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Alti-Force Sensor Pack Support (Legacy)

Getting Started:

Before using this Alti-Force Sensor Pack with your camera, software needs to be installed on the camera.

The GoPro Hero3 Black and Hero3+ Black need only to run few files from your memory card; however, the GoPro Hero3+ Silver and Hero4 Black and Silver require a full update. Please note that when any update is performed, either from us or GoPro, you do so at your own risk, knowing that unexpected errors may occur that could render the camera inoperable.

Follow these easy steps to proceed with the install:

  1. Start with a fully charged battery.
  2. If your memory card is new, format the card in the camera.
  3. Remove the memory card from the camera and connect card to computer (via card reader).
  4. Download the installer program on the Software Installer section of this page and save it to the memory card.
  5. Run (double-click) the installer program (unzipped .jar file) on the memory card (main/root directory) and follow the on-screen instructions.

The camera will continue to function normally without the Alti-Force Sensor Pack attached, so an uninstall of our software is generally not necessary.

If you choose to uninstall the software, perform the standard update for the GoPro Hero3+ Silver and Hero4 Black and Silver.
For the GoPro Hero3 Black and Hero3+ Black, download the uninstaller program from the Software Uninstaller section of this page (or here).

Compatibility:

Camera Compatibility

GoPro Hero3 Black – YES – firmware v03.00
GoPro Hero3+ Silver – YES – firmware v03.02
GoPro Hero3+ Black – YES – firmware v02.00 | v03.00* | v03.03*
GoPro Hero4 Silver – YES – firmware v05.00
GoPro Hero4 Black – YES – firmware v05.00

All efforts will be made to maintain compatibility with future firmware versions but cannot be guaranteed
*version disables USB mass storage mode, use of memory card reader is required

Case/Housing Compatibility

The GoPro camera with attached Alti-Force Sensor Pack fits in a standard camera housing with an ‘accessory backdoor’ (the deeper one, not the flat one).
The Altitude feature requires an open air vent. We recommend our modified vented backdoor or a skeleton backdoor for housings.  Frame mounts give the best audio and altitude response (although camera is unprotected).

Standard Housing
The original housing shipped with the GoPro Hero3 camera is larger than the newer version.  The Alti-Force Sensor Pack will fit in this housing with an original Hero3 accessory backdoor, but the housings are incompatible with newer accessory backdoors (including our available backdoors).
We recommend replacing the housing with a newer version made for Hero3+ and Hero4 cameras.  All three camera models are the same size and compatible with the newer housing and backdoors.

Frame Mounts
The original frame mount obstructed the back of the camera, preventing accessory attachment.  The newer frames available have open construction with a flip-out support to allow use with accessories.
Warning! Accessories are not well-secured with the frame and may be dislodged.
We recommend using a tie-wrap or rubber band to reduce the chance of losing your Alti-Force Sensor Pack or other accessory.

Player Compatibility

Any that support .SRT subtitle files (check your player’s specifications)

  • Includes most TVs and VLC media player (for all OS platforms)
  • Video must be played via USB mode or memory card reader
  • If copied off camera, video .MP4 and subtitle .SRT files must be copied together to same location

Note: QuickTime and Windows® Media Player do not natively support .SRT subtitles. (see this link for WMP)

Camera Modes

The Alti-Force Sensor Pack records data/subtitles in Video Mode only.

All standard video resolutions and frame rates are supported.

The Alti-Force Sensor Pack does not support Time Lapse and Looping video modes, and is disabled in all Photo modes.

Memory Card Compatibility

While we do not require any specific memory card, let it be known that the GoPro camera likes some and hates others. If you have any troubles after installing Alti-Force, it very well could be your memory card.

We can all learn from shared knowledge.  The Memory Card Table below is reproduced (with permission) from an article documenting a thorough testing of various memory cards and their GoPro compatibility.  In short, anything larger than 32 GB may give you trouble.

Be sure to read the article and look for the section called: Memory Cards: the Horror Story – Trial and Error.

Tech Specs:

Mechanical

Model SP22

Size: 2.36 x 1.38 x 0.40 in (60 x 35 x 10 mm)

Weight: <1 oz (18 g)

Model SP30

Size: 2.32 x 1.61 x 0.40 in (59 x 41 x 10 mm)

Weight: <1 oz (14 g)

Electrical

Standard camera voltage: 3.6v (powered from camera)

Minimal current draw: <2 mA typical

Accelerometer

Tri-axial | ± 16 G’s | 0.1 G resolution

Barometer

Absolute Pressure: 300 to 1100 mbar | 0.1 mbar resolution

Altitude range: -2000 to 30,000 feet | 1 ft resolution

Pressure to Altitude conversion assumes standard atmospheric conditions.

Sampling Rate

Hero 3/3+: approximately 4-6 samples per second

Hero 4:  approximately 25 samples per second

Subtitle Settings

Altitude: Feet | Meters | Both | None
Acceleration: XYZ axes | Total magnitude | All | None
G-bar: On | Off
Temperature: °F | °C | None

— GPS options (Hero4 only) —
Speed: MPH | Km/h | None
Distance: Miles | Kilometers | None
Heading: Degrees | None
GPS track GPX file: On | Off

— additional options —
Altitude offset: Feet only
Altitude smoothing: Low | Medium | High | None
Acceleration smoothing: Low | Medium | High | None
Data CSV file: On | Off

Operation:

The information should be used as a quick reference only.
See the operation guide for full details.

Changing Subtitle Settings

  1. On a computer, run the Settings application – a file on the camera’s memory card named “settings.jar”.
  2. Choose the desired subtitle settings and click Save.

The last used settings should be shown when the Settings application opens.
The settings are stored on the memory card in a file named settings.txt.

Recording Videos

  1. Attach the Alti-Force Sensor Pack, then power on the camera (One-button mode cannot be used, QuikCapture support requires v2.11+).
  2. Wait a few seconds for the top LED to flash red 3 times¹ = sensor pack is ready.
  3. Start video recording (Looping or Time Lapse modes not supported).
  4. Stop video recording, then wait a moment for the top LED to flash red 3 more times¹ = subtitles are saved and sensor pack is ready again.

Be sure to wait for 3 red flashes after stopping a video before starting the next recording, otherwise the sensor pack will not be ready and subtitles may not sync with the video start.

Setting Altitude Offset

  1. Attach the Alti-Force Sensor Pack and power on the camera.
  2. Wait a few seconds for the top LED to flash red 3 times¹ = sensor pack is ready.
  3. Press Mode button (on front of camera) until camera shows Setup screen (wrench or gears).
  4. Press and hold Select button (on top of camera) until top LED flashes red 3 times¹.  The altitude is now set to zero at the camera’s location.

The altitude offset can also be changed from a computer by running the Settings application (Settings.jar) on the camera’s memory card.

Field Calibrating Accelerometer Offsets

  1. Attach the Alti-Force Sensor Pack and power on the camera.
  2. Wait a few seconds for the top LED to flash red 3 times¹ = sensor pack is ready.
  3. Press Mode button (on front of camera) until camera shows Setup screen (wrench or gears).
  4. Place the camera on a flat and level surface.
  5. Press and hold Select button (on top of camera) until top LED flashes red 3 times¹.  Continue To Hold! (The altitude is now set to zero at the camera’s location.)
  6. Continue to hold the Select button until top LED begins flashing red, then release the button and camera. Camera must remain still for a few seconds.  The top LED will turn solid red, then again flash red 3 times¹.  The accelerometer offsets are now set.

Note this feature is available for serial numbers starting with 20F or 30F.

Watching Videos

  1. Attach the camera to a TV or computer via USB cable (not HDMI) to access the videos in USB mass storage mode; or use a memory card reader.
  2. Select the video and play!
  3. The selected subtitles are displayed on-screen by the video player².

If videos are renamed/copied/moved from the camera/card, be sure to also rename/copy/move the subtitle file, which has the same name as the video but ending with .SRT (e.g. GOPR1234.SRT).
Note: for editing, a “burn-in” software should first be used to permanently display the subtitle track on the video (subtitles added after editing or trimming would be out of sync).  DashWare is also available to import Alti-Force data as visual gauges and plots (as seen with Hero5 cameras).

Reviewing Data Files

  1. On a computer, browse to the location of recorded videos on the camera’s memory card (DCIM folder and subfolder).
  2. Locate the desired .mp4 video file. The data file(s) is(are) also in that location having the same name but with .csv extension (for comma-separated values data file) or .gpx extension (for GPS track file).
  3. Open the .csv data file in a spreadsheet format, or analyze with alternate software methods.  The .gpx track file can be imported into a mapping software (such as Google Earth), or used in other software as desired.

¹ LED flashes for sensor pack status occur after, and in addition to, standard camera LED indication.

² Subtitles are displayed on compatible video players only.  See the Compatibility section for more information.

Software Installer:

Now supporting QuikCapture on Hero4 cameras!
Add GPS Speed and Distance with AltiForce GPS mobile app for the Hero4, or
Glide and Speed vectors while capturing at 25Hz with AltiForce GPS EB33 (supported with v3.00+).

Software Download:

Newest installer program: H3/H3+/H4 Installer-v3.00b

After downloading this ZIP file, extract the “AFSPinstaller-v###.jar” file to the main (root) directory of the camera’s memory card (an external card reader may be necessary). Run (double-click) the file on the memory card and follow the on-screen directions.

You may also reference:

  • the Getting Started section of this page
  • the Alti-Force Sensor Pack operation guide in the Literature section of this page
  • the how-to guides on YouTube

Notes:

The installer requires Java™ to run on your computer.  The latest version is available for free at www.java.com/download.
The installer will require internet access to download the camera manufacturer’s software, unless the correct “update.zip” file is already saved on the memory card (we recommend you keep a copy for your camera to use again later).

Change Log – Installer Versions:

Updates in v3.00b: (15 Mar. 2017)

  • Support for EB33 GPS Expander Boards: adds subtitles for Glide, Speed as horizontal and/or vertical
  • New Settings App: including Haptics and GPS options
  • CSV data file to include GPS timestamps (Wi-Fi & Expander Board EB33)

Updates in v2.30b: (15 Nov. 2016)

  • Compatibility with Hero4 camera software v5.00

Updates in v2.21b: (12 Sept. 2016)

  • Compatibility with Hero4 camera software v4.00
  • SP30 Expander board integration

Updates in v2.11b: (6 July 2016)

  • Added Hero4 support for QuikCapture mode (also corrects recording too soon after power-up)
  • Improved Hero4 memory card access protocol
  • Minor CSV data file format change for use with DashWare functions
  • Fix bug in feet to meter conversion

Updates in v2.05: (29 Feb. 2016)

  • Compatibility with Alti-Force Sensor Pack model SP30
  • Added an accelerometer offset tool to reset sensor zero points

Updates in v2.00: (13 Nov. 2015)
Major Upgrade with release of Alti-Force GPS mobile app adding Speed, Distance, and Heading to subtitles and option to save GPS track for mapping!

  • Upgraded features for pairing with Alti-Force GPS mobile app (compatible only with Hero4 Black & Silver)
  • Added settings for mobile app data and subtitles including speed, distance, & heading
  • Added settings for smoothing of Altitude and Acceleration subtitles
  • Added advanced setting to display inputs from ID1 & ID2
  • Upgraded features of Settings App (settings.jar)
  • Added entries to CSV data file: Date/Time, GPS, Ground offset, Serial Number

Updates in v1.53:  (7 Sept. 2015)

  • Compatibility with Hero3+ Black camera software v3.03
  • Compatibility with Hero3+ Silver camera software v3.02

Updates in v1.52: (24 Aug. 2015)

  • Compatibility with Hero4 Black & Silver camera software v03.00

Updates in v1.50: (6 July 2015)

  • Improved and/or increased sampling rate (approx. 25Hz for H4, 4-5 Hz for H3+)
  • Added advanced setting to limit subtitle display rate used in generating SRT file
  • Added advanced setting to display G-force subtitle as 1 or 2 decimal places
  • Improved data synchronization to start of video recording (H4 only)
  • General code optimization to reduce processing overhead
  • Fix error handling for memory card access
  • Fix bug in Video+Photo mode and/or long recordings spanning multiple folders

v1.00: (20 Mar. 2015)

  • Initial release

Settings App:

The file named “Settings.jar” was saved on the memory card in the main (root) directory when the camera software was installed.  If you deleted it, or formatted your card, you can download another copy here:

Settings Application: v3.00+

Settings Application: v2.00-2.30b

After downloading this ZIP file, extract the Settings.jar file to the camera’s memory card (root directory).  Run the application on the card to change subtitle display settings.

Software Uninstaller:

The camera will continue to function normally with the Alti-Force Sensor Pack unattached, so an uninstall of our software is not normally necessary; however, for the GoPro® Hero3 Black and Hero3+ Black, an uninstall is required before updating the camera firmware.

Download the uninstaller program here: (H3/H3+ Black Uninstaller)

After downloading this ZIP file, extract the file(s) to the camera’s memory card (root directory).  Power on the camera and wait for it to reboot.  That’s all!

If you choose to uninstall the software from the GoPro Hero3+ Silver, or Hero4 Black or Silver, perform the manufacturer’s standard software update with the latest version.
Here are the GoPro website links for your convenience: (H3+ Silver) (H4 Black or Silver)

Dashware Items:

We’ve created a DashWare data profile and some gauges to use with Alti-Force CSV data files.  You are free to use the files as is, or make modifications to suit your needs.  Please keep in mind that we cannot provide support for DashWare or other video editing and have supplied these files simply for your editing pleasure.

After downloading the Alti-Force DashWare ZIP file, extract and merge the folders/files into your DashWare subfolders. They will then be selectable from within the DashWare program.  Enjoy!

Camera Recovery:

We wanted to add this information to our support page just in case a software update, or other mishap, turned your camera into a paperweight, a.k.a. “a brick”.

If you have yourself a bricked Hero4 camera, have a read here: How to reflash firmware onto a bricked Hero4 camera over USB

Literature:

Operation Guide PDF for the Alti-Force Sensor Pack (including Alti-Force GPS mobile app and hardware GPS expander settings).

Quick Facts PDF page about the Alti-Force Sensor Pack.

Design your own using our guideline SP30 Expander Circuit Board dimensions

Installation Notes for the GPS Expander Board Kit

Water-resistant Air Vent installation instructions here.

ALD Systems