Gyroflow is a well-liked open-source device 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 show you how to benefit from Gyroflow.
Inquisitive about leveling up your FPV movies? Don’t overlook to take a look at this coloration grading tutorial for newcomers: 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 presents:
- 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
- Respectable outcomes that always 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 a listing of widespread 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 to open, open 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 straight into the video file, making it straightforward to make use of with Gyroflow—simply drag and drop the video into the app. Nevertheless, some cameras (just like the Runcam Thumb) document gyro information in a separate CSV file, which you’ll must import manually into Gyroflow. Test your digicam’s handbook for particulars on the way it information and shops gyro information.
In case your digicam doesn’t assist built-in gyro information recording or isn’t natively supported by Gyroflow, you possibly can nonetheless use it by recording movement information 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 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 information from the identical flight (frequent when file dimension exceeds the digicam’s restrict), you possibly can 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 choose combining them, then deleting the unique information to maintain issues tidy and simpler to handle.
Lacking Gyro Information?
In case your digicam shops gyro information inside 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 include gyro information, and also you’ll must load it manually. This may be carried out underneath the Movement Information part, often by importing a separate CSV file in case your digicam information it that approach.
Notice: On DJI O3 and O4 (Lite & Professional), solely sure digicam settings will allow gyro information 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 routinely load it if you import the video. If it doesn’t, you possibly can 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 bettering stabilization outcomes.
Syncing Gyro Information with Video
In the event you’re utilizing GoPro or DJI cameras, gyro syncing must be computerized. You don’t must do something or add a sync level—in reality, doing so could be counterproductive. Gyroflow makes use of timestamp information to routinely align the gyro information with the video.
Nevertheless, with some cheaper cameras, syncing won’t be excellent out of the field. In these circumstances, attempt utilizing the Auto Sync perform underneath the Stabilization tab. If that doesn’t yield good outcomes, you possibly can manually tweak the Offset slider to align gyro information with the video.
It’s also possible to attempt Optical Stream, which analyzes movement within the video by monitoring objects body by body. It’s useful as a secondary test however could be thrown off by transferring foreground parts or shifting lighting, so outcomes could range.
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 permits you to allow or disable stabilization within the preview show.
Stabilization Settings
Whereas Gyroflow performs properly with its default settings, there are a number of changes you may contemplate relying in your wants.
Stabilization Modes
Gyroflow presents a number of stabilization modes, together with “Plain 3D”, which gives a glance just like Reelsteady. Inside every mode, you possibly can fine-tune parameters to tailor the stabilization impact to your particular model or footage. The “Default” mode usually works properly 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 lead to smoother footage however require extra cropping. Usually, a setting between 10% and 30% works properly for many FPV movies for my part, assuming your drone flight is comparatively steady. In case your footage is shaky, chances are you’ll want to extend the smoothness worth—simply bear in mind that the video will seem extra zoomed in.
The Max Smoothness sliders affect the time window used for stabilization—decrease values typically imply much less cropping, but additionally much less efficient stabilization. The default values are often an excellent start line.
Lock Horizon
Lock Horizon retains the horizon stage all through the video. It’s particularly helpful in case your drone is consistently tilted to at least one facet throughout flight, or for easy indoor cinewhoop pictures. For freestyle flying, I often depart 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 additional house across the edges of your body to regulate and stabilize movement.
Gyroflow presents a number of cropping methods:
- Dynamic Cropping – Really helpful for FPV. It adjusts the crop quantity in actual time to maximise the seen picture whereas nonetheless stabilizing successfully.
- Static Crop – Maintains a relentless crop all through the video. This ensures a steady body dimension however often leads to extra cropping than needed.
- No Cropping – Preserves the complete authentic body, however you might even see black edges when the picture shifts past the body boundaries throughout stabilization.
In the event you’re utilizing Dynamic Cropping, you can even modify the Zooming Pace, 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 choose a 5-second zoom pace for relaxed cruising footage—it feels extra pure. Nevertheless, in case your video contains numerous speedy actions like flips and rolls, a quicker zoom pace may ship more practical outcomes. In the long run, it comes down to non-public desire and flight model.
Lens Correction
Alter this setting between 25% and 100%, relying in your desire. A decrease worth retains extra of the unique fisheye impact, preserving that wide-angle look. The next 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 extra settings similar 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 permits you to preserve extra of the scene in view, however watch out to not push it too far—doing so could introduce black borders (indicated by pink traces within the timeline).
Tip: Alter FOV as excessive as potential with out triggering pink warnings within the timeline to get one of the best stability between broad view and clear framing.
Rolling Shutter Correction
Rolling shutter correction is one other vital characteristic that compensates for the distortion attributable to CMOS sensors, which is particularly 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 to be like good, you’re able to export.
When exporting, you’ve gotten management over settings similar to video codec, decision, bitrate, and file format. Select a decision that matches your authentic footage, or modify it based mostly in your output necessities—similar to social media sharing, enhancing, or archiving.
Superior Strategies: Keyframing and Dynamic Zoom
Gyroflow additionally helps keyframing, permitting for particular changes at numerous factors within the footage. For instance, you possibly can 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 suited to professional-grade tasks.
Suggestions and Tips
Document in a Native Facet Ratio
Recording in full sensor facet ratio that offers you the largest potential FOV—similar to 8:7 within the newest GoPro cameras, or 4:3 in most DJI cameras. This gives 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 far more flexibility throughout stabilization.
Stability Stability and Cropping
Discovering the suitable stability 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 search out one of the best outcomes to your flying model and surroundings.
Conclusion
Gyroflow is a strong device for stabilizing FPV drone footage, delivering professional-quality outcomes—without cost. With the assistance of this step-by-step information, you possibly can flip shaky FPV clips into easy, 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 likely to be shocked at simply how polished your footage can look. Joyful 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
