If you've ever recorded longer sections of video on your GoPro, you will have found that video gets split up into smaller segments. Precisely how long the chunks are depends on the video mode you're using and which camera model.
The segments can be easily and seamlessly rejoined in editing software like GoPro Studio, Final Cut Pro, or Adobe Premiere. The camera is not actually stopping and starting recording, and there should be no lost frames that give away the break.
So why do GoPros cut the video files up?
There are two overlapping parts to the answer. The first is that it's a safety precaution. By splitting up the video it reduces the chance of you losing all your footage if the file gets corrupted somehow. It's called chaptering, and the idea is that if one chapter gets corrupted the others should still be okay because they're separate files.
But there's also a practical limitation. If GoPro's didn't break footage into chapters, you wouldn't be able to shoot more than about 9 minutes of video at a time at the highest settings.
The HERO4 models use chapters of a maximum size of 4GB. Earlier models use smaller sizes. That 4GB limit isn't some random number they dreamed up. So why use that number and not, say 25GB?
The answer has to do with maximum compatibility and the limitations of the filesystem used on your memory card. By far the most widely compatible filesystem these days is known as FAT32 (for 32-bit File Allocation Table).
FAT32 is quite old--Microsoft first rolled it out with Windows 95--and it lacks some of the sophistication and features of newer file systems. It has things going for it: it's reliable, it offers solid performance, and, most importantly, it is very widely compatible. That last point is crucial, because it means that you can put your memory card in pretty much any computer and be able to read it without having to install extra software. Whether you're using Windows, Mac, or Linux, a FAT32 external hard drive or thumb drive or memory card should work. So nearly all consumer devices aim to be compatible with FAT32.
But FAT32 has a limitation hardcoded into it: the maximum file size that it can handle is 4GB. Back in Windows 95 days, that seemed pretty huge. These days, not so much.
If you're recording high definition video on a GoPro HERO4 Black, for instance, you're going to fill up 4GB pretty quickly. In some video modes, it's as quickly as 8 minutes and 52 seconds. If you're using smaller or lower quality settings, you'll get more footage before you hit that 4GB threshold.
That's why GoPro breaks its videos up. Once you get to 4GB, it'll tie off that segment and start a new one. Once that new one gets to 4GB, it'll start another. And so on, until you stop the recording, the card fills up, or your battery runs out.
A wrinkle is that GoPro's don't actually use FAT32 in every instance. But they still aim to be compatible with FAT32. For 32GB memory cards and smaller, GoPros will format the card as FAT32 (the 32s are just coincidence here--they're referring to different things). But 64GB memory cards and larger use a revised, newer version of FAT known as exFAT. ExFAT actually allows for much larger files. But it's not going to do much good having those much larger files if then try to copy them onto a computer hard drive or memory backup device that's formatted for FAT32. So GoPro's don't take advantage of the fact that exFAT can accommodate much larger files.
If you format a 32GB microSD card in your GoPro HERO4, it will format as FAT32. If you format a 64GB memory card in the same camera, it will automatically format the card as exFAT. In both cases, the GoPro will still limit the maximum filesize to 4GB.
And if you're tempted to try to format your card with a different filesystem that supports larger files--say, NTFS--don't. Your GoPro won't power on. You need to stick with either FAT32 or exFAT.
So if you're finding that your long videos are ending up in shorter segments on your memory card, it's not an error and you're not doing anything wrong. It's just the camera working around the limitations of the FAT32 filesystem. And it can also be a good thing. Splitting a long video into several smaller files reduces the risk of the all-your-eggs-in-one-basket problem of having one single large file becoming corrupted and losing everything.
Rod says
Very un happy Gopro user on account of the segmenting issue. For crossfit recording workouts they must be UNEDITED period. Clipping segments together is a violation and the video is rejected. If I could return the camera for a refund, I would. Had I known this issue existed I would have passed on the camera.
griff says
No one needs to see your "workout" in 4k/60fps bro. Just record in lesser quality.
Rick says
Well done! And, fantastic explanation! It makes sense now, why my Hero 4 chunks my videos into 8:52 minute "chapters".
I really appreciate your solving the mystery.
Good on ya!
Cheers!
~Rick
Todd says
Thanks for the info, I just recently got a GoPro Hero 4 silver and a 64GB card, I'm having unrelated issues but this was very interesting.
jernatety says
I have a goPro 3 and 3+ . I record in 1920x1080 30fps. Neither records up to 4gb. Every file is approximately 1.3GB and 12 mins. I place them behind each goal during hockey games. I have no problem recording a full entire hockey game on my iPad Pro which will record as long as I have power and space to one file if I don't stop it. Why can iPad record an entire video as long as I want it at those same video settings but the goPro's can't?
David says
iPads have a closed filesystem, whereas GoPros using memory cards are trying to retain maximum compatibility to work with other types of computers, devices, and microSDHC cards (formatted in FAT).
Eddie Mckeon says
my gopro hero plus only records 12 minutes and then seems to stop, i lost tons of video, i filmed 2 45 minute bike rides and only have the 2 videos and just the first 12 minutes, My girl bought this so i can film going up mt washington if this is the case, it is completely useless for me, i cant keep hitting record every 12 minutes, HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
David says
A few things to try... First, how are you downloading them to your computer, assuming that's what you're doing? Some apps might only ingest the first segment by default. Are the segments all on the card itself if you browse that with a file browser? If they're not (ie. the recording is actually stopping after 12 mins as opposed to the segments not showing up), a common culprit is a memory card that's too slow. Here are some recommendations.
Joe Jamison says
Also make sure you disable any voice command features such as the one on the go pro hero five black that I have. That can stop your video if you accidentally say something that sounds like stop recording.
Mikael says
filming with Gopro hero 5 in 4K, driving on racetrack over 10min.
all clips get to be 08:53min and no chaptering of the rest!
what can I do to fix this?
Ella says
Having the exact same problem. Did you find a solution to this? I only have the first segments 8 min 53 seconds of each file and no chaptering of the rest. When the SD card is plugged into the GoPro I am able to see that my footage is over 20 minutes but when I take it out trying to import my footage it will only import 8 minutes 53 seconds and there is no chaptering of the rest :(
Nileet says
Hi I had a similar problem with my Gopro Hero 6.
All you need to do is remove the memory card out of the gopro and use it along with the SD card Adapter provided along with the card or simply use it with a normal memory card reader and you will be able to browse/download the entire files on to your PC.
Scot says
OMG! Thank you! I thought lost my video footage. If my once in a lifetime helicopter ride in Kauai video was gone I would have been really sad.
Matthias says
Hehe. No You only need to repeat that beautiful trip around that garden island ;-)
Azam Ali says
I have a goPro Session 4 and it does not loop recording.
I can start bluetooth, turn on loop condition, but it only stays in loop while still on. Once its turned off the camera goes back to recording without overwriting.
I hope goPro bring out an update because I bought this camera for Motorcycle riding and I just want to recharge and use.
Thom Zajac says
Just had a weird thing happen.... My recording was about 15 minutes, and it go split at about 10 minutes. problem is that the second part of the split was inferior in quality, and did not work well with the green screen. On my gopro viewing area for importing, unlike all other videos I've shot, the second section appeared as an mp4 with a mp4 icon rather than the image frames of everything else I've ever recorded. Anyone have any clues (and my apologies for my poor terminology, this is all new to me)
David Griffiths says
I just deleted some files not realising they had been "chaptered." I'm highly pissed now. :(
Zooom Bopp says
Can I reduce the size of each file? Is there a setting that will allow me to REDUCE the maximum size of each file? For example, if I want it to segment every 1GB?
David says
No, there's no control over it.
Lee says
Any gopro studio like apps for tablets? I don't have a computer or laptop. TIA
David says
Sort of. You can use the GoPro mobile app to download and save the video to your device and then use a separate app for editing. Here are some ideas--although I haven't tried them. They probably won't give you the full functionality of a desktop/laptop app, and you'll probably run into issues if you're using the large files generated with long or high-resolution footage.
Kendra says
Thank you for the great explanation! Now how can I quickly joins these split videos back together. Using GoPro studio is taking forever so I must be doing something wrong?
Ail says
Thank you very much I have this problem with gopro session but we need solution?
Jason Ligon says
Hello,
I used a Hero 4 Black to record an hour long video utilizing a SanDisk Ultra 64 GB card at 1080 Superview/60 FPS. I see the first 17+ min file in the download section of GoPro Studio, but nothing after. I can watch the entire video on the actual GoPro. How do I get the rest of my files? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
stewart says
I'm having exactly the same problem! did you find a solution?
I would presume the go pro would save the remaining footage as a separate clip after the 17mins but if it has I can't find it anywhere; apart from playing back in full on the camera.
if you worked it out I'd really appreciate the tip!Thanks
Santos Tovar says
Did you guys ever get a response for this? I'm having the same issue and cant find the solution for this! :(
David says
What are you using to look for the file on the memory card? I haven't seen this behavior, but I'm wondering if the camera is creating a hidden temporary file and getting interrupted before it finishes closing off the file and unhiding it. It's worth looking at, anyway. Here are some instructions for Mac and for Windows. If you're using Mac, FileLoupe is a good option for browsing the clips and it's possible the missing clip might display there.
Warren Wang says
I had the problem where I moved the first file in the sequence onto my desktop for testing and after reconnecting to move the remainder of the files, the subsequent files in the sequence were all deleted. Did anyone else experience this?
robertyeovil says
My GoPro recorded 4GB but it did not create another file(s) so I've lost part my recording. I have noticed it after downloading files to my computer.
Steve says
At last an explanation I have been pulling my hair out for a month !!
David says
That is sometimes a symptom of a memory card that isn't fast enough. If you're using one of the higher-end GoPro models, here are some suggestions. If you're already using one of those fast cards, it's worth testing with a different card if you have easy access to one.
Northwoods says
So glad it's the camera and not me doing something wrong! Thanks!
S.E. McCaslin says
Really good info ... I had wondered about that.
Rasta Pasta says
Thank you so much for the info dude..
1111 says
Thanks for the info