Gyroflow is a well-liked open-source software program that provides superior video stabilization for FPV drone footage by leveraging gyro knowledge out of your digital camera. This instrument is free and appropriate with numerous cameras, permitting you to stabilize movies utilizing gyro knowledge recorded internally (contained in the digital camera) or externally (from Betaflight Blackbox) after which imported into Gyroflow.
On this tutorial, I’ll stroll you thru utilizing Gyroflow to stabilize your drone movies—from putting in the software program to exporting your stabilized footage. Whether or not you’re a newbie or an skilled pilot, this information will assist you get essentially the most out of Gyroflow.
What’s Gyroflow and How Does It Examine to Reelsteady GO?
Gyroflow is an open-source stabilization software program that makes use of gyro knowledge to stabilize your footage. In comparison with Reelsteady GO, one other well-liked video stabilization instrument, Gyroflow has a number of benefits:
Free to make use of (Reelsteady GO prices $99) Works with any digital camera (Reelsteady GO solely works with GoPro) Consumer-friendly interface Smoother preview playback Sooner exporting and rendering Comparable outcomes
Cameras such because the DJI Motion, GoPro and Insta360 document movement knowledge internally with their gyroscope, permitting them to work straight with Gyroflow. Nonetheless, in case your digital camera doesn’t have built-in gyro knowledge recording, you’ll have to get the gyro knowledge from Betaflight Blackbox or use a devoted flight controller for this goal. Extra cameras, just like the Runcam Thumb Professional and Hawkeye Thumb 4K, are being designed to work seamlessly with Gyroflow.
For comparability, check out my Reelsteady GO tutorial to get a way the way it works.
Obtain Gyroflow
First, obtain and unzip the newest model of Gyroflow from the official web site:
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.
Digicam Necessities
You’ll want a digital camera that data gyro knowledge together with the video footage.
Most high-end motion cameras, like GoPro and DJI Osmo Motion, assist Gyroflow out of the field. Some finances cameras designed for FPV drones, just like the Runcam Thumb Professional, Thumb 2, Hawkeye Thumb 4K, and Walksnail Moonlight, even have this functionality.
DJI O3, O4 and O4 Professional Air Unit are additionally appropriate with Gyroflow.
See my HD digital camera suggestions right here:
Some cameras combine the gyro knowledge into the video file, making it straightforward to make use of with Gyroflow – only a matter of drag and drop. Nonetheless, different cameras (such because the Runcam Thumb) document gyro knowledge in a separate CSV file, which you’ll have to load manually into Gyroflow. Examine your digital camera’s guide to find out methods to use it with Gyroflow.
Importing Video
Launch Gyroflow in your laptop and easily drag and drop your video file into the applying.
Cut up video recordsdata from the identical flight? Merely choose all of them, drag and drop them into Gyroflow, you’ll then prompted if you wish to mix them right into a single video file. Personally I want combining them right into a single file then delete the unique recordsdata to make it simpler to handle.
Lacking Gyro Information?
In case your digital camera shops gyro knowledge throughout the video file, you’ll see three traces within the timeline representing the gyro motion in three axes. If these traces are lacking, it means the video doesn’t include gyro knowledge, or it must be loaded manually. You may manually load gyro knowledge underneath the “Movement Information” part, usually from a CSV file if it’s recorded individually.
Word: On DJI O3 and O4 (Lite & Professional), solely sure digital camera settings can help you document gyro knowledge. Examine my DJI O4 Professional tutorial for extra particulars.
Lens Profile
In case your digital camera has a supported lens profile, Gyroflow will routinely load it whenever you import the video file. If the digital camera isn’t supported by Gyroflow natively, you’ll be able to manually choose a lens profile or create one. Correct lens profiles assist Gyroflow perceive your digital camera’s distortion traits, enhancing stabilization.
Syncing Gyro Information with Video
In case you are utilizing GoPro or DJI cameras, Gyro Syncing must be automated and you don’t want to do something or add any sync level (the truth is it may be counterproductive and it’s not advisable). Gyroflow can routinely sync the gyro knowledge together with your video primarily based on timestamps.
Nonetheless, much less mainstream cameras would possibly require further syncing if the stabilization isn’t working effectively, equivalent to Walksnail, Caddx and Runcam cameras. You are able to do this by utilizing the “Auto Sync” operate underneath Stabilization. If auto-sync isn’t getting the job finished, you’ll be able to manually modify the sync utilizing the “Offset” slider to align the gyro knowledge together with your video. It’s also possible to use optical movement to sync gyro knowledge to the video. Optical movement works by monitoring objects in your video, however it may be thrown off by transferring foregrounds and backgrounds, so the instrument makes use of this knowledge as a secondary measure to substantiate gyro readings.
Trimming Video
Below the preview window, you should use the “[” and “]” buttons to trim your footage to the specified size. The button subsequent to the amount means that you can allow or disable stabilization. This will pace up the render whenever you export it.
Stabilization Settings
Whereas Gyroflow works nice with default settings, listed below are a number of changes you would possibly contemplate.
Stabilization Modes
Gyroflow affords a number of stabilization modes together with “Plain 3D”, related in model to Reelsteady. Inside every mode, quite a few parameters may be adjusted to customise the stabilization impact to your necessities. “Default” usually works effectively for FPV movies.
By clicking “Superior” there are a number of extra choices you’ll be able to tweak.
Smoothness
This controls how clean the stabilization seems. Larger smoothness values end in smoother footage however might require extra cropping. Sometimes, a setting between 0.1 and 0.3 works effectively for many of my FPV movies so long as your drone flight is secure. The much less secure your footage is the upper it is best to set smoothness to, however it leads to extra cropping.
The “Smoothness” slider (0% to 100%) controls how aggressively the software program stabilizes movement: greater values produce a smoother impact however might require extra picture cropping. The Max Smoothness sliders have an effect on the time window thought of for stabilization, with decrease values usually requiring much less cropping however much less secure stabilization. Default values are often positive.
Lock Horizon
Lock Horizon is used to regulate the extent to horizon, may be helpful if the drone is tilted an excessive amount of, or for cinewhoop indoor shoots, however for freestyle movies I usually flip this off.
Picture Cropping
Picture cropping is an unavoidable facet of video stabilization, as movement compensation requires wiggle room across the edges of the body. Gyroflow affords a number of cropping methods to swimsuit completely different wants:
“Dynamic cropping” is mostly a great choice for FPV, because it retains as a lot of the picture seen as potential by dynamically adjusting the quantity of stabilization wanted at any given second within the video. “Static crop” applies a continuing crop all through the video, guaranteeing a uniform body measurement however typically at the price of a bigger crop than mandatory. For the extra skilled, the “No cropping” choice retains your complete authentic body, however might depart black edges seen when stabilization strikes the picture past the boundaries of the unique body.
With Dynamic Cropping you’ll be able to modify Zooming Velocity which controls how briskly the zoom in/out occurs throughout stabilization. Sooner zooming makes stabilization more practical, however too quick can really feel unnatural. For me, a 5 seconds setting is mostly extra pure for cruising. But when there are a lot of flips and rolls in your video you may want quicker zoom pace which could look smoother. It’s all private desire.
Lens Correction
Set this to 25% to 100% relying in your style. Decrease worth retains the unique fish eye impact whereas the upper worth will zoom in a bit extra to take away the fish eye impact.
FOV
FOV Regulate the FOV to manage how a lot of the unique footage stays seen after stabilization. Rising the FOV helps hold extra of the scene however would possibly introduce black borders if overdone, indicated by purple strains within the timeline. Maximize the FOV with out getting purple strains for the very best end result.
Rolling Shutter Correction
Rolling shutter correction is one other vital function that compensates for the distortion brought on by CMOS sensors, which is particularly noticeable in quick actions. Rising 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. If it seems to be good, proceed to export. You may tweak the stabilization settings in real-time to see how they have an effect on your video.
When exporting, you’ll be able to set the video codec, decision, bitrate, and file format. Select a decision that matches your authentic footage or modify primarily based in your wants.
Superior Methods: Keyframing and Dynamic Zoom
Gyroflow additionally helps keyframing, permitting for particular changes at numerous 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.
Suggestions and Methods
Recording in Native Side ratio: Recording in a wider facet ratio (for instance, 4:3 or 8:7 as a substitute of 16:9) offers extra room for stabilization with out sacrificing an excessive amount of picture decision. This method, mixed with the next decision (equivalent to 4K for a remaining 1080p output), permits for extra flexibility in the course of the stabilization course of.
Balancing Stability and Cropping: Discovering the suitable stability between stabilization smoothness and picture cropping is important. Too excessive a smoothness worth can produce an unnatural impact and require extreme cropping. Experimenting with completely different values to search out the candy spot for every kind of footage is the important thing to skilled outcomes.
Conclusion
Gyroflow is a strong instrument for stabilizing FPV drone footage, providing professional-quality outcomes without spending a dime. By following this step-by-step information, you’ll be able to rework shaky uncooked FPV footage into clean, polished cinematic movies. Whether or not you’re utilizing high-end cameras like DJI or GoPro or finances choices like Runcam Thumb, Gyroflow makes stabilization accessible and easy. Give it a try to see the way it can improve your video high quality. Completely happy 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
