via optional Micro HDMI cable or A/V
composite cable).
PRO
TIP:
Use PHOTO BURST to capture fast moving subjects.
▶See PLAYBACK for more information.
UsinG YoUr Hero3: caMera Modes

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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 repeatedly until it appears.
To start recording:
Press and release . The camera will emit one beep and the red Status
Indicator Lights will flash while recording.
To stop recording:
Press and release . The red Status Indicator Lights flash three times and the
camera emits three beeps to indicate recording has stopped.
The HERO3 automatically stops recording when the memory card is full or the
battery is out of power. Your video will be saved before the camera powers off.
▶See VIDEO mode for instructions on how to change resolution settings.
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 repeatedly until it appears.
To take a photo:
Press and release . The camera beeps two times and the red Status
Indicator Lights flash.
▶See PHOTO modes for instructions on how to change resolution settings and
other Photo features.

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UsinG YoUr Hero3: caMera Modes
PHOTO BURST
In Photo Burst mode, your camera takes multiple photos in short time intervals—
3 photos/1 second.
To capture a Photo Burst series, verify the camera is in Photo Burst mode. If the
Photo Burst icon on your camera’s LCD screen is not showing, press
repeatedly until it appears.
To take a Photo Burst series:
Press and release . The red Status Indicator Lights flash and the camera
beeps multiple times.
PRO
TIP:
Sometimes 30 photos/1 second is too fast. Try a slower
Burst setting to better match the action.
▶See PHOTO BURST for instructions on how to change the interval settings.
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. When using the 0.5 seconds setting, an SD card with a Speed Class 10
Rating is required.
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
repeatedly until it appears.
To take Time Lapse:
Press and release . The camera initiates countdown and the red Status Indicator
Lights flash each time a Photo is taken.
To stop Time Lapse:
Press and release . The red Status Indicator Lights flash three times and the
camera emits three beeps to indicate that Time Lapse has stopped.
▶See TIME LAPSE for instructions on how to change the interval settings.

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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
Photo Burst
•and more
▶See SETTINGS MENU to make changes, learn how to navigate menu options
and read more details on each setting.
UsinG YoUr Hero3: caMera Modes
PLAYBACK
You can playback your GoPro Photos and Videos on a TV/HDTV or with the
LCD Touch BacPac™(optional accessory). Playback appears as a camera mode
when camera is powered ON and plugged into a TV/HDTV.
▶See PLAYBACK for more information on viewing your Videos and Photos.

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caMera settinGs
SETTINGS
To enter the Settings menu:
1. Verify the camera is in the Settings menu. If the Setting icon on your
camera’s LCD screen is not showing, press repeatedly until it appears.
2. Press to enter menu.
3. Use to cycle through the various Settings options.
4. Press to select desired option.
5. To exit, hold down for two seconds or cycle through to and press .
PRO
TIP:
If at any time you wish to exit from the SETTINGS MENU,
press and hold for two seconds.
caMera settinGs
VIDEO RESOLUTION/FPS/FOV MODES
The HERO3 White Edition offers the following Video Capture modes:
Video
Resolution
NTSC
fps
PAL
fps
Field of
View (FOV)
Screen
Resolution
Best Use
1080p 30fps 25fps Ultra Wide 1920x1080
16:9
Use this mode when
camera is mounted on a
vehicle, tripod or other
stable object.
960p 30fps 25fps Ultra Wide 1280x960
4:3
High-quality 4:3 video.
Good when shooting in
low light conditions. Use
for body-mounted shots.
720p 60fps 50fps Ultra Wide 1280x720
16:9
Best resolution frame
rate for handheld shots
and when slow motion is
desired.
720p 30fps 25fps Ultra Wide 1280x720
16:9
Best resolution for
handheld shots and low
light conditions. Choose
this mode when camera
is mounted on vehicle,
tripod or other stable
object.
WVGA 60fps 50fps Ultra Wide 848x480 Good when standard
definition is acceptable.

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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 NEEDto flip your video or photos
aer recording.
Camera right side up (Default)
Camera upside down
SPOT METER
Turn on Spot Meter when filming from within a dark space pointing the
camera into a brighter setting, such as filming the outdoors from within a car.
When Spot Meter is set to ON, appears in the LCD window.
OFF (Default)
ON
caMera settinGs
LOOPING VIDEO
Looping Video mode allows you to record a continuously looping video that
overwrites itself until you press the button to stop it. Looping Video is
not available if Protune mode is turned ON.
Looping Video options inlcude:
OFF (Default)
Max video Camera records until memory card is full, then overwrites with a
new video.
5 min video Camera records for 5 minutes, then begins a new video,
progressively overwriting the previous 5 minute video.
20 min video Camera records for 20 minutes, then begins a new video,
progressively overwriting the previous 20 minute video.
60 min video Camera records for 60 minutes, then begins a new video,
progressively overwriting the previous 60 minute video.
120 min video Camera records for 120 minutes, then begins a new video,
progressively overwriting the previous 120 minute video.
PRO
TIP:
Multiple chapter files are written to your memory card. This
allows for small segments of content to be overwritten during
loop recording. When viewing on a computer screen you will see
separate files for each time segment. Use video editing soware if
you wish to combine files into a longer video.
Note: Looping Video is not enabled when in Protune mode.

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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.
caMera settinGs
WIRELESS CONTROLS
The HERO3 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, your Wi-Fi
Status Indicator Light will blink blue.
To turn Wi-Fi ON/OFF:
Press to turn Wi-Fi ON/OFF. The most recently used Wi-Fi mode will be
active when Wi-Fi is ON.
▶See WIRELESS CONTROLS section for a complete list of wireless functions

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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
ALL
To delete LAST or ALL:
1. Verify the camera is in Settings mode. If the Settings icon
on your
camera’s LCD screen
is not showing, press repeatedly until it appears.
2. Press to enter Settings menu.
3. Use to cycle through Settings to locate .
4. Press to enter Delete.
5. Use to cycle through options.
6. Select highlighted option by pressing .
7. To exit, hold down for two seconds or cycle through to and press .
PRO
TIP:
Use caution — by selecting ALL, the memory card will be
formatted, deleting every file on your SD card.
caMera settinGs
EXIT
From the EXIT screen, press to exit the Settings menu.
PRO
TIP:
If at anytime you wish to exit from the CAMERA SETTINGS
MENU, press and hold for two seconds.

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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 repeatedly until it appears.
2. Press to enter .
3. Use to cycle through Settings to locate .
4. Press to enter Set Up.
5. Use to locate the desired option to change.
6. Press to select the desired option.
7. To exit, hold down for two seconds or cycle through to and
press .
set UP
DEFAULT MODE AT POWER UP
You can set the camera’s Default mode at power up to any of the following modes:
(factory default)

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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.
OFF (Default)
ON
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 repeatedly until it appears.
2. Press to enter menu.
3. Use to cycle through Settings to locate .
4. Press to enter Set Up.
5. Use to cycle through to locate .
6. Press to enter One Button menu.
7. Use to cycle through options.
8. Press to select a highlighted option.
9. To exit, hold down for two seconds or cycle through to and press .
Next time you power your camera ON, it will begin recording in its Default
Power Up Mode. To stop recording, push and hold for two seconds.
set UP
ONE BUTTON MODE (continued)
To exit One Button mode:
1. Power camera ON.
2. Press and hold until shows in the LCD window.
3. Press to enter.
4. Use to highlight OFF.
5. Press to select.
6. To exit, hold down for two seconds or cycle through to and press .
PRO
TIP:
To stop the capture process (VIDEO or TIME LAPSE) when in
ONE BUTTON, press and hold 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 or GoPro App.

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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.
NTSC (Default) PAL
1080p/30fps 1080p/25fps
960p/30fps 960p/25fps
720p/60fps 720p/50fps
720p/30fps 720p/25fps
WVGA/60fps WVGA/50fps
ONSCREEN DISPLAY
To display or hide the recording icons and file information on video or the
viewing screen during playback, turn Onscreen Display (OSD) OFF or ON.
OFF
ON (Default)
set UP
STATUS INDICATOR LIGHTS
Keep all four Status Indicator Lights active, only two active (front and back)
or turn OFF all lights.
4 (Default)
2
OFF
SOUND INDICATOR
You can adjust volume or turn OFF the Sound Indicator.
100% (Default)
70%
OFF
MANUAL POWER OFF
The HERO3 can be configured to automatically power OFF aer a specific
period of inactivity (when no Videos or Photos are being taken and no
buttons have been pressed).
MANUAL (Default)
60sec
120sec
300sec

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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 repeatedly until it appears.
2. Press to enter menu.
3. Use to cycle through Settings to locate .
4. Press to enter Set Up.
5. Use to locate .
6. Press to enter Month/Day/Year/Time sub-menu; Month (MM) will
be highlighted.
7. Press to access the list of months (1 to 12).
8. Use to cycle through list until desired selection is highlighted.
9. Press to select.
10. To advance to the next option, press .
11. Repeat steps 7, 8 and 9 to make selections for day (DD), year (YY), hour
(HH) and minutes (MM).
12. To exit, hold down for two seconds or cycle through to and
press .
Note: If the battery is removed from the camera for an extended period of time
MONTH/DAY/YEAR/TIME will need to be set again.
set UP
EXIT
From the EXIT screen, press to exit the Set Up menu.
PRO
TIP:
If at anytime you wish to exit from the SET UP MENU, press
and hold for two seconds.

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wireless controls
WIRELESS CONTROLS
The built-in Wi-Fi allows your HERO3 camera to connect to the Wi-Fi Remote
and smartphone/tablet via the GoPro App.
To turn Wi-Fi ON/OFF via the Wi-Fi button:
Press to turn Wi-Fi ON/OFF. When turning Wi-Fi ON the Wi-Fi mode will
be set to the most recently used mode.
USING HERO3 WITH THE WI-FI REMOTE NOT PAIRING
Pair your HERO3 with the Wi-Fi Remote to control your camera remotely. The
Wi-Fi Remote can control up to 50 cameras at a time at distances of up to
600’/180m in optimal conditions.
1. Power ON the HERO3 and turn Wi-Fi ON.
2. Press to cycle through to the Settings menu.
3. Press to enter .
3. Use to cycle through to locate .
4. Press to enter Wireless Controls.
5. You will see .
6. Press again to enter the sub-menu.
7. Use to select Wi-Fi RC.
8. Press to select it.
9. Use to select CURRENT or NEW.
10. Press to select desired option.
wireless controls
WIRELESS CONTROLS CONTINUED
On your Wi-Fi Remote:
1. Turn ON the GoPro Wi-Fi Remote.
2. While holding , press and release .
3. Once you see , you can release .
4. A check will appear once the Wi-Fi Remote and camera have
successfully paired.
The Wi-Fi Remote’s LCD screen will now mirror the HERO3 LCD screen.
USING THE HERO3 WITH THE GOPRO APP
The GoPro App lets you control your camera remotely using a smartphone or
tablet. Features include full camera control of all settings, live video preview to
your smartphone or tablet for easy shot framing and more.
The GoPro App is available for free at the Apple App Store and is coming soon
to Google Play.
PRO
TIP:
Before you hit the shutter, see what your HERO3 camera sees
by viewing it on your smartphone or tablet’s screen.
▶See gopro.com for more information.

38 39
storaGe/Microsd cards
The HERO3 camera is compatible with 2GB, 4GB, 8GB, 16GB, 32GB and 64GB
capacity microSD, microSDHC and microSDXC memory cards. While all speed
class ratings are compatible, GoPro requires using an SD card with Speed Class
Rating 10 or higher speed when recording in Protune mode, or when using the
0.5 Time Lapse setting. GoPro recommends using brand name memory cards for
maximum reliability in high-vibration activities.
To insert SD card: To remove SD card:
1. Slide memory card into card slot
with label facing front of camera.
2. The card will click into place when
fully inserted.
1. Place fingernail against edge of
memory card and lightly press
further into camera.
2. Card will spring out far enough to
be removed.
PRO
TIP:
Use care when handling memory cards. Avoid liquids, dust and
debris. As a precaution, turn off the camera before inserting or
removing the card. Check manufacturer guidelines regarding use
in acceptable temperature ranges.
sYsteM reqUireMents
The HERO3 camera is compatible with Microso® XP (Service Pack 2) or later
and Mac OS X 10.4.11 or later.
WINDOWS MAC
Windows XP (Service Pack 2 or later)
or Vista
Mac OS® X 10.4.11 or later
3.2GHz Pentium 4 or faster 2.0GHz Intel Core Duo or faster
DirectX 9.0c or later
Minimum 1GB of system RAM Minimum 1GB of system RAM
Video card with minimum 256MB
of RAM
Video card with minimum 128MB
of RAM
PRO
TIP:
Want to see your footage and stills on the big screen? Plug your
HERO3 directly into a TV/HDTV with GoPro’s Micro HDMI cable or
USB cable (optional accessories).