Derek's New FPV Viewing Monitor

[Derek]

Over a year ago, one of the guys that I'm sub'd to on Youtube bought a 19" flat screen tv and has been using it as his FPV viewing monitor. I never really considered it until my local department store got some of the same tv's in stock. Then I got curious... Shortly thereafter, I got my 1.3ghz video system. I began to get more and more curious about using the same tv, so I began talking with him about his setup. Now, I have my 1.3ghz video system on my FPV plane and a 5.8ghz video system on my mini quad. Hmmm...maybe I should really consider getting the tv. This way, my wife or my Dad, or whoever is with me can also see what I see from the air.

FPV Monitor.jpg (82.32 KiB) Viewed 6531 times

So...for $108, with a 2 year warranty, I bought the tv and I have it here. I'm very excited to get this wired up and put it to use. This tv has the A/V hook ups in the back and it can also run on a 12v (3S) battery. Check out this video of my friend and his tv:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2h_P1JLVzBw

In the following video, he demonstrates how he runs his entire ground station of a 3S 4500mah pack for more than an hour:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pgEgN-WMxQ

Too cool!!!

[Lee]

I would like a similar setup

[Derek]

I am really impressed with what he did. The only thing that I'm missing would be a decent, but inexpensive, DVR to keep from getting a blue screen in the event of signal loss. Still shopping around for that.

[Tony]

That's pretty cool, 2 hours is ample time for flying even with breaks between packs... Pretty awesome setup

[Derek]

Yeah, I'm going to put this TV and my other ground station bits into a camping cooler. That way, everything will be protected and still very portable. I was happy to see that the department store finally had this tv in stock. I've looked at other, smaller FPV viewing monitors (7-9") and they are $70+. So...I have a viewing monitor that is MUCH bigger than those monitors and I only paid a few dollars more....still has the A/V hook ups and also runs on a 3S pack. Too cool!!!

[Tony]

Do you think you will fly fpv using the monitor too or just use it for a second person to watch?

[Derek]

I have no doubt that I will be using both. Primarily the goggles, but yes, I'll use the monitor, too.

I imagine the viewing monitor would be nice to look at, instead of the goggles, if a spectator has questions or so that I can simply share the experience with my spectators (wife, parents, niece and nephews, curious passerby, etc.)

[Tony]

I can just imagine them all swaying from side to side as you fly around.. I let my daughter wear the goggles as I flew LOS the other day and she fell over twice... Mind you I was going some speed doing banked turns, was funny though. She loved it....

[Derek]

nice!!!

[danhampson]

heres a cheap dvr mate. http://hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__ ... ouse_.html

[wolfman76]

That is too cool Derek have fun

[Derek]

heres a cheap dvr mate. http://hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__ ... ouse_.html

Thanks for that, Dan!!!

That is too cool Derek have fun

Will do, Kyle!!!

[wolfman76]

I have a Ian connection with my fpv that allows me to use my 17" lappy as the screen

[Stambo]

That looks like a nice monitor Derek.
I can hook my video rx to my 42" TV but the picture does not look as good as through the goggles.
I have an external aerial I can hook to my TX so I can fly from my recliner chair in the lounge.
Not very portable though.

[Derek]

I started a new thread, earlier today, about the adapter for my FPV monitor. I did find a different adapter that measured exactly the same size as the adapter plug that came with the tv. So, instead of snipping the plug off the original adapter, I snipped the plug off the other one that I found. WOW...I'm glad I did that because when I went to plug in the tv to see what kind of view I would have, the tv wouldn't power up. That's odd! I got the adapter that came with the tv and plugged it into the wall and tried to turn on the tv. No power either. Major bummer! Thankfully, I didn't cut the cable that came with it so I can take it back to the store for an exchange. Yes, I bought the tv in the beginning of April but because I have everything, the original packaging and all the protective film and stickers on the tv, I should be able to take it back to the store and exchange it out for a different one.

Bummer!!!

[Graham Lawrie]

Unlucky Derek:)

[Derek]

lol, very unlucky. I'll take it back and get a replacement and we'll try again.

[pvolcko]

You got the polarity right on the battery connector right? Would hate to see something happen to the replacement too.

[Derek]

You got the polarity right on the battery connector right? Would hate to see something happen to the replacement too.

Yep. Before plugging anything in, I broke open the secondary adapter plug and I looked at the circuit board...looking for the + and -. I found those, so I was certain I was correct.

[Tony]

Usually monitors and other dc supply stuff have a small symbol on them near the socket that shows polarity of the plug needed. Generally the centre hole is the positive. Just plug the adapter in the mains and get a digital volt meter, stick the positive probe on the centre hole and negative on the outside. If the meter reads a positive voltage you know the centre is plus volts, if meter reads a negative voltage then the outer metal is positive.... That probably sounds complex but it's easy...lmao