Discuss the DJI Lightbridge here....

[Adam]

I wasn't really excited about this at first but it appears there will be a lightweight GoPro HDMI cable allowing HD output in flight from the GoPro/Zenmuse H3-2D down to a monitor on the ground.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZN1_zq_S2k[/youtube]

 

[2trickpony]

I am actually really excited about the Lightbridge.
For me this would be the final solution for rock steady video and control at great distance, especially with the 14dbi directional antenna.

However I will not be an early adopter of this product. I want others to buy it and post results and for any 1st generation issues to be ironed out. What worries me the most is the reliability of any firmware updates as DJI has a lousy track record of this so far.

The other great thing about the LB is that it can be used in other long distance video applications.

 

[Ksc]

at the price they are putting it at, I don't think I would want to be an early adopter either. I think it is probably the way of the future but I'm willing to wait to the Lightbridge 2.0. I'm hoping that they will have a phantom with the light bridge built in. I'd love to see an all in one package. It is what the P2 was trying to be but you still have to stick stuff on the bottom. Give me a phantom that I can take out of the box, connect my gopro, get FPV/osd and ground station support. I'm ok with paying a high price for this and also ok with paying $200 for batteries. A 3 piece setup (phantom, controller, iPad) would make it the greatest traveling quad out there.

I'd also like to see folding props like on the S1000. That would be even better.

Either way, I'm curious and excited to see how the light bridge turns out. I'm hoping it will be a success. If the P1 was to have failed, we wouldnt have the vision and p2.

 

[Ksc]

actually. As I add up all that I've spent on my FPV system so far....
FPV tx: http://www.getfpv.com/5-8ghz-600mw-video-tx.html
FPV antenna for the tx: http://www.getfpv.com/5-8-ghz-spironet- ... t-sma.html
FPV monitor: http://www.rangevideo.com/index.php/lcd ... ttery.html
FPV antenna for the monitor: http://truerc.com/index.php?main_page=p ... cts_id=603
FPV antenna for the monitor 2: http://www.getfpv.com/5-8-ghz-spironet- ... tenna.html
Mounting bracket for the FPV monitor: http://www.rangevideo.com/index.php/acc ... 19-01.html
charger for the FPV monitor: http://www.rangevideo.com/index.php/lcd ... apter.html
mini iosd: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1 ... ni_on.html

then shipping, I'm already over $600. And that gets me 300 to 500km on a screen that is just ok. The resolution is nothing close to an iPad with retina display. You also factor in all the additional weight (not on the Phantom but just carrying it around in the case). Toss the light bridge on a P2 and you can get away with a small case. It would just be the P2, controller, light bridge, iPad.

When you think of it like that, really the light bridge is $1000 and when you factor the range and quality in, it makes sense. if you can get it for under a grand, which it will eventually be. Its a no brainer.

 

[OI Photography]

actually. As I add up all that I've spent on my FPV system so far....
FPV tx: http://www.getfpv.com/5-8ghz-600mw-video-tx.html
FPV antenna for the tx: http://www.getfpv.com/5-8-ghz-spironet- ... t-sma.html
FPV monitor: http://www.rangevideo.com/index.php/lcd ... ttery.html
FPV antenna for the monitor: http://truerc.com/index.php?main_page=p ... cts_id=603
FPV antenna for the monitor 2: http://www.getfpv.com/5-8-ghz-spironet- ... tenna.html
Mounting bracket for the FPV monitor: http://www.rangevideo.com/index.php/acc ... 19-01.html
charger for the FPV monitor: http://www.rangevideo.com/index.php/lcd ... apter.html
mini iosd: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1 ... ni_on.html

then shipping, I'm already over $600. And that gets me 300 to 500km on a screen that is just ok. The resolution is nothing close to an iPad with retina display. You also factor in all the additional weight (not on the Phantom but just carrying it around in the case). Toss the light bridge on a P2 and you can get away with a small case. It would just be the P2, controller, light bridge, iPad.

When you think of it like that, really the light bridge is $1000 and when you factor the range and quality in, it makes sense. if you can get it for under a grand, which it will eventually be. Its a no brainer.

Yeah I get the impression the value it offers will eventually be worth it for me and I'll at least end up with one for other platforms if not for the phantom. I'm sure I'll sit out at least the first round or two of pricing and firmware though.

 

[2trickpony]

actually. As I add up all that I've spent on my FPV system so far....
FPV tx: http://www.getfpv.com/5-8ghz-600mw-video-tx.html
FPV antenna for the tx: http://www.getfpv.com/5-8-ghz-spironet- ... t-sma.html
FPV monitor: http://www.rangevideo.com/index.php/lcd ... ttery.html
FPV antenna for the monitor: http://truerc.com/index.php?main_page=p ... cts_id=603
FPV antenna for the monitor 2: http://www.getfpv.com/5-8-ghz-spironet- ... tenna.html
Mounting bracket for the FPV monitor: http://www.rangevideo.com/index.php/acc ... 19-01.html
charger for the FPV monitor: http://www.rangevideo.com/index.php/lcd ... apter.html
mini iosd: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1 ... ni_on.html

then shipping, I'm already over $600. And that gets me 300 to 500km on a screen that is just ok. The resolution is nothing close to an iPad with retina display. You also factor in all the additional weight (not on the Phantom but just carrying it around in the case). Toss the light bridge on a P2 and you can get away with a small case. It would just be the P2, controller, light bridge, iPad.

When you think of it like that, really the light bridge is $1000 and when you factor the range and quality in, it makes sense. if you can get it for under a grand, which it will eventually be. Its a no brainer.

WOW! "And that gets me 300 to 500km" I want YOUR setup

 

[Bencio]

with that kind of money i can buy another phantom with long range uhf radio and long range videolink, i don't need HD, while shooting video the important thing is knowing what are you looking at, not seeing it in hd, you can do that on the computer monitor during postproduction.

 

[2trickpony]

with that kind of money i can buy another phantom with long range uhf radio and long range videolink, i don't need HD, while shooting video the important thing is knowing what are you looking at, not seeing it in hd, you can do that on the computer monitor during postproduction.

Which long range videolink are you referring to?
Will it give you a perfect display from 5km like the Lightbridge will, with a 14db antenna ?

 

[Ksc]

http://vimeo.com/88456315

HD video makes a HUGE difference. Lightbridge on a P2 out to a mile and back.

 

[Rich007]

Hello Ken

Thanks for the first long distance Lightbridge video flight I have seen. Just got a phantom 2 with Zenmuse gimbal on Wednesday only flown it straight up and down at the moment, before it started to rain Thursday night (been at work since). Just asked the next door neighbour if can practice in his garden Sunday as he has no trees in his garden and about 1 acre in size (I know that is small to some place in the USA, but we have boxes in the UK).

A few questions:-

1.Have you bought the Lightbridge, if so where from? As cannot find anybody selling them at the moment
2. How did you have your phone connected. Was it via the USB or HDMI?
3. Can you connect the Phone via USB with OSD and the HDMI to a larger monitor without OSD at the same time?
4. Can you switch the OSD on off with your Futaba (Which version?)
5. Was you using the aerial that came with the Lightbridge or higher gain antennas?
6. Have you removed all the 'old' FPV items and just installed the Lightbridge on the Phantom?

Spent the 10 days before Christmas in New York for the first time. It was like a dream going into B&H, was going to buy a Microsoft Surface but was all sold out so bought a new DSLR, Compact camera and a GOPRO 3+ for my cycle.
If I new I was going to get interested in Quadcopters I would have bought a lot more goodies, we get ripped of in the UK. Cannot find many shops that sell the FUBATA RC without 30% mark up than your prices.

Might be cheaper to go back to NY if the Lightbridge is a lot cheaper for a weekend.


Regards Richard

 

[Ksc]

Hello Ken

Thanks for the first long distance Lightbridge video flight I have seen. Just got a phantom 2 with Zenmuse gimbal on Wednesday only flown it straight up and down at the moment, before it started to rain Thursday night (been at work since). Just asked the next door neighbour if can practice in his garden Sunday as he has no trees in his garden and about 1 acre in size (I know that is small to some place in the USA, but we have boxes in the UK).

A few questions:-

1.Have you bought the Lightbridge, if so where from? As cannot find anybody selling them at the moment
2. How did you have your phone connected. Was it via the USB or HDMI?
3. Can you connect the Phone via USB with OSD and the HDMI to a larger monitor without OSD at the same time?
4. Can you switch the OSD on off with your Futaba (Which version?)
5. Was you using the aerial that came with the Lightbridge or higher gain antennas?
6. Have you removed all the 'old' FPV items and just installed the Lightbridge on the Phantom?

Spent the 10 days before Christmas in New York for the first time. It was like a dream going into B&H, was going to buy a Microsoft Surface but was all sold out so bought a new DSLR, Compact camera and a GOPRO 3+ for my cycle.
If I new I was going to get interested in Quadcopters I would have bought a lot more goodies, we get ripped of in the UK. Cannot find many shops that sell the FUBATA RC without 30% mark up than your prices.

Might be cheaper to go back to NY if the Lightbridge is a lot cheaper for a weekend.


Regards Richard

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2119713

I don't own one. yet. I'm thinking about selling my P2/FPV setup and buying another with a light bridge setup.

 

[Rich007]

Thanks Ken

Have spent hours reading and looking at the videos. Looks very nice, shame they have not got it under the $1000. But might buy one once the full spec and manual comes out.

Regards Richard

 

[ludedude]

This might be a dumb question (usually is when you hear that) but could you make the transmitter work on a different platform...like maybe a race car or on a tripod? Maybe there is a better device for that (not sure at this price point) but I'm interested in the HD live streaming capabilities of this.

 

[2trickpony]

This might be a dumb question (usually is when you hear that) but could you make the transmitter work on a different platform...like maybe a race car or on a tripod? Maybe there is a better device for that (not sure at this price point) but I'm interested in the HD live streaming capabilities of this.

I dont see why not as long as you can feed the TX the correct voltage. You wont get telemetry though without an iOSD.

 

[OI Photography]

This might be a dumb question (usually is when you hear that) but could you make the transmitter work on a different platform...like maybe a race car or on a tripod? Maybe there is a better device for that (not sure at this price point) but I'm interested in the HD live streaming capabilities of this.

If all you're needing from the Lightbridge is HD vid streaming, you might want to check out this option instead: http://1uas.com/Teradek-Clip-HD-High-De ... al-Systems

 

[ludedude]

This might be a dumb question (usually is when you hear that) but could you make the transmitter work on a different platform...like maybe a race car or on a tripod? Maybe there is a better device for that (not sure at this price point) but I'm interested in the HD live streaming capabilities of this.

If all you're needing from the Lightbridge is HD vid streaming, you might want to check out this option instead: http://1uas.com/Teradek-Clip-HD-High-De ... al-Systems

Thanks for the link! I'll take a look at that.

I obviously like the Lightbridge for all of the features that it has (integrating the control and video links) and being able to have the range of the HD output options. I was just curious if it could be used for other purposes.

Since I use GoPro's a lot with motorcycle racing, I was thinking about being able to swap between aerial and possibly live streaming of the bike or car on a race track. Kill 2 birds with one stone!

 

[Tahoe Ed]

The Lightbridge units are not yet available. They will be soon. I have been testing a preproduction unit for the last 5 days. I will say that I am very impressed. The vimeo video is from Blade Strike and he is a very brave man to fly 1.6km on his maiden flight. Notice that it was the RC that failed not the video. There was not a glitch for the entire flight. I tested mine by putting my F550 on my dining room table and then taking the ground unit on a walk about. I got over 300' through two buildings, metal carports and landscaping before loosing RC the video was absolutely solid. My F550 will not go to the distances that the P2 is capable but I am more interested in the video quality. Note that we have already test the HDMI output to an HD monitor. It works well. On the monitor, there is no OSD information. You also have the option to output streaming HD video to broadcast. That should appeal to some users. You can also have up to 8 ground stations connected, but only one GS Control unit. Still testing but the winds in Las Vegas have not been cooperating.

 

[OI Photography]

You can also have up to 8 ground stations connected

Very interesting...thanks for the feedback Ed!

Since BladeStrike lost control input but not video, can I assume you all aren't testing the control aspect of the Lightbridge yet? Sounded like he must have been using a traditional Tx/Rx for that...?

 

[2trickpony]

Yes, thanks Ed.
Any idea when it may be available to buy?

 

[Tahoe Ed]

You can also have up to 8 ground stations connected

Very interesting...thanks for the feedback Ed!

Since BladeStrike lost control input but not video, can I assume you all aren't testing the control aspect of the Lightbridge yet? Sounded like he must have been using a traditional Tx/Rx for that...?

No we are using the Lightbridge for RC control and HD video downlink. The Lightbridge handles both very well. At the field I output to my Galaxy S4. Nice big screen and works well in the sun. It has been demonstrated more than once that the RC range of the Lightbridge is 1.6 to 1.8km. There will be a patch antenna available later that will extend the range to 3km.