Tutorial: Overview of importing video files to RaceChrono

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There’s two different use cases for importing video files to RaceChrono: The first one is to import the embedded data inside the video files to create a completely new session, and the second is to import video files in order to synchronise them to an existing session. The most common issue users are having when importing video files to RaceChrono is selecting a wrong data type for their use case.

1. Importing GoPro sensor data

Select “GoPro sensor data” data type when you want to import the GPS and other sensor data embedded in the GoPro video files and create a new session from this data.

Clicking the Start button will create a new session from the data that is embedded in the GoPro video files. The video file will be automatically synchronised with the new session.

Full tutorial on importing GoPro sensor data: https://racechrono.com/article/2753

Using the GoPro Quik app to import your files: https://racechrono.com/article/3038

Supported cameras

When importing as “GoPro sensor data”, RaceChrono reads GPMF telemetry from the MP4/MOV container. This is supported on GoPro HERO5 and newer, GoPro MAX (after stitching), and other cameras that write GoPro-compatible GPMF metadata.

2. Importing raw video files only

Select “Raw video files only” as the data type when you want to import the video files to RaceChrono, and synchronize them to an already existing session.

Clicking the Start button import (just copy) the video files over to RaceChrono’s raw video folder. You can browse the video files in that folder by going to your session’s video list (RaceChrono > Sessions > your session > Videos), and click open the “App storage / Internal storage” tab. 

Full tutorial on importing raw video files: https://racechrono.com/article/2059

Full tutorial on synchronising the already imported raw video files to your sessions: https://racechrono.com/article/480

Using the GoPro Quik app to import your files: https://racechrono.com/article/3038

Supported video formats

RaceChrono accepts the following video container formats for import:

  • MP4 (.mp4) — the most common format, used by GoPro, DJI, Insta360, smartphones, and most action cameras
  • QuickTime (.mov) — used by Apple devices and many DSLR/mirrorless cameras
  • Matroska (.mkv)
  • 3GPP (.3gp)
  • WebM (.webm)
  • GoPro low-resolution video (.lrv)
  • DJI low-resolution video (.lrf)

Inside those containers, RaceChrono can play back any video stream that the device’s operating system supports for decoding. In practice this means H.264 (AVC) and H.265 (HEVC) are supported on virtually all modern Android and iOS devices, while newer codecs such as AV1 depend on the device. If a file imports successfully but does not play back, the codec inside the container is usually the cause.

GoPro .360 files

Files with the .360 extension (GoPro MAX, GoPro Fusion) are technically MP4 containers, but they hold two separate fisheye streams that must be stitched together by GoPro Player or GoPro’s mobile app before RaceChrono can use them. Export a regular flat or reframed .mp4 from GoPro’s software first, then import that into RaceChrono.