This article is to capture some learning from helping my son to produce his first GCSE PE cycling video. The steps below can be done by the kids themselves once the scheme has been practised. It took us many attempts, hence this post.

These videos are part of the coursework and there lots of things to think about but this post is just about the fairly basic mechanics of producing the video with an overlay for the Garmin Data. There are other videos on the web such as this one that may be of use.

The free Garmin Virb software is very good and integrates the Garmin data ( speed, location etc ) with any .MP4 video from any camera ( I think ) )

Really Important Point

DO NOT pause the video at any time while you are recording as it makes it very difficult to merge the data trace with the video.

Tools

Cheapish GoPro Action Camera Clone – APEMAN Action Camera 4K 20MP Wifi Sports

Chesty V2 GoPro Chest Harness ( not sure if direct mount on bike top tube would be better for drop bars on road )

Video Camera – Sony HDR-CX405 – budget end of the range but seems OK

Garmin cycle computer

Garmin heart monitor

Decent Windows Home PC

Software

Free software – Garmin Virb https://buy.garmin.com/en-GB/GB/p/573412
Note a Garmin Virb action camera is not needed ( but it might be easier to sync the data and video ?? )

For the “Picture in Picture” parts which show two video sources I used Camtasia Studio which I am fortunate enough to have for work as it is expensive. There may be other options if you want to go down this route.

Workflow

Note that these are all slow processes. Step 1 took 60 seconds to setup and 30 + minutes to export the file. Keep things as simple as you can.

1) The action cameras typically generally split the video file into 5 minute mp4 files.
Join these together using Garmin Virb software and Export it to a single file.

Do not do anything fancy

The biggest reason to do this is to stop you having to synchronise multiple different video files with the Garmin data file. I found this very difficult.

2) Import this long MP4 file into Virb as a new project. Note that this takes a while ( 20 mins ) as it gets “optimised” during import despite having just been exported. [ It is making a low resolution copy for editing speed but it will apply the edits tot he high resolution copy in the final export ]

3) Trim the video to get rid of any un-needed start or end footage ( in Virb )

4) Import in the Garmin Data file from the Garmin cycle computer

5) Synchronise the video and the Garmin data

6) Synchronise the start time so that the lap times run from the start whistle and not from when the Garmin was activated.

7) Add the data gauges ( distance, laptime, heartbeat, map ) to the video video

8) Add any titles or notes that you want.

9) Export the video as a single .MP4 file.

10) [optional] Merge the “picture in picture” portions with Camtasia.

The Results