By site editor Dan Chung:
Hong Kong based SCP aerials have been lucky enough to be test flying the new DJI Inspire 1 and produce some stunning footage from the new machine. The company should be no strangers to Newsshooter readers as we previously featured their work for UK broadcaster ITN at the World’s largest soccer academy.
SCP are a DJI production partner and as a result got a chance to get their hands on the Inspire 1 before launch. Having been able to chalk up some serious airtime with the quadcopter we were keen to hear about their experiences.
This is what SCP aerial’s Richard Kimber had to say:
The SCP Aerials team had been looking forward to this for a long time; a lightweight, highly portable, 4K-capable UAV filming platform. Could the DJI Inspire 1 be the ultimate solution for our many clients who want 4K footage in remote locations around Asia?
Our official production partners DJI sent us a test model a month ago, ahead of the official global launch on November 12th. The key question for us was whether it lives up to all the hype that was spreading among the growing aerial filming community.
When we first took it out of the box we couldn’t help but get over-excited; with its sculpted, streamlined black and white design, this aircraft looks like a something from a futuristic sci-fi movie. The other obvious selling point was how straightforward the set-up is. Everything is integrated, from HD transmission to gimbal to 4K camera. No need for complex cabling, no need for separate transmitter units, and simple, single battery units for the aircraft and controllers that are easy to recharge and easy to travel with.
At around fifteen minutes, the flight time is longer than most of the other aircraft rigs on the market right now, and allows for plenty of time to set up your shot before you need to start recording. All the in-camera settings are controlled through the pilot and gimbal controllers’ iPad minis, and it is easy to change options mid flight.
But enough of the tech spec, what is it like once it’s in the air? Our pilots say it flies like a dream and is more responsive than any of its predecessors. It is however still a bit light for flying in light wind and does get buffeted around more than the larger DJI S1000. The Sony EXMOR CMOS looks great in 4K mode and is noticeably better than an equivalent 1920/1080 HD offering, although after our initial tests the feedback from our higher-end clients is that it doesn’t quite match up to the 4K colour palette of a Panasonic GH4.
For most of the prosumer base that is interested in the Inspire 1 this may not be an issue, and for sheer convenience, portability and speed of set-up the Inspire 1 will absolutely become a full-time member of the SCP Aerials armoury, particularly for our many adventure sport shoots.
You can find out more about SCP Aerials and their work at http://www.hotaerials.tv
