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Live feed from camera during remote Octacopter shoot ???

Dominik Muench

Dominik Muench

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Hi Guys


I have a couple of shoots coming up where we will be using a canon mark III on an octacopter rig. The director asked me if its possible to have a live feed directly from the camera and also if its possible to change camera settings during flight/ recording.
canon makes these WFT battery grips http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/products/cameras/consumer_cameras_wft/wireless_transmitter_wft_e5a#Featureswhich require a wifi connection, which could be a bit tricky since we shoot everything outdoors. are there any other lightweight options that work with radio transmitter instead ? the camera control function is negligible if worst comes to worst. how reliable are these teradek systems ?

thanks for any help.
 
Hey Dominik,

I used to be really into stabilized Octocopters, and have done quite a bit of research on the topic. I wasn't able to find an exact one that met my specifications (particularly due to the weight), but here's a thread on creative cow that might help answer your questions. http://forums.creativecow.net/thread/11/858650

The people on this thread are referring to live video transmission on the ground, but not in terms of an octocopter.

The second link on the first post looks like the one that would work the best for your situation. Only weighs 8oz. Let me know what you end up finding, I, too, am curious to see what the best and least expensive viable option is!

-Chase
 
Be careful about trying to push HD footage over wifi. You'd be better off with a 5.8ghz transmitter that outouts rca standard video. Both the teredek and paralinx wont work well over 300 feet in the air.

I know lots of signals cut in and out and that's almost worse than not having anything at all, esoecially of its cutting out every 3-5 seconds.
 
Do not use WIFI. If you are using 2.4ghz radios you run a risk of signal loss and a crash. Nothing in the 2.4ghz range should be used while flying.

It is super super easy to get video (SD) out of a Canon DSLR to the ground live. Your helicopter operator should have it all set up. Using either 5.8ghz, 1.2 or 900mhz broadcast.

I get about ~1 mile range line of sight via 5.8GHZ from my helicopters to both me and a directors LCD box. You may have to make a custom cable to go from Canon USB video out -> whatever your TX is.
 

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Hey Dominilk,

Not for changing camera settings, but for framing only, you could always mount a wifi GoPro on the Octocopter and monitor via iPad. The additional weight is minimal.
 
Looks like something is coming to NAB...

Boxx TV, the UK manufacturer known for its zero-delay, wireless links for broadcast cameras,
will demonstrate a new transmitter and receiver for airborne filming at NAB 2013. The system
uses the latest version of the company‚s Zenith transmitter and receiver, will work with
a remote controlled multi-rotor device that will fly at the booth (C7706)

Boxx TV has created this demonstration with partner AirKraft Productions, to show a simple,
cost-effective solution for filming where HD video is required from an airborne camera.
Click to expand...

http://provideocoalition.com/news/s...g-i?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
 
damn matt you're right, the remote contro is on 2,4ghz, that would have been disastrous lol

Thats actually a really good idea Tom, i guess there would be a small difference in what the gopro and the markII see in terms of framing, but this could be a cheap alternative.
 
The lag/delay is pretty bad for the gopro solution, thus not ideal for really understanding what's being recorded. Especially with a constantly moving object.

I think your best bet would be to really plan out the shots bf the bird is in the air, execute it, ground it, watch it.

Dominik Muench said:
damn matt you're right, the remote contro is on 2,4ghz, that would have been disastrous lol

Thats actually a really good idea Tom, i guess there would be a small difference in what the gopro and the markII see in terms of framing, but this could be a cheap alternative.
Click to expand...
 
Chris McKechnie said:
The lag/delay is pretty bad for the gopro solution, thus not ideal for really understanding what's being recorded. Especially with a constantly moving object.
Click to expand...

you're right, just came back from shooting in south america, I had my Hero 3 for a couple of weeks now but havent even set it up, just downloaded the app and did a quick test in my living room, there is quite a considerable delay of probably 4-5 seconds to the signal which wont make this an option for us :/
 
Oh and one thing I did forget to mention, never use a gopro as your live feed. Most controllers operate off of 2.4ghz, which is the same channel that the gopro sends it's signal out of wifi (like to the iPad for ex). You run the risk of losing your copter.
 
Whenever I've worked with Preston and Spencer from Snap Roll, they've always used a microwave setup. We see exactly what the Epic is seeing. It's not a cheap setup, that much I do know.
 
Dominik Muench said:
Dan: a 2-300 meter range would be fantastic/

Mark: do you have a link to a setup like that ? $$$ is not so much an issue.
Click to expand...

You'd need to ask Preston at Snap Roll. On an earlier invoice the charges were "around" $500.00 per day for it.: preston@snaprollmedia.com

Here's an image from their behind the scenes video of what the setup looks like, two monitors, one for Preston and one for the client. Very long range, just what you're looking for and well out of sight range, which is not how they fly, they're always in sight. But they could, seems like it's close to a mile if I recall, but don't quote me on that because I'm guessing.
 

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Mark Phelan said:
You'd need to ask Preston at Snap Roll. On an earlier invoice the charges were "around" $500.00 per day for it.: preston@snaprollmedia.com

Here's an image from their behind the scenes video of what the setup looks like, two monitors, one for Preston and one for the client. Very long range, just what you're looking for and well out of sight range, which is not how they fly, they're always in sight. But they could, seems like it's close to a mile if I recall, but don't quote me on that because I'm guessing.
Click to expand...

champion, thanks for that :)
 
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