Noob with a general question re: Live camera feeds

[Caveman5150]

I know you folks will tell me to search the forums for this, but I just spent 45 mins doing that :arggg: & there is not the simple answer that I'm looking for...

My Question #1- Is is possible (or are any of you currently doing this) to add a very small (AA size) camera to a helo, have it transmit a wireless signal to a laptop or other large screen display, and *fly your helo by only watching the laptop screen*,:shock: live, as you were the actual mini-pilot of the aircraft?

Question #2- How much does a good high resolution system that would allow me to do this cost?

I have 2 Blade 400s, and a crappy Walkera HM60, plus a foam power-glider & a piper cub.

Thanks, you've probably been asked that 100 times:roll:, but I just couldn't find the posts.
A grateful caveman... ;)

[bullaculla]

My Question #1- Is is possible (or are any of you currently doing this) to add a very small (AA size) camera to a helo, have it transmit a wireless signal to a laptop or other large screen display, and *fly your helo by only watching the laptop screen*,:shock: live, as you were the actual mini-pilot of the aircraft?

Yes, thats called FPV for first person view. Lots of info if you search for that. but is against AMA code, and might be breaking some laws so it is a little controversial.
You can do it from a laptop, or even a cheapy portable DVD player, but most FPV pilots use the eyetop video glasses. Too much glare outside usually for a normal LCD.

Question #2- How much does a good high resolution system that would allow me to do this cost?

Here is a good place to start.
http://www.rangevideo.com
Good luck, and use a spotter ;)

[Efliernz]

I'm with Bullaculla here. I run two Rangevideo feeds off the one heli. One is "Video out" of the camera (or spycam on the SLR) to my camera operator. I can look at that thru my eyetops and see what she sees (if needed) or... I can use the second feed from a fpv-style camera looking straight ahead to assist keeping the heli level when hovering high straight above myself. Keep the horizon level and in the middle - you must be sort of level.

I don't fly "fpv" as such. This second camera is to assist being level only and I remain head-up facing the heli at all times.

[bullaculla]

Thats exactly what I want to do with mine Pete :thumbup:
An FPV cam just in case :D

[Caveman5150]

Thanks so much, I was hoping the rumors were true... As for the legal thing I would be sure to do this far far away from housing or industurial areas. Thanks for the site too man,
\:thumbup:

[bullaculla]

Search FPV rc helicopter on you tube. Some cool vids there too.

[Efliernz]

On the second test-fly with the eyetops, I flew to approx 400' and did a 30 second slow piro and stayed level :banana. It is hard concentrating with a big grin... it worked that well :YeaBaby:

[merlin703]

Is this what you guys have???? or a different package? Also, what about the helicam from xheli... I know is very cheap so there must be a trick to it ( http://www.xheli.com/hemiwivica.html )

http://rangevideo.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=8&products_id=98

Besides what's listed here, what else will I need? Item list and possible cost? I think this would definatelly help me to avoid losing my heli.

[EyeTop Dave]

Hey. If you are interested in the EyeTop's let me know. I sell them on here and on eBay. My eBay user id is hoyt1417. Outside if eBay I sell them for $199 shipped all 50 states. If you want to go thru eBay I charge $10 for shipping. There is a reason it is called FEEbay. ALL EyeTop's I sell are guaranteed to be factory NEW and I give you 30 days to test them out and be sure they are working. If anything is not working I will replace the bad part. That has only happened a handful of times in over 300 sales.

Good luck with your project.

[Caveman5150]

Wish I'd found out about the eye top before I just bought a complete system from rangevideo, you're alot cheaper.

[bullaculla]

Did you buy rangevideos goggles? The eyetops are just the glasses based LCD viewer and I think a DVD player. you still need the wireless stuff from rangevideo too.
Daves stuff is great tho if you need a viewer too. I still want one ;)

[HeliEye]

Yup doing the same here. FPV just being setup, on a 3DX 450 (later to upgrade to a 3DX 500 SE)

Range video 'Type' LCD glasses are good as they are 640x480 res, Don't bother with the 320x240 type, I bought a pair of these, they are pretty aweful, with obvious poorer definition, since sold.

Mine will be hooked-up to the KPC650HQ Color High Resolution CCD Camera, (on it's way from Range Video) This is a high-end cam, with 550 lines.

Currently using 2.4GHz Video downlink, with patch antenna on the RX.
RX has a home made 2 way distribution amp, one for glasses, one for Archos DVR recording.

Have ordered some 5.8GHz TX/RX modules, these are better than 2.4GHz types, partly due to overcrowding on that freq. Also will work with 2.4GHz RC gear. But as modules only, I have to design PCB's for both.

I don't think UK has a restriction on FPV? but, where I am going to fly it's miles from anywhere.

Steve


(http://www.rangevideo.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=6&products_id=11)

[merlin703]

Yup doing the same here. FPV just being setup, on a 3DX 450 (later to upgrade to a 3DX 500 SE)

Range video 'Type' LCD glasses are good as they are 640x480 res, Don't bother with the 320x240 type, I bought a pair of these, they are pretty aweful, with obvious poorer definition, since sold.

Mine will be hooked-up to the KPC650HQ Color High Resolution CCD Camera, (on it's way from Range Video) This is a high-end cam, with 550 lines.

Currently using 2.4GHz Video downlink, with patch antenna on the RX.
RX has a home made 2 way distribution amp, one for glasses, one for Archos DVR recording.

Have ordered some 5.8GHz TX/RX modules, these are better than 2.4GHz types, partly due to overcrowding on that freq. Also will work with 2.4GHz RC gear. But as modules only, I have to design PCB's for both.

I don't think UK has a restriction on FPV? but, where I am going to fly it's miles from anywhere.

Steve


(http://www.rangevideo.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=6&products_id=11)
Steve, could you share links to sites you have used to purchase your equiptment? I would really like to get into this video while flying thing. Do you use this to actually fly or JUST to film stuff? I saw a video of a guy flying a plane that I think he was JUST using the video to allow the plane to go further so that he wouldn't have to worry about orientation. He has to rely on the video to be able to return to his origin.

Let me know what you can share, I would really like to have an idea of what you have, where to find it and see if I can affort it, thanks man!

[wlfk]

UK has restrictions on airborne 5.8ghz - only 2.4ghz is cleared for airborne video. But they're likely to change soon and it will probably be legal throughout Europe.

Could I second the request about where you got your gear - I've found a few places but all of them very expensive.

K

[HeliEye]

As mentioned Rangevideo is the best place I've found.. Link here>>
http://www.rangevideo.com/index.php/index

Link to my Fav 2.4GHz TX/RX modules>> http://www.lprs.co.uk/index.php?cPath=24

The 5.8GHz module source is tricky, as my company maybe negotiating for distribution of these products in UK, straight from the factory. If we do get this, I'll post a link for them at a later date.

Thanks for the UK freq's info for video, I can go either way on these, as I already have a full 2.4GHz system.. check above links for those.

Cheers

Steve