Yes GoPro can record while connected to a power source. This is achieved by drawing power directly from the power supply instead of the battery. Note that the battery cannot be continuously charged during this time.
GoPro is the go-to videography tool for surfing, skateboarding, skydiving and all manner of adventures. However, what makes the GoPro ideal for this type of filming also means that its battery life is not the best. If you want longer recording times, you may be wondering whether you can simply plug the GoPro into a power outlet and it will continue recording.
The ability to record while the GoPro is plugged in allows you to record for longer periods of time than you would be able to do with batteries alone. However, it is not possible to charge and record at the same time. In addition, longer periods of use may lead to problems such as overheating.
So what else should I know about GoPro and in-car recording? Are there any restrictions on what you can plug in? These questions are answered in this section.
Will gopro work while charging ?
GoPro is a great adventure camera, but not much is known about its battery life. In fact, even high-end GoPro models only have a few hours of battery life.
This gives you sharper video and better resolution, but often at the expense of battery life. So what can you do if you want to get more out of your device?
GoPro can record while connected to a power source. This is achieved by drawing power directly from the power supply instead of the battery. Note that the battery cannot be continuously charged during this time.
It’s pretty short and sweet. In most cases, you will need a reliable power source. If you use a wall outlet, you can use it in most areas.
You could also use a power pack like this Anker portable charger. Just make sure you have enough power – 10,000 mAH is recommended.
It’s also worth noting that this configuration allows you to use your GoPro without a battery pack. The disadvantage is that you can’t record while connected and you can’t charge the battery. To do so, recording must be stopped. However, with a reliable power supply, you can run your GoPro for as long as you want (and as long as the SD card lasts).
This is ideal for longer recording sessions. With a suitable USB connector, you can even set up your GoPro in the car – just be aware that charging from a PC may not work.
Is it safe to use your GoPro while charging?
Now you know that you can connect your GoPro and record while powered on. But are there any downsides to this configuration – will it damage the GoPro or the battery?
This is a fairly common question about GoPros. Some models cost several hundred dollars, so it’s worth trying to protect your investment.
There are a number of issues that can occur when recording while connected. The most common is overheating – GoPros can run for long periods of time and start to overheat, which can result in some damage. This is even more dangerous if you are in a hot climate.
However, aside from overheating, there aren’t many problems if you use your GoPro and connect it at the same time. Of course, you have to ensure that you use high-quality cables and power supplies. There are inherent risks in using household power sources, such as unexpected surges.
How long does it take to charge the GoPro?
If you’re concerned about battery life, you may also be concerned about charging time – you can connect your GoPro to another power source, but only if you need to rely on the battery. When the juice runs out, you need to charge it.
So, how long does it take?
Depending on the power supply, it can take up to two hours to charge the GoPro. On a low-current power supply, it can take up to four hours to achieve a full charge. Battery ageing can also affect charging efficiency.
Also note that if you are using a reliable power supply, most of the charging is done within the first hour. In most cases, the battery will reach about 80% within the first hour alone. Again, other factors such as battery aging and environmental heat are also relevant.
How long does the GoPro battery last while recording?
Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Now, you might think that battery life varies between GoPro models. Well, it does, but that’s not the whole picture – how you use your GoPro also plays a part in how long you can record. Here’s what you need to know.
A typical GoPro battery lasts between one and two hours; how you use your GoPro and other factors such as battery life will affect this figure. In general, the higher the resolution, the greater the strain on the battery.
To get the full picture, let’s look at the battery life of a particular model, the HERO10 Black, when recording at different resolutions.
- 5.3k – 47 minutes
- 4k – 72 minutes
- 1080p – 83 minutes
Factors such as aspect ratio and frames per second also contribute to shorter battery life. If you are taking action shots or trying to do loop recording, the number of frames per second required increases. That’s the beauty of GoPros – they can handle high video, resolution and fast frame rates, but battery life is compromised.
How can I tell if my GoPro is recording?
This is tricky. When charging, many people tend to look at the screen and assume that the battery is not charging while recording, when in fact it is charging while recording even if it is not displayed.
Summary
GoPros are excellent devices for capturing sharp quality video, but they are not known for their battery life. In most cases, you can shoot about two hours of video before the device goes to sleep.
However, as we have learnt, connecting the GoPro to a separate power source to continue recording is not a problem. The problem is that you cannot record and charge the battery at the same time.