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Mavic Air 2 – The Perfect Drone?

18th June 2020/in Gadgets / Tech /by billywright

Mavic Air 2 – Super Cool Hyperlapses!

Speed it up…slow it down….never been easier to play with with time than it has been with the @djiglobal #MavicAir2The UI makes it easier than ever to pick up and take some cracking shots with pin point accuracy…defo recommend the Fly More combo though because…who want's to go home after one battery is finished… FLY SAFE…Find out more about it here: http://www.howtokillanhour.com/gadgets-tech/mavic-air-2

Posted by How To Kill an Hour on Thursday, 18 June 2020

The Mavic Air 2 is another incredible drone from DJI. The sequel drone to 2018 Mavic Air, the Mavic Air 2 is the perfect drone for those looking for a little bit more content and power than the vlogger. While not wanting a powerhouse that a cinematographer would want. It sit’s right in that perfect sweet spot.

With an incredible battery life of 34 mins and the ability to go fast in speeds of up to 68kph in sport mode, this drone is a lot of fun! All this is achievable with the DJI Fly app, making creating your videos so easy. Furthermore the DJI Mimo app, allows you to edit on the fly, access manual settings, advanced functions, and intuitive templates to create professional compositions in seconds.

Video

The Mavic Air 2 is also one of the most portable drones that we’ve seen here at How To Kill An Hour. Which is very impressive considering all the advanced features that it has. Such as intelligent shooting functions that will produce some amazing image quality. Not just with photos but with video footage too. Recording in 4k in a smooth 60fps, the D-Cinelike flat colour profile also retains much more information for those looking to edit their footage in post. Furthermore the H.265 video codec allows you to record more information while using less storage. Even preserving dynamic range and detail. Not bad for a pro-sumer drone eh?

HDR

It get’s even better, the Mavic Air 2 will shoot in HDR video, thanks to a high performance Quad Bayer image sensor. 1 single frame will separate exposure levels in different areas, which will then capture both light and dark details. Then the images are layered together to create an amazing colourful, balanced picture with high dynamic range!

Photography

The Mavic Air 2 is also GREAT for photography. With the 1/2 inch CMOS Sensor, the Mavic Air 2 will capture impressive 48mp photos. It supports a high megapixel count which creates vivid detail. EVEN when you zoom right in. Furthermore SmartPhoto feature will recognise the scene that you’re in, HyperLight and HDR all in one mode. Which will create for one amazing image.

It works as such. The scene recognition will optimise the camera parameters for various scenes. It supports different ‘scenes’ such as sunset, skies, grass, snow and trees. Then the Hyperlight will optimise the photos that are taken in low light. Which will create less noise and enhance the clarity. While the HDR Panorama mode will create panoramic images that will give higher dynamic range and vivid accurate colours.

Focus Track

Focus Track will allow the user to create professional quality footage. At ease thanks to Active Track 3.0, Spotlight 2.0 and Point of Interest 3.0. Allowing you to think more creatively and worry less about the stability of your footage:

Spotlight 2.0

Fly freely while the camera remains locked on the subject.

ActiveTrack 3.0

With ActiveTrack 3.0 you are able to follow subjects and avoid obstacles, whilst creating super smooth visuals. The ActiveTrack technology has been updated with better pathfinding and a faster and more accurate prediction of lost subjects. The ActiveTrack technology will keep your subject in the centre of the frame. EVEN if it move’s behind a tree.

POI 3.0

POI 3.0 improves over POI 2.0, and has better recognition of flat surfaces. It can now dynamically track objects like people, cars, and boats.

8K Hyperlapse

We LOVE this feature. The Hyperlapse the Mavic Air is able to create are in 8K! You can create some stunning footage and without complex post processing! You are able to choose from Free, Circle, Course Lock, and Waypoint modes, select the shooting location, and the DJI Fly app will do the rest.

Quick Shots

This is also really cool! You can capture short cinematic video clips automatically with a feature called QuickShots. The Mavic Air 2 will plan and fly a complicated aerial route for a professional shot. All you have to do now is add music, filters and whatever you wish and then share to social media!

Flight Safety

Flying drones is fun, but safety has to be key. The OcuSync 2.0 has a video transmission of up to 10km, which is then beamed in 1080p directly from the drone’s camera. Allowing you to see clearly and enjoy more freedom for exploring.

The Mavic Air 2 also supports dual frequency of 2.4/5.8ghz communication. It will then automatically switch to the best channel with the lowest interference in real time. This will improve flight safety immensely as there is less interference and therefore less chance of crashes and dropped connections!

The Mavic Air 2 also has incredible Obstacle Avoidance. The drone will perceive it’s environment in three directions, forward, backward and downward. The auxiliary light improves visibility and provdies the extra layer of security

Forwards: Vision sensor accurate up to 22 meters

Backwards:Vision sensor accurate up to 23.6 meters

Downward:Vision sensor, infrared sensor. The auxiliary light assist with visual positioning, safe landing, and visibility in the air. It can be turned on and off manually.

Furthermore the Advanced Pilot Assistance System 3.0 utilises advanced mapping tech for smooth following and reliable obstacle avoidance in even the most complex of scenarios.

Accessories

We also love the newly designed remote! Your phone now sits at the top of the remote to give easy access to what you are seeing on screen and it’s a lot more comfortable! The battery life is also a massive 240 minutes! There’s also a range of ND filters available (16/64/256) which is helpful for adjusting things like shutter speed in extreme lighting conditions. Whilst the ND set 4/8/32 enables vivid images even with low ISO values.

Features at a Glance

OcuSync 2.0 10km 1080p/30fps
48MP Photo | 4K/60fps Video / 1/2 inch sensor
10km 1080p Video Transmission
34-Min Max Flight Time / 240-Min Max RC Battery Life
FocusTrack / APAS 3.0 Obstacle Avoidance
HDR Photo | Video | Panorama
8K Hyperlapse

Drone
Weight
Size
Diagonal Distance
Max Ascent Speed
Max Descent Speed
Max Flight Time (without wind)
Max Hover Time (without wind)
Max Flight Distance
Max Horizontal Flight Speed
Max Wind Resistance
Camera
Sensor
Lens
ISO
Max Photo Resolution
Photo Modes
Photo Formats
Video Formats
Color Profiles
Max Bitrate
Supported SD Cards
Supported File Systems

Drone
570 g
Folded: 180×97×84 mm (Length×Width×Height) Unfolded: 183×253×77 mm (Length×Width×Height)
302 mm
4 m/s (S Mode) 4 m/s (N Mode)
3 m/s (S Mode) 3 m/s (N Mode) 5 m/s (S Mode during a sharp descent) 3 m/s (all modes at elevations over 4500 m)
34 minutes
33 minutes
18.5 km
19 m/s (S Mode) 12 m/s (N Mode) 5 m/s (T Mode)
8.5-10.5 m/s (Level 5)
Camera
1/2″ CMOS Effective Pixels: 12 MP and 48 MP
FOV: 84° Equivalent Focal Length: 24 mm Aperture: f/2.8 Focus Range: 1 m to ∞
Video: 100-6400 Photo (12 MP): 100-3200 (Auto) 100-6400 (Manual) Photo (48 MP): 100-1600 (Auto) 100-3200 (Manual)
48 MP 8000×6000 pixel
Single: 12 MP and 48 MP Burst: 12 MP, 3/5/7 frames Automatic Exposure Bracketing (AEB): 12MP, 3/5 Frames at 0.7EV Bias Timed: 12 MP 2/3/5/7/10/15/20/30/60 seconds SmartPhoto: Scene Recognition, HyperLight, and HDR HDR Panorama: Vertical (3×1): 3328×8000 pixels (Width×Height) Wide (3×3): 8000×6144 pixels (Width×Height) 180° Panorama (3×7): 8192×3500 pixels (Width×Height) Sphere (3×8+1): 8192×4096 pixels (Width×Height)
JPEG/DNG (RAW)
4K Ultra HD: 3840×2160 24/25/30/48/50/60 fps 2.7K: 2688×1512 24/25/30/48/50/60 fps FHD: 1920×1080 24/25/30/48/50/60/120/240 fps 4K Ultra HD HDR: 3840×2160 24/25/30 fps 2.7K HDR: 2688×1512 24/25/30 fps FHD HDR: 1920×1080 24/25/30 fps
D-Cinelike, Normal
120 Mbps
Supports a microSD with capacity of up to 256 GB
Supported File Systems

(DJI)

For a more extensive Spec sheet please click here!

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Mavic 2: Brand new Drones!

15th May 2019/in Gadgets / Tech /by billywright

DJI Mavic vs DJI Mavic 2 Pro

Made in Sweden, Hasselblad cameras are renowned for their iconic ergonomic design, uncompromising image quality, and Swedish craftsmanship. Since 1941, Hasselblad cameras have captured some of the world’s most iconic images – including the first moon landing.

Posted by How To Kill an Hour on Tuesday, 23 April 2019

Mavic 2 Pro

Made in Sweden, Hasselblad cameras are renowned for their iconic ergonomic design, uncompromising image quality, and Swedish craftsmanship. Since 1941, Hasselblad cameras have captured some of the world’s most iconic images – including the first moon landing.

Co-engineered in partnership with Hasselblad after two years of tireless research, the Mavic 2 Pro comes equipped with the all-new Hasselblad L1D-20c camera. The L1D-20c possesses Hasselblad’s unique Hasselblad Natural Colour Solution (HNCS) technology, helping users to capture gorgeous 20-megapixel aerial shots in stunning color detail.

1-inch CMOS Sensor

The brand new 1-inch CMOS sensor has an active sensing area four times more effective than the original Mavic Pro. The large sensor also means better performance in low-light environments with a more extensive ISO range, max ISO lifted from 3200 to 12800.

10-bit Dlog-M Color Profile

The Mavic 2 Pro supports a 10-bit Dlog-M color profile that yields higher dynamic range for more flexibility in the grading room. The system records over 1 billion colors (compared to the 16 million colors from traditional 8-bit color coding technologies) and retains more in-depth details in both highlights and shadows. Now you can capture the subtlest gradations at sunset or sunrise, leaving greater space for post-production.

HDR Video

With 4K 10-bit HDR support, the Mavic 2 Pro can be plugged into a 4K TV with HLG and will immediately play back footage with the right color tones. The brighter highlights and increased contrast are what make HDR video so appealing.

Adjustable Aperture

The f/2.8-f/11 adjustable aperture delivers outstanding image quality both in high and low-light environments. When shooting in low light, set the aperture to f/2.8 to allow more light in and to capture bright and clear photos. When shooting in well-lit environments, set the aperture to f/11 to lower the shutter speed and make your videos smoother.

Mavic 2 Zoom

Powered by a 1/2.3-inch 12-megapixel sensor with up to 4x zoom, including a 2x optical zoom (24–48 mm), ⁴ the Mavic 2 Zoom is all about dynamic perspectives. Capture everything from wide angle to mid-range shots for even more creative options.

More Expressive Mid-Range Shots

Compared to a 24mm wide angle lens, the 48mm telephoto lens compresses your perspective, enhancing the parallax effect for a classic cinematic look. ⁴ Now a whole new world of aerial photography is open to explore with even more epic, cinematic shots.

A Worry-Free Way to Find a View

When shooting Full HD video, 4x lossless zoom (including 2x optical zoom) gives you a closer view of faraway subjects, making unique scenes more accessible to capture at a distance. This option also helps you maintain a safer distance from buildings, vehicles, animals, and people.

Quick and Accurate Focus

Hybrid autofocus on the Mavic 2 Zoom combines phase and contrast detection for higher focus accuracy with an increased focus speed of up to 40% more than before. The autofocus tracking system makes subjects appear clear and sharp when zooming in and out.

Zoom During Flight

Dolly Zoom is a new QuickShot for the Mavic 2 Zoom, offering an otherworldly perspective in a fully-integrated drone. Dolly Zoom automatically adjusts focus when flying, adding an intense, warping visual effect to your video. When flying manually, you can also set proper focus speed values for even more creative shot options.

Super Resolution Photos

The Mavic 2 Zoom also has a brand new Super Resolution feature. An asset when capturing the vivid details your landscape photography deserves. When taking a picture with a 24 mm equivalent field-of-view, ⁴the camera will capture and patch nine photos with its telephoto lens, resulting in a 48-megapixel super resolution photo. Compared to ordinary panoramas, the super resolution photos retain the original look of the shooting targets with a more accurate composition.

(DJI)

There is so much more information on DJI’s website! It details all about the cool things that the new DJI Mavic 2 can do! Such as Active Tracking 2.0 which includes: High speed tracking, trajectory prediction, precise recognition and obstacle sensing. Lowlight improvements, hyperlapse capabilities and longer and quiet flight time. However to get the low down on what these super cool Mavic 2 drones can do head on over to their website here.

Check out their press release here:

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Super High Tech Cruise With Le Champlain

15th May 2019/in Entertainment, Gadgets / Tech /by billywright

Super High Tech Cruise in NORWAY!

We recently went on a trip around the Norwegian Fjords! Upon one of Ponant's most luxurious cruise-liners and it was amazing! That's not just the views of the Norwegian Fjords either. The Le Champlain cruise liner was absolutely breathtaking! So, check out the video of our trip above to truly get an understanding of how beautiful our time on the Le Champlain was.Read more & see some beautiful pictures of our time in Norway by in the first comment on this post.

Posted by How To Kill an Hour on Tuesday, 23 April 2019

We recently went on a trip around the Norwegian Fjords! Upon one of Ponant’s most luxurious cruise-liners and it was amazing! That’s not just the views of the Norwegian Fjords either. The Le Champlain cruise liner was absolutely breathtaking! So, check out the video of our trip above to truly get an understanding of how beautiful our time on the Le Champlain was.

We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and encourage you, our audience, to go on one of these cruises, no matter where you are travelling in the world, you will have an experience that will last a lifetime. The memories that you will make whilst on your travels will stick, it won’t be just another holiday, it will be an absolute life defining moment. You truly feel like you are a super star whilst traveling on this cruise liner. There’s a reason as to why Le Champlain got a lot of attention when it was first announced.

Le Champlain Luxury

Not only is it a beautiful boat it is environmentally friendly too. The rooms are elegantly designed, there’s spacious suites with fantastic large windows allowing you to take in the world around you. The lounge areas of Le Champlain are open planed too, so they open into the outside area. There are a total of 92 staterooms and suites which offer a truly unique experience whilst traveling upon this cruise liner. The Le Champlain, the second ship in a brand new series from Ponant. Truly embody the cruise line’s hallmark of having a subtle blend of refinement, intimacy and comfort.

If you have a passion for travel, we highly recommend travelling aboard the Le Champlain. It flies the French Flag with pride and provides such a pleasurable and intimate ride. Not only that but there is an ever increasing list of destinations that the Le Champlain travels to. Each retaining Ponant’s luxury service topped with ethnic-chic ambiance.

World Heritage Site: Norwegian Fjords

It is said that over 1000 people visit the Norwegian Fjords each year. Furthermore 10 cruise ships traveling through the beautiful are each year too! From 2005, the Fjords are protected under UNESCO (Meaning that it’s classed as a world heritage site: As defined by Wikipedia:

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization(UNESCO) as having cultural,^[1] historical, scientific or other form of significance, and is legally protected by international treaties. The sites are judged important to the collective interests of humanity.)

“Their exceptional natural beauty is derived from their narrow and steep-sided crystalline rock walls that rise up to 1,400 metres from the Norwegian Sea and extend 500 metres below sea level. The sheer walls of the fjords have numerous waterfalls while free-flowing rivers cross their deciduous and coniferous forests to glacial lakes, glaciers and rugged mountains” UNESCO

National Geographic Recognition

National Geographic gathered a panel of experts in 2006 to rank and reward the most popular of World Heritage Sites. It is here were the Norwegian Fjords were victorious! They ranked higher than the pyramids of Egypt and even the Grand Canyon!

“This seems to confirm that Norwegians tend to take excellent care of their places compared to the rest of the world. These are skills that leaders in other places would do well to study and adapt to their own situations” Jonathan B. Tourtellot, Director of the Center for Sustainable Destinations, National Geographic Society.

The Beautiful Norwegian Fjords

Firstly, it’s very easy to see the beauty via gallery below! There are more than 1000 Fjords in Norway, all of which are along the beautiful coastline. A Fjord is a blue still lake, however, they consist of saltwater. Fjord’s are also described prolonged arms if the seas. At times, reaching deep inland with huge towering cliffs on each side. Many of the Fjords are intertwined. You can often sail through them and make your way back into the open sea. While many have described that visiting them can feel like they’ve visited a secluded universe! As a result the Norwegian Fjords have become both an important symbol of Norway and a very popular attraction for tourists.

(Visit Norway)

Check out the gallery of our time in the Norwegian Fjords below! (Click the first image to enlarge it to get a real good look at how beautiful Norway is! Consequently, you’ll be able to get a good look at the Le Champlain! The boat was HUGE and had a very nice ride. Therefore we cannot be happier with our experience upon the Le Champlain)

Suggestions

Also, we’re very open to your suggestions. We want to be able to do things in your neck of the woods. Therefore we’re keen to hear from you guys! Where do you think the team should go next? Hit us up via our socials with the best places in the world to do some wild and exciting things. We’d love to hear your suggestions. The crazier and more exciting the better! Help us show off your area to the masses!

So, why not listen to the guys talking about this on the show my clicking here!

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