Using an Android device as an FPV screen and for recording (DVR)

YouTube tutorial I followed
Apps and parts needed
Set up
Video of my first recorded flight

I have often found myself wanting to share the experience of FPV flight with others. I thought about getting a second screen for this purpose, but realized my Android device should be able to do this. Sure enough you can use your Android device to display video received from an FPV receiver, but it requires a few extra things you probably don’t have just laying around. You could possibly use this set up as your primary screen (not sure I would recommend this) or use a video splitter and use it as a second screen for spectators. Since it is displayed on your Android device you can use an app to record the video. Total cost to add a second screen (if you already have an Android device) and be able to record video is $23.

 

I used the tutorial FPV on android smartphone with DVR using EasyCap by 3dxl, but I made a few changes which are shown in the set up part of this post.

 

You will need an Android device running 4.0 or above to display live video and 5.0 or above to record.

Apps:

Easy Cap Viewer – $5
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.easycap.viewer

Lollipop Screen Recorder – Free (not needed if you don’t plan to record video)
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.rivulus.screenrecording

 

Parts required for using an Android device as a second screen (for the goggle and receiver set up from my previous tutorial or similar set ups):

1 USB video capture adapter – $7 (not any EasyCap will work – it needs a utv007 chip – the one I linked works)
http://www.banggood.com/Wholesale-USB-2_0-Video-TV-DVD-VHS-Audio-Capture-Adapter-p-2758.html

1 female USB to male micro adapter – $6
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LN3LQKQ

1 RCA video splitter – $3
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000068O4Y

1 male to male RCA connector – $2 (USB video capture adapter has a female RCA and you need to connect it to a female end on the RCA video splitter – if you followed my previous tutorial you already have one of these male to male RCA connector, but you’ll need an additional one)
http://www.amazon.com/Pieces-Male-Coupler-Connector-Adapter/dp/B007PQ0K1G/

 

Parts required for using an Android device as your primary screen (assuming you start with nothing):

1 USB video capture adapter – $7 (not any EasyCap will work – it needs a utv007 chip – the one I linked works)
http://www.banggood.com/Wholesale-USB-2_0-Video-TV-DVD-VHS-Audio-Capture-Adapter-p-2758.html

1 female USB to male micro adapter – $6
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LN3LQKQ

1 male to male RCA connector – $2 (USB video capture adapter and the FPV receiver both have a female RCA cable so you’ll need a way to connect them)
http://www.amazon.com/Pieces-Male-Coupler-Connector-Adapter/dp/B007PQ0K1G/

1 FPV receiver – $18 (this is the same receiver from my previous tutorial)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KT314AS

1 JST male to female XT60 – $2 (needed to connect battery to receiver)
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__18869__XT60_JST_Male_In_line_Power_Adapter.html

1 battery – $4 (any 2 cell or 3 cell battery will work)
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__21333__ZIPPY_Compact_1000mAh_2S_25C_Lipo_Pack.html

1 battery charger – $28 (incase you don’t already have one)
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__58315__Turnigy_P405_Dual_Input_AC_DC_45W_Digital_Balancing_Charger_.html

1 XT60 charger cable – $3 (needed to connect battery to charger)
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__10266__Charge_Cable_w_Male_XT60_gt_4mm_Banana_plug.html

 

Set up for using an Android device as a second screen:

IMG_20160105_223720_132

 

Set up for using an Android device as the primary screen:

IMG_20160105_224011_258

 

App settings for Easy Cap Viewer:

Screenshot_2016-01-05-23-18-16

Screenshot_2016-01-05-23-18-23

 

App settings for Lollipop Screen Recorder:

Screenshot_2016-01-05-22-18-14

 

I should have gotten out of my car and moved to a place with less interference, so I’m sure you’ll get better videos from me later, but for now here’s my first recorded flight: