Gyroflow is a well-liked open-source software that stabilizes FPV drone footage utilizing gyro knowledge out of your digicam or drone. It’s free and works with a variety of cameras, permitting you to stabilize video utilizing gyro knowledge recorded internally (in-camera) or externally (like Betaflight Blackbox), then imported into Gyroflow. On this tutorial, I’ll stroll you thru utilizing Gyroflow—from putting in the software program and adjusting settings to exporting your stabilized footage. Whether or not you’re a newbie or an skilled pilot, this information will provide help to take advantage of Gyroflow.
Involved in leveling up your FPV movies? Don’t neglect to take a look at this colour grading tutorial for rookies: https://oscarliang.com/color-grade-fpv-videos/
Benefits of Gyroflow
What’s Gyroflow?
Gyroflow is open-source stabilization software program that leverages gyro knowledge. In comparison with paid instruments like Reelsteady GO, Gyroflow provides:
- Open-sournce and fully free (vs. Reelsteady GO’s $99)
- Assist for nearly any digicam (Reelsteady GO is GoPro-only)
- Person-friendly interface
- Easy preview playback and speedy exports
- First rate outcomes that always rival skilled software program
Obtain Gyroflow
First, obtain and unzip the newest model of Gyroflow from the official web site: https://github.com/gyroflow/gyroflow/releases
As soon as downloaded, unzip the file and run the Gyroflow executable contained in the folder. There’s no want for set up—Gyroflow is able to use proper out of the field.
Supported Cameras
You’ll want a digicam that has an onboard gyroscope and data movement knowledge together with the video footage. Right here’s an inventory of well-liked cameras utilized in FPV drones which can be suitable with Gyroflow out of the field:
- GoPro Hero (5 Black and newer)
- DJI Osmo Motion 2/4/5
- DJI O3 Air Unit,
- DJI O4 and O4 Professional,
- DJI Avata, Avata 2, Neo
- Runcam Thumb Professional, Thumb 2
- Hawkeye Thumb 4K
- Walksnail Moonlight
- …and extra!
See my HD digicam suggestions right here: https://oscarliang.com/action-camera/
Most of those cameras embed the gyro knowledge straight into the video file, making it simple to make use of with Gyroflow—simply drag and drop the video into the app. Nevertheless, some cameras (just like the Runcam Thumb) report gyro knowledge in a separate CSV file, which you’ll have to import manually into Gyroflow. Test your digicam’s guide for particulars on the way it data and shops gyro knowledge.
In case your digicam doesn’t assist built-in gyro knowledge recording or isn’t natively supported by Gyroflow, you’ll be able to nonetheless use it by recording movement knowledge externally (e.g., utilizing Betaflight Blackbox logs or a devoted flight controller). Nevertheless, this course of is extra superior and outdoors the scope of this newbie information. For simplicity and ease of use, I like to recommend sticking with one of many cameras listed above that’s totally suitable with Gyroflow.
Importing Video
Launch Gyroflow in your laptop and easily drag and drop your video file into the applying.
In case your video is break up into a number of information from the identical flight (widespread when file dimension exceeds the digicam’s restrict), you’ll be able to choose all of them, drag and drop them into Gyroflow. You’ll then be prompted to mix them right into a single video file. I personally favor combining them, then deleting the unique information to maintain issues tidy and simpler to handle.
Lacking Gyro Knowledge?
In case your digicam shops gyro knowledge throughout the video file, you’ll see 3 traces within the timeline representing gyro motion throughout the X, Y, and Z axes. If these traces are lacking, the video doubtless doesn’t include gyro knowledge, and also you’ll have to load it manually. This may be executed underneath the Movement Knowledge part, normally by importing a separate CSV file in case your digicam data it that manner.
Word: On DJI O3 and O4 (Lite & Professional), solely sure digicam settings will allow gyro knowledge recording. Test my DJI O4 Professional tutorial for extra particulars: https://oscarliang.com/how-to-setup-dji-o4-pro/#Video-Stabilization
Lens Profile
In case your digicam has a supported lens profile, Gyroflow will mechanically load it if you import the video. If it doesn’t, you’ll be able to manually choose a profile and even create a customized one. Correct lens profiles assist Gyroflow perceive the optical distortion of your digicam’s lens, considerably enhancing stabilization outcomes.
Syncing Gyro Knowledge with Video
If you happen to’re utilizing GoPro or DJI cameras, gyro syncing needs to be computerized. You don’t have to do something or add a sync level—in actual fact, doing so might be counterproductive. Gyroflow makes use of timestamp knowledge to mechanically align the gyro knowledge with the video.
Nevertheless, with some cheaper cameras, syncing may not be excellent out of the field. In these instances, attempt utilizing the Auto Sync operate underneath the Stabilization tab. If that doesn’t yield good outcomes, you’ll be able to manually tweak the Offset slider to align gyro knowledge with the video.
You may also attempt Optical Stream, which analyzes movement within the video by monitoring objects body by body. It’s useful as a secondary test however might be thrown off by shifting foreground components or shifting lighting, so outcomes could range.
Trimming Video
Below the preview window, you should use the [ and ] buttons to trim your footage to the specified size. If you happen to look over to the fitting, the button subsequent to the quantity icon means that you can allow or disable stabilization within the preview show.
Stabilization Settings
Whereas Gyroflow performs effectively with its default settings, there are a number of changes you may think about relying in your wants.
Stabilization Modes
Gyroflow provides a number of stabilization modes, together with “Plain 3D”, which supplies a glance just like Reelsteady. Inside every mode, you’ll be able to fine-tune parameters to tailor the stabilization impact to your particular model or footage. The “Default” mode sometimes works effectively for many FPV movies.
Clicking “Superior” will reveal further settings for individuals who need extra management over the stabilization course of.
Smoothness
The Smoothness setting controls how a lot stabilization is utilized to the video. Greater values end in smoother footage however require extra cropping. Usually, a setting between 10% and 30% works effectively for many FPV movies in my view, assuming your drone flight is comparatively steady. In case your footage is shaky, it’s possible you’ll want to extend the smoothness worth—simply remember that the video will seem extra zoomed in.
The Max Smoothness sliders affect the time window used for stabilization—decrease values usually imply much less cropping, but additionally much less efficient stabilization. The default values are normally a superb start line.
Lock Horizon
Lock Horizon retains the horizon degree all through the video. It’s particularly helpful in case your drone is continually tilted to 1 aspect throughout flight, or for clean indoor cinewhoop photographs. For freestyle flying, I normally depart this function turned off, as it will probably intervene with the dynamic motion model of freestyle footage.
Picture Cropping
Cropping is an unavoidable a part of video stabilization—Gyroflow wants additional house across the edges of your body to regulate and stabilize movement.
Gyroflow provides a number of cropping methods:
- Dynamic Cropping – Advisable for FPV. It adjusts the crop quantity in actual time to maximise the seen picture whereas nonetheless stabilizing successfully.
- Static Crop – Maintains a continuing crop all through the video. This ensures a steady body dimension however normally ends in extra cropping than vital.
- No Cropping – Preserves the complete authentic body, however you may even see black edges when the picture shifts past the body boundaries throughout stabilization.
If you happen to’re utilizing Dynamic Cropping, it’s also possible to alter the Zooming Pace, which controls how rapidly the zoom degree adjustments throughout stabilization. A sooner zoom makes stabilization extra responsive however could look abrupt or unnatural. I personally favor a 5-second zoom pace for relaxed cruising footage—it feels extra pure. Nevertheless, in case your video contains a lot of speedy actions like flips and rolls, a sooner zoom pace may ship simpler outcomes. In the long run, it comes down to non-public choice and flight model.
Lens Correction
Alter this setting between 25% and 100%, relying in your choice. A decrease worth retains extra of the unique fisheye impact, preserving that wide-angle look. A better worth reduces the fisheye distortion by zooming in barely, leading to a extra natural-looking picture with straighter traces.
FOV
Click on “Superior” underneath Lens Correction reveals further settings corresponding to FOV and video pace.
The FOV (area of view) slider controls how a lot of the unique footage is seen after stabilization. Growing the FOV means that you can maintain extra of the scene in view, however watch out to not push it too far—doing so could introduce black borders (indicated by purple traces within the timeline).
Tip: Alter FOV as excessive as doable with out triggering purple warnings within the timeline to get the perfect steadiness between huge view and clear framing.
Rolling Shutter Correction
Rolling shutter correction is one other essential function that compensates for the distortion attributable to CMOS sensors, which is very noticeable in quick actions. Growing this worth can considerably enhance picture high quality when taking pictures with quick actions or vibrations.
Previewing and Exporting Stabilized Footage
Click on the “Play” button to preview your stabilized footage. You possibly can tweak the stabilization settings in real-time and instantly see how they have an effect on the video. If it appears good, you’re able to export.
When exporting, you might have management over settings corresponding to video codec, decision, bitrate, and file format. Select a decision that matches your authentic footage, or alter it primarily based in your output necessities—corresponding to social media sharing, modifying, or archiving.
Superior Strategies: Keyframing and Dynamic Zoom
Gyroflow additionally helps keyframing, permitting for particular changes at varied factors within the footage. For instance, you’ll be able to manually enhance the zoom throughout speedy actions like a snap roll to make stabilization much less noticeable and extra pure. Whereas this system is highly effective, it’s labor-intensive and greatest fitted to professional-grade initiatives.
Ideas and Methods
Document in a Native Facet Ratio
Recording in full sensor facet ratio that offers you the largest doable FOV—corresponding to 8:7 within the newest GoPro cameras, or 4:3 in most DJI cameras. This supplies extra FOV for stabilization with out sacrificing an excessive amount of picture high quality. Mixed with the next recording decision (e.g. recording in 4K for a last 2.7K output, or 2.7K recording for 1080p output), this provides you way more flexibility throughout stabilization.
Steadiness Stability and Cropping
Discovering the fitting steadiness between stabilization smoothness and picture cropping is essential. Setting smoothness too excessive can create an unnatural really feel and result in heavy cropping. Experiment with totally different settings for every sort of footage to seek out the perfect outcomes to your flying model and setting.
Conclusion
Gyroflow is a robust software for stabilizing FPV drone footage, delivering professional-quality outcomes—without spending a dime. With the assistance of this step-by-step information, you’ll be able to flip shaky FPV clips into clean, cinematic movies. Whether or not you fly with high-end cameras like DJI or GoPro, or budget-friendly choices just like the Runcam Thumb, Gyroflow makes stabilization each accessible and efficient.
Give it a attempt—you is perhaps shocked at simply how polished your footage can look. Comfortable flying!
Edit Historical past
- Apr 2022 – Tutorial created for model 1.0.0 RC
- Sep 2024 – Up to date for model 1.5.4
- Jul 2025 – Up to date for model 1.6.1