Replies to This Discussion

DeveloperPermalink Reply by R_Lefebvre on January 15, 2012 at 8:24pm

The zoom will make the challenges of AP several orders of magnitude more difficult.

I have a Sony WX10 which can do 1920x1080 60i or 1440x1080 30p and output SD at the same time.  Not sure if it's what you're looking for.

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Permalink Reply by Joel on January 15, 2012 at 9:45pm

Yes I realize zoom will make it more difficult. Does anyone have any ideas? Maybe servos pushing the zoom button but it would be nice to find a camera which allows the zoom to be controlled remotely(maybe even via APM?).

Will most cameras output SD even before you begin recording? So I could take multiple recordings in a flight? I've noticed some cameras won't let you zoom while recording, but would be cool to zoom even when not recording.

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DeveloperPermalink Reply by R_Lefebvre on January 16, 2012 at 1:28pm

Yes, my camera outputs SD even when not recording.  I believe it can also zoom while recording. Cheaper/older cameras won't (nor will they autofocus) but Moore's law... these things are getting better and better all the time.

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Permalink Reply by CORNELIUS P BRICE on April 10, 2012 at 7:04pm

Hello everyone. I have done a little research on the issue of controling zoom.

There is a pseudo-standard to interface to the ZOOM function and other camcorders functions. It is called “LANC  Terminal” and is usually available thru the A/V  Remote and is on most Sony and Canon Camcorders. The wires of the cable are well defined but the $64 question is, how to use the connections.  

Any thoughts?

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Permalink Reply by CORNELIUS P BRICE on April 10, 2012 at 7:11pm

Joel, I came across a YouTube video that showed: pan, tilt and zoom. However, he didnt say how he did it.

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Permalink Reply by CORNELIUS P BRICE on April 11, 2012 at 12:58am

Here is the LANC protocal in all its blood and glory:    http://www.boehmel.de/lanc.htm

 

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DeveloperPermalink Reply by John Arne Birkeland on April 11, 2012 at 2:25am

I agree. A nice dampened P&T platform and a LANC controller camcorder with built in image stabilization is the only thing that will stand a chance of being usable when you use zoom.

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Permalink Reply by Roger Powers on April 12, 2012 at 12:17pm

There are 2 others from this company:  www.fatheadllc.com

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Permalink Reply by CORNELIUS P BRICE on April 12, 2012 at 1:51pm

Looks very good but not a whole lot of company information and my experiences show that if they don't display a price list, there is a very good reason. This looks like really good products but I'm afraid of sticker shock.

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Permalink Reply by Roger Powers on April 12, 2012 at 3:28pm

Actually keeping the prices off the web site is only due to the initial launch of the company and the marketing team is working on how they want to roll out that piece.  However, the core value of the company is turn key solutions, plug and play with years of flight testing on real VTOL UASs.   I think anyone will find the pricing exceptionally low compared to the high end UAV market.  Clearly if you are building a fully autonomous UAV that has some endurance and range you dont want to use toy systems.  I think Fat Head cuts between toy pricing and Defense type pricing with more toward the low cost range than high cost range.  Saving years of your own development and testing for say a complete turn key camera system or Laser Altimeter sensor system, etc, is worth some but again I think people will find it very cost competitive.  And the systems work!

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Permalink Reply by CORNELIUS P BRICE on April 12, 2012 at 2:00pm

Roger, if I've done my homework right, you are the owner?

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Permalink Reply by Roger Powers on April 12, 2012 at 4:32pm

oh yes, i am one of them.  I work to mainly promote, educate and be the out front guy. wonderful job.

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