This tutorial explains how to import video files from external cameras, link them to your session, and adjust the synchronisation of already linked video files.
If your videos were recorded using the GoPro remote control feature, see the dedicated tutorial for linking GoPro remote-control videos — it’s a simpler flow.
Step 1: Copy the video files to your phone
Copy the video files from your external camera to your phone or tablet. See Tutorial: Copying video files from external cameras to your phone for instructions.
Note that GoPro video files can be imported directly from the cameras, in which case you can skip this step.
Step 2: Import video files to your session
- Open your session and tap the round light-blue button to open the session
Videos screen:
- Tap the Add files button to open the Video import screen.
- Choose where to import your videos from. Note that any GoPro action cameras you’ve set up in RaceChrono will also appear in the list — select one to import directly from that camera.
- When you’ve finished downloading the videos you need, tap Done to import them to your session.
Step 3: Link the videos
RaceChrono automatically attempts to link and synchronise all video files imported to a session with the session data based on the GPS data embedded into the video files. However, automatic synchronisation may fail for several reasons:
- No GPS data was recorded and embedded into the video files — either the camera’s GPS was turned off, or it didn’t get a proper satellite lock while recording.
- The recorded GPS timestamps don’t fall within the session’s time range. Make sure you’re syncing the correct video files to the correct session. If you resumed the session, make sure the correct Session start or Session resume # entry is selected before trying to synchronise the video files.
In case the automatic synchronisation fails, the video thumbnail is shown with the red text “Not synchronised”.
Link and synchronise the video manually by following the instructions in Tutorial: Adjusting video synchronisation.
Linking chapter files
All action cameras split long recordings into multiple files to limit the size of an individual file. These files are called chapter files. In RaceChrono you only need to synchronise the first file manually — the rest can be linked after the previous file. RaceChrono recognises GoPro chapters and links them automatically after the first linked file. For chapter files from other cameras, use Link after… for each unlinked file.
Old video tutorial
The following video tutorial is for version v3.20, but the main principles still apply. The video may give a little more insight into the synchronisation.
And here’s the finished exported video from that tutorial. Notice that the only software used in making this video was RaceChrono Pro!
The video itself was recorded with a GoPro HERO3+ Black Edition at 720p. It was supposed to be a 24-hour race, so the 720p setting was chosen to make the memory cards last longer.