FPV/OSD Kit dual input?

Posted by Tom Boyd on June 9, 2014 at 8:45am

My Y6 is set up with the 3DR FPV/OSD kit (Incuding the Sony camera) and a GoPro on the Tarot gimbal.  I am currently using the 3DR dual channel FPV monitor.

 

I know 3DR makes a cable to use the GoPro for FPV/OSD, but can I set up a system where I can use both?  Where I can have one on each channel of my monitor and switch between the "view" i am seeing?

 

I am far from an expert, novice really, but looking at all the setup instructions for the FPV/OSD kit, it looks like, in order to do what I want, I would have to put a complete additional kit on.

 

Is there another way?

 

Thanks.

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Replies

  • Tom Boyd June 30, 2014 at 10:50am

    I tt the shop this morning.  The challenge they are facing is that the RC passthrough function is "disabled" on the Pixhawk.

    They suggested one of two options;

    1.  Replace the satelite receiver with the traditional receiver, allowing me to plug the switch right into the receiver.

    2.  Find/figure out a way to enable an RC passthrough on the Pixhawk ports or Aux ports.

     

    Does anyone have an idea on enabling RC passthrough on the Aux Ports?

    Other than size issues, are there any down sides to using the traditional receiver over the satelite receiver?

     

    Once again, I am trying to get a set up where I can activate the camera switch on the copter with a switch on my transmitter.

     

    Thank you.

    • F. C. Bearsch > Tom Boyd June 30, 2014 at 7:14pm
      I think you do this in the gimbal setting, you can set it to switch your video there
    • Haygood > F. C. Bearsch July 1, 2014 at 7:24am

      Correct.  You don't use the passthrough.  The gimbal screen allows you to set the output RC channel that relates to a given input RC channel.  If your gimbal's tilt is controlled already, you can set similar settings for gimbal pan.   However, while the Pixhawk thinks it is sending an output signal to control camera pan, that signal will really be connected to the camera switcher, with Pixhawk none the wiser.  

      Under the gimbal pan settings, there is a box on the left in which you select which physical output you are using from the Pixhawk.  I think RC9 will already be used for your camera tilt control, as a guess.  So set pan to RC10.  This determines where you plug the camera switcher into the pixhawk.  There is a box on the right in which you set which input channel you are using (RC6, RC7, or RC8) on the Spektrum Satellite coming into the Pixhawk. You don't have RC8 as an input because you have a 7 channel radio.  RC7 or RC6 will already be used for camera tilt.  The remaining one needs to be set to camera pan.  

      The final task is then to program your Spektrum transmitter to send the camera switching signal on the desired channel, and to have mode control sent on channel 5.  The Pixhawk will always look at what is coming from the Spektrum satellite's channel 5 and see that as flight mode information.  So, you need a way to send 6 different signals on channel 5, which is normally only connected to the 2-position gear switch.

      Read up on programming 6 modes with one channel on the DX7s.  This will free up your gear switch so you don't waste it to change modes.  You will use your Flaps switch (3-position) and Rudder D/R switch (2-position) in combination to essentially have 6 flaps settings.  You then need to program the DX7s to send Flap switch information out to the Spektrum Satellite on channel 5 (instead of the default 6), and to send gear switch settings out on channel 6 (instead of 5).  Pixhawk will be looking at the satellite's channel 5 to find information regarding flight mode settings.  

  • Tom Boyd June 29, 2014 at 6:58am

    So I purchased the stuff I needed.  Got the recharge/video cable from 3DR and a basic 3 way switch from RCCC.  

    Got lazy and took it to a local/reputable drone shop (www.aerialtechnology.com) to do while I was on vacation.

    They got it all set up but are now saying that I need an 8 channel radio to be able to switch the video from the transmitter.

    I have a 7 channel Spektrum (the one 3DR sold me with the unit) and it does not seem like all the channels are being used.

    So is this BS and/or, if I am already using all 7 channels, what are they doing?

    Thanks.

    • Haygood > Tom Boyd June 30, 2014 at 3:49am

      You will have to experiment or ask the shop about the setup, but my guess is they consumed two channels to get the 6 mode choices.  So, 4 flight channels (throttle, aileron, elevator, rudder), 2 for mode, 1 for pan.  Your DX7s can easily be set to use the 3-way flaps switch along with the Rudder D/R switch to control all six modes.  The gear switch can then be freed up to use for the camera switcher.  There are DIY's on the mode switch setup in several forums.

    • Flying Buddha > Tom Boyd June 29, 2014 at 7:07pm

      Without know your exact set up its hard to tell. Typically you have 1-4 channels for your flight control (pitch, roll, yaw, throttle). 5 would be for your flight control modes (some times 5 and 6). If you have a pan/tilt fpv system, they could have hooked up 6 and 7 for that...or they made have set up a channel to do something specific like, "Return to Home" or "AutoTrim".  If you have'nt done so already...ask them, "why all your channels are being used?and for what?"

  • Haygood June 9, 2014 at 9:38am

    I bought the following from ReadyMadeRc:  

    RCCC 3-way camera switch (you can use a 2-way or a less fancy 3-way, but this one has advantages)

    10-pack of male servo connectors

    10-pack of female servo connectors

    4-wire GoPro wiring harness (Fatshark compatible)

    You will also need about an 8" servo extension, or maybe shorter, to have enough wire to do everything.

    I wanted the 4-wire wiring harness because it includes a wire to power the GoPro in flight.  I no longer have to worry about losing GoPro power or charging the GoPro battery.  That is a big plus, to me.

    However, the 4-wire connector provided on that harness won't do you any good, so you will need to use the servo connectors to rewire it. Also, the wires are a bit short to reach up to the OSD 

    The GoPro needs 5V and will die if you put 12v to it.  

    Unplug the little FPV camera from the MinimOSD, and plug the camera switcher's output in in its place.  

    Plug the little camera's cable into one of the video inputs on the camera switcher.  

    Cut the 4-wire connector off of the GoPro harness, and wire up the power, ground, and video wires, leaving the 4th, white, audio wire unconnected.  The length should be about right to reach from the GoPro to the top of the Tarot gimbal, if you don't cut it.

    Drop the servo extension down through the body of the Y6 so it will plug into the GoPro wiring harness in the same area as the gimbal's power wire.  

    It is extremely important you do the next step.  Pull the GoPro signal wire out of the servo extension and plug the servo extension (now with just red and black wires) into something that provides 5v.  This could be the outputs on the back of the Pixhawk, or one of the channel outputs on the RCCC.  See the RCCC instructions and solder across the 5V jumper if you go that route.

    Put one of your servo connectors on the GoPro's video signal wire and plug that into one of the camera inputs on the RCCC.  

    I stuffed the RCCC between the front of the Pixhawk and the minimOSD and it is quite happy there.

  • Flying Buddha June 9, 2014 at 8:52am

    you just need to add a "camera switcher". This one has 3 channels (3 camera inputs)....use your radio to switch between each one. 

    http://hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=48052

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