Why Is My Drone Video Choppy

Last Updated on February 15, 2022 by Markeyus Franks

Typically your drone video is choppy because of a bad camera and editing settings. However, there could be many other reasons for this. We will go over the most common reasons below.

If you have ever tried viewing your drone footage and noticed blurriness and out of sync frame rates, chances are your drone’s video is choppy. What could be the reason behind this?  It’s one thing to know that your drone video is choppy, and it’s another to know why it’s choppy and what to do about it. Read on to find out different reasons why your drones videos are choppy and how to fix and prevent them from happening.

Reasons Why Your Drone Video Is Choppy and How to Fix It

App Firmware Is Off
If the app’s firmware is off, your drone video could suffer from choppiness. Firmware is responsible for giving instructions on how your device should operate. Unfortunately, if it’s off, it will affect the quality of the drone video. To fix this issue, make sure that your device’s firmware is on or updated to its latest version to ensure you get the best quality videos.

Video Caching
Another major reason why your drone’s video is choppy could be because of video caching. The problem with video caching is that it exhausts your device’s RAM, which should be used, instead, when taking live feeds. As a result, your video viewing experience will be hindered to a large extent. To correct this problem, make sure that you turn off video caching.

Loose Camera
If your videos are choppy, one of the first few things you want to check is the sturdiness of your camera. If your camera is loose, it’s highly likely that you won’t get high-quality videos. A camera is a very important component to a drone and it must be seated well. So, if it happens to be unstable, you will have a choppy video. To fix this problem, you should make sure that the camera is fastened well enough for a quality output. You might also want to invest in a Gimbal, this will ensure that your camera moves independently of your drone thus making your footage more stable.

Why Is My Video Choppy After Production?

Inferior SD Card
An inferior SD card will most likely make your video choppy after production.  There is a possibility that you may lose data in the process of transferring videos to your computer thus making your drone’s footage uneven. If your video is choppy and the SD Card is not compatible with the rendering software, then it will be almost impossible to create a video without quality issues. To avoid this, always make sure that you use quality SD cards.

Bad Configuration on Rendering Software
Of course, if there is a bad configuration on rendering software, then your drone video will be greatly affected. The rendering software processes the data that creates your videos. If you configured a wrong codec or changed the frames per second, then your footage may not play smoothly. For you to have smooth and clear videos post-production, then make sure you know exactly what you’re doing when editing your footage.  Based on the settings you display on your set for your drone’s camera you may have to play around with your software settings to get it right. Otherwise, it will lead to poor images that will only frustrate you.

Inferior Computer

Before blaming your choppy video on your drone’s camera, make sure your computer is powerful enough to play your footage without buffering or becoming choppy. Many drones’ cameras come standard 1080p and 4k, this is a huge file and if your computer is not up to par then your video may never make it past production.

Play on different media players

Depending on how you extracted your video, some media players may not be compatible with the codec you decide to use. In this case, it’s important to have another media player available to test your videos. Your choppy video may not be choppy at all in a different media player

Ways to fix an inferior computer

1. Make sure you have at least 8 GBs of Ram
2. Make sure your processor is 2.5 GHz or higher
3. Invest in an SSD drive instead of a regular hard drive
4. Invest in a decent video card

Also, make sure the editing program you download is compatible with your computer settings. Some programs are resource hogs and will slow down the editing and rendering process.

Related: Best Drones For The Money

The Best Drones for Filming Video

The following are high-end drones you can consider buying:

DJI Inspire 2
This is one of the high-end drones you should consider buying for quality video filming. One of the features that stand out in this drone is that it has a superior HD video transmission system, which makes it better than others by far. The ease of app control also makes it a great option for quality video filming. Moreover, it has an advanced image processing system to CineCore2.1, which is a big plus. Also, you are guaranteed of a supreme speed of 58 mph, making it a viable option for your filming projects.

DJI Mavic 2 Pro
It’s worth pointing out that this drone has the characteristics you would want for your video filming tasks. One of the features that make it a high-end option is because of its capacity to take quality photos with ease. It has a 20-megapixel camera that produces superior photography. Additionally, you can connect the remote controller of DJI Mavic 2 Pro when 5 miles away. Of great importance still, even if you are inexperienced in drone piloting, you can use this one with much ease.

DJI Phantom 4 Pro
DJI Phantom 4 Pro has a remote fitted with a built-in screen. This is an improved design that you will love. It has superior quality images. It is fitted with a 1-inch image sensor for quality image production. Also, it is designed with advanced capabilities to avoid obstacles. Indeed, this is a drone you can consider for your video filming projects.
The following are low-end drones you can consider buying:

DJI Mavic Mini
One of the features that make DJI Mavic Mini worthy of consideration is its lightweight. It weighs less than 250 grams. For this reason, it is one of the most remarkably portable drones you can have by your side. It is also easy to use, which is an advantage for an inexperienced user. Additionally, it has a propeller guard that improves flight safety.
Parrot
With this drone, you are assured of a camera that can move up and down at an angle of 180 degrees. What this means is that you can take great images from exceptional angles. It is also light and easy to unfold, making it less complicated for novice users.

DJI Spark
This is a mini drone. It has the quality and simple flight controls that give users a great experience. Moreover, you don’t have to worry about your video filming project because DJI Spark has quality image production. Also, it has a quick launch. Once it is powered on, it takes off within seconds and starts your video filming project.

In a day and age where drone technology is becoming increasingly resourceful and significant, you can’t afford to ignore it. This means that you have to understand drone technology at a more in-depth level so that you get optimal results from it. For example, when it comes to the quality of your drone videos, make sure to address any factors that would make them choppy. Unfortunately, several reasons could contribute to your drone video being choppy. Thus, making it highly important to be aware of the reasons why to maximize the capacity of your drone. Of great importance still, consider buying a quality drone as this is the first step towards making your filming projects a success.