M3P Orbiting-No 5k Video and other missing features

volaredrone

I had a client request a 5.1k video orbit yesterday for 3d renderings of an architectural project.
Well... I found out the hard way that you can't use ActiveTrack (and therefore orbit) in 5.1k on the Mavic 3 Pro.

Is there any chance of DJI adding this soon?

I also had a few more frustrations as well besides no 5k video:

There is no radius stat like on my old Phantom 4 (distance from home isn't the same thing - esp if you're filming a target you can't launch from)
There is no time to orbit estimate like on my old Phantom 4 (this is a really helpful feature as it gives you a more precise measure for consistency than the little speed indicator which tells you nothing and is hard to select the same speed twice – speaking of which... can we make this a mph selector instead?)
The Active Track bar that pops up hides the altitude and distance from home stats - at least on RC Pro (you can only see them if you minimize the map - which I didn't find out about until after I got home :/ )
Additional Minor frustration: Its hard to select Orbit without the RC Pro pulling up the exposure settings

I like not having to hover over the target to choose it like the P4P, but these other missing features are a step backwards on a much more expensive drone that came out years later.

If the 5k video is too much processing for ActiveTrack, I would be fine with a little dumber system like the P4P had as a backup for 5k at least.

djiuser_8WuKUCNbRdS2

You can make some kind of Orbit 5.1k and even Prores 422hq, when using cruise control

volaredrone

djiuser_8WuKUCNbRdS2 Posted at 5-21 05:54
You can make some kind of Orbit 5.1k and even Prores 422hq, when using cruise control

Unfortunately this won't work because I need exact radius, focusing on a specific subject, etc.

Cruise control doesn't give you that kind of precise controls.

djiuser_21vazN53a4oJ

What about waypoints with a point of interest?

volaredrone

djiuser_21vazN53a4oJ Posted at 5-22 06:31
What about waypoints with a point of interest?

I was thinking about that but there is no way to make it perfectly circular. Might be able to get it somewhat close.

(There really needs to be an orbit waypoint honestly)

CloudVisual

Got to say, I appreciate your client is asking for this, but from a data quality point of view, this is garbage data and I'd respectfully tell my own client they don't know what they're doing if they asked me to film in 5K for a 3D render.

You can give them data which is far better resolution (20MP versus ~14MP), with GPS metadata embedded and no risk of motion blur and no compression in the footage. All whilst being able to capture it in POI mode.

In short, just take photos.

volaredrone

CloudVisual Posted at 5-23 13:36
Got to say, I appreciate your client is asking for this, but from a data quality point of view, this is garbage data and I'd respectfully tell my own client they don't know what they're doing if they asked me to film in 5K for a 3D render.

You can give them data which is far better resolution (20MP versus ~14MP), with GPS metadata embedded and no risk of motion blur and no compression in the footage. All whilst being able to capture it in POI mode.

They said that photos is an option as well. (I've seen the final product they use it for and it is worthwhile. Large agency)

Is there anyway to set up the prescribed orbit (altitude + radius around POI) with automatic photo capture at regular intervals?

I don't believe ActiveTrack allows you to do set intervals for photos, and waypoints doesn't allow precise orbits.

CloudVisual

volaredrone Posted at 5-23 13:57
They said that photos is an option as well. (I've seen the final product they use it for and it is worthwhile. Large agency)

Is there anyway to set up the prescribed orbit (altitude + radius around POI) with automatic photo capture at regular intervals?

Photos has to be an option, they would only be taking screenshots of the video to use in their software. Taking photos just makes their lives easier and clearly someone at the agency thinks 5K = best quality, when in fact it's probably one of the worst options to choose. Best to ask what software they're planning to use to generate this model, just to check what data that company suggests is best.

Anyway, to get this to work, set the drone to photo mode, choose interval timer or timelapse mode. Select your subject and then choose POI as the tracking mode. In JPG I beleive you can shoot down to 2 second intervals and RAW, 5 seconds. The images will be far better quality than your video. I would suggest going with JPG.

You're also using the wrong drone for this job, but if fine accuracy of the output isn't that important, you'll get away with it. Your Phantom 4 Pro shoots 20MP and will do waypoints properly. It's also got a global shutter, which makes it a better drone for the job.

volaredrone

CloudVisual Posted at 5-23 23:59
Photos has to be an option, they would only be taking screenshots of the video to use in their software. Taking photos just makes their lives easier and clearly someone at the agency thinks 5K = best quality, when in fact it's probably one of the worst options to choose. Best to ask what software they're planning to use to generate this model, just to check what data that company suggests is best.

Anyway, to get this to work, set the drone to photo mode, choose interval timer or timelapse mode. Select your subject and then choose POI as the tracking mode. In JPG I beleive you can shoot down to 2 second intervals and RAW, 5 seconds. The images will be far better quality than your video. I would suggest going with JPG.

Thanks, but I sold the P4P a while back.

I wrongly thought that the drone that was 3x the price and came out 6 years later would have all the same features and more... what's up with that DJI?

volaredrone

CloudVisual Posted at 5-23 23:59
Photos has to be an option, they would only be taking screenshots of the video to use in their software. Taking photos just makes their lives easier and clearly someone at the agency thinks 5K = best quality, when in fact it's probably one of the worst options to choose. Best to ask what software they're planning to use to generate this model, just to check what data that company suggests is best.

Anyway, to get this to work, set the drone to photo mode, choose interval timer or timelapse mode. Select your subject and then choose POI as the tracking mode. In JPG I beleive you can shoot down to 2 second intervals and RAW, 5 seconds. The images will be far better quality than your video. I would suggest going with JPG.

Btw, I just confirmed that the M3P doesn't have an interval timer or timelapse option under photo mode.

There is a hyperlapse option which is separate but can kind of achieve the same effect. It will capture photos in RAW at set intervals. Its a little frustrating to use though because you aren't guaranteed that the drone will complete the full orbit before the hyperlapse is done. You just have to set a high final length and hope for the best.

Really dumb, DJI.... again.

CloudVisual

volaredrone Posted at 5-24 09:13
Btw, I just confirmed that the M3P doesn't have an interval timer or timelapse option under photo mode.

There is a hyperlapse option which is separate but can kind of achieve the same effect. It will capture photos in RAW at set intervals. Its a little frustrating to use though because you aren't guaranteed that the drone will complete the full orbit before the hyperlapse is done. You just have to set a high final length and hope for the best.

I'm out with my M3P later, I'm certain that it has timer/intervalometer mode. Maybe I'm confusing drone models though.

But yeah, DJI decided that they could make a lot more money by making drones for specific purposes, rather than an all rounder these days. You need to go drop $$$$ on the M3E to be able to fly a timed circle.

DJI Gamora

Hi, volaredrone. Thank you for the feedback. We will forward your concern to our related department. All significant suggestions will be implemented after the evaluation of our relevant team. For the latest updates please stay tuned to our DJI official website at ( www.dji.com ). Thank you for your understanding and support.

volaredrone

CloudVisual Posted at 5-25 00:00
I'm out with my M3P later, I'm certain that it has timer/intervalometer mode. Maybe I'm confusing drone models though.

But yeah, DJI decided that they could make a lot more money by making drones for specific purposes, rather than an all rounder these days. You need to go drop $$$$ on the M3E to be able to fly a timed circle.

Thanks, curious if you found any better methods?

CloudVisual

volaredrone Posted at 5-31 06:52
Thanks, curious if you found any better methods?

I didn't end up flying with it that day and then forgot the next. I'll make a note for next time and give you my findings.