OSD - Camera? Transmitter?

[cassini]

Hi guys,

Currently looking at buying the full Gluonpilot kit with the XBees. If I had the OSD also added for 40 euros, what else do I need for the full OSD? Just a camera? Or a separate transmitter too? (Will the XBee transit video as well?)

thanks,
josh.

[Tom]

Hi Josh,

For video you will additionally need:
1. A camera
2. A video transmitter
3. A video receiver
4. A screen/video goggles/video camera/laptop or anything to visualize the received video

Some links to give you an example (hobbyking as a neutral - not the best - reference):
1. http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/stor ... _PAL_.html
2. http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/stor ... 00mw_.html
3. http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/stor ... iver_.html or http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/stor ... x_Set.html (combination)
4. http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/stor ... gles_.html


The XBee sends telemetry and allows you to upload waypoints/routes

[cassini]

Thanks Tom!

Few more questions-

1. It would possible to use one of those A/V receivers with a laptop, right? Just some kind of adapter needed?

2. The camera and transmitter can be run off the LiPo battery along with the Gluon board?

3. What are your delivery charges to the UK? I'm looking at the full kit with the XBees.

4. My RC equipment runs on 35MHz, the XBees at 2.4GHz, and that video link at 5.8GHz. There shouldn't be any conflicts there?

Thanks again..

[Tom]

Hello again,

1. Yes, you will need some kind of adapter that accepts composite in. For example: http://nl.startech.com/AV/AV-Converters ... ~SVID2USB2
2. Yes, if you use the extension board. Be carefull: most camera's require 12V, some need 5V. So if you camera needs 12V, you will need a 3s lipo
3. The flat rate (which should be safe to the UK) will be 8€ as in the shop. Tracked is EMS (and about 3 times as expensive)
4. Normally not (be sure to use a good RC-receiver). Try to place XBee, RC-antenna and Video-TX as far away from each other as possible! Always do range checks on the ground before flying! A good quality 2.4GHz RC-receiver also doesn't conflict with the XBee's.

[cassini]

Hi Tom. Thanks, and sorry for the delay.

So even if I didn't want the OSD capability (just wanted a bare video link) I wouldn't be able to use the same LiPo as that which powers the GluonPilot? Need a separate one?

Thanks again.

EDIT - although I'd still have the extension board for the Xbee.

[lukasz]

Hi cassini,

I guess that you could use same power source for all your hardware (including camera and video transmitter) but I wouldn't suggest such solution.
You could have some noises from ESC and/or servos that would affect video vision.
You could though play around and put some filters or ferrite rings to eliminate those.

I use two power sources for my platform:
1. (13000mA)Gluonpilot with OSD extension board + camera + video + xbee + gps
2. (2200mA)RC receiver + servos + ESC

[cassini]

hi, thanks for the response.

It looks at though I'll be getting a cheaper (separate, powered by standard 9V battery w/ built-in transmitter, 2.4Ghz) camera.
http://www.pakatak.co.uk/shop/product.a ... 3&P_ID=145

This should be fine with the XBee, right? I read about the XBee being able to work with 2.4GHz RC gear.

[Tom]

10mW won't go far... and you need to feed the camera signal to the gluon OSD, and than back to the transmitter.
I never tried 2.4 XBee with a 2.4 video transmitter. XBee and RC gear are no problem, but a video transmitter might be something else. Personally I would not risk it, and use a 868 or 900MHz XBee or 1.2GHs video transmitter instead.

[lukasz]

Generally I fly with following setup that should eliminate any disturbances:
RC: 35Mhz
Xbee: 868Mhz
Video: 1.2Ghs

Above gives me flexibility with RC because I can always turn to 2.4 RC system.

Also as Tom point out above, 10mW is too low. You won't fly to far with that. You should be lookin at least at 100mW. I personalny use 500mW.

[freeflyer]

Hi,

with 8dBi Flat Patch Antenna @ video-rx 10mW Video-tx (comtech and airwave) are good enough for >800m. More powerwful video-tx are forbidden in the most european countries as well as 1,2GHz.
2,4GHz RC and 2,4GHz Video won't work because of RC's frequency-hopping. France-mode @ Fasst works less or more and dependent on the selected video-tx frequency (channel).
Most(!) visual disturbances in video (ie. circular flights, antenna orientation) are at more powerful txs nearly the same.

In my experience over years following works fine:
- 2,4GHz video (10mW, Comtech, Airwave) with Flat Patch Antenna @ rx, 35MHz RC and 868MHz Telemetrie (Wi.232)
- 5,8 GHz video (25mW, Comtech) with Flat Patch Antenna @ rx, 2,4GHz RC (Jeti) and 868MHz Telemetrie (Wi.232)
Video-TX and camera never at ESC-battery!

It's very important to make all HF-cables as short as possible and without any connector(s). The antenna cable shielding must end as near as possible at the solder pad for HF-signal. HF is Voodoo