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Linolens
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Does anyone have info or ideas of future cameras for the I1...?Ed_Tahoe...is this on the map?
2015-6-8
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jimhare
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Would LOVE to see a 1080P ProRes camera or at least a high bitrate H.264.   Biggest issue I have is image breakup from compression.

Address this and the Inspire would be a MONSTER!
2015-6-8
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SkySight
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We would buy a thermal imaging camera for it in a second and when the heck is the handheld device coming out for the Inspire camera?
2015-6-8
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Farnk666
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My vote is for:

#1 Thermal cam
#2 IR (wide spectrum) cam
#3 'Normal' camera that is setup for stills shooting with an adjustable aperture, maybe a longer focal length?

I understand where Jim (and others) are coming from re video quality/codec, but my requirements are a lot simpler in that respect.

Instead of waiting for DJI to develop and release such things, why not open up the mount / interface to 3rd parties?
I'm sure that FLIR would turn around a suitable thermal cam in double quick time!
2015-6-8
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SimplePanda
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jimhare Posted at 2015-6-9 11:55
Would LOVE to see a 1080P ProRes camera or at least a high bitrate H.264.   Biggest issue I have is  ...

This!

Even a 1080p/24 and 1080p/30 only unit (no 4K) that shot straight to ProRes HQ or, even better, Cinema DNG would be amazing.

I'd definitely like to see some firmware upgrades to the existing camera first though; giving a bit more control over the sharpness would be a good start.

2015-6-8
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BPoHVoodoo
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Maybe it is possible to connect the N1 Video Encoder of Matrice 100 and then any third party camera?
2015-6-8
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Linolens
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I need a better shooter
2015-6-9
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FictitiousPerso
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Linolens Posted at 2015-6-9 16:00
I need a better shooter

No!! What you need is a reply to your questions................ Thats the part we are still trying to achieve
2015-6-9
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pinpointmapping
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Hopefully they announce the hand held mount in conjunction with a new/better camera as a package upgrade.  More mounts/cameras should come available via the matrice 100 provided they stick with a standardized gimble mount/interface.
2015-6-9
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GrahamJ
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A cam upgrade will propell the I1 into the stratosphere!  

For me, the biggest issue, is the TINY SENSOR SIZE!  The biggest quality improvement will come from a BIGGER SENSOR SIZE in the cam!  I know it was never marketed as a stills cam, but that's where you can clearly see the impact from a tiny sensor.  The pic just has no 'data' in it, and as we know, any mini pulsation of the pic robs it from data, and in this case, it's clearly visible.  I'm not a video editing pro, but I imagine it would have an enormous impact on vids as well.  Or at very least have an exponential reliance on post to make it 'good'.  (Maybe I'm wrong about the video side of things?)

2015-6-9
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GrahamJ
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All this new Matrice 100 stuff seems nice.  If we have the tech, perhaps it can be adapted to the I1 platform without too much hassle?  I'd imagine that the development platform, and central processing logic of the DJI products all follow the same architecture?  And, therefore, should be interchangeable within reasonable effort/cost/time requirements?
2015-6-9
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jimhare
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GrahamJ Posted at 2015-6-9 19:44
A cam upgrade will propell the I1 into the stratosphere!  

For me, the biggest issue, is the TINY S ...

But wouldn't  a larger sensor just make us frustrated with the lens?

I think there is a real sweet spot with the combination.  

I have glass that costs thousands per lens and weighs more than the entire Inspire.  In other words is worthy of a large sensor, which brings out the nuance the lens transmits.

For me I would be 100% happy if the data itself were much denser, didn't break up and could be properly graded.
2015-6-9
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GrahamJ
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Farnk666 Posted at 2015-6-9 12:30
My vote is for:

#1 Thermal cam

Totally agree with the outsourcing!  DJI used a 3rd party to develop the Autopilot feature in the P3, and soon in the I1, and can probably do similar with the cam.  But then....DJI just released what seems to be some awesome tech in the Matrice 100, so that might expedite things a bit, no?
2015-6-9
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GrahamJ
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jimhare Posted at 2015-6-9 19:53
But wouldn't  a larger sensor just make us frustrated with the lens?

I think there is a real swee ...

Totally agree!  Yes, combination of both would certainly be a sweet-spot for me!
2015-6-9
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GrahamJ
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I actually enjoyed this thread...took me to a happy "what if" place.

Wish - just once - that DJI (or suitable representation) will share their thoughts with us, their fans?
2015-6-9
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Farnk666
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Not trying to be a nay-sayer here, but I think that we have to be a bit realistic in terms of our expectations of DJI to support the I1 with upgrades to functionality.
In the 7 or so months since the I1 was announced (yep, seems longer - doesn't it!) ...

DJI has released two major hardware changes to the I1, first being prop locks, second the quick release prop system.
They released the P3, a new Ronin and now the Matrice.
They announced the handheld gimbal but it hasn't appeared.
Flight app is being consolidated across these platforms - SDK released in a strategy to get 3rd party devs to fill the functionality gap.

Now if we were talking about a company the size of Apple or HP or IBM, that wouldn't be an issue - but DJI is tiny in comparison and operating in a market where 6 months is the equivalent of 2 years in any other sector. It's competitors are catching up fast and innovating well. There is clearly a big push to get new product out quickly and marketed aggressively to maintain market presence.

In that context, the I1 is old news - DJI will sell many P3s for every one Inspire sold, so I don't see them putting in much of a serious investment in upgrades or improvements to a product that will only sell in modest (relatively speaking) numbers. I think that we will see an Inspire 2 announced near the end of 2015 that will have some more of the functionality we would like, especially with regards to the camera side of things. I hope to be proven completely wrong of course!!

If a cam upgrade comes along I'll be among the first to purchase - but I don't see it coming from DJI. Possibly from a 3rd Party integrator.
Either way it will be interesting to watch developments and in the meantime I'll be enjoying what the Inspire is capable of right now.
2015-6-9
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PeteGould
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Farnk666 Posted at 2015-6-9 21:26
Not trying to be a nay-sayer here, but I think that we have to be a bit realistic in terms of our ex ...

You may be correct, but if you are, DJI will have done major, probably irreparable, damage to its reputation.  The Inspire was marketed as upgradeable and the camera was one of the specific items mentioned.  If DJI got people to spend $3K on an aircraft based on representations that later prove false, and maroons those customers with a product that is not useful to them, who would ever trust it again?

Many of us who purchased this "professional platform" (DJI's words, right in the manual) have discovered the video bitrate is too low for professional use.  As such it's a $3K toy for many, which is not what they thought they were buying.  It would be a bad mistake for DJI to leave them like this because in the overwhelming majority of cases their next such purchase would come from a competitor.
2015-6-9
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Farnk666
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Yes I agree Pete, but as a sales driven company - DJI relies on it's not inconsiderable marketing prowess to lure new purchasers everyday.
With the greatest of respect I don't believe that DJI has the same opinion as you do as of the risk to its future revenues through such actions.
In short for every one p1ssed off current Inspire owner, there will be 10 Phantom 3 purchasers queuing up for their shiny new toys and in this business it's all about pushing units out the door.

The terms used to describe the product at launch "Professional platform", "Upgradeable", etc are just marketing drivel and not something to hang your hopes upon - if there was an intent to drive more profit from the product line through feature upgrades, we would have seen them either announced or in reality well before now.

Again, I hope to be proven completely wrong here!
2015-6-9
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Farnk666
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GrahamJ Posted at 2015-6-9 19:56
Totally agree with the outsourcing!  DJI used a 3rd party to develop the Autopilot feature in the  ...

I think that is the most promising way forward for feature upgrades to appear Graham.
2015-6-9
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Wildcat Willie
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I doubt if we will see much more than what was initially promised and not delivered. Any future developments seems to be going into one new bird every few months....The Inspire 1 appears to be old news....It suits the needs of most people flying it so I doubt that we will see much more.  I would love to see more and I think there is a demand for it like better cameras but it wont come from DJI...
2015-6-9
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GrahamJ
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Farnk666 Posted at 2015-6-9 22:03
I think that is the most promising way forward for feature upgrades to appear Graham.

I agree mate.....
2015-6-9
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GrahamJ
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Farnk666 Posted at 2015-6-9 21:26
Not trying to be a nay-sayer here, but I think that we have to be a bit realistic in terms of our ex ...

I love your post.  Yes, hope you're wrong...LOL, but, it's worrying analysing the business and market reality of the situation.
2015-6-9
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Farnk666
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GrahamJ Posted at 2015-6-9 22:35
I love your post.  Yes, hope you're wrong...LOL, but, it's worrying analysing the business and mar ...

I don't see it quite that way mate - I just enjoy flying the Inspire just as it is right now. When the groundstation arrives or a better camera that will be great. Doesn't stop me finding more interesting uses for the tech right now though!
2015-6-9
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GrahamJ
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PeteGould Posted at 2015-6-9 21:46
You may be correct, but if you are, DJI will have done major, probably irreparable, damage to its  ...

That's my hope too.  I've been trying to keep an open mind, even finding "excuses" for what I'm seeing, but in the absence of ANY (and that's the infuriating part) feedback from DJI, the only option left, is to analyse the situation in terms of typical market/business analysis....getting us to Farnk666's synopsis, I'm afraid.

I hate this.  All I wanted was to be delighted by my I1 purchase into this kick-a$$ outfit called DJI!
2015-6-9
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GrahamJ
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Wildcat Willie Posted at 2015-6-9 22:09
I doubt if we will see much more than what was initially promised and not delivered. Any future deve ...

We all second your thoughts...  If only DJI contributed to the forum..
2015-6-9
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GrahamJ
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Farnk666 Posted at 2015-6-9 22:40
I don't see it quite that way mate - I just enjoy flying the Inspire just as it is right now. When ...

Got it, cheers mate.  I guess, all things being equal, if I get the "Autopilot" feature, and the option of an upgraded camera, I'd be a very, very, happy I1 supporter myself.
2015-6-9
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InspireAggie
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I'm betting an inpsire 2 would have two cameras. One for the pilot and then a better grade camera for the gimbal control.  That way the pilot has a view while the better quality camera would have slave function.
2015-6-9
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leostrat_54
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PeteGould Posted at 2015-6-9 21:46
You may be correct, but if you are, DJI will have done major, probably irreparable, damage to its  ...

Pete et al,

I think DJI looks at their competition as if DJI is selling an IPhone 6 and everybody else is selling an IPhone 4 and unfortunately at this point they are mostly correct.  As a result Pete (and I agree with you in principle) they don't think they can do anything to hurt their position and unfortunately, for most of us who use their products they are somewhat right.  Seriously, where are you going to go today for a product that competes with them in their price range?

I think though when GoPro gets into the fray we might finally begin to see the push to better upgrades and better service.  THEN Pete I hope the game will change.
2015-6-9
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PeteGould
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leostrat_54@yah Posted at 2015-6-10 01:30
Pete et al,

I think DJI looks at their competition as if DJI is selling an IPhone 6 and everybody ...

I think the people at 3DR are counting on DJI continuing to think that way, and bleeding off significant market share as a result.  No knowing at this juncture whether they're right or not, since their product line is continuing to evolve.

For my own part I just have my eye on the marketplace to see what serves our interests the best.  If DJI fixes its issues it could still be a DJI product.  If not - we'll see what else enters the fray.
2015-6-9
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FoxSTI
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The more I read about these threads the more it seems like I should have built an S900 with A2 + Ground station for photogrammetry work.
2015-6-9
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jimhare
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I think we will benefit from the P3 in the sense that the camera is essentially the same.  

So we may in fact see firmware based improvements for both, and that would be a great start.

I'm not worried about Matrice, it's a private platform for scientists and other specialists, in no way an alternative to the Inspire.


The Inspire 1 will still fill the gap for video pros that don't want the hassle and expense of the S900.   The P3 isn't up to the task so it will continue to interest the market it was originally intended for.

So DJI have plenty of incentive to improve the Inspire and keep its market healthy, and camera improvements/alternatives will be a big part of this.

And again, the P3 gives them added resources and incentive for firmware camera improvements for CODEC optimization and so on.

I remain optimistic.
2015-6-9
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Wildcat Willie
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jimhare Posted at 2015-6-10 06:18
I think we will benefit from the P3 in the sense that the camera is essentially the same.  

So we m ...

Jim ..Always the optimist.... Ill take whatever bone DJI decides to throw my way.   I should qualify that for the most part DJI has filled my needs... I would like to see an IR camera though that piggybacks the I1.BTW thanks for the tips and Tutorials on photography and video that you and others have helped people like me with.   I would appreciate your opinion on my website which includes both photos and video.I took the liberty of tagging you and several others as positive examples of what these birds can do. It is in the links section.

www.westcanuav.com
2015-6-9
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jimhare
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Wildcat Willie Posted at 2015-6-10 09:24
Jim ..Always the optimist.... Ill take whatever bone DJI decides to throw my way.   I should quali ...

Hey Willie, appreaciate the plug, thanks!  

Jim
2015-6-9
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flydronefly
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A little too early to see "whats next"? Ed is just a hall monitor, right?
2015-6-9
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Linolens
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GrahamJ Posted at 2015-6-9 22:59
Got it, cheers mate.  I guess, all things being equal, if I get the "Autopilot" feature, and the o ...

same here. That's all I need
2015-6-9
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Sky Ninja
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PeteGould Posted at 2015-6-10 01:32
I think the people at 3DR are counting on DJI continuing to think that way, and bleeding off signi ...

Pete, I tend to lean your way on the ideals of that DJI will basically act as if there is no other competition, while those around them learn from the mistakes made by this mfgr.

One name I haven't seen pop up much is Yuneec/Horizon Hobby. Until now, they haven't been taken very serious as a true contender against DJI or 3DR. While these two foes (for obvious reasons) battle it out in the main stream media, Yuneec has, in my opinion, come up in the ranks with a Phantom/Inspire contender, known as the Q500+ and Q500 4K.
If anybody gets the chance to fly one, by all means, take it and please, until you do, please don't throw negative comments unless you have had the personal experience.

While every UAV, DRONE, QUAD, AERIAL PLATFORM, etc, has it's pros and cons, this company has really put together a pretty impressive package, at a great initial investment price. Real world reports from local/national hobby shops and owners are offering VERY positive reviews, not only with the unit, parts available, turn around times and full package deal, it's the customer service most praised.

For evident reasons, I find it hard to believe DJI will build a reputation as a customer relations type of company any time in the near future. At this point in time, it would seem initial sales is the only way they refer to themselves, as a successful company.

-S.N.
2015-6-9
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nilsblix
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jimhare Posted at 2015-6-10 06:18
I think we will benefit from the P3 in the sense that the camera is essentially the same.  

So we m ...

I hope you are right. I think ( more wish ) we will see a Inspire 2 late 2015 with a better camera that also would fit the Inspire 1.

That would be something jimhare
2015-6-10
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jimhare
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nilsblix@gmail. Posted at 2015-6-10 17:19
I hope you are right. I think ( more wish ) we will see a Inspire 2 late 2015 with a better camera ...

Sounds good to me!
2015-6-10
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dave.encoremult
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Here's my take on this thread for what it's worth.  I like the round "ball" design of the current camera on the I1.  My thinking is it's very aerodynamic.  It even looks cool.  All companies, DJI is no exception, are in it to make money.  If I were them, I'd develop two identical cameras (both spheres).  One, would be internally changed/upgraded to shoot high quality stills and H.264 1080p video.  The emphasis would be on the stills for photographers.  The other camera would shoot up to 4K video, ProRes, 4:2:2 maybe even true SLog, but do lesser quality stills.  I've talked to professional still photographers who say if the I1 had a better photo performance, they'd get it but rarely shoot video.  Of course, video DP's like myself want the best quality video but I only occasionally do stills from the air.  If you seriously do both in equal amounts, you'd own both cameras (with gimbals) and it would be easy to switch between them.  Sure you'd have to land but the change would only take a couple of minutes.  If you're doing industrialies like we do that shouldn't be an issue.   I just did that on a shoot...shot video, landed and showed the client then asked him if he wanted to "pose" the front loader for stills.  He loved the idea!
2015-6-10
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Oliver
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P3P owner here...I realize I'm in the Inspire forum, but we share a very similar camera. I was wondering if these issues you mention are responsible for this "pulsing"/"flickering" effect I've noticed?:


If so, I think your predictions are correct Jim, in that with the surge of new P3P owners complaining of this issue, we might get somewhere, and that will also include Inspire owners.

Cheers
2015-6-10
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