UAV Wireless Video

Seeing a vision of something whether that something was an event in the past, present, or future, is a gift that has always been admired by the common people. In fact, if a person has a clarity of vision, that person is sometimes highly sought after by other people. The present technology of wireless HDMI is getting close to that kind of visual clarity, wherein you can see an event whether it had happened in the past or is happening at the present via the use of wireless high definition transmission. Wireless HDMI is the colloquial term for this type of visual and audio transmission. As this technology becomes highly accurate, the transmission of visual and audio data becomes even more awesome.

The availability of HD wireless video has greatly enhanced various industries. The broadcasting industry, for example, readily adapted the use of HD wireless transmissions to unburden itself of the perennial problem of using tons of wire cords during live broadcasting. High Definition wireless transmission of videos definitely did away with these tons of cords, making video transmission cool and convenient. Wireless HD video technology basically facilitated the once cumbersome live broadcasting of videos.

Aside from the benefits afforded by HD video transmissions to the broadcasting industry, HD wireless video transmission is likewise very much beneficial to those who are engaged in drone technology. The zero-delay HD video transmissions is definitely essential to drone flying. This zero-delay HD video transmission allows pilots of drones to have a first-person-view of what the drone sees. Transmitters that could transmit HD videos are now integrated into the complete platform of drones. With this technology at hand, drones now become ideal for use in visual inspection missions, aerial photography, aerial broadcasting, crowd control, and other applications. Using this technology, pilots can now gain perfect control of the flight of their drones using the drone’s camera as their first-person-view provider.

Another useful application of HD wireless video transmission is in the field of medicine, specifically in the field of medical surgery. The transmissions of medical video procedures are becoming a trend and a necessity for medical students who want to know and understand certain medical procedures. Moreover, thousands of doctors nowadays rely heavily on the videos transmitted by the minute cameras at the end of the endoscopes to accomplish perfect and precise surgical operations. Many of these surgical procedures will never be perfectly done without the use of latency-free HD wireless video transmission solutions.

Most of us or almost all of us want to create, watch, and transmit HD videos. However, at the onset, it would be impossible to transmit HD videos if you are unable to capture HD videos using an HD video camera. Hence, it is a prerequisite that before you can transfer an HD video, you must have an HD video camera that could capture and at the same time transmit the HD videos. There are many companies that manufacture HD cameras, but there are not many companies that can enable a smooth transmission of these HD videos in real time.

There are many high-definition sources of images and videos, and some of these sources include direct broadcast satellite, terrestrial broadcast, high definition disc, digital cable, internet download, and digital cameras. Moreover, most computers can provide or transmit better higher resolutions via DVI, VGA, and HDMI port. However, without the technical knowhow and the needed instrument, it would be very difficult to transmit HD videos in real time. Real-time transmission of HD videos is often essential to many industries and many undertakings, such as in broadcasting industry, wherein it is necessary to have HD video transmission in real time. Likewise, in other fields of endeavor, such as in medicine, drone flights, and many other fields of interests, real-time transmission of HD videos is essential.

The Great Innovations of Amimon in the Field of Real-time Video Transmissions

One company that stands out when it comes to wireless HD video transmission is that of Amimon. Amimon is a market leader in the aspect of zero-latency wireless HD video transmission. It has developed and enhanced the technology of wireless video transmission, enabling any person who has the Amimon's equipment to transmit HD videos anytime and anywhere. The company has developed HD wireless video equipment and modules that are deemed as the paradigm and standard solutions for zero-latency wireless HD video transmission. The end results of Amimon's innovations are those of the technologically-advanced zero latency technology and high-quality HD video transmission equipment.

The television for several generations already has been one of the principal means to disseminate information to the public via news reports; likewise, the television has been the main source of entertainment for many people in the past decades. The recently growing popularity of personal computers and mobile devices, however, has been expected to bring in the immediate demise of the television. However, this has not been the case for with the incorporation of new and emerging technologies into the television technology, the television has instead made a strong comeback in the recent years. Hence, when it comes to home entertainment, the television could be easily regarded still as the centerpiece of any home entertainment system. Moreover, the display devices like those of the television and the computer monitor enable anyone to play video files from any video source such as from mobile devices and Blu-ray players.  

Earlier video setups such as DVD video source requires cabled HDMI or high definition multimedia interface connection. Despite the exceptional reliability and video quality that the HDMI connection provides, the clutter that comes with cablings is an unwelcome sight that recently spelled its obsolescence. Wireless HD video technology, as many people believe, is the future of connectivity and video transmission.

As a new technology, wireless HD is fickly to operate and still haunted by many bugs and propriety issues. These problems, along with the additional acquisition costs, make the wireless HD less appealing than that of the elderly, yet effective, HDMI technology.

Wireless Video Transmission Solutions

Wireless HD device basically consists of a transmitter and a receiver and is highly regarded nowadays for its mobility due to the elimination of the umbilical connections between the video source and the video display devices. There are two wireless video transmission solutions or formats that are currently available for public consumption—that of the Wireless HD and that of the WHDI or Wireless Home Digital Interface.

Both wireless HD formats are capable of operating at full resolutions of 1080p range at 60GHz frequency range and are both quite capable of handling “4K” resolutions. The Wireless HD has a shorter transmission range at almost zero latency, but can only transmit well within the so-called “line-of-sight.” On the other hand, the WHDI operates at greater ranges and is capable of transmitting through walls, but its ̴5GHz frequency can interfere with other Wi-Fi equipment.

Other Wireless Video Applications

Wireless HD technology has found its way to numerous other applications such as in hobbies and sports, surveillance, and public safety. Wireless HD video technology is likewise used for instructional purposes such as in audio-visual rooms. Likewise, wireless video technology are already used as medical instructional medium, especially, in the field of endoscopy, enabling medical students to have a detailed look at medical procedures.

Since the invention of the first practical wireless telegraph by Guglielmo Marconi, wireless communication has never been the same. Wireless communications like the wireless telegraph utilizes radio frequency or RF as its medium for transmission. Radio signals are naturally occurring and emanating from outer space from highly energetic astronomical bodies like those of the giant stars. They are likewise naturally occurring concomitant with the flash of lightning. However, radio waves can be generated artificially using a transmitter. A specialized transmitter can generate radio waves that can be used for communications, broadcasting, detection, ranging, and several other applications. Radio waves are radiations that are found in the electromagnetic spectrum and have wavelengths ranging from 3 kHz (VLF or very low frequency) to 300GHz (EHF or extremely high frequency). The radio wavelength is longer than that of the far infrared band of the light spectrum, but much shorter than the acoustic wavelength. The way radio waves move about the surface of the earth and unto space is dictated by different electromagnetic phenomena such as absorption, polarization, diffraction, reflection, and refraction. Different radio wavelengths can be affected by one phenomenon or a combination of various phenomena. Wireless radio transmitter design depends on the propagation of the frequency or wavelength of the radio waves that is needed to be produced. The propagation of the radio waves includes the following: • Ionospheric propagation—also known as sky wave propagation, makes use of the earth’s ionosphere to reflect radio waves back to earth. Commonly used for the now abandoned SW or short wave (1.6-30MHz) radio broadcast transmission. However, SW transmission still persist with ham radio operators and long-ranged military OTH (over the horizon) radars. • Troposheric propagation—uses the bottom part of the earth’s atmosphere known as troposphere to refract the radio signal and extend radio reach. VHF (30-300MHz) or very high frequency and UHF (300MHz-3GHz) or ultra-high frequency radio waves are the most suitable radio frequencies for tropospheric propagation. • Line of sight propagation—is a type of propagation wherein the transmitter and the receiver is within the line sight with of each other. This propagation is quite suitable for microwave (UHF-EHF) radio transmission as microwaves do not diffract and require unobstructed view. Lower frequency levels however, can penetrate obstructions.  Wireless HD video technology, TV and radio broadcasting (including satellite feed), and cell phones use this propagation method. • Ground wave—is a method of propagation that is compatible with medium and long wave band radio transmission. This method is extremely useful in wireless communication especially, underwater communication. The Wireless Video Transmitter The deeper understanding of the older wireless transmission technologies has enabled humans to investigate and incorporate the applications of emerging technologies with existing technologies. Present-day works on wireless transmission technologies have led into countless innovations like those of the lightweight wireless video transmitters. These transmitters provided wireless video transmission solutions to various applications, especially, in the field of film production and news gathering.  

Many of us are desirous of flying an airplane or an aircraft that we can control either from the cockpit of the aircraft. However, not many of us were given the chance to fulfill this desire, and hence, many of us are just being contented with buying our own drones, flying these drones, and controlling these drones from the ground. At present, there is a growing number of drone enthusiasts who have their own drones and fly these drones to have a first-hand experience of how it is to fly an aircraft.

The growing popularity of drones among flying enthusiasts has been brought about by the decrease in the actual prices of drones in the drone market. Moreover, there is also an increase in the number of aspiring drone-builders who, not only buy their own drones, but also build their own drones from the scratch. However, if you don’t have the flair for electronics and mechanics, you should at least start with buying a beginner drone, and just leave the making of drones to those who are knowledgeable in electronics and mechanics. Of course, there is the concomitant joy in the act of creating your own drone; however, you may end up being frustrated if you pursue that desire, if you don’t have the knowhow and the expertise in electronics and mechanics.  

There are caveats however to take heed of if ever you decide to buy your own “Beginner drone,” and it would be good to get acquainted with these simple caveats and tips on how to choose your own drone so that you can start well with your new hobby of flying your own drone. First, you should figure out the reason why you are buying a drone. Drones are used for varied purposes. It can be used for commercial aerial surveillance. It can also be used for professional aerial surveying. You can also use drones for motion-picture filming, scientific research, pollution monitoring, and many other usage. Hence, at the onset, you should know and figure out the purpose for which are you going to use your drone. Knowing what purpose for buying a drone will readily help you figure out which type of drone you would need.

The coming to age of miniaturized electronics has given rise to numerous benefits, especially, in the fields of computer, communication, and information technologies. Due to this miniaturization of electronic components, it became possible to create lightweight, pocket-sized gadgetries that readily enable people to communicate, broadcast, access, and transact businesses and information.

Wireless HD video technology was one of the numerous applications that benefited much from this miniaturization process. Video equipment has become smaller and less cumbersome to video operators and cameramen. What’s more is that, wireless video transmission eliminates the need for extensive cabling that limits the mobility of video camera operators.

Wireless Video Transmission  

Wireless video equipment is widely regarded nowadays for their practicality and mobility. Due to the elimination of the cumbersome cables that provided connectivity before between the camera and video monitor, the wireless video equipment became more flexible, despite the fact that most wireless transmissions presently operate well within the so-called “line-of-sight” system. Likewise, video imagery can now be readily transmitted and viewed simultaneously from several remote video monitors. Wireless transmissions offer an immediate viewing of information as opposed to that of the recorded video that can only be viewed at a much later time.

In shooting a film, this simultaneous video hook-up easily translates into a first-hand view for multiple film officials such as the film directors, producers, still photographers, first and second assistants, and provides an independent, zero-latency video imagery on separate video monitors. The lack of cablings and wiring enables easy deployment, retrieval, and stowage operations, especially, for filming on outdoor location. Moreover, aerial drones equipped with HD video camera and digital wireless transmitter can be used to supplement the terrestrial camera in capturing a movie scene. This effective tandem is presently used by numerous film productions as well as by news gathering teams around the world.

Wireless Video Applications

Wireless video technology has found its way to numerous applications such as in hobbies and sports, public security, surveillance, and even in home entertainment. Wireless HD video technology is used for instructional purposes such as those found in audio-visual rooms. Likewise, wireless video technology has been used as a medical-instructional medium, especially, in the field of endoscopy, presenting medical students a detailed look of the medical procedure.

The most famous application for wireless video technology is that of the unmanned aerial vehicle or UAV with first-person view (FPV) video camera. The FPV provides the UAV or drone operator the viewpoint of what the camera is “seeing” and the experience of virtually piloting the drone from its cockpit. At its latest form, the FPV imagery is downlinked to a ground station with the use of digital wireless video transmission solutions. This zero latency imagery allows the viewer an instantaneous appreciation of what the camera “see.” Any delay on the video transmission can have a serious effect and consequence, especially, if the UAV is travelling at high speed like in the case of UAV racing. However, the most commonly seen devices that use wireless technology are smart phones, tablets and laptops. These devices can be used to capture, transmit, and view videos wirelessly. At present, there are several mobile device’s apps that allows people to transmit and broadcast using their mobile devices.      

Any news coverage of an unprecedented event without the use of aerial video footage are nowadays usually considered dull and unappealing. The reason for this is that people wants to see aerial video shots of these great events, and people usually consider aerial video shots as majestic and comprehensive in scope. Moreover, via aerial shots, a camera can zoom-in or swoop into a specific point to readily capture the action or drama of a scene, providing end-viewers with a comprehensive view of the grandeur of the event.

Such epic footage can be produced and reproduced via the use of unmanned aerial vehicle or UAV with video camera. Unlike the manned camera platform, like the helicopter, the UAV or drone does not require an unusual amount of resources to acquire, mobilize, support, and maintain in a flying operation. The UAV likewise does not require any landing and hangar facility or any approval from local aviation authority in order to conduct flight operations. The camera-equipped drone however can shoot video footages in the same manner that a manned flight operations can produce video footages, but with less operating costs.

Understanding Aerial Drone Video Link

The most common unmanned aerial camera platforms nowadays are the quadcopters. Quadcopters are notoriously unstable in flight when these UAVs were first introduced. With the use, however of a small computer to control the motors, the quadcopter has gradually evolved into a stable camera platform for aerial photography and videography.

Mounting a video camera on a drone in the past had always proven to be very tricky and difficult for an operator previously could only direct the UAV’s camera toward the general direction of the subject being shot. However, with the addition of UAV video transmitter and ground receiver/display unit, the “blind” drone operator now has a means to ascertain where the camera is pointed. With the integration of the aerial drone video link to the video camera, the drone operator now can visually point the camera towards its subject, and thus the operator gains a first-person view of the subject.  

Today’s digital video transmitter offers zero latency real-time video downlinks with full HD (high definition) video resolution of 1080P at 60 frames per second. This imagery, along with a standard built-in telemetry provides the UAV pilot with a situational awareness that can only be surpassed by flying manned aircraft. Moreover, the digital video transmitter has automatic frequency selection that enables it to transmit without interruption even in a multi-UAV environment while operating on the same frequency. The UAV video link generally transmits up to a distance of 1000 meters within the line of sight. The digital video transmitter likewise, similar to its analog predecessor, is being marketed as an after-market or replacement product or as an integral part of aerial video drone.

The gradual introduction of miniaturized video camera in the 1980’s had paved the way for the eventual development of several applications such as those of the webcams and cellphone cameras, which in turn, became widely accessible to the general public. While the early traditional movie cameras recorded captured images on films, the newer video cameras, on the other hand, used electronic picture acquisitions, like those of the CCD and the CMOS solid-state sensors, to record imagery. UAV manufacturers, seeing the availability of miniaturized cameras had immediately integrated into the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) these miniaturized cameras to enhance the visual capability of UAVs.

The Emergence of UAV Video Link

The integration of miniaturized cameras into the UAV’s system engenders several other developments such as the incorporation of UAV video downlink and display to provide live video feeds to the drone operators, giving the operators the needed first-person-view (FPV). With FPV camera, drone operators can now see what the drone camera usually “sees” and can immediately make corrections on the drone’s flight attitude and direction. With the FPV camera, together with FPV goggles, drone operators no longer simply fly the UAVs; instead, they are now virtually, “piloting” the drone.

Most FPV drones today have plug-and-fly set-up features and are readily flyable out of the box, with real-time video and with zero latency, with at least one kilometer range within the line of sight (LOS), and with high definition (HD) camera equipped with built-in telemetry. However, despite the recent introduction of the digital video link, many shops still offer the earlier and cheaper analog video links to drone buyers.

First generation analog UAV video link can be bought as an integral part of a camera-equipped drone or as a cheap “add-on after-market” product or commercial “off-the-shelf” DIY (Do-It-Yourself) product. An analog UAV video link however may be limited by its operating frequency and/or its allotted channels which may eventually result into link disruptions, especially when operating alongside other remotely piloted vehicles that are operating on the same frequency. In order to operate simultaneously with other drones that are operating on the same frequency, a drone must have a set of crystal inserts that allows for changing channel. There are 49 channels, for example, in the 72MHz frequency band, and thus, the users of drones with the same frequency can fly using a specific channel.

The Future of UAV Wireless Video    

If you would take a look at how technologies have been progressing at present, you would surely be taken aback at the unprecedented technological advancements in various fields of human endeavors. You would readily see that innovations seem to be falling into their proper and right places, like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle that readily complement each other if you put each of the pieces on the right place. Similarly, this is what is happening right now with regard to technological advancements; and it seems that each technological development is building on the previous ones, providing a solid backdraft for further technological advancements.

If you would look, for example, at cloud technology and open-source platforms, you would readily see that the emergence of open-source platforms and the introduction of cloud technology have greatly occasioned the emergence of innovative software and storage platforms. Each of these two technological advancements paves the way for the onset of the Internet of Things (IoT) and Machine to Machine (M2M) Technologies. The onset of the IoT and M2M have paved the way for greater technological advancements in the field of automation, drone technology, and other forms of technologies.

The Emergence of Drones Equipped with wireless HD Video Camera

The evolution of drones could be traced back to the time when drones were first used in the military. In the past, the first applications of drones were in the military sphere wherein drones were used for battlefield surveillance and other combat maneuvers. These military drones were later on developed for commercial usage in different fields of human endeavors. With the commercialization of drones and their diminishing price, drones became easily affordable for commercial usage.

Nowadays, drone with live camera feed is frequently used by film directors and producers to expand their range of video angles and to gain access to video shot angles which were previously difficult and expensive to have. With better hd video drone and with the availability of wireless transmission of live video footages, directors and filmmakers can readily access angles which were previously impossible to get into.

Other fields of endeavors that readily benefited from the availability of less expensive drones include movie productions, live outdoor broadcast, indoor productions, aerial shooting, aerial inspections of site, law enforcement, firefighting, area surveillance, geological surveillance, and many more.  The drone video hd camera can provide a quick and efficient capturing of views and angles, and allows for the immediate transmission of these footages to the command center or monitor. The transmission of these footages were previous difficult and quite problematic to achieve. However, with the availability of drones that have HD camera technology, wireless transmitters, and stable drone platforms, drone enthusiasts can now engage readily in zero-latency transmission of video footages and files.

What Can Drone Enthusiasts Expect from the Drone Technology of The Future?

Wireless transmitters and HD video cameras technologies have been greatly complementing each other in various field of human endeavors to create better video footages and speedy transmission of these video footages. Gone were the days when, you first have to store the video footages on a video tape recorder, and then carefully and meticulously transport this video tape recorder to the command station for experts to work on the video files. Today, with the whole range of internet networks and the availability of wireless transmission technology, the transmissions of video footages from the source to the end-users have become simple and easy.

The complementary blending of functions of both wireless transmission technology and HD video cameras is prominently conspicuous in the emergence of innovative unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Nowadays, drones have UAV video transmitter that further augments the range of capabilities of contemporary drones for commercial usage. The video transmission for drones likewise has further enthused a lot of stakeholders in various industries to utilize drones in their daily industrial and business functions. Some industries that really greatly benefited from the emergence of less expensive and highly flexible drones include those of the film and movie industries, law enforcement, industries that engage in surveillance and surveys of topography, firefighting, indoor productions, and the ever-increasing number of enthusiasts who enjoy and thrive in the use of UAVs.  

The Expansive Range of Capabilities of Contemporary Drones

Drone technology, although it is backed up by almost fifty years of military usage, is still considered to be in its very incipient stage. It is quite correct to say that drone technology will still see further improvement and innovation in the years to come. Moreover, HD video cameras are still developing, together with wireless transmission technology, and this means that those who operate drones will further get better first-person-view when flying drones in the years to come. Likewise, the networks through which wireless transmissions are wrought are still expanding, and this continuous network expansion, together with further development in microprocessors and software technology can further leverage and enhance the range of capabilities of UAVs. Furthermore, improvements in remote piloting of drones, plus the emergence of high-powered sensors can further enhance the range of capabilities of contemporary drones.  

The recent technological advancement in the miniaturization of components of gadgets and equipment like cameras has made it possible for camera manufacturers to create lightweight cameras that can be mounted and carried by unmanned aerial vehicles or UAVs. This lightweight cameras makes it easy for many people to take aerial photography shots. Moreover, the prices of UAVs have become affordable even to “not-so-rich” photography enthusiasts, making it possible for many people to engage in aerial photography using RC (radio-controlled) aircraft.  

Aerial photography can be enthusing and fascinating. Aerial photography, before, could only be performed by people with huge budget, because the equipment for aerial photography before were very expensive. Today, the UAV market is already replete with several affordable types, brands, and models of UAVs, making it possible for almost everyone to engage in aerial photography. The helicopter-like UAVs, for example, are particularly popular among aerial photographers as well as videographers for these drones are more flexible than those of the fixed-wing types.

The Rotary-winged UAV Types

Most rotary-winged UAV types employ multi-rotor to propel the UAV on air. Unlike its manned counterparts that employ two rotors in any configuration, UAVs employ more than two rotors dispersed on the UAV’s periphery to provide the drones with more stable flight. The four-rotor quadcopters are the most widely-used UAVs due to their size, stability in flight, and cost. UAV models with more than four rotors are more stable aerial camera platforms; however, these UAVs are much heftier and costlier than the other types of UAVs.

Understanding Aerial Photography Equipment

UAVs like the quadcopter can be bought with integral video camera and UAV wireless link. The more serious aerial UAV photography enthusiasts would usually prefer separately-sold quadcopters that can accommodate cameras that are bought separately. The most preferred camera types for aerial photography are fast lens cameras with built-in Wi-Fi features. An analog video transmitter has to be also connected to the camera in order to provide the operator a first-hand experience of what the camera sees. These facility gives the UAV pilot a first-person-view (FPV) and immediate situational awareness. However, most of these downlink and uplink operate within the so-called line-of-sight. Yet, more experienced aerial photographer UAV operator may generally opt for non-line-of-sight (NLOS) option.

The use of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) or drone in filming and photography has recently become a bit common due to the fact that drones mounted with cameras have become more affordable than before. Moreover, more people are enthused into aerial photography using drones because video footages taken by an aerial camera mounted on a flying drone can be very dramatic and astounding. Due to these factors, the use of aerial photography drone has gained a large measure of popularity worldwide. Likewise, the use of UAVs for aerial photography offered some distinct advantages over its immediate predecessor—the helicopter.

Drones are Economical

The price of acquiring and maintaining an aerial photography UAV as a platform for aerial photography is not that expensive as compared to buying and maintaining a manned helicopter. The UAV likewise does not need the intensive logistical support necessary for a manned helicopter and can be readily prepared and deployed within a short notice and with minimal cost. While manned helicopters need to have a duly approved flight plan (from local aviation authority) for its flight operation, the rotary-winged drone’s operation is possible anywhere and anytime as long it does not violate any local law or regulation. Moreover, the aerial photography equipment aboard helicopters are not that qualitatively better than that of drone-mounted video cameras.

The Advantageous Functionality of Drones

Aerial drones, especially, the rotary-winged variants, are currently the most popular platform for aerial photography and videography. Rotary-winged drones are so agile that it can move instantaneously in any direction, swoop in, stop in mid-air, and hover over a specific area. Rotary-winged drones with multiple rotors such as the quadcopters, hexacopters, and octocopters are also found to be the most desirable camera platforms as opposed to the fixed wing types. Additionally, the four-rotor quadcopter is the most popular choice among novice and experienced UAV operators.

With aerial photography video link, the UAV operator can have a first-person-view (FPV) of what the camera is seeing, comparable to being inside the cockpit of the drone itself. With FPV, the drone operator can observe, inspect, and reconnoiter a specific location or object. These functions make the FPV-equipped drone a very useful tool for several applications such in the field of military, law enforcement, public security, damage assessment, film production, and many more.    

 The Versatility of Drones

The ability of the rotary-winged drone to creep, hover, and move to any direction gives it an unparalleled flying characteristics that are suitable for aerial photography and videography. The small size of drone makes it unnoticeable, enabling it to stay stationary above its subject or allowing it to swoop down for a more dramatic shot. Unlike the normal helicopter, the drone can get close to their target subject without disturbing the film subject; likewise, it can easily fly in tight spaces. Moreover, due to its miniature size, it can be launched and retrieve even in tight spaces within an urban area.

Since the time when the first aerial photography was attempted and undertaken by the pioneering French photographer Gaspard-Félix Tournachon in 1858, aerial photography and later on videography had been exclusively afforded and undertaken only by a limited few wealthy passionate photographers and videographers. Ordinary photographers, on the other hand, needed to find wealthy patrons in order to pursue their passion for aerial photography. Moreover, during the incipient stage of aerial photography, the hot air balloon was the primary aerial photography platform. It was not until recently that aerial photography has become readily accessible and affordable to the ordinary photographers.

The introduction of affordable, multi-rotor, rotary-wing unmanned aerial system (UAS) or drones as platforms for wireless high-definition (HD) camera has given the ordinary people the opportunity to aspire and become aerial photographer or videographer. Rotary-wing UAS or UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) has become the most popular choice as aerial camera platform as opposed to the fixed-wing type due to its hovering capability. Another advantage that the rotary-wing type possesses over the fixed-wing type, is its ability to be launched and recovered from a tight space.

There are various types of multi-rotor, rotary-wing UAV. First, there is the tricopter with three rotors; the quadcopter with four rotors; the hexacopter with six; and the octocopter with eight rotors. Of all these types, the quadcopter is the most popular and commercially available multi-rotor UAV among UAV users.

Understanding the Quadcopter

At present, the market for commercially available, multi-rotor UAV is feverishly growing and expanding. All sorts of UAV—from DYI kits to commercial off-the-shelf designs—are now readily available on online shops and hobby stores. Some UAV models even come with built-in cameras complete with first-person-view options. The first-person-view or FPV provides the UAV operator/photographer a real-time imagery of what the camera is actually seeing when mounted on the drone. Without this facility, it is very difficult to get a good video footage.

The FPV facility can be installed by adding an analog video transmitter to the camera that is linked to a ground receiver and to an on-screen display (OSD) like a monitor, smart phone, or LCD glasses. Add-ons like telemetry for the UAV’s flight data and informations about the video camera status can also be integrated to the OSD.

The quadcopter utilizes a cruciform airframe with each of the four motors occupying the outer ends of each arm. With this motor and rotors arrangement, quadcopters become easier to fly than the tricopters and are far cheaper than the hexacopters. Quadcopters can readily be converted to carry video cameras, gimbal mounts, and associated video transmitters. The gimbal mounts for the video camera on a wireless video quadcopter provides a steady imagery despite the pitch and yaw during the flight.

 The quadcopter’s propellers necessitate balancing. Unbalanced propellers or rotor can surely incur high-frequency vibrations during the UAV’s flight. These vibrations specifically affect the video camera with CMOS image sensor. These high-frequency vibrations can also disrupt the shutter sweep and create a horizontal blank space called “jello” in the video footage. Balanced propellers, on the other hand, along with vibration isolators, gimbal mounts and fast lens, can ensure a high quality aerial video footage.    

Humans have long been aspiring to preserve the significant events in their lives, and for this reason, they have invented books, printing press, and recently, they have invented the video cameras that are capable of capturing and preserving the important events of their lives in films and memory storage of their computers. The storage and preservation of these important events are necessary because the human memory can only store and recall a certain amount of data. With the video camera at hand, events can be readily captured and stored, and can be retrieved afterwards. Good enough, camera technology has greatly progressed for us to be able to view and enjoy past events without a hitch or snag.

How Drones Expands Videography?

The use of video cameras have been greatly expanded with the availability of different types of drones. Nowadays, events and locations that are previously inaccessible for a videographer to view and capture have now become readily accessible. The invention of drones and their applications in many industries, aside from their military applications, have greatly enhanced the video filming industry as well as the other industries that necessitate drone applications. The usage of drones has been greatly expanded due to the cheaper prices of drones nowadays as compared to before, and the convenience afforded by drones to various industries. It is no longer unusual to see a drone with live camera feed being utilized by directors and filmmakers. Moreover, in other industries such as in engineering and scientific researches, drones are definitely widely used. Drone HD certainly expands the horizons of human beings, allowing them to access “never-before-accessed” nooks and crannies.

How Do Unmanned Drones with Cameras Revolutionize Filmmaking?

Drones certainly complements video cameras. Drones are like the flying carpets of some wishful-thinking stories of the past that could move even if they were not manned. Unmanned HD drones can carry cameras that can take videos even at difficult angles. Moreover, contemporary drone cameras can now transmit high resolution footages at around 1080 resolutions. These cameras are designed for zero-latency, higher resolutions, more expansive distances, with no dropouts, and they are also cheaper as compared to cameras before. Additionally, with great and powerful transmitters at hand, the process of transmitting high definition audio and video data is greatly facilitated.

Some manufactures of drones provide a kit that includes all the necessary apparatus required for high definition transmissions from drones. The kit, for example, contains an HD transmitter that can transmit video and audio data. The kit likewise includes a receiver with battery, and the receiver is usually enclosed in a case to protect it. The kit also contains the necessary instructions and guidelines on how to use and connect the different instruments included in the kit. The kit is quite easy to set up, and once set-up, you can immediately begin transmitting video feed using your drone with a camera and transmitter.

The wireless video transmitter doesn’t necessitate that you have to be in the line-of-sight to be able to transmit video and audio data. Moreover, these transmitter and video cameras are easy to mount on the drone and can greatly complement the drone. Lastly, there is no doubt that these high definition transmissions, cameras, and drones are definitely revolutionizing industries like the filmmaking and video-making industries.

Despite men’s fascination for flight, only a small fraction of people will surely be able to be at the helm of an airplane’s cockpit and get the feel of how it is to fly an airplane. Flying on your own is definitely incomparable to the experience of flying on a transatlantic flight as a passenger. Hence, most people want to get that feeling by using radio-controlled aircraft. It had already been decades away since the first radio-controlled aircraft was publicly introduced; but it was only recently did the flying of these radio-controlled machines become realistic and available for most people.

High Definition Cameras for Drones      

The introduction to the public of PC games with flight simulation was already a foretaste of simulated flight. Good enough, in the recent years, the technological advancements on controlled flights have given the landlocked aviators and radio-controlled airplane enthusiasts the necessary tools to experience flight realism by simply mounting a lightweight video camera and video transmitter on a radio-controlled drone. With these equipment, anyone can now pilot a drone by means of live video transmission that is displayed on a video monitor. This gives anyone a first-person-view or FPV experience of how it is to fly a plane.

The FPV camera-equipped radio-controlled drone gives ordinary people a chance to see some of the most spectacular views in the world. Moreover, some records had been set using radio-controlled drones with cameras. Using an FPV camera-equipped glider attached to a weather balloon, for example, one person was able to take a glance at space and to document the proceedings in video. Another FPV pilot, on the other hand, was able to set a speed record of 362 kilometers per hour (224.9 mph) for a FPV-equipped radio-controlled jet.    

Furthermore, the growing popularity of the FPV has led to more innovations. Drone HD camera nowadays, for example, are meticulously designed to be more robust and reliable. GPS and flight data or telemetry have also been integrated into the live video feed to give the FPV flyer the added remote situational awareness. This innovation was further followed by a more advanced, stabilized FPV HD camera that gives the FPV flyer a vibration-free view. Moreover, with almost zero latency, the operator can readily figure out the drone’s flight attitude as displayed in the telemetry.

FPV Drone’s Applications and Capabilities

Drones, equipped with live feed FPV video transmission, have several potential applications. While the military opts for the fixed wing drones due to its speed, range, and endurance, most civilian operators favor the more agile, rotary-winged drones. Rotary-winged drones are smaller and more compact as compared to their fixed wing counterparts. Additionally, the rotary-winged drone’s ability to move slowly or dash in any direction or hover and stay in position, makes it the logical choice for law enforcement and public safety agencies when conducting aerial observations, inspections, searches, and reconnaissance duties.

The radio transmissions between the ground FPV camera-equipped drones and their ground control stations can be very limited due to the radio range, power of the transmitter, and the line of sight communication between transmitter and receiver. However, there are already some existing non-line-of-sight (NLOS) systems in the military, and with the latest stabilized CCD camera, the FPV drone will surely be able to fly and observe almost anything.

The increasing popularity of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) as a platform for live feed video has engendered several avenues for its commercial and business applications. Movie industries and television networks, for example, have immediately recognized the great potentials and capabilities of UAV as a footage-gathering tool, and some huge news networks have already integrated the UAV into their menagerie of news gathering equipment.

There are mainly two types of UAVs that are readily available off-the-shelf—these are the fixed wing and the rotary wing types. Most fixed wing types unmanned aerial vehicles are large and require large area to take off and land. This makes the fixed wing UAVs an unattractive option for most businesses that operate within the confines of cramped urban areas. Moreover, fixed wing UAV’s bulk and speed make it unusable in performing on-demand live aerial video coverage.

Quadcopters as Viable Options

While the fixed wing UAVs can ably fly to reconnoiter an area at higher speeds, the rotary wing, on the other hand, can hover over a station and loiter over its target area. Furthermore, the rotary wing UAVs are much lighter than their fixed wing counterparts and do not require a large area to launch themselves and recover, for they can take off and land vertically. Moreover, in recent years, rotary wing UAVs, employing several (between three to eight) propellers, are found to be more stable platforms than the conventional helicopter-like rotary wing UAVs.

Quadcopter employs four horizontal propellers on an X-frame, with each of its motor-driven propellers individually mounted at the end of each arm. This arrangement gives this type of UAV an unsurpassed stability as an aerial drone video platform for its size.

The Quadcopter as a Live Feed Video Platform

The integration of a video camera—along with its analog video transmitter—on UAV like the quadcopter has created a new tool for filmmaking and photography. In filmmaking and news coverage, the quadcopter is slowly supplanting both the manned helicopter and the balloon as a main tool in live video coverage, for it is inarguably a far less expensive alternative than those of the abovementioned options. Moreover, it gives the film director a sort of “tactical command” for every shot.

With the addition of on-screen display (OSD), along with the UAV’s flight data, the operator can readily react, using his controls, according to the UAV’s telemetry, giving him a realistic flying experience.  Moreover, the zero latency transmission between the quadcopter and ground station gives the UAV operator ample time to adjust or rectify his commands for the quadcopter.

Limitations of the Quadcopter

The quadcopter aerial video platform has its own limitations too. First, the range or the transmitting power of the transmitter that is mounted on the UAV can pose as limitations. Second, there is the limitation imposed by the line of sight (LOS) radio transmission between the quadcopter and the ground station. Hence, this type of UAV and the ground station should stay within the line of sight of each other. Moreover, it’s “air time” is limited by its battery life that powers both the motors and the camera/video transmitter; however, having a fleet of camera-equipped quadcopters is far more economical than maintaining a single helicopter. Lastly, its operational cost is far lesser than that of the helicopter.