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GoPro Hero 7 Screen Rotation Made Simple: Discover How to Rotate Screen Effortlessly

Lindsey is a photographer based in Los Angeles. She has over 10 years of experience as a professional photographer specializing in portraits and events. Lindsey started her career with DSLR cameras but made the switch to Nikon's line of Z mirrorless cameras in 2020. Since then, she has been extensively...

What To Know

  • Tap the “Import” button and select the GoPro Hero 7 video you want to rotate.
  • Select the video in the timeline and click the “Rotate” button in the toolbar.
  • In the video editing timeline, select the video clip you want to rotate.

Capturing stunning footage with your GoPro Hero 7 is a breeze, but what happens when your video is recorded in portrait mode? Don’t worry, you’re not alone! Many GoPro users encounter this issue, especially when filming vertical content or using the GoPro as a webcam. This guide will walk you through the process of how to rotate screen on GoPro Hero 7, ensuring your videos are displayed perfectly, regardless of their original orientation.

Understanding the Problem: Why is My GoPro Video Upside Down?

The GoPro Hero 7, like many action cameras, defaults to a landscape orientation. This means the camera is designed to be held horizontally, with the lens facing the wider side. However, when you hold your GoPro vertically or use it for vertical content creation, the video will be recorded in portrait mode. This results in a video that appears upside down or sideways when played back on a standard widescreen display.

Method 1: Rotating the Video in GoPro’s Quik App

One of the easiest ways to rotate your GoPro Hero 7 video is using GoPro’s Quik app. This free app is available for both iOS and Android devices and offers a user-friendly interface for editing and enhancing your GoPro footage. Here’s how to rotate your video in Quik:
1. Download and Open Quik: If you haven’t already, download the Quik app from the App Store or Google Play Store. Open the app and sign in with your GoPro account.
2. Import Your Video: Tap the “Import” button and select the GoPro Hero 7 video you want to rotate.
3. Rotate the Video: Once the video is imported, tap the “Edit” button. You’ll see a “Rotate” icon that looks like a curved arrow. Tap the icon and select the desired rotation: 90 degrees clockwise, 90 degrees counter-clockwise, or 180 degrees.
4. Export the Video: Once you’re satisfied with the rotation, tap the “Export” button to save the rotated video to your device.

Method 2: Rotating the Video in GoPro’s Desktop Software

If you prefer using a desktop computer for video editing, GoPro offers a free software called GoPro Desktop. This software provides more advanced editing features compared to Quik, including the ability to rotate your videos. Here’s how to rotate your video in GoPro Desktop:
1. Download and Install GoPro Desktop: Visit the GoPro website and download the GoPro Desktop software for your operating system (Windows or macOS). Install the software and launch it.
2. Import Your Video: Drag and drop your GoPro Hero 7 video into the GoPro Desktop window.
3. Rotate the Video: Select the video in the timeline and click the “Rotate” button in the toolbar. You’ll have options to rotate the video by 90 degrees clockwise, 90 degrees counter-clockwise, or 180 degrees.
4. Export the Video: Once you’ve rotated the video, click the “Export” button to save the rotated video to your computer.

Method 3: Rotating the Video in Third-Party Editing Software

If you’re familiar with video editing software like Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, or DaVinci Resolve, you can easily rotate your GoPro Hero 7 video using these programs. These software applications offer a wide range of editing tools, including video rotation, and allow for more advanced customization.
1. Import Your Video: Open your preferred video editing software and import your GoPro Hero 7 video.
2. Rotate the Video: In the video editing timeline, select the video clip you want to rotate. Look for a “Rotate” or “Transform” tool in the software’s interface. You can usually rotate the video by dragging a slider or entering specific angle values.
3. Export the Video: Once you’ve rotated the video, export the edited video in the desired format and resolution.

Method 4: Using the GoPro Hero 7’s Built-in Rotation Feature

While the GoPro Hero 7 doesn’t have a dedicated “rotate screen” feature, you can leverage its “Flip” setting to achieve a similar effect. This feature flips the video horizontally or vertically, essentially rotating it by 180 degrees. Here’s how to use the “Flip” setting:
1. Go to the Settings Menu: Turn on your GoPro Hero 7 and navigate to the “Settings” menu.
2. Select “Video Settings“: Within the “Settings” menu, find and select “Video Settings.”
3. Choose “Flip”: You’ll see an option called “Flip.” Tap on it and select either “Horizontal” or “Vertical” based on your desired rotation.
4. Start Recording: Once you’ve selected the “Flip” setting, start recording your video. The video will be recorded with the chosen orientation, either flipped horizontally or vertically.

Method 5: Using a Video Editing App for Mobile Devices

If you don’t want to use GoPro’s Quik app, there are many other video editing apps available for both iOS and Android devices. These apps offer similar functionality to Quik, allowing you to rotate your videos and make other edits. Some popular options include:

  • InShot: A versatile video editing app with a user-friendly interface.
  • Adobe Premiere Rush: A powerful mobile version of Adobe Premiere Pro.
  • KineMaster: A feature-rich video editor with advanced editing capabilities.

Tips for Rotating Videos on GoPro Hero 7

  • Preview Before Exporting: Always preview your video after rotating it to ensure the desired orientation.
  • Experiment with Different Methods: Try out different methods to find the one that best suits your needs and workflow.
  • Consider Aspect Ratio: When rotating a video, consider the aspect ratio of your intended platform. For example, if you’re posting on Instagram, you may want to use a vertical aspect ratio.
  • Use Stabilization: If your video is shaky, consider using GoPro’s stabilization feature or a third-party stabilization app to improve the quality of your rotated video.
  • Backup Your Original Footage: Before making any permanent changes to your video, always create a backup of the original footage to avoid accidental data loss.

The Winding Road to Perfectly Oriented Videos

Rotating videos on GoPro Hero 7 might seem like a simple task, but it can sometimes feel like a puzzle. However, by understanding the various methods and tips outlined in this guide, you can confidently navigate the process and achieve perfectly oriented videos, ready to share with the world.

Popular Questions

Q: Can I rotate the screen directly on my GoPro Hero 7?
A: Sadly, the GoPro Hero 7 doesn’t have a built-in feature to rotate the screen directly on the camera. However, you can use the “Flip” setting to achieve a similar effect by flipping the video horizontally or vertically.
Q: Which method is the best for rotating GoPro Hero 7 videos?
A: The best method for rotating your GoPro Hero 7 videos depends on your preferences and editing needs. If you want a quick and easy solution, GoPro’s Quik app is a great option. For more advanced editing, GoPro Desktop or third-party software like Adobe Premiere Pro are recommended.
Q: Can I rotate the video without losing quality?
A: Yes, rotating a video doesn‘t inherently reduce its quality. However, if you’re repeatedly rotating or editing the video, you might experience some slight degradation in quality due to file compression.
Q: Why is my GoPro Hero 7 recording in portrait mode?
A: Your GoPro Hero 7 might be recording in portrait mode due to a few reasons:

  • Holding the camera vertically: If you hold the camera vertically during recording, it will naturally capture footage in portrait mode.
  • Using the GoPro as a webcam: When using the GoPro as a webcam, it often defaults to a portrait orientation.

Q: Can I use a GoPro Hero 7 for vertical content creation?
A: Absolutely! While the GoPro Hero 7 defaults to landscape orientation, you can certainly use it for vertical content creation. Just remember to rotate the video afterwards using one of the methods outlined in this guide.

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Lindsey

Lindsey is a photographer based in Los Angeles. She has over 10 years of experience as a professional photographer specializing in portraits and events. Lindsey started her career with DSLR cameras but made the switch to Nikon's line of Z mirrorless cameras in 2020. Since then, she has been extensively testing and reviewing Nikon's latest mirrorless cameras like the Z5, Z6, Z7 and Z50 on her blog. Through her writing on lindseyshoots.com, Lindsey aims to help other photographers make the transition from DSLRs to mirrorless. She shares detailed hands-on reviews, comparisons between different mirrorless camera models, tips for beginners, and photo tutorials. When she isn't testing cameras, Lindsey enjoys landscape, street and travel photography. Her work has been published in several magazines and online publications. Lindsey is also a member of the Nikon Professional Services program.
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