Integrating a GoPro with your car’s OBD2 system can unlock a powerful way to overlay real-time performance data onto your track day videos. Apps like TrackAddict make this integration seamless, but sometimes users encounter snags in getting everything to work smoothly. Let’s dive into a common scenario faced by enthusiasts looking to combine GoPro footage with OBD2 data and explore potential solutions.
One user, new to using GoPro with OBD2 for car tracking, shared their experience setting up external camera control with TrackAddict. They were aiming to use their GoPro to record track sessions, triggered by the app, while simultaneously logging OBD2 data. The initial setup seemed promising – TrackAddict recognized the GoPro, indicated a connection, and even powered on the camera. However, when attempting to start recording within the app, an error message popped up: “Failed to start video recording! Please check your device’s settings and ensure that this app has access to use the microphone.”
This error message can be misleading when you’re focused on external camera control. It suggests a microphone issue, which might not immediately seem relevant to Gopro Obd2 integration. The user also noted experiencing inconsistent recording starts. Sometimes the GoPro would begin recording, only to stop a second or two later, indicated by the ExtCam icon flashing blue and reverting to green in the TrackAddict interface.
Let’s break down these issues and explore possible causes and solutions for a more reliable GoPro OBD2 setup.
First, the microphone error message, while seemingly unrelated, can sometimes be a generic error thrown by apps when they encounter problems initiating video recording. It’s worth double-checking the iPhone’s (in this case, an iPhone 4) privacy settings to ensure TrackAddict has microphone access, even if you’re primarily using an external camera. To do this, navigate to Settings > Privacy > Microphone and ensure TrackAddict is enabled. While the external GoPro is the primary video source, the app might still require microphone permissions for internal processes or in case you switch to phone-based recording.
The more pressing issue is the inconsistent GoPro recording starts. The user correctly identified a potential culprit: WiFi delay. GoPro cameras, especially older models like the Hero 3+, do have a slight delay in WiFi communication. When TrackAddict initiates recording, it sends a signal to the GoPro over WiFi. This delay could be causing a conflict, particularly when starting a segment in TrackAddict.
Here are a few troubleshooting steps to address the inconsistent recording starts:
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Timing and Speed: The user noted that waiting briefly after starting a segment before moving the car seemed to improve recording consistency. This observation is crucial. Give the GoPro and TrackAddict a few extra seconds to establish a stable connection and recording link before you begin driving. The app is designed to start recording upon movement, but the initial moments might be sensitive to WiFi lag.
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WiFi Connection Stability: Ensure a strong and stable WiFi connection between your iPhone and GoPro. Minimize potential interference. While in a car, especially at a track, WiFi signals can sometimes be affected.
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GoPro Settings: While not explicitly mentioned as adjustable in the original post, some GoPro models have settings related to WiFi performance or modes. Consult your GoPro Hero 3+ manual to see if there are any settings that might optimize WiFi connectivity for remote control.
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TrackAddict Settings Review: Double-check all TrackAddict settings related to GoPro control. The user’s settings seem correct (“Camera Control: GoPro” enabled). Experiment with toggling “GPS Enhanced” or “Stabilize” (though these are less likely to be directly related to recording start issues) to see if there’s any unexpected behavior.
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App and Device Updates: Although the user’s setup is a bit older (iPhone 4, GoPro Hero 3+, TrackAddict from 2015), ensuring both the TrackAddict app and the iPhone operating system are as up-to-date as possible within the constraints of the hardware is generally good practice. While a full update might not be feasible on older devices, checking for any minor updates available could resolve underlying software glitches.
In conclusion, integrating a GoPro with OBD2 data using apps like TrackAddict is a fantastic way to enhance your car performance analysis. While occasional hiccups can occur, understanding potential causes like microphone permissions, WiFi delays, and timing considerations can help you troubleshoot and achieve a reliable recording setup. By systematically checking settings, connection stability, and timing your segment starts, you can likely overcome these challenges and enjoy seamless GoPro OBD2 data logging for your track days and performance driving.
