Correct me if i'm wrong - it's not possible to write to the SSD without a microSD on board?

skylineaerial · Jul 17, 2017

Today I committed the ultimate sin and forgot to bring my microSD cards on a shoot. I had everything else with me. I wondered could I fly and write the footage to the SSD only but it seems that this isn't an option. I was offered by the Go 4 App to record to my device (iPad) but this method seems to only write the footage via Lightbridge to your iPad but doesn't write anything to the SSD.

So, my question is, can you not write to the SSD only? Will forgetting microSD cards also ruin your chance of shooting the SSD?

I'd love to be wrong.

Advexure · Jul 17, 2017

Unfortunately you are right. You must have a Micro SD inserted in the aircraft to write to the SSD.

skylineaerial · Jul 17, 2017

Thanks for the reply. Is there a technical reason for this or some other reason that this would be the preferred way of working?

Advexure · Jul 17, 2017

skylineaerial said:
Thanks for the reply. Is there a technical reason for this or some other reason that this would be the preferred way of working?

I believe it is a technical reason and my best explanation would be that it's comparable to a series circuit where the Micro SD completes the circuit for full writing capability to both the Micro SD and the SSD simultaneously. No better reasoning that we are aware of. Maybe someone else has some further insight on the technicality behind this methodology.

Cactuswest · Jul 22, 2017

I have done this once. Now I always have several SD cards on hand. When I am done with the shoot, I swap the recorded one for an empty one. Always.

mattbeardsley · Jul 22, 2017

This has been kind of a headache for me on a couple shoots. I have a few 128GB MicroSD cards, but they don't seem to be supported in I2, frustrating to have to change the old smaller MicroSDs out in order to keep the ProRes rolling when I never use the H.264. Does anyone know the max MicroSD card the I2 does support?

EDIT: Re-tested today after replies here and found that, for whatever reason, the Samsung Pro+ 128GB MicroSD cards do work, both on I2 and Mavic. Not sure why they didn't before – though that was several firmware updates ago. Oh well, headache solved!

NickU · Jul 22, 2017

If you don't use the microSD h.264 footage, then why not simply set it to 1080p? you should get several hours on a single card for that using a 64 gig card. From the x5s specs, H.264 1080p 23/24/25/30 fps gives 60Mbps, or H.265 1080p will drop to 50Mbps instead of the 100Mbps for the higher res's, so should give you a fair bit extra recording time.

I'd think that that should easily outlast the 480GB SSD. When the SSD needs changing, then pull the micros too and delete or reformat it. If you're using a couple of SSD's then use a couple of micros's and swap them along with the SSDs to keep everything running.

As to the 128gb cards, are they the ones with a double row of contacts on them - if so, then no they're not supported. If you can find a MicroSD with the standard microSD contacts, then it might be able to use that. TBH, I've not heard of anyone using a 128gb tho', just multiple 64's.

cvanhoose · Jul 22, 2017

mattbeardsley said:
This has been kind of a headache for me on a couple shoots. I have a few 128GB MicroSD cards, but they don't seem to be supported in I2, frustrating to have to change the old smaller MicroSDs out in order to keep the ProRes rolling when I never use the H.264. Does anyone know the max MicroSD card the I2 does support?

I use these with good success. I have a couple of the Pro versions also, but these are more than half the price with the same speeds. The pro versions have the benefits of waterproof, protection against electro magnetism, etc.
Samsung 128GB 100MB/s (U3) MicroSD EVO Select Memory Card with Adapter (MB-ME128GA/AM) Amazon.com: Samsung 128GB 100MB/s (U3) MicroSD EVO Select Memory Card with Adapter (MB-ME128GA/AM): Computers & Accessories

mattbeardsley · Jul 22, 2017

NickU said:
If you don't use the microSD h.264 footage, then why not simply set it to 1080p? you should get several hours on a single card for that using a 64 gig card. From the x5s specs, H.264 1080p 23/24/25/30 fps gives 60Mbps, or H.265 1080p will drop to 50Mbps instead of the 100Mbps for the higher res's, so should give you a fair bit extra recording time.

I'd think that that should easily outlast the 480GB SSD. When the SSD needs changing, then pull the micros too and delete or reformat it. If you're using a couple of SSD's then use a couple of micros's and swap them along with the SSDs to keep everything running.

As to the 128gb cards, are they the ones with a double row of contacts on them - if so, then no they're not supported. If you can find a MicroSD with the standard microSD contacts, then it might be able to use that. TBH, I've not heard of anyone using a 128gb tho', just multiple 64's.

Good thoughts! I'll have to play with lowering the h.264 settings. The 128GB MicroSDs have a normal connection as far as I can tell. They work well in the GoPro and Blackmagic Video Assist (only other devices I have with MicroSD).. Crystal Sky lists them as compatible. Maybe a Future I2 firmware

cvanhoose · Jul 22, 2017

Please list which cards you are using.

mattbeardsley · Jul 22, 2017

cvanhoose said:
Please list which cards you are using.

Ha, I stand corrected. Just went to confirm that the 128GB Samsung MicroSD cards I have don't work in I2 and *bam* they work now. Not sure if that is one of the 2 or 3 firmware updates since I last tried or if some other issue was happening back then, but they seem to be working now. Game changer for me

They are these:

Amazon.com: Samsung Pro Plus 128GB MicroSDXC Memory Card (MB-MD128DA/AM): Cell Phones & Accessories

mattbeardsley · Jul 22, 2017

A related issue that's been a little goofy for me is the caching on my iPad. It's a lowly 16GB iPad mini and is constantly filling up. The cache is cool to have, both for a catastrophic backup of content, but also for the sometimes-interesting-to-have audio recording. I like that once the iPad fills up, Go 4 gives a warning, but it doesn't stop recording to the SSD or MicroSD..

Perhaps that behavior would be more appropriate for the SSD vs MicroSD recording as well (on-screen warning, and one or the other codec doesn't record, but the other records its settings as if the other was also recording normally.

It's one feature of the Crystal Sky I'm really looking forward to, MicroSD slots for proper data capture and workflow.

cvanhoose · Jul 22, 2017

I have no experience with the Pro+ , the Pro has worked since day 1 for me but they seemed to stop selling them: Samsung 128GB 95MB/s PRO Select Micro SDXC Memory Card (MB-MF128DA/AM) Amazon.com: Samsung 128GB 95MB/s PRO Select Micro SDXC Memory Card (MB-MF128DA/AM): Computers & Accessories

roblevine · Aug 25, 2017

Advexure said:
Unfortunately you are right. You must have a Micro SD inserted in the aircraft to write to the SSD.

Hey Advexure - what do you think of this card? Good enough for 4k at 29fps?
Samsung Pro Plus 128GB

Advexure · Aug 25, 2017

roblevine said:
Hey Advexure - what do you think of this card? Good enough for 4k at 29fps?
Samsung Pro Plus 128GB

Hi @roblevine – Should be a great option. Not sure how this differs being a "Plus" but DJI has the PRO 128GB on their recommended list. See below. We have not used this specific card but you should have no problem.