With so many cool technologies becoming a normal part of our everyday life (Google maps, GPS in cell phones, wearable HD cameras, online video, geotagged photos) we wondered how long it would be before someone put together an elegant solution that allowed us to synchronize our videos to maps and share them online. Lately we have been fooling around with Kinomap.com and the results are impressive. The process is fairly simple, but there are a few important steps before you begin logging and recording. You will need a camera to record your action, a data logger or GPS unit that can log (or convert using GPSBabel.org free download) NMEA sentences in 1 second intervals and a Windows PC with an internet connection.

Recording your action

Really any camera will do (kinomap.com only supports SD video at this time) but we think that will likely change soon so start with video from your HD action sports camera. Don’t worry about editing your video, you can trim it later in the Kinomap uploader. Once you have your video, you will need to get it onto your computer.

Logging your route

There are many ways to do this, and it may require a bit of trial and error. We started with the AMOD AGL3080 as it was recommended by Kinomap. At first we struggled a bit as it seemed that our data logger was unable to continuously log our position and rather than have one long route, ours were split into multiple sections and the Kinomap uploader isn’t able to merge them (although they report that they are working on that). In the meantime, we were able to use GPSBabel to interpolate the data and export a single route that worked perfectly. We also experimented with our cell phone and a GPS logging app. Again, we had to use GPSBabel to change the file type from the standard GPX file type to NMEA sentences AND to interpolate the standard logging of every 3 seconds to logging every 1 second. We think with a little tinkering, any GPS unit that allows exporting of routes could be used (especially with GPSBabel helping to convert the file type and/or interpolating data). However, we will recommend the AMOD AGL3080 as it is easy to use, won’t break the bank if you fall and break the unit and won’t be interrupted by phone calls. Once you have your NMEA log file, you will need to get it onto your computer.

Using the software

Once you register for an account, download and install the Kinomap uploader on your WIndows PC. The software is actually pretty straightforward to use. You import the NMEA log file, import the video, trim the video (you can also flip the video) to just the part you want to use and then synchronize the video to the map. Currently the only tutorial available is in French, but it only took a few tries to figure out how to line up the video with the correct spot on the map and then trim the parts off the beginning an end of the video that were not needed. Once synchronized, Kinomap will convert and upload the video to the Kinomap server.

Sharing your activity

It seems logical to show your friends and family not only what you were doing but where you were doing it. Kinomap allows you to share your activities publicly or privately and even has direct sharing options for Facebook, Twitter, Blogs and embed code for your web site. Take a look at the two examples below.

http://www.kinomap.com/kms-nrxkxe#kms-nrxkxe

http://www.kinomap.com/km-htjkrt#km-htjkrt

Summary

If you want to share video and maps (along with speed and elevation) simultaneously and allow viewers to skip ahead (either in the video or by drag and drop with the map) then you must check out Kinomap.com. However, be prepared for some experimenting. Check back later for our follow up post with instructions on how to use GPSBabel.