SAVS

I put together a video board so that I could fly and video without another person.

http://www.nextnethosting.net/DF/Video.jpg
http://www.nextnethosting.net/DF/Video2.jpg

It's easy to carry, change batteries, video, and basically a simple setup. I ran through (3) batteries yesterday practicing just flying and the first battery worth had me thinking I needed to send the DF in for fixing as it just would not fly right. I was staying at about 2 feet from the ground after setting the Ti and level. It just would not fly, that is until I got it up to about 15 feet. Then it flew just fine (go figure!). My next flight will be with the video camera installed so be ready for some great crash shots!

TheHindmost

Looks cool! We'll look forward to the crash video...

Will

SAVS

I have learned several thing in being a newbie to the DF SAVS! The first is that DFI needs to supply a dummy video camera the same weight as the real one. I have had one heck of a time flying this thing (those of you who have been following me for the last few weeks know this). Today I threw caution to the wind and mounted the video camera and the DF flew just wonderful. I mean just like it was easy! So after several crashes and lots of parts the SAVS only really flies with the video mounted and the battery where it belongs.

The instructions say to remove the video while learning to fly it. Well heck yea' you will be able to fly it after struggling to learn it in the unbalanced mode. I had a bit of a power problem where after 5 minutes or so the DF lost power and dropped. I thought I had a great 30 foot free fall on video but somehow I only got audio and no video recorded. The Eyewear worked fine so I assumed I was recording the video but not so. I was hoping to post the free fall video but all you can hear is me cussing it out :-).

Tonight I will clear the mud out of all 4 motors and replace 2 of the main supports, charge the batteries and try again tomorrow. luckily I ordered 4 of everything as far as parts go. The moral of the story is, fly it with the video camera right from the start. With the foam and plastic housing it will last longer than most of the other parts anyway

I also notice lots of interference in the video with a short buzzing sound every so often but just getting it up was so exciting I did not worry about it too much.

Question: Do I have to unsolder (desolder? disconnect) the motors to slide off the legs? I sure hope not!

laceycopter

SAVS,
glad to see you got it flying.

And Yes (if it is the motor supports) you do have to unsolder (desolder? disconnect) the motors ... use a 25 watt iron and just touch the wire at the motor terminal it will come right off....tin the motor terminals and the wires....touch them with a little heat and done. They solder on really fast..it's no big deal...you'll get use to...we did.
Happy Flyin,
Lacey

Sky High

Well SAVS, it's good that you are able to fly with more ease now but the balance of the DF is not any different with video gear on board than totally without. The DF V and the SAVS are the same thing but the DF becomes the SAVS when you add the video gear. The DF without any video gear will fly just as good as with it and will actually fly longer without the gear because of less weight. When you mentioned, the SAVS only really flies with the video mounted and the battery where it belongs, well, the battery belongs in the center of the battery tray when it's the DF V and on the outrigger when it's the SAVS. There's nowhere else to put it.

I noticed you said your video had audio only. The onboard camera does not record audio. Are you sure you recorded video from the SAVS and not from your camcorder? [sm=confused.gif] I mean, either you did or you didn't, there's no mistaking it. The fact that you said that you can only hear you cussing indicates the camera is not recording video from the DF.

SAVS

Sky High, you are right the sound came directly from the camera not the SAVS. My BIG question is what are you using to record the video? The receiver only has a composite plug coming out the back. What battery powered recorder is there that accepts composite or do I need a converter cable or what do I need besides help? This is the last piece of the puzzle...Denny

PS - what can I say, it flies better with the camera and battery mounted the way it came. With the camera removed and battery in the middle it just does not fly as well. Maybe it's just me, the wind, sky, air temp, who knows.

Sky High

That's what I thought. Does your camera have a firewire port? If it does and the analog (RCA) port is OUT only, you can use an adapter like [link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_3679069/tm.htm]this[/link]. If your camera does or does not have a firewire port, there may be an internal menu setting to toggle the analog (RCA) port between IN and OUT. If none of those are options, you'll have to get another portable recording device. The good thing is that most new cameras have all of these features built in. You could use a VCR but then you would need power and couldn't be totally portable.

SAVS

My DV Video Camera has a Firewire port but there is no composite to FWire cable available. The units you have mentioned;

ADS Tech Pyro A/V Link
http://www.adstech.com/products/API-...sp?pid=API-555

B&H Photo
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search

need 110V which makes it VERY not portable. Remember I am videoing (is that a word) entire athletic complexes where driving to them is not possible in most cases. I thought of a compact VHS recorder with a 30 minute UPS combined into a backpack, but I am already carrying enough stuff with the antennas, Eyewear, video receiver, and transmitter. My camera is a JVC model GR-DVF21U. The manual is here (http://books.jvcservice.com/download...9604/19951.pdf) but I do not see where I can change the direction of the composite port. There has to be a better way than 110V! I am stuck on this issue as I called, surfed, and visited (4) of the better electronics stores today with no luck. What are others using?

Sky High

Well, that ADS unit actually only requires 5v to operate. It has a wall adapter that steps 110v down to 5v. It could be powered by a LiPo or other battery as long as you step the voltage and amporage down. Trust me, I know all about the inconveniences of being tethered just because of that adapter. [>:] Depending on what quality you need as a finished product, some other portable options are DVR recorders that are very light and record 320x240 and some up to 640x480 offering analog IN recording. Their video looks good but it is compressed.

SAVS

How about this to power the converter?

http://www.bixnet.com/hicamiexbapa.html

Sky High

That's pretty cool. I'm tired of adaption though and I'm not going to spend any more money on it. I'll eventually just get a camcorder that can do it all and is the size of my hand.

SAVS

Do you have a camcorder in mind? One where the composite can take input...Denny

Update: I just picked up a Hitachi Camcorder (DZBX35A) DVD with a composite input, so that is the end of that. ($299 at Circuit City) It got great reviews!

SAVS

So many changes! The model camcorder did NOT take composite input so I had to exchange for the 3200. Now all works well EXCEPT when I turn on the camcorder I get interference. With it off the picture comes through to the Eyewear nice and clear, turn on the camcorder and I get a lot of lines. It is raining so I was inside, it is suppose to be 60 and sunny the rest of the week so I will get time to test. I modified the whole video board and moved the antennas. I will post an updated picture later as it is coming together really nicely. Having the antennas on the shoulder strap was not working for me.

I started on the 6MG Pixel still camera mount today. I have some great ideas and WILL post pictures as it progresses!

SAVS

As promised I am sharing; now that does not mean it will help anyone but I think it is past the foam and duct tape. I posted the photos here [link=http://www.nextnethosting.net/DF/]SAVS-DF[/link]. Let me know what you'al think or if you have any additional ideas. NO I have not flown it as of yet but it does mount nicely. It has been raining and is now sunny but too much wind. Maybe tomorrow!

I also added photos of the Video Receiving Board I have been working on...

Fesfly

Hey that worked out nice! A couple of pics have that typical motion blur but two of them are nice and sharp.

SAVS

I flew at ASU (App State Univ in Boone NC) today and got some nice video and stills. I still have the power problem and will be sending in the DF to DFI tomorrow. I find posting the pics and video on my own server lets me play with them to see the best way to get to a finished product. Yea' I busted up the still camera mount on a 50' free fall but the camera did not get damaged at all. A bit of super glue and it is all better.

[link=http://www.nextnethosting.net/DF/]SAVS Website[/link]

Video and stills posted on the above link