The US Air Force will put the Next Generation Air Dominance program on hold for a few months in order to see whether it is “on the right course” with the fighter that was intended to replace the F-22, Secretary Frank Kendall said July 30. However, all other aspects of air superiority modernization are moving […]
On July 24, Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd. (KAI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Military Drone Operations Command to enhance collaboration in various fields including manned-unmanned teaming, drones, AAVs (Advanced Aerial Vehicles), and next-generation unmanned aerial vehicles. The signing ceremony saw the attendance of key representatives from both organizations, including KAI’s Senior Vice […]
Today, Modovolo announced the appointment of Scotty Morrison as the company’s new chief marketing officer (CMO). “Modovolo’s mission,” said Justin Call, Modovolo’s CEO, and co-founder, “is to design products with first principles thinking to have the highest performance-to-cost ratio of any drone technology. And we relentlessly focus on lean manufacturing to constantly and radically lower …
New Project for Air Force Research Laboratory Last October, Vigilant Aerospace started an important project for the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) to develop a detect-and-avoid (DAA) system for long-endurance drones. This project, funded by an SBIR Phase II contract, aims to create a system for both military and civilian use. Vigilant Aerospace’s product, FlightHorizon […]
AeroVision Canada, ANRA Technologies, and ClearSky Connect to Lead Evaluation to Integrate Air Traffic Management for RPAS Operation A consortium led by AeroVision Canada, Inc., along with principal partners ANRA Technologies and ClearSky Connect, has been selected by Transport Canada and NAV CANADA to deliver Phase 2 trials of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) Traffic […]
Don’t miss the discussion with Michael Lighthiser, Deputy Chief of Police at George Mason University. Scheduled for Tuesday, August 6, 2024, at 3:00 PM EST, the upcoming episode will give the audience a chance to learn about how George Mason University deploys drones to support public safety, coordinates with other departments and partners, and communicates with […]
Manufacturing of drone battery cells is set to begin in 2025 Packet Digital is advancing its goal of supplying U.S.-made drone battery cells, securing a location for its new manufacturing plant in Fargo, North Dakota. The facility, set to begin construction in 2024, aims to start production by the end of 2025. The new 80,000-square-foot […]
Zipline and Wing Aviation to Pioneer Package Deliveries Using Advanced UTM Technology in Dallas/Fort Worth By DRONELIFE Features Editor Jim Magill The FAA on Tuesday announced its first-ever approval for beyond visual line of sight drone flights by more than one operator flying in the same airspace. Under the new authorizations Zipline International and Wing […]
In another sign that DJI is seeking to expand its portfolio into all sorts of high-powered tech comes the DJI SDR Transmission.
DJI, the Chinese tech giant once synonymous solely with drones, has been aggressively expanding its product line as of late. Earlier this year, we got two portable power stations called DJI Power 1000 and DJI Power 500, which are useful for practical applications where you might need power on-the-go, such as camping. DJI has capitalized on influencers, with social media-friendly cameras like the DJI Osmo Pocket 3. It’s tapped into serious Hollywood productions with products like the DJI Video Receiver and DJI Transmission.
And this month, DJI announced an expansion into that world of commercial video with the launch of even more advanced SDR technology. DJI in July 2024 launched DJI SDR Transmission. With it comes a theoretically more reliable and efficient solution for filmmakers to monitor and transmit video on set.
The $549 transmission kit (or $309 for just the transmitter) offers 1080p/60fps live feeds with a bitrate of up to 20Mbps and a delay as low as 35 milliseconds. From there, videos can be transmitted up to 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) away.
What’s the point of using DJI SDR Transmission? In short, expect better stability and interference resistance. Here are some key benefits of DJI SDR Transmission:
Can output three SDR signals and two Wi-Fi signals simultaneously
Can connect to unlimited receivers in broadcast mode
Receiver can connect to monitors via SDI/HDMI, or it can connect to smartphones and tablets via USB-C or Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi option allows for dual-channel monitoring without another receiver
Supports Force Mobile, virtual joystick, and gimbal recentering functions when used with the DJI RS Series Stabilizers
Can support PTP control, displaying and adjusting aperture, shutter, ISO when paired with a camera
Supports CEC control of Sony cameras with Mirror Control mode
Can transmit metadata throughout filming
Allows switching between camera indexes within the app when connected to the DJI Ronin app in Broadcast mode
And what about size and power? Here are some DJI SDR specs:
Uses a standard PD protocol charger with a USB-C power input
Can also be powered directly by DJI RS 4 Pro, DJI RS 4, or DJI RS 3 Pro when mounted and used together (eliminating the need for a separate battery)
Supports industry-standard NP-F batteries
Foldable antenna
145 grams weight
(Image courtesy of DJI)
Who is DJI SDR Transmission best for?
DJI SDR Transmission is best used among small- and medium-sized film crews. It would be best used in the following use cases:
Filmmakers shooting in challenging environments or those requiring long-range transmission.
Broadcasters covering live events or conducting remote reporting where signal stability is paramount.
Corporate video producers working in high-stakes presentations or product launches.
However, it’s essential to note that this system comes at a premium. For casual users or those on a tight budget, the added cost and complexity might outweigh the benefits. Additionally, while the SDR technology is impressive, it’s not a magic bullet. Interference can still occur, and users should have realistic expectations.
If you primarily shoot in controlled environments with minimal interference, this whole DJI SDR Transmission system might be overkill.
Ready to get your hands on one? Here’s how much it costs:
For what it’s worth, DJI has long targeted professional filmmakers — including those who don’t ever use drones. Its Ronin line of steady-cams has brought that same, silky-smooth, flying aesthetic to footage shot on the ground. Since the Ronin’s success, DJI has broken out into other products that use DJI’s top-tier drone technology, like transmission units.
And now, that includes DJI SDR Transmission.
“Since the beginning, we intended our DJI PRO line to be a comprehensive and reliable ecosystem of drones, cameras, and creator tools for both professional filmmakers in the industry and content creators to aspiring storytellers,” said DJI’s product line manager Paul Pan in a prepared statement. “Our new DJI SDR Transmission delivers the same film and television-level image transmission quality but at a more accessible price point for more upcoming filmmakers.”
But that’s not necessarily the whole story. As concerns about data security and potential bans loom over DJI’s drone operations, particularly in the United States, these product diversifications are increasingly crucial.
After all, proposals like the Countering CCP Drones Act seek to ban DJI drones. In fact, the Countering CCP Drones Act has already passed the House of Representatives in a narrow vote. Though, note that this definitely does not mean it’s law. And in fact, it seems unlikely this version of the Countering CCP Drones Act will actually pass anyway. After all, it must pass the Senate before getting get presidential approval. Other proposals like the Drones First Responders Act would create a 30% tariff on drones made in China. That could go a long way in harming sales of DJI drones — but it wouldn’t do anything to other, non-drone DJI products, like this DJI SDR Transmission.
A new type of Russian drone is being used in combat in Ukraine, reportedly a multirole long-range type that can undertake attack as well as surveillance missions. Known as the Gerbera, the drone, assumed to be of Russian production, is being seen as a complement to the widely used Iranian-designed Shahed/Geran long-range one-way attack drone. […]
The US Air Force will put the Next Generation Air Dominance program on hold for a few months in order to see whether it is “on the right course” with the fighter that was intended to replace the F-22, Secretary Frank Kendall said July 30. However, all other aspects of air superiority modernization are moving […]
