gopro-sync is a simple command line interface (CLI) application to wirelessly operate the shutter of multiple GoPro cameras. The application uses the Open GoPro Python SDK to control the GoPro cameras and Rich to provide the CLI user interface.
The application is intended synchronize the recording of multiple GoPro cameras with a Mobility Lab gait analysis system.
Heads up! The application provides "synchronization" in the sense that it sends the command to trigger each camera's shutter at the same time. The Open GoPro SDK utilizes asyncio to handle wireless communication with the cameras, which can result in a time difference between the start and stop time of each camera.
The Open GoPro API is supported on all GoPro cameras since the Hero 9. Full camera compatibility details, including required firmware versions, can be found here.
While the Open GoPro API has broad compatibility across different cameras models, the gopro-sync app has only been tested with the Hero 12 Black. I suspect that other cameras models will NOT work with this application for the following reason: when the application initializes a GoPro it tries to enforce standardized video settings (fps, resolution, etc), but not all cameras models support the same settings (as far as I can tell).
The easiest way to install the gopro-sync application is to grab the latest release here. Simply unzip the application and run the executable, that's all there is to it!
Heads up! The executable is designed to run on Windows 10/11. Other Windows versions might work, but have not been tested. Linux and macOS are not currently supported by this installation method.
If you want to instead run the application via Python then you can clone this repository and install the requirements. It is recommended to use a virtual environment; check out virtualenv or venv if you are new to virtual environments.
This method will probably allow the application to run on other operating systems, provided your OS is compatible with the required Python packages. So far all testing has been done on Windows though, so I can't make any assurances of compatibility.
Heads up! Open GoPro requires Python >= 3.9 and < 3.12
git clone https://github.com/william-ls-liu/gopro-sync.git
cd gopro-sync
pip install -r requirements.txt- Executable: right click the executable and select Run as administrator
- Python:
python app.py
Type Connect into the prompt and press ENTER. The app will conduct a Bluetooth scan and display a table of found cameras. You can choose to connect to All found cameras, select an individual camera to connect to, or choose not connect to any of the found cameras.
Heads up! If you are connecting a specific GoPro camera for the first time, you need to put that camera into pairing mode. Consult the user manual for your specific camera model for instructions. After the initial connection is complete, you do not need to enter pairing mode when reconnecting that camera.
Once you have connected the desired cameras you are ready to start a recording. Type Record and then press ENTER. The app will verify that each GoPro is ready to start capturing video; if all connected cameras are ready then the app will begin listening for the start trigger (the PageDown keycode). The app is designed around a Logitech R400 presentation remote. When you press the slide forward button on the remote it sends the PageDown keycode.
Pressing the slide forward button once will start a recording, and pressing it again will end the recording. Pressing PageDown on a keyboard will also trigger a recording, but it has to be a dedicated PageDown key. If your keyboard requires a modifier to be held, like Fn, to access the PageDown key then the recording will not start.
Heads up! The application will trigger a recording upon receipt of a PageDown keycode, even if it is not in focus.
