As promised, I made a second video about this remarkable flying camera once I'd learnt more about how to use it. The first video was shot straight-out-of-the-box and I missed some of the features including the audio processing, although it does demonstrate the range of moves the drone can perform. In this video I show the processing which cuts-out the rotor noise, and I try to use it as I would in a real video production. It works well and has risen in my estimation from being a gadget for social media to a real production tool. I still have to learn about taking burst photos.
I like the look of this little thing - perfect for outdoor adventures and vlogging... I'll keep an eye on it and start saving up.. Thank you for sharing. 😎
Great stable video - very impressive. I'd love to have one but I'm not sure what I would do with it once the novelty wore off! Does it take still photos? That would be better than a selfie-stick.
Curious, do you have separate insurance for drones (I had it via model flying association before when I had the DJI).. wonder if you think we also need insurance on top of the CAA ID? Thanks
If you're flying for payment then you need third-party insurance - it's one of the questions in the UK FlyerID registration test. You can get it on a day-by-day basis from a few providers. If you're flying for fun then it's a personal decision and relates (for me) to flight location. If I'm flying in a remote glen with no third parties around, then the biggest risk is to my drone itself. I paid extra for it to be covered on house insurance.
Hi Tan, here's the amazing thing that took me a while to get my head around. There's NO wireless mic involved. Audio is recorded on your phone within the Hover Camera App. You can have the phone close-ish to your face or plug a mic into your phone directly (I'm using a Rode Lavalier and all my video kit is listed here: tinyurl.com/myvideokit ). When you download the footage from the X1 to the App (you have to export it this way) the two audio tracks are synchronised and the sound of the rotors (props and motor) is removed by the equivalent of noise-cancelling software. It feels impossible but works. Sync can slip, but there's a way to fix it in the App, although it's easier to do in an edit. I gave some clear examples of this on my blog which might be helpful tinyurl.com/HoverCameraX1
Good review! one question: It seems that follow you in the front while you are running but in other video you said it can´t follow you by front in the bike, is it because the speed? thanks!
Please point me to more detail on how you got audio to work and then improved it with noise cancellation. I just got mine out of the box today. Followed quickstart and was simply amazed in how well it followed me around the garden. Simply fantastic tracking, however it recorded no audio at all. Not even with the noisy bits with props spinning and all. Video looked great! Even when I bended down to show I finally had some cucumbers popping up in the little garden, but no audio 😞 I've been waiting for something like this so I could start to pump out more how-to content without having to rope in a child/spouse/random to film me. If I can figure out audio, this neat little device just might suffice for now. I'll continue googling for a solution but if you or anyone out there has any PRO Tips to share or just point me to decent documentation on the audio side I sure would appreciate it! Thank you for sharing!
Sounds like we went through the same thing Kevin. My first video was all "wow look what it does" and completely missed the part about the audio, hence this video. There's a link to the manual in the video description but I think the newer version is less detailed. The firmware has changed at least twice since I shot this video, and certain functions seem to be in different places (dolly track is now on a card). So I hope my explanation of audio is going to work... Simply, keep the Hover app open on your phone and the mic close-ish to your face while you fly. The App knows when the X1 is recording and starts recording audio, noise-canceling the rotor sound. It then syncs that internal audio with the pictures when you download those to the App. Presumably these are time-stamped somehow internally for sync. The sync can be less than perfect. There is a way in the App to jog the audio into sync but I didn't try it. I used my video editing software. One tip to help synchronise this way is - one the X1 and app are recording, give one clear clap, mimicking the action and purpose of a clapperboard. That way you can sync the sound of the clap with the visual of your hands coming together. Despite what I say in this video, I don't think this does away with a camera operator. The X1 seems to randomly stop, presumably when it thinks you've stopped moving. There are other little niggles too, although these might disappear with practice. I hope you get the audio working - it should be easy!
That's why I say it's like the GoPro, and it's the GP2 now. By the time we get to the 5 or 6 it'll be brilliant! You might find this helpful: simon-willis.blogspot.com/2023/06/the-self-flying-selfie-camera.html
I really like this, it's features weight and size are great for taking out on a bike. Is it possible to take still pictures with or get a still off the video footage? Do you this is worth having if you are not a You Tuber and don't make videos as such?
I think the answer is 'yes' to both. I say "think" because I haven't yet used it for Stills but it promises to be the ultimate in selfie sticks! The reason I say yes to the second part... well, it sould be more of a "it depends". If you're a TH-camr then I suspect you'll want a better drone than this for most long-form videos. I know I do. It's ability to follow in front, behind and to the side are not a patch on the DJI Mini 3 pro I usually use, but it's twice the price. For a proper YT video, I'd still carry the bigger drone. This feels best suited to less involved videos, perhaps for YT or more likely YT shorts / TikTok, Facebook etc. Quicker stuff that's easy to edit on a phone, even while out. I did this yesterday on a longer ride with the Hover Camera X1 just tucked in my jersey pocket. If you shoot that kind of thing for social media, it's ideal. I said in this video it feels like the early GoPros, and that's also because when the GP came out, you couldn't rely on it for a shoot. I always shot on a main camera and the GP, if it worked OK, well, that was a bonus and I'd drop the shots in. Now I shoot just about everything on a GoPro and, just as they have improved, I'm sure the Hover Camera will too. This will seem like a primitive model in a few years, with no card slot and not much power. But for now, it's pretty good!
These are the links I was sent: Hover Camera X1 APP Instructions: drive.google.com/file/d/1GHpL6je9uJ4nkQzlhMQZcKqSrAqG2oFE/view?usp=sharing Hover Camera X1 Quick Start Guide: drive.google.com/file/d/1LMoXV0y5spTz89sLGm7ksgAt8Uyt0n58/view?usp=sharing
It has been tested at 9 mins in a hover by a member of the launch FB group (not me) but any movement against or with the wind will change that. I'd say it's pretty short but can be charged from a battery pack.
Do u know how fast the wind was blowing around the 25 second mark? I noticed the drone was moving alot and the video was pretty good but definitely not still.
I don't know how it works - maybe ask the makers? It seems to 'recognise' body shapes and follow them. Shooting into bright sun it can struggle on a few occasions.
ANSWER: impossible to give a definitive figure because it depends how hard the X1 works. Battling a headwind uses more power. Dolly-track uses more power than hover. Compared to my DJI mini3 pro it’s not long. It’s a snapshot type drone for social media.
I was deciding what to have for dinner - been cycling for most of the day and mine is in the dog - or something :) Now distracted by yourself. Worse things might happen I suppose :)
I'll be honest there is no way I'm going to get a number on a device like that, it's pointless especially out were you are using it, I understand you have to chant the authority mantra, but they can stuff it 😊
Never buy products from this company. This is one person who applied for the purchase of Hover 2 in 2019. But the drone, I have not received a refund yet. Of course there is no answer...
As promised, I made a second video about this remarkable flying camera once I'd learnt more about how to use it. The first video was shot straight-out-of-the-box and I missed some of the features including the audio processing, although it does demonstrate the range of moves the drone can perform. In this video I show the processing which cuts-out the rotor noise, and I try to use it as I would in a real video production. It works well and has risen in my estimation from being a gadget for social media to a real production tool. I still have to learn about taking burst photos.
So pleased you found these perks and love the demo. Great work
I mentioned the noise in the last video, the sound cancelling works really well
That prompted me to find out more!
I like the look of this little thing - perfect for outdoor adventures and vlogging... I'll keep an eye on it and start saving up.. Thank you for sharing. 😎
Great stable video - very impressive. I'd love to have one but I'm not sure what I would do with it once the novelty wore off! Does it take still photos? That would be better than a selfie-stick.
Batteries in a selfie stick last longer 😁. This feels like an ‘extra’ type of shot to drop into a regular video.
Curious, do you have separate insurance for drones (I had it via model flying association before when I had the DJI).. wonder if you think we also need insurance on top of the CAA ID? Thanks
If you're flying for payment then you need third-party insurance - it's one of the questions in the UK FlyerID registration test. You can get it on a day-by-day basis from a few providers. If you're flying for fun then it's a personal decision and relates (for me) to flight location. If I'm flying in a remote glen with no third parties around, then the biggest risk is to my drone itself. I paid extra for it to be covered on house insurance.
Hi Simon, on the hover camera X, your wireless mic is link with 1) your HP it Apps OR 2) the GoPro??. Advise the brand and model of yr rem mic. thank
Hi Tan, here's the amazing thing that took me a while to get my head around.
There's NO wireless mic involved.
Audio is recorded on your phone within the Hover Camera App. You can have the phone close-ish to your face or plug a mic into your phone directly (I'm using a Rode Lavalier and all my video kit is listed here: tinyurl.com/myvideokit ).
When you download the footage from the X1 to the App (you have to export it this way) the two audio tracks are synchronised and the sound of the rotors (props and motor) is removed by the equivalent of noise-cancelling software. It feels impossible but works.
Sync can slip, but there's a way to fix it in the App, although it's easier to do in an edit. I gave some clear examples of this on my blog which might be helpful tinyurl.com/HoverCameraX1
Good review! one question: It seems that follow you in the front while you are running but in other video you said it can´t follow you by front in the bike, is it because the speed? thanks!
It was because I hadn’t figured it out! Also the way it works keeps changing as they work on the App
Does it shoot in 9:16 mode?
What an amazing view. Where abouts is this?
West highlands of Scotland 🏴
@alwaysanotheradventure of course...a good 10 hrs drive 🤣
Please point me to more detail on how you got audio to work and then improved it with noise cancellation.
I just got mine out of the box today. Followed quickstart and was simply amazed in how well it followed me around the garden. Simply fantastic tracking, however it recorded no audio at all. Not even with the noisy bits with props spinning and all.
Video looked great! Even when I bended down to show I finally had some cucumbers popping up in the little garden, but no audio 😞
I've been waiting for something like this so I could start to pump out more how-to content without having to rope in a child/spouse/random to film me. If I can figure out audio, this neat little device just might suffice for now. I'll continue googling for a solution but if you or anyone out there has any PRO Tips to share or just point me to decent documentation on the audio side I sure would appreciate it! Thank you for sharing!
Sounds like we went through the same thing Kevin. My first video was all "wow look what it does" and completely missed the part about the audio, hence this video.
There's a link to the manual in the video description but I think the newer version is less detailed. The firmware has changed at least twice since I shot this video, and certain functions seem to be in different places (dolly track is now on a card). So I hope my explanation of audio is going to work...
Simply, keep the Hover app open on your phone and the mic close-ish to your face while you fly. The App knows when the X1 is recording and starts recording audio, noise-canceling the rotor sound. It then syncs that internal audio with the pictures when you download those to the App. Presumably these are time-stamped somehow internally for sync.
The sync can be less than perfect. There is a way in the App to jog the audio into sync but I didn't try it. I used my video editing software. One tip to help synchronise this way is - one the X1 and app are recording, give one clear clap, mimicking the action and purpose of a clapperboard. That way you can sync the sound of the clap with the visual of your hands coming together.
Despite what I say in this video, I don't think this does away with a camera operator. The X1 seems to randomly stop, presumably when it thinks you've stopped moving. There are other little niggles too, although these might disappear with practice. I hope you get the audio working - it should be easy!
@@alwaysanotheradventure I thank you kindly for your response and help. I truly am very excited about the possibilties with this device!
Just from watching this video, I can already say what could be updated. All in all, I went for one to go on my excursions of open environment fun
That's why I say it's like the GoPro, and it's the GP2 now. By the time we get to the 5 or 6 it'll be brilliant! You might find this helpful: simon-willis.blogspot.com/2023/06/the-self-flying-selfie-camera.html
I really like this, it's features weight and size are great for taking out on a bike. Is it possible to take still pictures with or get a still off the video footage? Do you this is worth having if you are not a You Tuber and don't make videos as such?
I think the answer is 'yes' to both. I say "think" because I haven't yet used it for Stills but it promises to be the ultimate in selfie sticks! The reason I say yes to the second part... well, it sould be more of a "it depends".
If you're a TH-camr then I suspect you'll want a better drone than this for most long-form videos. I know I do. It's ability to follow in front, behind and to the side are not a patch on the DJI Mini 3 pro I usually use, but it's twice the price. For a proper YT video, I'd still carry the bigger drone.
This feels best suited to less involved videos, perhaps for YT or more likely YT shorts / TikTok, Facebook etc. Quicker stuff that's easy to edit on a phone, even while out. I did this yesterday on a longer ride with the Hover Camera X1 just tucked in my jersey pocket. If you shoot that kind of thing for social media, it's ideal.
I said in this video it feels like the early GoPros, and that's also because when the GP came out, you couldn't rely on it for a shoot. I always shot on a main camera and the GP, if it worked OK, well, that was a bonus and I'd drop the shots in.
Now I shoot just about everything on a GoPro and, just as they have improved, I'm sure the Hover Camera will too. This will seem like a primitive model in a few years, with no card slot and not much power. But for now, it's pretty good!
Can you post link for Hover X1 English manual PDF? Thanks in advance!
These are the links I was sent:
Hover Camera X1 APP Instructions: drive.google.com/file/d/1GHpL6je9uJ4nkQzlhMQZcKqSrAqG2oFE/view?usp=sharing
Hover Camera X1 Quick Start Guide: drive.google.com/file/d/1LMoXV0y5spTz89sLGm7ksgAt8Uyt0n58/view?usp=sharing
12 days aside.. any idea on the batt life on one batt!
It has been tested at 9 mins in a hover by a member of the launch FB group (not me) but any movement against or with the wind will change that. I'd say it's pretty short but can be charged from a battery pack.
Do u know how fast the wind was blowing around the 25 second mark? I noticed the drone was moving alot and the video was pretty good but definitely not still.
😂 no sorry.
I published a short with little to no wind that might help th-cam.com/users/shortsofe2dxVyCP4?feature=share
Is this based on sensor movement? However if you shoot under really bright sunlight? Will it still following you if the sun really bright?
I don't know how it works - maybe ask the makers? It seems to 'recognise' body shapes and follow them. Shooting into bright sun it can struggle on a few occasions.
It looks like great video quality. What happens if it flies away
Good point. I try to always have the phone app connected where there’s a Land button.
That last aerial shot justifies the price, even if only one or two of these shots is included in a video.
For me the revolutionary tech is the audio processing with noise cancellation shown here
th-cam.com/video/hOmJvX5TP6Q/w-d-xo.html
QUESTION: How Long does each battery last ?
ANSWER: impossible to give a definitive figure because it depends how hard the X1 works. Battling a headwind uses more power. Dolly-track uses more power than hover. Compared to my DJI mini3 pro it’s not long. It’s a snapshot type drone for social media.
So tempted to get one
Mine is a production sample. They're currently being crowdfunded on Indiegogo.
@@alwaysanotheradventure Perhaps I can ask hubby for an early Christmas pressie !
How many drones you have sir?
I own one (I’ve had two others) and I’m testing this one. So I’m not a hugely experienced flyer but I’ve been making films and videos for a few years.
What’s the battery duration?
I don't know how to answer that other than how I did in the video, sorry.
In other words he doesn't know exactly what the flight time is because he didn't check it 🤷🏻♂️
I've been told elsewhere about 11 minites
Amazing！！！
Super !
Thank you very much!
I was deciding what to have for dinner - been cycling for most of the day and mine is in the dog - or something :) Now distracted by yourself. Worse things might happen I suppose :)
Have dinner. I’ll still be there. New video coming any minute.
No 4k video. 😑
looks the same as Hover Camera Passport
Not one I know
It's the same company I think
I'll be honest there is no way I'm going to get a number on a device like that, it's pointless especially out were you are using it, I understand you have to chant the authority mantra, but they can stuff it 😊
Never buy products from this company.
This is one person who applied for the purchase of Hover 2 in 2019. But the drone, I have not received a refund yet.
Of course there is no answer...
I know nothing about this