DJI OSD Telemetry automated and free!

It's now WAYYYY easier to create OSD video that you can overlay over your main flight video! With some inspiration from RCRDPS I could fully AUTOMATE the process of creating the Video overlay! - My script converts the SRT files to a nicer layout first (as shown in my last vid) and then it creates a black video with OSD text as MP4! - Add this black video with the OSD telemetry as an additional layer and apply a "color key" effect (to substract the black and make it transparent). This way you don't encode the DJI Video twice (which reduces quality).

only 2 requirements: - download my script - download "FFMPEG.zip" and extract it in the same DIR as my script and the source videos! Quick howto: Run my script - it will run thru ALL *.SRT files in the folder, search the according DJI...MP4 video (has to have same name) and create the new formatted SRT as well as the DJI....OSD.mp4 files for you. In Premiere: insert main video insert DJI...OSD.mp4 (OSD video) above main video (new track) apply "color key" on that OSD video (choose black, color tolerance 200, edge thin -3) (optional) apply the superview effect from my last video on MAIN video. It's not yet a full "Dashware" replacement (check FAB FPVs tutorials on that matter) but it's very convenient and fast enough so we can easily use OSD overlay each time we want (even the very lazy ones amongst us :) 11/2021: Update - I've played around with the DJI FPV drone (which supports SRT files as well since a certain FW). SRT files of the DJI FPV Racer have a few more values (Alt, Distance, Speed...) which is nice of course! Check my link below to find the "SRT_Reformat(DJI FPV Goggles)+ffmpegOSD" Script! If you wanna support me: 👍, sub, 🔔, watch, share or even become a PATRON: https://bit.ly/2ESMtIO (there's early access and behind the scenes stuff over there!) ●▬▬▬LINKS▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬● ►►Script and FFMPEG download: https://bit.ly/3mVty2u RCRDPS: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs8IIaR7t24cnTlaCuXsGkQ FAB FPV: https://www.youtube.com/user/fabyt68/videos

DJI FPV best RANGE which Antennas on Goggles and Air Unit

While doing "wingsuit style" DIVES with my quad in the alps, the last thing I want are RED RSSI indicators making me nervous. I was quite sure that my AIR Unit antennas are not placed optimal, and I knew there was more potential on the goggles antennas as well. Since DJI logs Bitrate for you in a file, you can test antennas and compare the LOG data in excel.
After this test-sessions on the field I swapped the menace patch with an ORT 3turn helical - it has a flexy SMA cable and better performance as well.
Overall I'm pretty confident with this VIDEO TRANSMISSION now!


►EQUIPMENT
Filmed with: Panasonic GH5 + R0de VideoMicro, Samsung Galaxy S10

AndyRC on DJI FPV best Antenna-Setup

●▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬●
VIDEO INDEX:
00:52 1st flight: baseline (bad Airunit Antenna placement)
01:54 2nd flight, better AirUnit Antenna placement
02:33 Goggles Antennas Optimization
04:32 RP-SMA, RPSMA to SMA converter

Foxeer Legend3 TVOUT and Latency compared to Runcam2 and 3

You wanted to know how the legend 3 looks if used as FPV cam (tv out). I installed it on my new FPV plane (MiniTalon) but before this I tested the latency against Runcam2 and 3.
While the latency of the Legend3 isnt legendary, the imagequality IS! The stabilizer didnt work great for me - better leave it turned off if you use the liveout.
DONT use the cam WITHOUT battery (if you power it from your plane). While this will save some weight, it can lead to disaster!

Jump into the area of interest for you with these jumpmarks (clickable on youtube!):
===========
00:16 Legend3 Latency PAL
01:19 L3 in NTSC faster!
02:12 L3 stabilization - more lag?
03:10 L3 with 4k mode
04:33 L3 Liveout quality

06:02 Runcam2 Lantecy
06:47 Runcam3 Latency
07:18 Legend3 - final thoughts
08:29 IMPORTANT - USE the BATTERY even with external power!
09:24 RECOVER MOVIE?

10:58 L3 Stabilization ON 1080p50
11:15 L3 Stabilization OFF 2.5k50
11:32 L3 Stabilization OFF 2.5k50 VEGAS software stabilization on

Most accurate FPV cam latency test method? and: eliminate interference in your downlink video

2020 UPDATE: "current" Latency XLS Sheet



My most accurate FPV Cam latency test setup:

2 channels (curves on osci):
ch A = video signal (NTSC)
ch B = 12v powersource for my LEDs   (I think I dont measure the actual switch on, but rather the time when it "consumes" the 12v. Would be interesting to know how much time does it take the LED to light up?)

Measure the delay from LED switch and the "effect" from a dark cam image to a RED LED light screen (noticable effect on the video curve).
This way we still have the 17ms steps of time resolution since we only see 60fps on NTSC. So we cant measure cam latency more accurate than in 17, 34, 51ms...
BUT: until now I used a LCD screen to read the VIDEO signal changes (and the screen also runs a certain FPS - so this is not accurate anymore - better to "read" the video signal directly without a LCD).

FPV Cams Latency overview:  (June-2017)     (also available as XLSx File)

Interesting Links:

OSCAR LIANG Latency Test (Arduino LED + photo resistor infront of LCD)

Discussion in Oscars forum

Vortex 250 Race Stage 1, my FPV Backpack, Motor swap and another CRASH

Hier erfährt ihr wie man 31gr beim Vortex sparen kann, wie mein neuer FPV Rucksack/Trolley aussieht, wann und warum man Motoren tauschen sollte und warum ich dennoch abgestürzt bin

See Vortex 250 saving 31gr weight, my new FPV backpack/Trolley, when to change motors, and find out why I crashed...

How to start FPV - what to get

Since I get asked a lot how to enter the FPV hobby I compiled this list of things to start at. Not the best components - but something you can use for a long time with good value/price rating. Most of the things I use myself (excep the 250 copter here).

FPV entry is really easy today - so many RTF systems, plug & fly versions... You got to consider some things and most of us have to watch their budget as well „smile“-Emoticon

For small budgets - Miniquads from the 250 class are good to start at.

Recently there are so many 250 quads, some high class, expensive ones and also some affordable and promising sets like this here (didnt try this yet!):

AGM Hobby Nighthawk 250 (almost anything you need to fly is contained in this package)

Batteries:

1500mah 3cell with high C-rating!

I would use the hobbyking EU warehouse (or whatever is next to you) to have shorter delivery times and less customs problems.

These here are good bot out of stock tm: Turnigy Nanotech 1500mah 3cell

these would also work: ZIPPY Compact 1500mAh 3S 35C

you need at least 4 pieces (you only get 5 mins flighttime on each). Also get one more for goggles / receiver.

Lipo-Charger  (if you can, go for a dual charger since you will have to charge a lot and you shouldnt leave tham charging unattented)

Cam to record (in HD, not neccessary for flight but cool to have something to share):

RuncamHD  (also get one or two 16GB SD Cards)

Cam for downlink:

Runcam Sky 650TVL

Video Transmitter (25mw legal)

(25mw are legal and good for 200-300m)

Video receiverImmersionRC Uno5800

or a good alternative would be a dual / diversity receiver with better signal: ImmersionRC Duo5800

and the cheaper route (didnt test this myself)  Diversity FR632

Video-Antennas:

ImmersionRC Spironet 

(if you bought the diversity RX above - also get one directional antenna ImmersionRC Spiro Patch )

Goggles:

This could be the most expensive part here (if you go for the Sony Cinemizers or the Dominator HD for example - 500-700€)

But you can get away cheap and with a great image if you get the styrofoam box type goggles like the:

Quanum V2 and batterycable for it (make sure to get a 3cell battery for goggles and RX also!)

Radio - control link:

FrSky Taranis - a good remote which is very affordable!

Receivers are good range and cheap here (around 30€). Standard receiver for me is the X8r (with telemetry and around 1-2km range). If you really wanna go far, check the LR receivers.

One of these X8rs is in the Set above or the longrange L9R

Hope I didnt forget something really important here - please comment if so. Also comment your suggestions if you have something WAY better for a newbie to be included in this list. But it's not the "top notch" list, it's aimed for entry into the hobby.

I think this topic is hot, and if I get a lot of response I might try to cover this in a video also.

greetings and happy FPVing,

RCSchim

Hilfe für FPV Einsteiger - Links und Tips

Da ich immer wieder gefragt werde, wie man am einfachsten ins FPV Hobby einsteigen kann, hab ich hier die Beantwortung einer solchen Mail gleich mal für Euch zusammengefasst:

FPV Einstieg ist heute sehr einfach. Es gibt schon sehr viele fertige Systeme.
Grundsätzlich muss man sich halt ein paar Sachen überlegen und wahrscheinlich wird man auch ein wenig auf's Geld schaun müssen „smile“-Emoticon
Für kleine Budgets und wenn man etwas basteln mag, sind die MiniQuads ein guter Einstieg.

Nehmt einen der zahlreichen Minis in der "250"er Klasse. Gibts mittlerweile schon so günstig.
Grad neulich untergekommen: AGM Hobby Nighthawk (hier ist mal fast alles dabei um fliegen zu können)

Akkus:
1500mah 3S mit viel "C" (also viel Strom auf einmal liefern können)
Hier würd ich beim Hobbyking IM EU WAREHOUSE (sonst dauerts länger) kaufen
die hier sind gut, aber leider grade aus: http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp…
die wären sicher auch nicht schlecht: http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp…
man braucht mindestens 4 Stück davon (ein Flug ca. 5min)
einen Akku würd ich gleich auch noch für Brille und Empänger einplanen

Ladegerät: http://www.hobbyking.com/…/__68798__Turnigy_Neutron_80W_DC_…
(natürlich wäre ein Doppellader toll, da man immer einige Akkus laden muss)
Cam zum Aufnehmen (muss am Anfang nicht unbedingt sein, macht aber natürlich schon Sinn!):
http://www.runcam.com/index.html RuncamHD
Cam zum Fliegen: http://shop.runcam.com/runcam-sky/

Video Transmitter (25mw legal): ImmersionRC_5_8GHz_25mW…
(25mw sind gut für 200-300m)
Video Empfänger: ImmersionRC Uno5800
alternativ einen Doppelempfänger (mehr Sicherheit beim Empfang): ImmersionRC Duo5800
oder ein günstigerer Diversity-Empfänger:  Diversity FR632 5.8

Video-Antennen:
ImmersionRC_5_8GHz_Spironet
beim Doppelempfänger würd ich noch eine Patchantenne dazu nehmen: ImmersionRC Spiro Patch

Videobrille:
das ist unter Umständen der teuerste Punkt, aber man kann heute auch mit den "Kastenbrillen" DIY Brillen oder "Facebox" wie ich sage, gut und günstig davon kommen: Quanum V2
Akkukabel

STEUERUNG:
Taranis - eine gute Fernbedienung ist wichtig - die Taranis kostet 200€ - das is für die Funktionen nicht viel, die Empfänger sind günstig und gut von der Reichweite her. Es gibt neben dem Standard X8R (ca. 1-2km) auch einen Longrange Empfänger der min. die Doppelte Reichweite hat!
FrSky Taranis 
Empfänger: einer ist im Set oben dabei, alternativ gibts diese hier:
X8r (mein Std. Empfänger) oder den Longrange L9R
Falls ich hier was vergessen hab, bitte um Kommentar - dann wird die Liste erweitert. Falls ihr wo einen DEUTLICH besseren Vorschlag habt, nur her damit. Allerdings soll sich das an Anfänger, Einsteiger richten - die sich nicht gleich das Allerbeste, Allerteuerste leisten können.
lg, RCSchim

DIY Goggles - The Facebox - great and cheap FPV Goggles (alternative to Fatshark Dominator HD)

From the comments on my Fatshark Dominator HD review I see that this is a hot topic. So many questions about alternatives to the expensive and hard to get DomHDs.
One really good one is also the cheapes one with extra large picture, good quality and good comfort. I saw these first on a FPV meet (Poolnoodle Challenge) and was amazed by the clear and huge display. Pricing is around 100$, buildtime maybe 1-2h - but really easy!
If you have some questions, comments - don't hesitate! Good luck with the build and have fun!

Check out my blog post here for more details and all the pictures (which are also in the video at the end).

Short shopping-list:
1. Frame (styrofoam) from UK http://goo.gl/pikyzS
2. 5" TFT display from Dealextreme http://goo.gl/Vd419Y
3. better fresnel lens (optional) http://goo.gl/TlJlzp

Video Index:
0:11 Intro
3:10 Impressions, take a look thru the goggles!
4:35 horizontal Interalced "issue"
5:25 Lag?
5:44 Fatshark DomHD vs DIY Goggles
8:20 Difference between DomHD and DIY Goggles
9:25 Price, Buildtips
10:07 Strap mount Tip!
12:00 Bluescreen?
15:27 Answer: Monitor or Goggles for beginners?
19:09 Buildpics (Pics also available on picasa)

►►Update: just before publishing this vid I did a 2nd testflight with the MiniQuad. The picture is really big, great to fly BUT: the blackscreen issue can be tricky/scary. So not sure yet if I'd trust this goggles for an expensive, bigger, unstabilized platform. So if you have some other safety features (second monitor for emergencies) it's ok.
Hover recommended routing it throug a DVR - this might eliminate the black/bluescreen. Or optimal: search for a similar size display without bluescreen.

FIND IT!!! - Loc8tor vs Marco Polo - Tracking Device Review

After my "Auronzo Debacle" (where I totally lost my biggest and most expensive Quad (Black Snapper) of course I did some research which tracking solution could prevent total losses in the future.
Friends of mine use GPS Trackers where you have to install a prepaid cellphone SIM Card and in case of a crash you SMS your GPS tracker and he sends his coordinates back. This sounds really well thought out BUT: if you fly in areas where you have no cellphone coverage - you won't hear from your device!

So a tracking device based on wireless signals is better. Here I found two promising devices:
Marco Polo Pet Tracker    and      Loc8tor

------Comparison:
Marco Polo:
+ 2 miles range! (in my tests easily 840m)
+ RC stripped down versions of tags relativly small and lightweight (12 or 24gr)
+ rechargeable batteries (1 month standby in larger tag!)
- bigger (both tag and handheld device)
- a bit more expensive (around 200$)

Loc8tor:
+ cheap (100$)
+ easy to use
+ small tags (5gr, 1,5cm)
+ small handheld
+/- tags "always on"   (waste energy, 2-5month livetime, but can't forget to turn on)
- batteries not chargeable (buy replacements and set a reminder!)
- range (157m max distance)

So it's hard to tell you which device is better. If you really do a lot longrange the Marco Polo will be better - because in case of a crash you will have to search a larger area. Loc8tor would be lost here if you have no downlink video and can´t estimate the crash location.
Loc8tor on the other hand is optimal let's say for the mini quads in the park. Even crashing a mini in higher grass can mean really long searches! - Loc8tor pays off here quick.

I keep both and will also use both and we'll see which one is better (altough I hope I would never activly have to use them - just as an insurance).

Important Update in Marco Polo:
You have to hold the locating device "like a can of water" (so that the LCD screen is facing the sky). This way the antennas have optimal reception and you get a solid pointer.
Also my tests here with the % value weren't conclusive. Up on the hill I had clear LOS, down on the half distance I was near to the ground, a tree blocked LOS so the value was the same altough the distance was much shorter...

Taranis Radio and FPV Monitor with 5.8 diversity RX

I was really happy when I found out that finally there's an really easy way to have a Longrange Radio! The ImmersionRC ezUHF JR Module. After a short search I came to the FrSky Taranis as the "carrier" for this UHF module. The Taranis is out know for at least 6month - and it works well it seems.
Lots of nice features (like telemetry, voiceout, open softer,...).
-
Second great device is a Diversity 5.8ghz TFT Monitor. Bright, with sunshade and two high quality RX built in a really small device!



Video is long - so here a short index:
0:58 Taranis & ezUHF Module
2:47 "Unboxing" Taranis Radio
9:13 Taranis Receiver X8r
10:26 ezUHF Receiver
14:32 Tip for battery charging mod
17:49 Tip: bypass for internal charger!!!
20:14 TFT Monitor 5.8ghz
23:26 Tip: long hold + for zoom in!

Multiplex Easystar 2 - most simlpe FPV plane - Setup Tips, many flights, chase of other planes

Letztes Jahr hatte ich ein paar FPV Treffen. Wenn dann Freunde mit ihren Easystars und Co Formation geflogen sind, konnte ich mit dem Quad nicht lange mithalten - zu langsam und zu kurze Flugzeit. Deswegen hab ich jetzt einen möglichst einfachen Flieger ausgesucht und einen Spaß-Flieger draus gemacht.
Beim Treffen soll es so schnell wie möglich gehen: Flieger zusammenstecken, Akku rein, Brille auf und los!
Jetzt hab ich die Horyzon V3 und komme mit einem 2200mah 3S Akku aus. Flugzeit mindestens 10min.
- die Cam wird vom Hauptakku versorgt - ist also sehr leicht
- Horyzon V3 beginnt gleich nach dem Einschalten selbst mit der Aufzeichnung auf MicroSD!
- die Bildqualität ist recht gut für diese Größe
- minimaler Luftwiderstand durch Kamera
Nachteil des Fliegers: wenn Wind geht, wird das Video einfach nicht so schön - hier gleich ein Quad besser aus.

Last year I had a few FPV meetings. All the time I did regret to just have the Quad with me. With a Quad you just can't keep up with the speed and flighttimes of simple planes.
So now I prepared my Easystar 2 to be the most simple FPV plane you can imagine. No fancy stuff (like OSD, GPS....) just attach the wings, throw in a battery (one flight battery 2200mah 3cell for plane and FPV stuff) and fly. Flighttimes greater than 10mins with 2200mah is pretty good!
Horyzon V3 even starts the recording for you if it gets power! The small cam has only little air drag, little additional weight to the plane - so the flight characteristics of the plane stay almost the same.
As I show in the video the Plane has some downsides vs Quad also: if you have some wind, you will see it on the video. I flew in high winds- no problem - it just doesnt look good!

Respect THE LAW - Rechtliches zu FPV in Österreich

Da es immer wieder Unsicherheiten gibt, was denn nun im Bezug auf FPV in Österreich erlaubt ist, macht es Sinn sich gut zu informieren. Jeder der FPV fliegt, sollte sich dieses PDF ausdrucken und in die Flugtasche packen ;-)
Es wäre sehr schön, wenn wir dadurch legal unterwegs sind und nochdazu Spaß haben!
In Zeiten, wo Medien gerne auf den Zug "böse Drohnen" aufspringen, müssen wir aktiv für ein gutes Bild unserse Hobbies kämpfen!

Link zu Prop.at - hier gibts Erklärungen zur Gesetzesnovelle LFG (gültig ab 1.1.2014)

Ich hatte die Gelegenheit den DJI S800 Hexa mit dem momentan besten Brushless Gimbal auf dem Markt - dem Zenmuse Z15 - zu testen!

Had the chance to test the S800 plus the currently best gimbal on the market - the Zenmuse Z15.
Awesome stuff!

Naza H - Helicopter Flybarless System NOT for the FUNCOPTER

Für einen Freund sollte ich das neue Naza-H auf meinem Funcopter testen. Dieser ist crashresistent genug um eine gute Testplattform abzugeben. Dachte ich. Die Konfiguration des Naza-H gestaltet sich eigentlich recht einfach. Die Software ist aber nur in englisch und ein "normaler" Heli ist eben etwas komplizierter als ein Multicopter.

Nach den Einstellungen war ein Testflug dran. Zuerst im Manuellen Modus geflogen - hier verhält sich das Naza noch einigermaßen ruhig - man merkt eigentlich nur den Heck-Kreisel.
Beim ersten Umschalten auf Attitude Mode (Höhe halten, Lage waagrecht halten) musste ich bemerken, dass der Heli nicht in der Luft bleibt, sondern absinkt. Ursache? Das Naza-H verändert zum Halten der Höhe nicht die Drehzahl (was bei meinem Funcopter mit fixer Blattstellung aber nötig gewesen wäre) sondern nur die Blattstellung!

ALSO: für alle Jene welche die seltene Kombination von Funcopter und Naza-H verwenden wollen: vergesst es! Geht nur mit Pitch-gesteuerten Helis!!!
Ansonsten muß ich Euch für einen richtigen Test noch etwas vertrösten - Video folgt dann, wenn wir das Naza H auf den TRex 600 gebaut haben. Da kann es sich dann austoben.

I was asked to test the new Naza-H stabilizer sytem for "normal" Helis (not my usual Multicopters). So I chose my crash resistant Funcopter as a test platform. To keep a long story short: you can't use the Naza-H on a fixed pitch heli! While it works in manual mode (basicly it only provides you with a gyro for tailrotor) - it doesn't work well in Attitude or even GPS mode. Why? Because to maintain altitude (controlled via the included barometric sensor) the Naza would alter the pitch - and keep constant motor speeds. By now you should guess why this doesn't work on a fixed pitch heli ;-)

So if you have the weird combination of the really easy to fly Funcopter and want to have it hanging in the sky automatically with Naza - forget it - get a "real" Heli instead ;-)
So for the real test of the Naza H you have to wait till we can mount it on my friends TRex 600. Video coming soon!

GoPro3 Black Edition - Hands on review, comparision to GP2 and GoPro app walktrough

Die neue GoPro3 Black Edition kann wirklich Einiges! Achtung - beim Upgrade von einer GoPro2 sollte man nicht an der falschen Stelle sparen und die Gopro 3 Silver oder White nehmen - hier sind die Unterschiede dann nicht besonders groß (die Silver entspr. der GoPro2 + dem neuen Gehäuse + WiFi). Also eine GoPro 3 Silver wird nicht viel besser sein als die alte Gopro2!
Es ist schon beeindruckend, wie klein das Ding ist! Die neuen Auflösungen und Modi lassen das Filmer-Herz höher schlagen. Mein momentaner Favorit: 1080p60 (also volles HD in super flüssig). Hier kann man dann noch mit 50% Speed flüssige Zeitlupen machen. Für Zeitlupen ist natürlich noch 848x480 mit 240 Bildern/Sek interssant - hier kann man die Zeit schon auf 10% verlangsamen! Oder alternativ die 720p120 Bilder - also recht gute Auflösung - und mit 120 Bildern kommt man auf 20% runter. Vorteil bei 720p120: hier ist auch die Auswahl "Wide / Medium / Narrow" des Bildausschnittes möglich!
Mehr Erfahrungen mit der Cam gibts dann sobald ich auch damit geflogen bin!



It's amazing what they put into this really tiny little cam! Watch out if you plan to upgrade from Gopro2 to the Gopro3: don't try to save money by just getting the silver edition (or even white). Gopro3 Silver isn't much better than GoPro2! (it's just the new body and Wifi)! I'm impressed by the new options and level of quality GP3BE delivers:

• less weight is always good for FPV
• new resolutions like my new fav: 1080p60 frames (full HD and super smooth 60fps! This lets you slow down to half the speed and still have 30fps)
• Slowmo at 240 Frams (with reduced 848x480 pixels) this lets you capture events ten times slower than normal Speed! Impressive (watch sample down below) or you can choose 720p120 - higher resolution but only 5 times slower than normal. But: 720p120 lets you also choose "Wide/Medium/Narrow" field of view!

More infos as soon as I flew it on my Discovery!

Infos:

I bought this cam at www.Globe-Flight.de  (great shop - reliable and fast!)
Link to Gelpad (Vibration dampening)
To enable GoPro app support you have to do a firmware update of your GoPro3
and here you get the GoPro app

View also this GoPro 3 Slowmo testvid:

FPV Setup Secrets DE / EN

Es gibt immer wieder Anfragen zur FPV Technik - jetzt hab ich mal versucht, möglichst viel davon in einem Video herzuzeigen.

► English version


►► Inhalt des Videos:
2:17 TV Box (Closeup: 4:16)
3:50 Groundstation Closeup
4:55 UHF Longrange Radio
6:15 TBS Discovery
10:02 Fatshark Antifog
11:26 RF Explorer Frequency Checker

►► Links und Infomaterial:
► Groundstation / LRS UHF Radio Tower
► Antennnen
► LED TV: Orava LT 411 LED A62b
► TBS Discovery
► Ortungspieper
► Antibeschlag-Spray für Brille
► RF Explorer

Preview: DJI Naza - GPS

Die Vorteile von Multicoptern weiß ich nun schon länger zu schätzen. Jedoch waren diese bis vor kurzem noch viel Bastelarbeit / Löterei...
Nun dürfte das massentaugliche Bausatzsystem von DJI Namens Naza sprichwörtlich den Himmel im Sturm erobern.

Sebastian von GlobeFlight demonstriert hier eindrucksvoll, was das GPS Addon kann. Sehr fein - fliegen braucht man hier nicht mehr können ;-)

DJI Naza GPS - Failsafe mit Return To Home from Sebastian Seidel on Vimeo.

I like multiopters - but they always were to some extend a "do it yourself" category. Now with DJI Naza this seems to have changed. Sebastian from GlogbeFlight shows very impressivly how the GPS Failsave / return home feature works!

GoPro anti vibration mount on tricopter

Update 2/2013: I now use my TBS Discovery Copter with an Gel Block rather than the earplugs. Earplugs worked great - but on cold days they get stiff and transfer vibrations. See this link for more info.


Update: mein Tricopter hat nun schon mehr als 200 Flüge hinter sich!!!
Es ist wirklich eine tolle FPV Plattform, klein, wendig, optimal! Einzig die Vibrationen / das Schwimmen oder "Wobbeln" im Video bei bestimmten Drehzahlen hat mich immer wieder gestört.
Ich hatte schon versucht, die Propeller zu wuchten, die GoPro anders montieren...
Letztendlich hat mich Ygramuls Idee zu einer gut funktionierenden Dämpfung gebracht - die hässlichen Wellenstörungen sind weg, aber wenn zu starke Vibs entstehen, kommt dennoch was durch.

Die Modifikation ist recht einfach: 2 Platten mit Ohrstöpseln, ca 5mm hoch, verbinden. Eine Platte wird am Fluggerät montiert, auf der anderen die Kamera. Zur eigenen Beruhigung hab ich noch die 2 Platten mit ein paar losen Schnüren gesichert.


Wichtige Zusatzerkenntnis: damit Vibrationen an den Propellern / Motoren erst gar nicht entstehen, sollte man möglichst hohe Drehzahlen verwenden. Ich hab z.B. am Tricopter von den 9x4,5er Props auf "flachere" 9x3,8er gewechselt. Dadurch brauchen die Motoren mehr Umdrehungen, und damit wirds wieder ruhiger. Nachteil: es wird etwas mehr Strom verbraucht - die Effizienz sinkt...
Beim MWC Quad hab ich gar von 10x4,5 auf 8x4,5er Props gewechselt - hier hab ich sonst gar keine Vibrationsdämpfung. Wobei der MWCQuad nun einen Holzrahmen bekommen hat - dieser dämpft auch wieder etwas.

Letztendlich ist noch der Videomode der GoPro entscheidend. Mit dem 720p60 Modus verschwinden die Störungen am besten. Mit 1080p30 hingegen, schafft man es kaum ohne Störungen!

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Now I have more than 200 flights with the Tricopter. It is really a great platform for FPV, small, agile, perfectly! Only the vibration / swimming or "wobble" in the video at certain speeds bothered me ever again.

I had already tried to heave the propellers, mounted GoPro in different ways...
Ultimately Ygramuls idea lead to a working absorption of the small vibrations - the ugly wave disturbances are 100% gone!

The modification is fairly simple: two plates connected with ear plugs about 5mm high. One plate is mounted on aircraft the other the camera. For peace of mind I still have the two plates secured with a few loose strings.

Additional tipps: to minimize the vibrations at it's root I choose smaller props. This way I have to use higher RPM to hover - higher motor speed make a difference in regards to vibrations. On the downside you'll loose some efficiency and your flighttime may decrease a few percent...

Video Range - Awesome!!!

Sorry, dass es momentan von mir nicht viel Neues gibt - dafür müssma wiedermal auf besseres Wetter warten...
Dafür hab ich hier von Till was Geniales bekommen: der FPVler hier hat ein recht ordentliches FPV System gebastelt - bis zu 300km Video-Reichweite???



Sorry for the lack of new posts here - new FPV videos need better weather...
In the meantime I got the above vid from Till. Great achievment for this spanish? guy - he might be trying to set a new world record soon (here only groundtesting - but groundbreaking stuff!).

Techtipp Recording FPV Video USB Grabber vs DNT Action Recorder AR3.6

===> DEUTSCH VERSION HIER

How do you record your downlink video? Why at all?
Because of security. If you crash you have video to look at rather than your faulty human memory ;-)

And you can also fly longrange and have as little weight as possible - so leave out the GoPro and have just SD video.
Till now I used USB Grabber and Laptop but this involves many things and takes time (see Setup-Video).

Now I found this:

DNT Action Recorder AR3.6

It's designed as helmet cam (but can't compete with Gopro!) but it has an interesting option: AV cable allows analog video to be recorded to SD card!
Technical details

So quality is better with USB Grabber, but the AR3.6 is more convenient. If you use it just as a videologger it's good enough. If you have just SD video - you might wanna use the laptop for better quality.
To show the different quality see the video below (watch in 1080p and fullscreen!)
You also see my three different cams (420, 480 and 520 TV lines resolution)

USB Grabber Videosamples:
Digitus USB Grabber
Virtualdub for rec, XVid 8MBit Bitrate codec (high bitrate for minimumm loss on recording)
720x576/25fps
Virtualdub used for posprocessing:
Filter deinterlace (ELA), Filter brightness/Contrast
saved as uncompressed avi -> further processing in Sony Vegas 10 (so you have a big tempfile for the uncompressed file)

DNT Action Recorder AR3.6
720x576/25fps 2,5MBit Bitrate
directly thrown into Sony Vegas 10 off the SD card - much faster option!
BUT: use the motion detection mode of the recorder - else the recording will stop at bad signal during flight!