Phantom 4 compares Yuneec Typhoon H on Flight Features for Filmmaking

Drones are an amazing new tool for content creators at all levels. In the past, only skilled operators could capture the best shots and 2 operators are often needed, one for the drone and one for the camera. Using intelligent flight features, a second operator is not always necessary.

To give you an idea of the intelligent flight features that are out there, let’s look at the features available on the DJI Phantom 4 and the Yuneec Typhoon H.

Point of Interest

Both the Inspire and Typhoon have the Point of Interest feature. This will allow the user to orbit around a subject at a predetermined speed and height. This is a very difficult more for an inexperienced pilot. Try adjusting the height in flight for an amazing spiral effect.

Waypoints / Curve Cable Cam

With these features, you can create a pre-determined fight path so that concentration can be focused on the camera. Once the points are set, the drone will continue to fly the path over at over at the set speed. This can allow for multiple takes with exactly the same drone path.

Following a Subject

This is one area where the Phantom 4 clearly prevails. With the Phantom’s ActiveTrack mode, the user can drag their finger over any subject, such as a person that is walking or biking, and it will follow that object. The Typhoon H only has Orbit Me mode which will orbit around the operator, which is typically not what would be needed for a creative film unless it is about a drone pilot.

Collision Avoidance

The two drones both have technology built-in to avoid obstacles. The Phantom 4 and the Typhoon H have sensors in the front and on the bottom. Though the Typhoon employs RealSense technology that they have developed with Intel, the Phantom 4 in practice has performed at a much higher level.

Course Lock / Home Lock

The Phantom 4 also comes with features Course Lock, which keeps the drone pointing in the same direction, and Home Lock, which makes it easier to fly further and closer to the home point. The only comparison on the Typhoon H is Journey which flies the drone out to a set distance instead of the variable distance that the Phantom 4 allows.

Return to Home

Lastly, these drones have safety features that allow them to come back to where they started at the push of a button or if signal is lost. DJI now puts a Home button in all of its products.

Overall, while there’s no substitute for a good pilot, intelligent flight features make it much easier to capture incredible shots with minimal effort. By mastering these features, you’ll be miles ahead of most filmmakers. Just be sure to always fly safely and use technology wisely to create great projects. As Toy Story Director John Lasseter said, “the art challenges the technology, and the technology inspires the art.”

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DJI Drone technology used on search and rescue

During a search and rescue operation time is of essence. The difference between finding and rescuing a missing person alive or death can be as short as minutes. Therefore, new technologies are constantly being tested to make search and rescue operations be more effective and efficient.

The use of aircraft for search and rescue is not a new concept; the first civil use of a helicopter during a SAR operation dates back to November of 1945. However, over time the use of helicopters has dramatically changed to include not only a pilot, but also a local expert of the terrain (especially in Mountain Search and Rescue) and additional personnel. This has contributed to increased cost and also increased risk. Furthermore, not every search and rescue team has fast access to a helicopter and the weather conditions are not always favorable for the deployment of a manned aircraft.

In 2016 DJI, the world’s largest manufacturer of commercial and consumer drone, has put focus on learning about the challenges of search and rescue operations and is actively trying to find solutions to these challenges. The goal is to integrating these solutions into DJI’s aerial technologies. Drone will not replace the use of a manned aircrafts, but it will become a very effective tool for not only urban search and rescue, but also for maritime and mountain search and rescue missions.

To satisfy the immediate needs of any search and rescue operations, an aerial platform must be easy to transport, be deployable within minutes, be intuitive to operate, provide valuable information, be weather resistant and cost effective. There are additional needs to make this technology even more useful and an integrated part, such as secure live video stream capabilities back to an incident command center and to the ground team. Furthermore, autonomous flight functionality and software assisting the surveying of the search area.

Early results from the DJI and EENA (European Emergency Number Association) partnership to test DJI platforms at four pilot test sites in Europe, indicate that search and rescue personnel can benefit from aerial technology in several ways. The proper use of the technology has lead in test scenarios to a reduction in time to locate a missing person by 60-80%. Furthermore, the aerial view and live data provides valuable information to the ground teams and enables them to stay out of dangerous areas during the search and rescue missions.

The majority of DJI’s platforms are open for the SDK, the Software Development Kit and it allows third party developers to code apps for specific purposes. These apps assist the operator in a variety of functions and are a perfect platform to create solutions for the needs of search and rescue scenarios. As part of the DJI and EENA Partnerships, a search and rescue app is being developed by one of the pilot test sites. This app will provide a variety of valuable functionality to the operator and increase the efficiency of the aerial platform.

 

 

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6 Best Small Business Ideas for Drone

In recent years, the use of drone has been a hot topic in every industry. Every big business is trying to come up with innovative ways to use drone as a way of reducing cost. The truth is that the use of drone has gained massive popularity in the US and across the world.

With this buzz, it’s just a matter of time before our skies are dotted with these buzzing devices. There are now both consumer and commercial applications for drones.

Here are the 6 Best Small Business Ideas for Drone:

For Advertising

While the use of drone for advertising is still in its initial stages, it has a greater potential of being beneficial to small businesses targeting local markets. The drone can fly banners and promotional gifts to promote products without spending a large sum of money. The company only needs trained employees who can operate the drone manually or by programming it.

Besides, the drone can be equipped with speakers to blast promotional music and messages. With other forms of advertising like the radio advertising becoming boring and uninteresting, drone advertising is fresh and entertaining which can intrigue prospective buyers.

Sports Action Shots

The main goal of the sporting industry currently is to take the fans closer than ever. With the drone, cameras can be taken into the thick of the action to get high-quality shots that would suit live television. Rather than having the producer switch cameras to display a certain shot, drones are capable of moving a shot based on the action.

If you’re a great sports fan, you have probably fantasized about getting right in the action during a game. With drone, you can take those insane aerial shots and videos that you’ve been dreaming off.

Reporting

In the past years, reporters could not access some places to compile reports due to the nature of the locations. However, every situation can now be broadcasted as drone can go to places reporters can’t. Drone film any kind of disasters, accidents and other incidences even in the most dangerous places.

Additionally, in search and rescue missions, drone can be sent to the vulnerable areas to record footages.

Aerial Surveying

One of the most notable technical advances in the field of land surveying is the use of the programmed aerial vehicles popularly known as drone. Once programmed, the small aircraft can take a vivid survey of a land and transmit the information. The drone can gather all sorts of data in a quick turnaround.

You simply need to deploy the drone over an area to be surveyed equipped with every part that may be of use. The scanners used, offer high detailed images and ideas regarding the terrain. The best thing about them is they can fly low and slow to capture high-quality images.

Inspecting Infrastructure  

There is the need for periodic inspection of structures for safety. For instance, companies that operate gas pipelines, as well as electrical lines, need to conduct regular monitoring. They may decide to hire a team to walk along the lines or scale the infrastructure.

However, drones are ideal for such situations because they can get closer to offer a better view of prevailing conditions and easily spot any leak that may be hazardous. Besides, some situations can be difficult or dangerous to access for humans. For example, in areas not visible to human eye, drone can be used.

Aerial Wedding Photography & Videography

Drone take breathtaking photos and videos. Although they are mainly used in landscape photography, they are slowly making their way into the wedding photography field. The aerial perspective is what brings out the beauty of a wedding and the surroundings in a way that photography and videography from the ground cannot achieve. All you need is a drone with a camera.

However, you need an expert who knows how to use drone in aerial wedding photography because they can be unsafe and obnoxious due to the loud sound they produce.

Conclusion

With the FAA finally proposing rules regarding commercial drone usage, you can forget the negative uses of the drone. You can change the way you do business through creative and profitable ways from drones.

 

 

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Exotic Travel Shooting with the Phantom 4

When you can call Hollywood movie director JJ Abrams a fan you know you’re doing something special in the photography world.  

Trey Ratcliff is a renowned photographer whose images show the beauty of exotic travel locations.  He runs the world’s number one travel photography blog and has even had his work displayed in the world’s biggest museum, the Smithsonian.  All this has been achieved despite what some may perceive as an obstacle- Ratcliff grew up blind in one eye.

This blindness, Ratcliff writes, gives him a unique perspective on the world as a story-teller. The Phantom 4, which Racliff reviewed, extends Ratcliff’s exceptional abilities to the sky.  

“Man, I love this machine” Ratcliff remarks as he flies the aircraft through another remarkable New Zealand landscape.

He has been flying DJI aerial products for 3 years starting with the Phantom 1 through to the Phantom 4 and is an avid and experienced pilot.

One particular feature Ratcliff was excited about is the obstacle avoidance system. “It’s got this obstacle avoidance system…to keep it from crashing into things!”

The Phantom 4’s ‘Obstacle Sensing System’ is always scanning for obstacles in its path. The system is composed of two special cameras at the front of the aircraft which help it avoid collisions by either hovering, going around, or going over the obstacle.

Ratcliff continues “it’s so fun and easy to fly. That’s the other big surprise that most people encounter when I hand over the controls to them…if you ever feel that you’re losing control just let go of the sticks and the Phantom 4 will hover there and will remain totally steady.”

The Phantom 4 uses multiple satellites for positioning, relying on both GPS and GLONASS. This allows the aircraft to connect to satellites more quickly and position itself accurately in the air. “Even in a crosswind…the Phantom 4 will stay steady” Ratcliff observes.

When affected by such wind, the Phantom 4’s integrated 3-axis gimbal removes unwanted vibration and movement. This means the camera can continue to capture butter-smooth and fluid footage.

A further feature of the Phantom 4 is that the intelligent battery lasts 25 minutes which Ratcliff advises is plenty of time to take the shots you need. Additionally, the battery has informative status indicator lights and auto-discharges to protect it if stored unused for 10 days.

Finally, Ratcliff offers a little bit of insight into his technique when he’s out with the Phantom 4.

As soon as he launches the aircraft, he begins taking video and views the live stream on his tablet. When he sees a shot that he wants to take, he stops recording, takes the photograph then resumes recording. He suggests that the Phantom 4 is so stable that he does not need to do any post-production stabilisation.

With drone technology, there are more possibilities than ever for anyone with an interest in photography.

As Ratcliff says, “forever, photographers have been tethered to where their camera and lens happens to be which is a completely arbitrary location, right beside the head. But now the camera can be literally anywhere, which is incredibly exciting!”

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