Telemetry overlay
Also known as: data overlay, gauge overlay, GPS overlay
Gauges for speed, altitude, G-force or a GPS track drawn on top of action footage, using sensor data recorded by the camera or a separate device.
Updated
What it means
A telemetry overlay is a set of graphics - speedometer, altitude, G-force, heart rate, a mini-map of the route - rendered on top of the video in sync with the action. The data comes from sensors: GoPro cameras with GPS store it as GPMF inside the MP4, DJI drones write a SRT flight log, and many riders also record a track on a bike computer or watch.
In motocross, karting, track days, skiing and MTB it turns a nice clip into proof: the top speed on a straight, the airtime on a jump, the G-force in a berm. Coaches like it too, because data from lap to lap shows where time is gained or lost.
How it works in practice
GoPro Quik has offered simple speed and altitude gauges for GPS-equipped cameras, while dedicated desktop apps such as Telemetry Overlay import the camera data or a GPX or FIT file and let you design and position every gauge before rendering.
The key step is sync. Camera data is time-locked to the video and lines up automatically; an external GPS track needs aligning to a clear event, such as the start gate dropping. Switch GPS on before you ride and give it time to lock satellites, or the first minutes of data will be missing. The gauges are burned in at export, so keep a clean master copy too.
What to watch out for
Action-camera GPS drifts under trees, in canyons and between buildings, so speed spikes and wobbly tracks are common. Smooth the data in your overlay tool and be skeptical of a single crazy top-speed reading. Not every camera records GPS at all - the GoPro HERO12 Black, for example, has none - so check your model before counting on it.
Design matters as much as data. Too many gauges clutter a phone screen and hide the POV action you filmed. Two or three readouts tucked into the corners usually work best, with units that match your audience, and fonts large enough to read on a small display.
How RawClip handles it
RawClip does not read GPMF or SRT telemetry and does not add gauges. If you want an overlay, render it first in your telemetry app and upload the finished MP4 like any other clip. Otherwise upload the plain footage, and the AI selects the best moments from what it sees on screen.