Adding external DVR to FPV goggles

Being FPV lovers as we are, FDFlyers team know how only a small group of lucky people could have a Fatshark FPV goggles. Keeping in mind cost, you should valuate pros and cons a lot before purchase it. 

Therefore, we love to get you cheaper alternatives to fly FPV, improving our basic goggles performance. So, we are going to introduce you how we join VR-007 Eachine goggles to Eachine ProDVR. Note that other alternatives are also valid to do it but we really feel this is one of the better one.

VR-007 are used by our side some time ago and it works really acceptable, despite of his price. Obviously “premium” skills are not included (DVR, diversity…), and this is the main reason to set some improvements. This way these basic goggles would be stepping up to next level.

What DVR is?

DVR means, literally, Digital Video Recorder. It’s a very simple box capable to record digital videos. To our interest, very useful video recorder, directly from FPV camera.

There are two main reasons to set it into your goggles:

• ·    Find the quad when you lose it after a crash in a low visibility location, checking your records.
• ·    Have video records of tiny drones, not capable to carry an action camera, as in Tiny Whoop.

To stock the videos, microSD needs to be set in DVR (microSD is not included). In better FPV goggles, DVR are included in basic settings, but not in so many of the basic goggles, normally below 80$.

You should note video quality is not HD, far from the quality obtained using on board action camera as GoPro, Runcam or SJCam for instance. Anyway, you could see your flights, saving money (action camera not needed) and weight mounted in the drone. In summary, I guess almost all of you will use with your Tiny Whoops.

To this project we have chosen Eachine ProDVR.

Eachine ProDVR

Materials

You should note the project is quite easy and also cheap. Will spend a little time to implement it. Furthermore, almost all you will need  to do it is already included in goggles and DVR packages.

Materials list:

• ·         Eachine VR-007 FPV goggles.
• ·         Eachine ProDVR video recorder.
• ·         MicroSD.
• ·         Power cable.
• ·         Double sided tape (included in DVR).
• ·         Multimeter.
• ·         Welder.
• ·         Tin.
• ·         Screwdriver.
• ·         Nail varnish or silicone.
• 
  

As you see,only a few materials would be needed to improve your goggles.

Eachine VR-007 / Eachine ProDVR

Note that you could set DVR in similar goggles. We also know there are more DVR close to this (price and performance). HMDVR works also fine (not tested by the team) but we have checked this configuration and really feel could be the better price-performance. 

Making off

Be sure you have all you will need, ready to be used before start the process.

Firstly, you should disassemble the goggles. Very easy to do, removing 4 screws set in the down side. Be sure, you are handling carefully because most important parts keep’s unprotected then.

Second step you should put off the receiver, sited in front-lateral side. Note that you should remove a little screw in charge to keeps fixed the receiver to goggles structure. Now three little pieces should be saved (2 screws and a little button). To facilitate handling, it’s recommendable to remove power cable connecting receiver to the screen.

Removing receiver

Now you should able to identify GND, +5v and video points in circuit board. Note that only is needed to be set central socket cable bus of DVR. In DVR package, could choose two different wire buses to solder in the board. We choose the one with connectors (should be cut) but both are capable.

Don’t be afraid in soldering time, it’s very easy to identify where the cables should be soldered (you could see it in the photo).

Please, check with multimeter you are not overcharging DVR, it works with 5 volts. Set battery and check.

Battery almost empty in the measurement time 

Red wire in +5V, black in GND (there are two or three black wires, depends on the chosen wire, should be fixed all each other) and, finally, yellow one on “video” soldering point. For your information, there is more than one point where wires could be set, are the same electric points so no matter which one you choose.

Soldering points

Time to check if it works.

It’s very IMPORTANT set previously antenna in receiver to prevent damages. Connecting battery DVR must show a little red light led.

Important to set antenna, unfortunately we forget it

Recommendable in this step to enforce soldering points with nail varnish or silicone. Will prevent short circuits.

Next step, rearm the goggles. Be patient, this process it’s more difficult that seems to be. Wires inside tend to go out of the frame the time you try to close the goggles.

Choose where DVR will be set in the frame. Note that wires could pass same hole as battery wire, but wires are short enough to provoke DVR keeps hung.

Another option is to drill a hole on purpose and set DVR where you prefer.

Last option is use tiny slits up in the buttons on the right of the goggles. We have chosen this option due cable allow to set DVR upside of the goggles, close to antenna. Looks great.

You could see three referred buttons

Set DVR with double sided tape wherever you want and that's all! You are now able to record your flight experiences.

Final appearance

Press right arrow (>) to start/stop the record. Red led is switching when recording process is on and fixed otherwise.

*To configure DVR parameters, you should connect it to different screen/FPV goggles with dedicated wire, setting it in the upside DVR socket.  

In summary

We are very proud to share you our DIY experience. FPV goggles are now one step up, talking about quality. So highly recommend to do it in yours.

You will spend a little time obtaining great results. Easy and cheap.

*Coming soon you could check the entire process in youtube, video is being processed in the meantime.

Thanks for checking the post. Soon more DIY projects. We love it!

Thanks and enjoy.

FDFlyers.