Gyroflow is a well-liked open-source instrument that stabilizes FPV drone footage utilizing gyro information out of your digicam or drone. It’s free and works with a variety of cameras, permitting you to stabilize video utilizing gyro information 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 allow you to profit from Gyroflow.
Desirous about leveling up your FPV movies? Don’t overlook to take a look at this shade grading tutorial for novices: https://oscarliang.com/color-grade-fpv-videos/
Benefits of Gyroflow
What’s Gyroflow?
Gyroflow is open-source stabilization software program that leverages gyro information. In comparison with paid instruments like Reelsteady GO, Gyroflow gives:
- Open-sournce and fully free (vs. Reelsteady GO’s $99)
- Help for nearly any digicam (Reelsteady GO is GoPro-only)
- Person-friendly interface
- Clean preview playback and speedy exports
- First rate outcomes that usually rival skilled software program
Obtain Gyroflow
First, obtain and unzip the most recent 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 information movement information together with the video footage. Right here’s an inventory of fashionable cameras utilized in FPV drones which might 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 information instantly into the video file, making it simple to make use of with Gyroflow—simply drag and drop the video into the app. Nonetheless, some cameras (just like the Runcam Thumb) file gyro information in a separate CSV file, which you’ll must import manually into Gyroflow. Verify your digicam’s guide for particulars on the way it information and shops gyro information.
In case your digicam doesn’t help built-in gyro information recording or isn’t natively supported by Gyroflow, you’ll be able to nonetheless use it by recording movement information externally (e.g., utilizing Betaflight Blackbox logs or a devoted flight controller). Nonetheless, 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 absolutely 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 cut up into a number of recordsdata 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 recordsdata to maintain issues tidy and simpler to handle.
Lacking Gyro Information?
In case your digicam shops gyro information 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 possible doesn’t comprise gyro information, and also you’ll must load it manually. This may be carried out below the Movement Information part, often by importing a separate CSV file in case your digicam information it that means.
Be aware: On DJI O3 and O4 (Lite & Professional), solely sure digicam settings will allow gyro information recording. Verify 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 routinely load it once 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 Information with Video
In the event you’re utilizing GoPro or DJI cameras, gyro syncing needs to be automated. You don’t must do something or add a sync level—actually, doing so will be counterproductive. Gyroflow makes use of timestamp information to routinely align the gyro information with the video.
Nonetheless, with some cheaper cameras, syncing may not be good out of the field. In these circumstances, strive utilizing the Auto Sync perform below the Stabilization tab. If that doesn’t yield good outcomes, you’ll be able to manually tweak the Offset slider to align gyro information with the video.
You can even strive Optical Stream, which analyzes movement within the video by monitoring objects body by body. It’s useful as a secondary test however will be thrown off by shifting foreground parts or shifting lighting, so outcomes could fluctuate.
Trimming Video
Below the preview window, you need to use the [ and ] buttons to trim your footage to the specified size. In the event you look over to the suitable, 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 just a few changes you would possibly take into account relying in your wants.
Stabilization Modes
Gyroflow gives 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 extra settings for many who need extra management over the stabilization course of.
Smoothness
The Smoothness setting controls how a lot stabilization is utilized to the video. Larger values end in smoother footage however require extra cropping. Usually, a setting between 10% and 30% works effectively for many FPV movies for my part, assuming your drone flight is comparatively steady. In case your footage is shaky, you might 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 in addition much less efficient stabilization. The default values are often a superb start line.
Lock Horizon
Lock Horizon retains the horizon stage all through the video. It’s particularly helpful in case your drone is continually tilted to at least one facet throughout flight, or for clean indoor cinewhoop photographs. For freestyle flying, I often go away this characteristic turned off, as it could possibly intervene with the dynamic motion model of freestyle footage.
Picture Cropping
Cropping is an unavoidable a part of video stabilization—Gyroflow wants further area across the edges of your body to regulate and stabilize movement.
Gyroflow gives a number of cropping methods:
- Dynamic Cropping – Really useful 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 often ends in extra cropping than obligatory.
- No Cropping – Preserves the complete unique body, however you may even see black edges when the picture shifts past the body boundaries throughout stabilization.
In the event you’re utilizing Dynamic Cropping, you too can modify the Zooming Velocity, which controls how rapidly the zoom stage modifications throughout stabilization. A quicker 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. Nonetheless, in case your video consists of numerous fast actions like flips and rolls, a quicker zoom pace would possibly ship more practical outcomes. In the long run, it comes down to non-public choice and flight model.
Lens Correction
Modify 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” below Lens Correction reveals extra settings resembling 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 crimson traces within the timeline).
Tip: Modify FOV as excessive as potential with out triggering crimson warnings within the timeline to get the perfect steadiness between huge view and clear framing.
Rolling Shutter Correction
Rolling shutter correction is one other vital characteristic that compensates for the distortion brought on by CMOS sensors, which is particularly noticeable in quick actions. Growing this worth can considerably enhance picture high quality when capturing 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 to be like good, you’re able to export.
When exporting, you have got management over settings resembling video codec, decision, bitrate, and file format. Select a decision that matches your unique footage, or modify it primarily based in your output necessities—resembling social media sharing, enhancing, or archiving.
Superior Methods: 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 improve the zoom throughout fast 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 suited to professional-grade tasks.
Suggestions and Tips
Document in a Native Facet Ratio
Recording in full sensor side ratio that provides you the largest potential FOV—resembling 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 a better recording decision (e.g. recording in 4K for a ultimate 2.7K output, or 2.7K recording for 1080p output), this offers you rather more flexibility throughout stabilization.
Stability Stability and Cropping
Discovering the suitable 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 completely different settings for every kind of footage to search out the perfect outcomes on your flying model and setting.
Conclusion
Gyroflow is a robust instrument for stabilizing FPV drone footage, delivering professional-quality outcomes—without cost. 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 strive—you is likely to be stunned at simply how polished your footage can look. Completely satisfied 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
