Yep! The same problem is documented on their forum.

The file size is 3.66gigs.

What forum did you go to? I did not find an official forum. I did submit a ticket to support and then posted here as I know some Vegas users are using the product.

j razz

GoPro forum here -> http://goprouser.freeforums.org/

Loads of tips and DIY's

Thanks. I thought you meant they had an official forum. I recieved a reply from GoPro. I found it less than helpful.

Here is the email chain thus far:
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I was doing some recording today after getting the BackPak (LCD screen for the HD Hero) and the recording was a little under 2 hours. Everything seemed to be going fine but when I went to review the footage later in the day, it only recorded 34 minutes and 18 seconds in 720 60p mode. I am using a 16gig SDHC class 10 ADATA card and it has performed well when recording in other modes on this cam. It seems that it reached the FAT file size limit and will not create subsequent files. I read somewhere before I bought the camera that this was an issue but I also believe I read that it was fixed in a firmware upgrade. I am currently running whatever firmware you had available yesterday (as I needed it to get the backpak to work).

Any suggestions or a fix? Thanks.
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The response

SDHC cards are limited to a maximum file size of about 3.8GB. If the camera is recording a long movie it must finish writing this file and begin a new file. Certain SD cards will develop issues when they cannot keep up with the transfer.

Please download the latest firmware update. It improves the cameras ability to record large files.

You can download the firmware update and learn more about all the new features by following the below link:

http://www.goprocamera.com/support/hdheroupdate.php

Please let us know if you have any further questions.

Many Thanks,

GoPro Support
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My follow up

Hi,

Thanks for responding but I don't think your response really applies to my situation. I think I stated everything you did in my initial email.

-I have the latest firmware update (as of about 3 days ago) so that should not resolve my issue as stated in my initial email.
-I understand the file size issue of individual files (FAT/FAT32) and stated that in my initial email.
-You stated that certain SD cards will develop issues when they cannot keep up with the transfer... What speed card do I need? I have a 16gig SDHC class 10 card that I used in another camera that shoots at 1080p (AVCHD) for over 2 hours without issue.

I don't believe the card is the issue, I am curious though if the most recent firmware update has reintroduced this issue as I know others have experienced it with a preceding firmware version and I thought the one before the bakpak LCD update was stable in that regard. However, if you could give me some pointers or help me to resolve this issue I would be grateful. Thanks.
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That was a couple of days ago and I haven't got anything back yet.

j razz

The SDHC "class" is the speed at which the card can be written to. I'm using a 32GB class 10 (30Mbps) but haven't filmed longer than about 7 minutes per take and haven't had an issue.

Search for FAT FAT32 on their forum and checkout other with the same problem. I don't think it's the card or the camera but the FAT file system.

I'd like to find out if one can should format the card FAT or FAT32.

I got a response back shortly ago. The advice was as follows:
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Hello,

The latest firmware did not change the cameras ability to write multiple files during a long record. Perhaps your SD card was unable to save the file correctly, due to a corrupted file, low battery or impact to the camera.

We recommend reformatting the SD card using the delete "ALL" function found in the settings menu of the camera. Then charge the battery and let the camera record a long movie as a test.

Let us know how it goes.

Thank you.

GoPro Support
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The battery was not low. The Camera has not been dropped or had any type of impact to it. However, when I started using this card in this camera I did not allow it to reformat the card as I was still using it in another camera as well. I copied all the contents off, reformatted and I will test again on Monday.

j razz

You gotta love those support folks that only know how to push button "1", "2" or "3" to insert the canned response. Ulead used to do the same thing. You would provide them with complete details of the problem, how to create it and your serial number and 2 weeks later you got a canned email back telling you to "supply the serial number" and what to test (which was already documented in the original email (that was still attached to their canned response)). Ah well, seems to me that FAT32 has a 4 gig limit on file sizes. If you want to record more than that, it has to start a new file - sounds like they are missing that detail. I think you need to go NTFS (or one of the Linux file systems) to go over the 4 gig limit.

mikey

If you want to record more than that, it has to start a new file - sounds like they are missing that detail.

It has to start a new file. I understand that and fully expect multiple files during a two hour long recording period. However, that is where the problem came in, it never started any subsequent files. It recorded around 30 minutes and stopped saving any additional footage, but everything appeared as if it was still recording. Even when I pressed stop it showed that it was processing the file even though it stopped recording an hour and a half earlier.

I understand that there is a file size limit, my issue was that the camera did not start recording subsequent files after the initial file reached its maximum size.

j razz

Yes, that was my point - it is not a card error or corrupted card as their canned response says - their software is forgetting to start the next file.

mikey

Also there's no way to check what firmware version you have except by exploring the features. I up'd my firmware yesterday but can't see what's changed. The forum mention something about the new back plugin LCD screen that will now work with the new firmware. The new firmware file is a little larger. I think more testing is needed.

Just to follow up. I got back from a trip and went ahead and formatted it via the camera utility. After I formatted it via the camera it worked just fine and I had no issues making subsequent files while filming 60fps.

j razz