Review: Tiny DVR and 5.8GHz receiver for FPV

[alanpowell328]

Hi Bruce,

As you say this AVR is compatible with the Foxtech kit, as sold by HK, but not with FatShark and anything intended to work with FatShark. The only modules I have found are the ones used by FatShark i.e. Airwave. Who makes the "other" the modules you are using in the FPV backpack?

Regards

Alan

[Blisoft]

How practical is it in bright sunlight? You were squinting to read it so I assume not great. Perhaps a surround shade would help?

[BelperFlyer]

Always interesting, Bruce. Thanks.

When you mention prices you always quote in dollars (or bucks :) )  Are these US Dollars or New Zealand dollars?

Thanks for your efforts

[resurrectd]

nice review Bruce but i don't agree that you recommend this DVR 99$ is too high of a price for such device if it was around 50$ then i may consider it, nice review anyway thank you man.

[soldier53flyer1]

Bruce, you did it again, great video! Thank You!

[mrrf900]

Nice review. You didnt get back to the keychain remote thing and explain what functions it has.

[mrrf900]

Nice review.

[linutas]

Informative as always! I bet the 100th video will be about the fpv backpack

[danyel9256]

thanks again for a nice video Bruce !!

[hyper080]

are you the same guy from xjet

[RCModelReviews]

@hyper080 Yes I am.

[hyper080]

@RCModelReviews well you sir are the best...

[wayneuk]

& for the money i would purchase a used archos av dvr

[llbll777]

What transmitter do you recommend for a beginner?

[cod4madass]

you should set up an antenna on top of your hangar/workshop and get a 40" monitor and fly fpv inside on a big screen. i tried it on a 32" outside my house with my zagi. worked amazingly well for a first try.

[KnightJasonThe]

Excellent review

[SIXEIGHTTWO]

Nice video again Bruce!

Looks like you'd need another 2.5mm AV cable if you wanted to use the TV Out function right?

Thanks!

-Al

[RCModelReviews]

@SIXEIGHTTWO Yes, I suspect that if you want to use the AV-in and AV-out at the same time, another lead is required.

[SIXEIGHTTWO]

@RCModelReviews Thanks Bruce!

-Al

[tjtg]

Stick it on your magic pole Bruce

[RCModelReviews]

@tjtg I have added another strip of velcro to my FPV pole especially for that purpose

[StewieRc]

is it possible to remove the casing to shave off some weight ?

[RCModelReviews]

@StewieRc Why would you want to do that? It's not the sort of thing you'd actually put *on* a model. Much better to use a keychain camera or GoPro for that.

[StewieRc]

@RCModelReviews nvm, at first i thought the little screen goes on the plane. stupid me right ?

[RCModelReviews]

@StewieRc Don't worry -- we all have our "senior moments" -- me especially :-)

[rogueqd]

Hey, I just noticed that this is your 99th video! Anything special for your 100th?

[rogueqd]

Bruce, Your review says it records in MJPEG AVI format, the Hobby King specs say MPEG-4. Can you confirm that it's MJPEG as MPEG-4 is vastly superior to MJPEG. Also, what's it like for dropped frames? MJPEG is notorious for dropped frames.

Thanks, Eddie

[RCModelReviews]

@rogueqd My copy of VLC reports the CODEC as being MJPEG and the file wrapper is .AVI

This recorder is clearly using firmware that is also found in the HobbyKing WingMan camera -- users will instantly recognize the menus and the little vibrator (which fortunately can be turned off). The Wingman also uses MJPEG. Fortunately, VLC reports no dropped frames in regular video although I did notice some when recording noise (snow) -- which stands to reason.

[CrackerMcGillicuddy]

most people, such as Alishanmao and Trappy, use the FPV system for flying and a separate HD camera for recording. Just can't get a presentation-quality video from FPV cameras (yet)

[Cardboadboks]

@CrackerMcGillicuddy Team blacksheep also record all there flights with a DVR (a lawmate one i do believe) and im going to say that if the aircraft went down they can review the footage on the ground to help in finding it again. It also records any OSD data which could be useful for a number of reasons. Agreed not enough quality to post the vids on youtube but there are a number of reasons you could need the footage non the less

[FuttFel]

I was close to adding this one to my order, but my Hobbyking order was already at 220usd total so nah. Maybe once I learn how to FPV properly.

[mackenzierob1]

Hello Bruce... might it be possible to add a more responsive 5.8 GHz receiver to this unit?

[wippo76]

Nice gadget

I think it works good

Maybe solder a better antenna to the mainboard

[kiddy1992]

external antena, anyone?

[pietzeekoe]

That camera sure doesnt like you flying into the sun

[yittymitty11]

had a jxd990 for fpv recorder and one day i left it on tv in for a couple of hours and since then it wont display a picture or turn off if its on for more than 10 mins

[TheHunterinnz]

How much did it cost in NZD?

[Daneflyer5]

Looks like a good litle piece of kit - I am quessing you could use it as the receiver for when the backpack fpv set is ready. that would be a compact litle set

[RIPcombat]

Bruce thank's for the review hope you update us if thing's change. I see some of the problem's with that cheap camera are starting to show up

[RCModelReviews]

@RIPcombat :-)

[RCllamadude]

why do you need to have a spotter if you are just doing short range fpv on an axn?

[RCModelReviews]

@RCllamadude Because I fly from an active full-sized airfield. If a full-sized aircraft was to appear without calling up on the radio (and some do) I might not know it was there until I hit it :-)

[archedperson]

Thanks Bruce! Might buy that for my first FPV