Replying to GoPro Question (in b4 get a real camera)

So I have a question I have had for awhile about GoPro footage. Whenever I see footage from gopros on TV, or in the high end ski edits/commercials (Like the Redbull stuff, or last year in the X-Games when they were using them to show off the course) their footage is crystal clear, and looks fucking awesome. Yet whenever I film with my Gopro (Hero 2), It always looks like shit (and I dont mean my actual filming ability, just the quality of footage.) It does not seem to matter what resolution I use, it never comes out as clean as anything GoPro or redbull puts out. Is this because they generally do not use the protective cases, or is it maybe an issue on the pc/encoding side of things. Any legitimate help is greatly appreciated, I know GoPros are generally frowned upon, but I really do not want to spend 500+ dollars on a nice camera.