Have you been deciding for a long time which kit to get for video signal transmission?

The most important question is what frequency to choose? There are a few options: 0.9, 1.2, 2.4 and 5.8 GHz. Since my telemetry works on 915 and 433 MHz, these ranges automatically disappear, as does 2.4 GHz, generally accepted for radio control. That leaves 1.2 and 5.8 GHz. The first has a higher penetrating power, but it can affect the radio control, and the quality of manufacture of this product, according to customer reviews, is very low, especially with CC. As a result, the choice was narrowed down to 5.8 GHz.

The first transmitters at 5.8 GHz had a low power of 200 mW, but over time, transmitters with a power of 400, 500, 600, 1000 and even 2000 mW appeared. Positive feedback was given to the 600 mW kits.

Since I plan to use the kit for automatic flights, I decided to focus on a powerful transmitter.

I searched on the Internet. I really liked the Boscam product line, but I have a second question. Where and how to write the received signal? Should I use an external DVR or a computer? Since I intended to use a laptop to control the model and display telemetry, I decided to send the signal from the onboard camera via a USB video capture device. But a set from Aomway caught my eye; one of the distinctive features from Boscam was the presence of a built-in recording device (DVR) to a memory card. In the end, I chose Aomway.

What came inside the package:

Receiver

Transmitter

Wires for connecting the receiver

Wires for connecting the transmitter

Antennas

I thought the receiver would be much larger.

The manufacturer is concerned about the buyer. The receiver comes with two wires, one with male bells and the other with female bells. When connecting to outputs AV1 and AV2, a 3.5 mm four-pin minijack is used.

Receiver 32 channels, transmitter 15 channels.

Receiving module (Receiver)

On top there is a connector for connecting an antenna and two frequency switching keys.

There is a table of frequencies on the receiver. Everything is quite simple. Four frequency ranges (FR1-FR4) with 8 channels each (CH1-CH8). On the front side there is a table with a frequency grid.

What is displayed on the indicator? For example, the value 48 is not at all the serial number of the channel, especially since we have only 32 channels. Accordingly, the first digit shows the range number, and the second the channel number.

At the bottom there is a power connector, two audio-video outputs (AV1, AV2), a slot for a micro SD memory card (TF TransFlash), a Rec recording key, and a recording indicator.

Transmitter module

15 channel transmitter with a power of 1000 mW.

On the bottom side there are four switches that allow you to select one of fifteen frequencies.

At the bottom there are power connectors, camera connections and a jumper for selecting the camera supply voltage. The connectors have latches to securely fit into the socket.

The power supply, according to the label, ranges from 9 to 16 volts.

The camera's supply voltage selection jumper allows you to select 5 or 12 volts, which is quite convenient to power it from 5 volts when using a GoPro camera, and 12 volts when using a video eye.

The camera connector has five pins. It provides for the transmission of not only a video signal, but also an audio signal in stereo mode. Although many may argue about the advisability of transmitting sound.

On the transmitter, as well as on the receiver, there is a connector for connecting an SMA standard antenna. Therefore, when purchasing clovers, you should not confuse them with RP-SMA.

One of the features of the thousandth transmitter is the presence of a built-in fan.

The included antennas are standard, I liked that they were labeled, otherwise I already have a lot of different ones and they can easily be confused with 2.4 GHz.

I connected everything without any problems. The receiver immediately saw the transmitter. The transmitter automatically detects the video signal standard.

To connect the GoPro camera I had to take a wire to connect the video output.

I also took a set of circularly polarized antennas from Boscam like these.

The set of circularly polarized clover antennas arrived in a beautiful colored box. Outwardly, they do not resemble a flower at all, but a fungus on a thin stalk.

The connectors are SMA type and fit perfectly with my receiver and transmitter. The legs are flexible, therefore, by installing the transmitter on the model, we can easily position the antenna in the desired plane.

The antennas are color-coded, each with the designations TX and RX, respectively, connect to the transmitter - TX, to the receiver - RX. How are antennas different? According to the manufacturer, the transmitting antenna has three circuits or so-called “clover petals,” while the receiving antenna (Rx) has four.

Video from built-in DVR

Second transmitter

I also ordered a 500 mW transmitter. Small and light.

Unlike the 1000th transmitter, the five hundred transmitter is without a housing and is wrapped in shrink film. The Chinese were a little overzealous, so the film compressed the connectors towards each other. The transmitter supply voltage range starts at 7 volts, and it becomes possible to connect directly to a two-can LiPo battery.

The frequency selection switches were under the film and cannot be switched without opening them.

Here's a sandwich. Below the blue label is an aluminum radiator.

On the second board you can see the inscription OMW200TX(v1.1). We can conclude that the element base of the 200 mW transmitter is taken as the basis.

The transmitter was powered by three can lithium polymer batteries. After 5 minutes of operation, the transmitter heated up to almost 83 degrees. The temperature was measured with a Turnigy infrared thermometer. I did not experiment further, since the temperature was constantly increasing and did not bring it to critical temperature.

The transmitter is sealed in film, which further prevents cooling. The disadvantage of a flat radiator is the small heat dissipation area. You will have to choose a suitable computer heatsink for effective heat dissipation.

What's the result?

I liked this device. I was pleased with the quality of materials and workmanship. The 500 mW transmitter is of course disappointing; the cooling system needs to be reworked. Of course, if the transmitter is blown with air while the model is moving, then there may not be a problem with overheating.

I liked the video recording from the built-in DVR. I expected low quality pictures, but it turned out that everything was very good.

I’ll add a video where we flew 22 km with the same Aomway 5.8 GHz 1000mW transmitter. We look at the distance to home at 48 minutes into the flight.

As for the price, if you compare the kit with and without a recording device, the difference is about $20-30, while an external DVR costs about $50 on HK. In this case, if you plan to use an external writer, then purchasing a combined device certainly makes sense.

What are the advantages of the built-in DVR:

Ease of use and recording control.

No extra wires or electronic components

If the signal is bad, it will not turn off, as happens when using monitors to display information; many of them switch to a blue screen if the quality of the video signal is poor.

If the model is lost, there will be a video recording of the flight, from which you can find out the latest coordinates.

FPV (First Person View) translated into Russian means first-person view. FPV systems are used in almost all areas of RC modeling. With a first-person view now, they ride on cars, race on boats, but the largest distribution of FPV systems is, of course, radio-controlled aircraft. What boy has not dreamed of sitting at the controls of an airplane or helicopter and observing the surroundings from a bird's eye view? In addition, using a camera installed on an airplane, helicopter or multicopter, it is possible to study various objects, for example, observe large areas of forest land, or inspect large objects from above. Of course, there are companies specializing in such flights, but it is not always possible to invite a specialist with expensive equipment, and then the question arises: how to independently organize the FPV connection?

With the current level of development of microelectronics and the availability of electronic components, connecting FPV has ceased to be the lot of professionals and enthusiasts; almost anyone who has at least once held a soldering iron in their hands is able to independently organize the connection of an FPV system on their model, car, airplane, helicopter or multicopter.

Today, the main market share is occupied by analog FPV systems operating at frequencies of 1.2, 1.3, 2.4 and 5.8 GHz. Connecting an FPV of this class makes it possible to transmit in real time an image with a standard resolution of 640X480 pixels, while the image transmission range can vary from several hundred meters to several tens of kilometers. As a rule, for flights over distances of no more than a few kilometers, equipment at 5.8 GHz is used. Thanks to the compactness of antennas for this frequency, it is possible to easily organize an FPV connection on small aircraft. Connecting FPV equipment at frequencies of 1.2 and 1.3 GHz is justified for long-distance flights on large aircraft with a wingspan of more than one and a half meters, capable of covering distances of tens of kilometers. Also, longer waves do not react as strongly to obstacles in the form of trees, houses and natural changes in the terrain. All frequencies used in FPV have their pros and cons, so it is difficult to give general recommendations, and the selection of equipment for a specific use must be done individually.

Connecting FPV to DJI Phantom Quadcopter

Components required to connect an FPV system. Five essential components that no FPV system can exist without.

1. Video camera installed on the model. There are a huge number of cameras, both specifically designed for FPV, as well as ordinary household or extreme video cameras. The main conditions for using a camera are the weight of the camera that your model can carry, and the presence of a video output to connect the camera to a video transmitter. The preferred type of matrix used in the camera is sensors from SONY.
2. Video transmitter. As mentioned above, it can operate at frequencies of 1.2, 1.3, 2.4 and 5.8 GHz. Transmitters may differ not only in the frequency used, but also in power. The output power of different transmitter models can vary from 25 mW to several watts. As a rule, transmitters with a power of no more than one watt are used. Also, one of the most important conditions for high-quality signal reception and transmission is good coordination of the antenna with the transmitter, and sometimes even more powerful transmitters, but with a poorly matched antenna, work at a shorter distance than their low-power counterparts, but with a well-matched antenna.
3. Antennas for transmitter and receiver. Antennas differ in the wavelength with which they are used and in the type of directivity. The most common type of antenna is the dipole, which is shaped like a pin and is colloquially called a sausage. It is not particularly directional, but it can have good gain, and in case of good coordination with the transmitter/receiver, it can give decent results, with low weight, size and price. The second most popular type of antenna used in FPV is the so-called “Clover”, this type of antenna is omnidirectional, receives the reflected signal very well, and practically does not depend on the direction of the antenna on the model. But “Clover” can be quite large in size, especially at long frequencies of 1.2 and 1.3 GHz, which makes its use not very convenient and in some cases impossible, especially on small-sized models, also due to its design features, the “Clover” antenna » is quite fragile and can be easily damaged, for example, if the model fails to land or falls. And the third type of antennas are narrowly directed antennas, the so-called “Patch” antennas. As a rule, this type of antenna is not used for installation on a model, since the model is constantly in motion, and the Patch will not be able to provide the required radio wave transmission angle. Narrow directional antennas are often used to be mounted on the receiver, which provides a more stable signal and greater gain to receive a better signal on the ground. If it is not possible to turn the “Patch” manually, for example, the flight takes place at a fairly large distance, out of sight from the ground, a ground station with an antenna tracker can be used in conjunction with a narrowly directional antenna, which allows you to automatically turn the antenna towards the model, thereby ensuring constant and stable signal reception by the video receiver.
4. Video receiver. Connecting FPV is not possible without using the receiving ground part of the system, which is the video receiver. The main condition for the operation of the system as a whole is the same frequency of the transmitting and receiving parts of the FPV system. That is, if we use a video transmitter at 5.8 GHz, then the video receiver must operate at the same frequency. In addition, even in the same frequency range, there are several dozen channels on which a video signal can be transmitted. There are several FPV component manufacturers on the market, and each manufacturer uses a different set of channels. For example, until recently, Boscam transmitters could not work with ImmersionRC receivers, which use their own frequency grid. The situation changed with the advent of multi-band transmitters and receivers, when it became possible to switch to any channel in one device and use transmitters and receivers from different manufacturers in one system.
5. Monitor, video glasses or video helmet. Finally, we got to the last FPV component, which will allow you to enjoy the movement of your model in space from the first person, feeling like an operator of an unmanned aerial vehicle. The most affordable and simplest image output is an FPV monitor, which can be used as specialized models of FPV monitors of various diagonals, as well as household LCD TVs, up to wide-format panels measuring several tens of inches, the larger the screen size and the higher its quality, the greater the immersion effect and the higher the quality of perceived reality. But in specialized FPV monitors, there is one very important difference from household ones, this is the absence of the so-called “blue screen”, when the picture on the screen can completely disappear if the video signal is bad. If you use a special FPV monitor, even if the signal starts to disappear and the video deteriorates greatly, you will still be able to observe the flight and, having taken the necessary measures, for example, turning the plane in the other direction or in the opposite direction, continue to control with a view from first person, and not lose control of the model. Also, for visual perception of the flight, you can use video glasses and a video helmet, these devices are worn directly on the head of the virtual pilot, which provides the maximum level of immersion and makes it possible to feel like a real pilot, and built into the eyes or helmet, the so-called “Track module” , will allow you to turn the video camera mounted on a special rotating bracket in the direction in which you turned your head, which gives an even greater effect of presence and makes the flight more convenient and interesting.

The FPV connection may also contain one more component, which is not absolutely necessary, but its presence greatly facilitates first-person flight and makes it more convenient and safe; we are talking about the possibility of transmitting telemetry data along with the video signal, which can such indications as GPS coordinates, battery charge level, current consumption level, and direction to the home point will be included, which will allow you not to get lost and safely return your device to the take-off location. The “OSD” module, which is connected between the video camera and the video transmitter, is responsible for transmitting this telemetry. The “OSD” module mixes the video signal from the video camera with telemetry data received from various sensors, and the already mixed video is transmitted to the video input of the transmitter.

FULL HD video link

FPV connection with HD video quality and digital transmission. The latest trend in the field of FPV is the transmission of HD video using digital technologies. At the moment, the only mass-produced and affordable device is the Lightbridge HD link from DJI, which provides video signal transmission with Full HD quality 1920x1080 pixels over a distance of about two kilometers. There are also many home-made solutions that allow you to transmit digital video, using, for example, Wi-Fi technology, but all these developments are more experimental in nature, do not have mass application, and remain the domain of enthusiasts.

Finally everything you need to collect FPV has arrived (photo above). The kit includes the following:

• Receiver/Transmitter 5.8G RC832 and TS832 respectively. 600 mW transmitter. Quite an impressive energy consumption, but the reviews and reviews for this kit were not bad.
• Eachine CCD 1000TVL camera. CCD matrix and overall dimensions - the parameters by which I chose.
• MiniOSD (On Screen Display) is a useful card that allows you to add/mix vital data from the controller into the video signal. I don’t know how MiniOSD differs from MinimOSD - the firmware and programmer worked without problems.
• The programmer for MiniOSD is a tiny intermediary board between the USB port and the MiniOSD that allows you to flash and specify exactly what data and where on the display I want to see during FPV flights.
• VideoDVR USB adapter - captures video signal from the receiver and displays/records on a laptop. It was not necessary to buy this thing, as well as a separate receiver. The receiver is already built into the monitor. But I bought them to record video on my laptop from an FPV camera.
• Monitor Boscam Galaxy D2. I really liked the attachment to the remote control in this monitor (no need to be fancy), the built-in 4000 mAh battery (no need for any additional power supply) and the built-in receiver (again, no wires needed). But I did not take into account the most important parameter, which I now regret - the brightness of the monitor. As it turned out, in sunny weather it’s a big problem to see anything on this monitor. Even the built-in protective visor does not help. Although, on the other hand, my phones and tablets (with obviously better and more expensive screens) are also difficult to read under the sun. Well, I’ll control it using a monitor in the shade of a tree...

As you understand, video from an FPV camera should not claim to be of high quality (for this there will be a separate camera on a damping gimbal with a gyroscope), but the most important thing that is required of it is the transmission of images without delay, even with interference.

Before you start building, you need to configure MinimOSD. Here's a great video tutorial:

In this instruction everything is smooth and clear, but in reality it turned out to be more complicated. Firstly, my laptop could not detect the programmer as a COM port. The programmer was detected with the error "This device cannot start. (Code 10)". After studying the possible reasons, the most likely one turned out to be the lack of the necessary drivers. The programmer did not come with any instructions, much less driver disks. On the programmer chip I found the marking: "PL-2303HX". After googling it, I found a link to the drivers. To my delight, the driver was also for VISTA, which is installed on my laptop. After this, the driver was successfully installed and the programmer was detected as a COM2 port.

Next, using the link, I downloaded the latest version of the MinimOSD configurator program (file "CT Tool for MinimOSD Extra 2.3.2.0 Pre Release r727.zip") and the latest firmware (file "MinimOSD-Extra_Copter_Pre-release_2.4_r726.hex") according to the above video instructions and I configured all the data that I considered necessary to see on the screen during the flight.

That's it, let's start assembling. I want to say right away that I decided to fasten all the components not with double-sided tape, but with zip ties, because as practice has shown, it’s more reliable this way!! FPV Camera and MiniOSD Board:

We connect all this according to a diagram, the main idea of ​​which is given here at this link. I came up with a different circuit, since my camera operates from +5V, I took the power from a power distribution board with a built-in voltage regulator (I can’t hang up a separate battery because I’m beyond the maximum permissible weight - I have to sacrifice flight time and cleanliness of the picture):

In general, this is the electrical diagram of my quadcopter (the colors of the wires are in accordance with the wires that I had, and not in accordance with the standards):

I understand that everyone has their own case. But I still present my diagram in case someone finds it useful, and I give the following comments on it:

• Between the BEC for APM and the power distribution board, I removed the connector (from the distribution board) and rigidly connected the high-ampere wires by soldering, plus I attached each wire to the board with zip ties. I did this for greater reliability, because in this place I connect and disconnect the battery and the wires are constantly “moving”.
• I cut off the power wires ("+" and "-") from all ESCs and ran only one wire each to the APM outputs. Made to reduce the number of wires.
• I powered the camera and MiniOSD from the +5V stabilizer of the power distribution board. In addition, I connected the +5V power supply to the digital and analog parts of the MiniOSD by soldering a jumper as recommended in the video instructions.
• The main idea: “ground” always follows from the video signal source along with it.

The monitor was easily attached to the remote control. The fastening is convenient and reliable:

After I assembled the entire circuit, connected the battery, connected the USB adapter for video capture to the laptop and the receiver to it, I configured the PAL-B signal type in the program supplied with the adapter (Settings: Property Settings -> Video Settings -> Video Standard) and saw "No Mav Data" on the screen while the video signal was being received. Having read it carefully again, I realized where the error was: I had to connect the TX signal from the controller to the RX signal of the MimiOSD board. I actually cut off the TX signal wire from the MiniOSD (this board should only receive signals from the controller for display on the display), connected it correctly and saw the controller parameters. But unfortunately, not all of them were displayed, and some that were displayed did not want to be updated. Again I started googling what was going on, and found a recommendation in the same article (!) for manually entering parameters through Mission Planner. Yes, I had to tinker with the OSD, but I achieved what I wanted and now I can see all the vital parameters of the quadcopter on the display screen.

Well, it's time to show what exactly I see on the monitor while flying in the "Drift" mode:

Now some conclusions after test flights in FPV:

• The flight time became shorter, but not as significant as I feared (8 minutes versus 10). The point here is not only the additional weight, but also the high consumption of the transmitter (200 mA)
• The interference is very strong starting from 100 meters. I don't know why (I was counting on better connection quality). I'll try to change the antennas of the video signal receiver and transmitter to "clover" (polarizing) ones. Maybe this will help.
• The OSD supply voltage shows incorrectly - it is lying by about 1 volt.
• It is difficult to distinguish anything on the screen even in the shade of trees in sunny weather! But on a cloudy day, in principle, everything is visible normally. Overall, I don't recommend this display.
• Controlling the screen is still a bit difficult. We need to get used to it. Or he can change the focal length of the camera (lenses with different focal lengths are sold for this camera).

And yet, despite all the problems listed above, flying in the “Drift” mode using FPV is an order of magnitude greater pleasure than just controlling a quadcopter from the side. Although this is very difficult and more complicated than it seems from the outside (the camera does not give the desired effect of presence on the drone - perhaps the focal length needs to be changed). However, this will keep me busy for a while until I learn how to maneuver between the trees without colliding or falling. And next in line... installing a camera gimbal and a camera for video recording!

Hi all. Today's review will be interesting for those who are interested in PC topics. Since I also love flying drones, I decided to find a device to view the picture and record it at the same time. Each drone uses an fpv analog camera with a 5.8 GHz video transmitter. To satisfy my desires, I purchased an fpv receiver for a phone or tablet - Eachine ROTG01 UVC - for testing.

Arrived in a metal box. The kit includes a special USB cable, a dipole antenna and the receiver itself.

During the test, it turned out that this receiver is not suitable for iPhones and some Android phone models. Before purchasing, download TestUVC_0.5.apk. It will tell you exactly whether this receiver will work with your device.
To work, we need to connect the cable correctly. The gray arrows should point towards the receiver (see photo).


Next, install the application for recording video and viewing it. I recommend (PoKeFPV), it's free!
First, we connect the receiver, then we launch PoKeFPV and with the only button on the receiver we start searching for channels. When you hold it for a long time, auto search is activated.

There is no blue screen. The reception frequency is displayed at the top left and the signal strength as a percentage on the right. When the receiver scans all 150 channels, the screen displays the channels that are already in use. A very useful function. For example, when several people are flying and in this way you can find the optimal frequencies so as not to interfere with each other during flights.
Recording is carried out in avi format, 640 by 480 pixels and a frame rate of 25 per second. The quality of the recording can be assessed in my review.

Conclusion
pros
-The receiver is well suited for beginners and those who do not want to invest a lot in the rc hobby.
- Low price, no blue screen, FPV recording and use as a black box!
-Also suitable for viewing by your friends when you use more expensive systems.
Minuses
- All phones are not supported!
Thanks to all)

I'm planning to buy +40 Add to favorites I liked the review +25 +43

Greetings, dear UAV lovers. A camera for a quadcopter is, if not mandatory, then an extremely desirable attribute. Most drones are capable of carrying it on board, and the best aircraft models can be used for professional aerial video recording. In addition to taking photos and videos, cameras are widely used for FPV control, helping to more accurately control the flight of the copter. The main nuances of choosing and using video equipment will be discussed in our article.

A drone camera can be used to solve many problems, which are divided into 2 global groups:

• Photo and video shooting, as well as an overview of the area over which the drone flies
• FPV control

Advanced aircraft models can use two cameras (or even more) simultaneously. One provides FPV control, while the second provides high-quality shooting. This division did not arise by chance. Action cameras, often mounted on drones, are mostly capable of only recording, but cannot transmit video signal to a monitor. Or they do it with some restrictions. The problem is solved by purchasing FPV equipment.

Manufacturers such as Walkera, DJI, Xiaomi and some others equip their quadcopters with universal equipment that can both shoot and transmit video signals. The disadvantage in this case is that the shooting is done in digital format, image compression algorithms are used, and only after processing by the processor the data is transmitted.

All this leads to delay. For leisurely outdoor flights, a second's delay is not critical. Such a video cannot be called real and, although the copter manufacturer promises FPV control, in reality the pilot does not receive the signal immediately.

Analog FPV kits for quadcopters operate with minimal latency. The video stream is not processed, but is immediately transmitted to control equipment. For racing drones, for flying around a large number of potential obstacles (for example, dense urban areas, forests), for professional video filming, all this is of great importance.

There is one more important point. FPV equipment consumes little energy, weighs little, is highly reliable and has a fairly affordable price.

So, the choice is determined by the tasks that will be solved. For high-quality shooting, a good action camera with a 3-axis gimbal must be included in the package, while for true first-person control, analogue FPV equipment is required.

For shooting video

Many pilots purchase or assemble UAVs themselves, and only then install action cameras on them. A little later we will talk about quadcopter models that are equipped with video cameras at the factory.

At one time, GoPro devices created a new market for portable shockproof and waterproof video cameras. Now dozens of companies are present on it. We have selected several popular models that are often used for shooting videos.

Top action cameras for drones

Our small top action cameras include 3 devices that are relatively inexpensive and equipped with Wi-Fi modules. With their help, you can use budget quadcopters to shoot high-quality videos.

We are interested in:

• Amkov amk5000
• Xiaomi YI action 4K
• Sjcam sj4000 wifi

Amkov amk5000

The Amkov amk5000 wi fi action camera is one of the cheapest devices. Its cost in Chinese online stores is about $90. The delivery set can be called exhaustive. In addition to a variety of adapters, latches and pads, the package includes a waterproof box. There is also a helmet mount, that is, the scope of application of the amk5000 is very extensive and is clearly not limited to flights alone.

As the name implies, the camera is equipped with a wi-fi module. The user can control the device using a smartphone. And although the communication range does not exceed 50 meters, this is enough to activate the camera only after takeoff or turn it off before landing.

Main characteristics:

• Dimensions 65x73x139 mm
• Weight 78 g
• 14 MP CMOS image sensor
• Viewing angle 170 degrees
• Run time up to 90 minutes in 1080 30p mode with Wi-Fi
• Timelapse function
• Micro-HDMI and micro-USB 2.0 connectors
• Slot for SD, SDHC cards

The shooting quality can be described as average. The lens clearly lacks aperture, which is especially noticeable in cloudy weather. On the other hand, for $100 it’s unlikely to find a better option, and even with such a rich set of equipment. Of the entry-level action cameras, Amkov amk5000 wi fi is one of the best. Wide viewing angles ensure you don't miss anything.

Note that in appearance the amk5000 copies the Hero, which, however, is not surprising.

Xiaomi YI action 4K

The Xiaomi YI action 4K model is a further development of the YI line and is currently one of the most advanced action cameras from the Chinese electronics manufacturer. Traditionally for Xiaomi, the scope of delivery is modest.

In addition to YI action 4K, it includes a selfie stick and a Bluetooth remote control. There are no mounts, underwater housing, or adapters. Of course, any adapters can be purchased separately, but compared to more affordable competitors, the package looks meager.

The device costs about $200, it is not the cheapest video camera, but it supports recording in 4K resolution and is known for fairly high picture quality.

Main characteristics:

• Dimensions 65x42x21 mm
• Weight 95 g
• Viewing angle 155 degrees
• Image sensor CMOS ½.3″ 12 MP (Sony IMX377)
• Electronic stabilization
• Processor Ambarella A9SE75
• Aperture F2.8
• Operating time up to 110 minutes in 3840×2160 30p mode
• Timelapse function
• Micro-USB connector
• Broadcom BCM43340 dual-band Wi-Fi module
• Slot for microSDHC/SDXC cards

Xiaomi YI action 4K can even be used for FPV control by selecting “Live video mode” in the application menu. True, the communication range does not exceed 50 meters, so you won’t be able to fly far.

Shooting video using Xiaomi YI is not difficult at all. Settings, including advanced ones, are available in the application menu, but you can also use the high-quality touch screen of the camera itself. All shooting modes work flawlessly. Electronic stabilization allows for smoother images, but results in smaller frame sizes.

Sjcam sj4000 wifi

The Sjcam sj4000 wifi action camera, recently released in the new revision 2.0, is distinguished by its low cost (about $80), rich equipment, and the presence of a 2-inch display. The kit includes several mounts, a waterproof case and even a 32 GB memory card.

Main characteristics:

• Dimensions 60x41x30 mm
• Weight 46 g
• Viewing angle 170 degrees
• Image sensor Aptina0330 CMOS 3 MP
• Electronic stabilization
• Run time up to 88 minutes in 1920×1080 30p mode
• Timelapse function
• Motion Detector
• Micro-USB and Micro-HDMI connectors
• Wi-Fi module
• Slot for microSDHC cards

This is one of the lightest action cameras in the review, weighing only 46 grams including battery. The quality of the shooting can be assessed as average. In low light, the image appears dark (a common problem with small lenses). 30fps at 1920x1080 is the limit for the sj4000. In the settings you can change the viewing angle, but this only leads to a worse picture.

Overall, the sj4000 is pretty good for the money. It can be installed on budget quadcopters to film your own flights. Light weight reduces the drone's carrying capacity requirements.

For FPV

A complete FPV kit for a quadcopter consists of:

• Transmitter
• Receiver
• Cameras with video output
• Antenna
• Monitor (helmet, glasses)
• Batteries for receiver and monitor

All this equipment is located on the copter and on the control panel. Advanced models of quadcopters allow you to connect FPV equipment to your own power supply. This reduces the flight time, but you can do without a separate battery.

You can assemble an FPV kit yourself (and this will be discussed in our article), but novice pilots are better off choosing ready-made drones. Very inexpensive models are available for sale that will help you get an idea of ​​PDF control. By the way, it is not at all a fact that you will like controlling a drone in first person, so there is no point in immediately spending money on an expensive drone.

Ready-made inexpensive FPV drones

And it is able to satisfy the needs of even very demanding customers.

We recommend paying attention to:

• Hubsan H107D FPV
• WLtoys V686G
• JJRC H9D

All three models are inexpensive and equipped with cameras and displays. Copters cannot boast of stabilizing gimbals.

Hubsan H107D FPV

We have already, so I will give only the main characteristics:

• Dimensions 140x140x32 mm
• Weight 365 g
• Flight duration up to 7 minutes
• Communication range 50-100 meters
• Video communication range up to 100 meters
• Built-in camera 0.3 MP, resolution 640 x 480
• Display size 4.3 inches
• Battery 380 mAh

WLtoys V686G

• Dimensions 360x360x100 mm
• Weight 860 g
• Flight duration up to 10 minutes
• Communication range up to 150 meters
• Display size 4.3 inches
• Frequency 2.4 GHz for control and 5.8 GHz for video
• Battery 730 mAh

JJRC H9D

• Dimensions 230x230x130 mm
• Weight 450 g
• Flight duration up to 8 minutes
• Communication range up to 150 meters
• Video communication range up to 150 meters
• Video camera 2.0 MP, HD resolution
• Display size 4.3 inches
• Frequency 2.4 GHz for control and 5.8 GHz for video
• Battery 650 mAh

How to choose an FPV and why it's not that easy

The choice of FPV for a quadcopter depends not only and not so much on the price, but on the characteristics and capabilities that the pilot ultimately wants to receive.

Each system component has its own parameters and its own requirements for compatible equipment. What matters is the type of matrix, resolution, frequency used, and transmitter power.

You need to imagine how the FPV system will be configured, how to organize its power supply from the battery, which monitor or helmet to choose. It is not always possible to find a detailed overview of a particular element.

Sensor type and latency: CCD vs CMOS

We already briefly talked about the delay at the beginning of the article. Today, there are no affordable solutions that can be used to broadcast a signal from a digital HD camera to a remote control or smartphone with minimal delay. Lag is inevitable, and it can be quite significant - up to several seconds. Any action camera, even the latest generation, for example, Hero 6, loses in this indicator to an inexpensive FPV camera. As we have already said, if first-person control is needed, you should only look at analog video modules.

Cameras can use one of two types of sensors - CMOS or CCD. For FPV equipment, CCD matrices are usually used due to the following factors:

• Better Exposure Controls
• The “jelly” effect is less pronounced
• Less noise in low light conditions

In turn, CMOS (widely used in digital HD video cameras) differs:

• Higher resolution
• Better color rendition
• Higher frame rate
• Less power consumption

For FPV flights, the benefits of CMOS (other than reduced power consumption) are not very important. That is why the ratings of the best video cameras for first-person control include solutions based on CCD matrices.

TVL resolution

In the era of digital video, we are accustomed to the fact that matrix resolution is expressed in terms of pixels (1980x1080 and so on). For analog devices, the TVL parameter is used, that is, the number of horizontal lines that fit in the frame (or the number of possible transitions between colors).

The higher the TVL value, the better the image quality, but in the case of first-person-video there is no need to chase the maximum values. The higher the resolution, the higher the price of the camera, and, more importantly, the higher the video signal delay. Limitations are also imposed by the analog 5.8 GHz transmitter, which is capable of transmitting a certain amount of data per unit of time. If the capabilities of the transmitter are limited, then it does not matter much how high-quality video equipment is used.

Drone cameras usually have a resolution of 600TVL, 700TVL, 800TVL.

Standard PAL\NTSC

Modern equipment works perfectly with both formats, so you don’t have to worry too much about the fact that an NTSC camera (this standard is used in the USA) will be incompatible with a European or Chinese transmitter.

However, there are differences between the standards, and they can be seen with the naked eye by watching the drone fly on a monitor.

PAL supports higher resolution compared to NTSC (720x576 versus 720x480), which has a positive effect on picture quality. But NTSC has a better frame rate (30 fps versus 25 fps), which makes the video smoother.

Top cameras for FPV

There are dozens, if not hundreds, of drone cameras to choose from. The most famous manufacturers include Runcam, Foxeer, Caddx, Aomway, Boscam. In addition to video equipment, they also produce other FPV equipment.

Our top includes the following devices:

• Runcam Eagle 2 (Full, Micro)
• Foxeer Predator (Mini, Micro)
• Caddx SDR1 (Mini, Micro)
• Runcam Swift 2 (Full, Mini, Micro)
• Foxeer Predator Arrow V3 (Full, Mini, Micro)
• Caddx S1 (Mini, Micro)

Frequencies

The transmitter, which transmits the signal, and the receiver, which receives this signal, operate at a certain frequency. There are several common frequencies used in aircraft modeling, but the frequency most often used for video is 5.8 GHz.

There are other frequencies - 900, 1200, 2400 GHz. At a frequency of 2.4 GHz, the quadcopter is usually controlled. The lower the frequency, the greater its penetrating ability and. But the larger the antenna size.

The choice of 5.8 GHz for video transmission is not accidental. This frequency is legal in many countries (the use of some frequencies may be prohibited by law). In addition, you can use a small antenna, which is important for amateur drones. Video broadcast on 5.8 GHz has little or no effect on the 2.4 GHz control frequency.

At 5.8 GHz, up to 32 channels are available. This is an important parameter when it comes to mass joint flights, for example, racing.

Transmitter and its power

The higher the transmitter power, the greater the video signal transmission range. There are models on sale for 25mW, 100mW, 200mW and so on.

The peculiarity is that to increase the range by 2 times, the power must increase by 4 times. Accordingly, if a 200mW transmitter is enough to broadcast video over a distance of 1 km, then to organize signal transmission over 2 km you will have to take an 800mW transmitter. This is not always necessary or justified, while the cost of equipment increases noticeably, as does energy consumption.

Video switch

The video switch will come in handy if the quadcopter model has 2 video cameras installed. For example, one may be heading, while the second may be looking back or down. By switching, you can display video on the monitor from different sources.

Receiver

With the receiver everything is somewhat simpler. It can be made either as an external device with an antenna and video output, or built into a monitor or control panel. The receiver must operate on the same frequency and channel as the transmitter (usually all 32 channels at 5.8 GHz are supported). You can connect a display, glasses or a helmet to the receiver.

Antennas

When purchasing the first inexpensive set, the pilot is often content with the antennas that come with the kit. In general, when it comes to short-distance flights, they do their job well. But if it is necessary to ensure a better communication range, the standard antennas are replaced with more expensive analogues.

Types

The simplest whip (omnidirectional) antennas are usually supplied with FPV equipment. There are also so-called clover antennas, characterized by low gain.

Patch antennas (helix antennas) have the greatest range. They are used in advanced control equipment.

Connectors

There are two connectors that connect the antennas to the transmitter and receiver. This can be either an SMA connector or an RP-SMA connector. Before purchasing, please ensure that the connectors on the antennas, transmitter and receiver are compatible.

Glasses and monitors

The more expensive the monitor or glasses, the higher quality the picture they provide. A simple FPV monitor with a small diagonal, glare, and hard-to-read text will be more likely to hinder than help in control. The same is true for cheap video glasses with low frequency and not the highest quality screens.
For starters, the simplest monitor model will do, but if flying really interests you, we recommend looking towards equipment from Fatshark.

OSD

OSD is an extremely useful device, thanks to which you can obtain technical information about the condition of the quadcopter. A small OSD board (on-screen-display) connects to sensors (speed, battery voltage, current consumption, GPS, etc.) located on the flight controller. It also connects to the transmitter.

The pilot receives OSD information directly on the monitor screen or glasses. He can add or remove individual indicators if he does not need them.

Advanced models of quadcopters can be equipped with their own OSD boards (or this functionality is implemented on the flight controller board).

About food

In order for FPV equipment to function, it must be connected to a power source. Modern kits require 12V voltage. Accordingly, if a 3S battery (11.1V) is installed on board the copter, then the video camera with the transmitter can also be powered from it.

Voltage regulators

In cases where the copter is equipped with a 4S (16.4V) or larger battery, you can use a voltage regulator. If there is no regulator, or you don’t want to connect to the drone’s battery, a separate 3S battery is installed.

Power filter

When connected to the aircraft's power system, the operation of the camera and transmitter may begin to be affected by interference from the motors. As a result, the image on the screen will be replete with white stripes. A power filter is used to combat interference.

FAQ

At the end of our review article on organizing FPV on quadcopters, we will answer several frequently asked questions.

Where is the best place to place the equipment?

If your quadcopter already has a video camera and you intend to use it to record flights, a small FPV camera can be attached directly to its body.

As for the transmitter antenna, it should be placed as far as possible from the copter antennas so that they do not create additional interference with each other.

What is "jelly"?

The jelly effect is caused by the vibration of the quadcopter body caused by the operation of the propellers and motors. The image seems to be shaking or floating a little. When broadcasting video from a camera, the effect may not be noticeable. But when watching a recorded video, it manifests itself in full (if there is no gyro-stabilized gimbal).

What to do with the audio output?

The audio output is usually not used, so you can safely forget about it.

Video frequency conversion

Frequency conversion may be necessary if the receiver built into glasses or a monitor can only operate at a frequency of 5.8 GHz, while you want to operate at a frequency of, for example, 1.2 GHz. In this case, a special conversion module will be useful.

Is it possible to display video on a smartphone?

Many action cameras equipped with a Wi-Fi module can broadcast video to a smartphone or tablet. The problem is that the communication range via a Wi-Fi connection is very limited and does not exceed 50-100 meters, depending on conditions.

You can solve the range problem using an analog-to-digital converter, but this does not make much sense, since a noticeable delay occurs. During the time it takes for the analog signal to be converted to digital, the copter will have time to end up in another place.

How to learn to fly?

First, you should master it, get used to the remote control, try different flight modes and different expense levels. The first flights of the drone should be carried out at a short distance from the control panel, at low speed, in open areas without natural or artificial obstacles. Computer simulators can help you get used to the controls, although most pilots prefer real-life experience.

Conclusion

We tried to consider in detail the features of choosing FPV equipment, talked about the most important parameters and characteristics, and gave examples of ready-made models of FPV quadcopters.

Control using first-person video is significantly different from the control most pilots are accustomed to using only a remote control. It makes it possible to make long-distance flights without fear of crashing the copter on a sudden obstacle. When using high-quality components (primarily glasses and a camera), the pilot gets a completely different experience. In this augmented reality, he no longer just gives commands, but he himself seems to be present on board the aircraft.

This concludes the article about FPV on quadcopters. Subscribe to our new reviews, share useful materials on social networks, and see you again.

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