Receiving FPV data on PC

[erget]

Hi there,

Once my drone arrives I'm hoping to use it for FPV flight, like Bitcraze did here:
http://www.bitcraze.se/2013/03/first-fpv-flight-test/

I'm wanting to receive video and process it directly on a computer running Linux.

I've got a couple of questions about that:
1. I like the camera that was used in the flight test (http://www.fpvhobby.com/96-8ghz-micro-combo-set.html). I'm not sure if I understand the site correctly - it lists a 5.8gHz 10mw Tx, apparently for transmitting, and a 5.8gHz 8 ch. Rx, apprently for receiving, but I don#t see where the video output would go. Is there a good way of connecting that to a computer, e.g. via USB, or would I have to buy an extra receiver?
2. On the same site there are lots of receivers(e.g. http://www.fpvhobby.com/33-4ghz-8-ch-a-v-receiver.html), but they all use A/V outputs. Would it be better to shop around for another receiver that outputs a video stream directly that I can work with on my computer, or would you recommend getting on of those EasyCAP adapters?
3. Does anyone have experience working with such video receiving systems on Linux? I imagine that drivers could be pretty difficult to work with, but I have no experience at all in the area so I couldn't say. On the Internet I haven't found that much yet.
4. In the FPV flight test, the camera was powered by the VCOM foltage on the Crazyflie. Is there any kind of instruction set available for connecting those, or can I just solder a wire between the VCOM and the power input for the microcamera?

I'm sure these are pretty basic questions, but my experience is more with software, and not at all with hardware. Thanks for the help!

[tobias]

I have started some investigations regarding the FPV camera we used as it is far from running perfect. http://forum.bitcraze.se/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=5#p183
I'm getting closer but I'm are not there yet and right now I don't have time to do any further investigation. A quick work around is to use a separate FPV battery. It would have to be lightweight and It would also require a separate recharging system which is far from an optimal system.

I have not tested it but I think you could use a EasyCap dongle which you mentioned and there seem to be a kit. http://www.fpvhobby.com/199-8-ghz-rtf-combo-set-2.html.

[willminers]

Pretty much all of the FPV kits that I've seen available are analog, and as such have an AV out to, say, a TV. Most hobby pilots use a screen with an AV input for this, and it works just fine, however depending on your plans, this might not be useful. To get this signal to your computer, you'll have to get a video input for your computer, probably via USB (I've seen Easycap products named, but haven't tried them myself, and Linux support may be problematic). The main problem with this is the additional latency added by the analog->digital conversion.

[erget]

Okay, that's good to know. I've ordered the kit that Tobias suggested and will try it out and let you all know how it went!

[SuperRoach]

http://liu.diva-portal.org/smash/get/di ... FULLTEXT01

^- Might be of interest.

Also, eager to see how you go.