New lightweight digital video transmission system offers high-quality imaging and low latency for competitive racers and photographers
by DRONELIFE Staff Writer Ian J. McNabb
Drone giant DJI has recently announced their newest product aimed at the thriving FPV drone market- the DJI O4 Air unit series, their flagship digital video transmission products that bring a high-quality camera feed to any drone. Available in two flavors (non-Pro and Pro), the DJI O4 Air Units provide a perfect solution for FPV racing, with their light weight and long range transmission capability.
The DJI O4 Air Unit weighs just 8.2 grams and features a 1/2-inch image sensor capable of capturing 4K/60fps video. If that’s not enough, the DJI O4 Air Unit Pro boasts an enhanced imaging capability with a 1/1.3-inch image sensor, capable of recording 4K/120fps video. According to their release, the O4 also supports impressive features such as 10-bit D-Log M color mode and a 155° ultra-wide FOV, allowing for incredible detail. In “race mode”, the O4 Air Unit can reach a latency as low as 20 ms, with the pro managing a blistering 15 ms latency. The system has a maximum range of up to 15 km, and features automatic frequency switching to ensure smooth and uninterrupted flight, even in difficult conditions. The Air Unit features 32 gb of onboard storage (compared to the Pro’s 4 gb), but lacks the Pro’s SD card reader that allows for exponentially more footage to be stored onboard.
What makes these two products so attractive to existing drone racers and photographers, however, is their broad compatibility and affordability. The Air Unit is compatible with airframes 2 inches and smaller, while the Air Unit Pro can fit on airframes as small as 3 inches. They’re also fairly accessibly priced- the Air Unit starts at $109 for the camera, transmission board, and antennas, while the Pro starts at $229.
More information on DJI’s new O4 Air series is available here.
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Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry. Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.
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