When using the GoPro Hero 8 blacks we have noticed the cameras get very hot when filming at 4K and sometimes overheat, resulting in potentially lost data.
This is particularly an issue when inside a BRUV housing, with the cameras triggering their overheating mechanism in as little as 20 mins and turning off.
We suspect this is to do with the camera body design being waterproof, which limits cooling ability (with airflow further limited inside a BRUV housing). Notably the Hero 7s have a similar waterproof body design, so they may experience similar issues.
Below are some tests done in lab conditions to explore what GoPro Hero 8 settings are advisable to avoid overheating:
| Camera ID | Resolution | Battery In or out (out uses an external usb battery pack) | FPS | GPS | WiFi | LEDs | Video Compression | Time until overheated |
| 1120 | 1080p | In | 30 | Off | Off | Off | HEVC | Did not overheat |
| 1121 | 1080p | Out | 30 | On | Off | Off | HEVC | Did not overheat |
| 1120 | 1440p | In | 30 | Off | Off | Off | HEVC | Did not overheat |
| 1121 | 1440p | Out | 30 | On | Off | Off | HEVC | Did not overheat |
| 1120 | 2.7K | In | 30 | Off | Off | Off | HEVC | Did not overheat |
| 1121 | 2.7K | Out | 30 | On | Off | Off | HEVC | 40 mins |
| 1120 | 2.7K | In | 30 | Off | Off | Off | HEVC | Did not overheat |
| 1121 | 2.7K | Out | 30 | Off | Off | Off | HEVC | Did not overheat |
| 1121 | 2.7K | Out | 60 | Off | Off | Off | HEVC | 60 mins |
| 1120 | 4K | In | 30 | Off | Off | Off | HEVC | 20 - 30 mins |
| 1121 | 4K | Out | 30 | On | Off | Off | HEVC | 20 - 30 mins |
| 1120 | 4K | In | 30 | Off | Off | Off | HEVC | 50 mins |
| 1121 | 4K | Out | 30 | Off | Off | Off | HEVC | 50 mins |
| 1121 | 4K | Out | 30 | Off | Off | Off | HEVC 2.64 | 60 mins |