Normally you’d have to buy a $750 DJI Smart Controller to get live video output from the DJI FPV Goggles (if you are using Air Units and Caddx Vista). However the community finally made it work without the expensive Smart Controller!
It works on both V1 and V2 DJI FPV Goggles. This project is open source, requires no extra hardware and it’s still work in progress.
Table of Contents
DJI Goggles 2
The newer DJI Goggles 2 video out works differently than the FPV Goggles V1 and V2 we are going to cover in this post. You can find out more in this guide: https://oscarliang.com/dji-o3-air-unit-fpv-goggles-2/#Video-Output
Now lets get back to the V1 and V2.
Does it work on Phones?
Yes, Video out of V1 and V2 Goggles works on PC (Windows, Linux and MacOS), as well as Android smartphones. However, it won’t work on iOS (iPhone) according to the devs.
You will need a data-capable USB-C cable:
- USB-C to USB-C cable (Android phone)
- AliExpress: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DdEX1hL
- Amazon: https://amzn.to/3wk76mH
- USB-C to USB cable (PC)
- Amazon: https://amzn.to/3wbESdJ
DVR Won’t Work
When video is being streamed out of the USB-C connection from the DJI FPV Goggles to a computer or smartphone, the DVR will stop working which is unfortunate but normal. The SD Card icon actually disappears from the screen when video out is operating.
So only one device at a time can see the video stream – either the DVR or the USB-C connection.
The same happens when video out is streamed to the DJI Smart Controller, so it’s not a quirk of this particular video-out hack and happens even when using the official DJI hardware.
Video Out using Android App
DCVA is currently one of the best Android App for video out, download here: https://github.com/d4rken/fpv-dvca
DigiView by D3VL on Play Store is a bit buggy and outdated, so I don’t recommend it.
How to use:
Power on your DJI goggles and quad.
Turn off Auto Thermal Management in the goggle’s menu under Device (Low Power Mode).
Note: Even if you get “Air Unit overheating, land promptly” warning, it usually goes away a few seconds after taking off because of the cooling from airflow. But if you worry about overheating you don’t have to disable low power mode, just arm before connecting the USB cable to your phone.
Then connect DJI goggles to your phone with a USB-C to USB-C data cable. In your phone, you should be prompted if you want your phone to handle the DJI Goggles, select OK.
Be careful to not overheat the VISTA / Air Unit when you’re testing on the bench. If it overheats, the feed will just go black, and potentially damage the VISTA as well. Run a small fan over it for cooling.
NOTE: Looks like V2 Goggles might need an OTG adapter (on the phone side) to work since they can also function as a USB Host device so just using a USB-C to USB-C cable will usually make most the phone charge off of goggles but not be able to stream. I am using V1 goggles so unable to verify. Keep this in mind if it’s not working for you.
Video Out on Browser
If you don’t want to install anything, try this website: https://widefpv.com/
It only supports Chrome based browser. Works on PC as well as smartphone.
Video Out using PC App
Here are instructions on how to get video out working on PC.
- Download and extract the zip file: http://b3yond.d3vl.com/DJIVideoOut.zip
- Turn on DJI goggles and connect USB-C (use a data cable)
- Run the “Install Drivers.exe” file
- In Options, click “List Devices”, Select “Bulk interface” in the drop down list
- Click “Replace Driver” (or Install Driver) and wait
- Close program and run “Run VOC.cmd” in the same directory
- If you have a hybrid laptop (dedicated gpu) choose the hybrid gfx cmd
- Turn on drone
- Done!
If you’re testing this on your desk and it’s not working, the drone either needs to be armed first, or you need to turn off Auto Thermal Management in the goggle’s menu under Device.
If you see LIBUSB_ERROR_NOT_FOUND error, the driver is probably not installed properly, try to run the above steps again.
Be careful to not overheat the VISTA / Air Unit when you’re testing on the bench. If it overheats, the feed will just go black, and potentially damage the VISTA as well. Run a small fan over it for cooling.
It works on Windows, as well as Linux & macOS, but you’ll need to install ffmpeg & nodejs yourself. Just follow the instructions on the GitHub: https://github.com/fpv-wtf/voc-poc
41 comments
is this works for other drone like air 2s and mini…
Thanks for this! Do you know if these methods work when the DJI Goggles V2 have been rooted with WTFOS?
Yes, still works.
Does this work on goggles 2 or goggles 2 integra? Is there a new app?
No, the Goggles 2 only works with DJI’s own fly app: https://oscarliang.com/dji-o3-air-unit-fpv-goggles-2/#Video-Output
Thank you very much Oscar for the content, i am wondering… Is there any solution to connect the DJI FPV Goggles v2 (the big one, not the new) with the ipad pro or the iphone using another app ?? or do we still need the DJI Smart Controller to get live video output from the DJI FPV Goggles ??
been wondering this too! I hear yes using the DJI app but i’ve tried with no success on a new ipad air
What’s the added latency like of running it into a PC or phone?
I’m debating which headset to buy. HDMI out is usefully because then I can sit inside the warm car or house but have the receiver outside.
For spectating it’s ok, but it would be too much for flying, I don’t recommend it.
Tried all of them. ATM the best versions are the DJI RC Pro Controller with FPV Live function/app and widefpv (in low latency mode) which is also perfect for streaming. Sadly it doesnt work with macbooks with m1 (video shuts down after a few seconds).
Does anybody now if the RM330 RC Controller work with the DJI FPV Googles V1&V2 (not AVATA) like the RC Pro Controller with FPV Live App which can be bought in a set: “DJI Mavic Mini 3 Pro Set mit DisplayController RM330” ???
Need to know this too any body have tested DJI RC Pro Controller with GooglesV2?
Agust 2022, when usb pluged in, the sd card dvr on the goggles still not working?
Either USB or DVR will work. Not both!
Thank you so very much Oscar! I’m very late to the game on this but it works great on my PC! It’s not working with my Android yet but I will keep trying. Is there a way to get this feed onto social media platforms such as Facebook and YouTube for livestreaming? Thanks all!!!
You can probably use OBS to stream the feed (screen) to social media, youtube has loads of tutorials :)
I’m in the process of building my first fpv quad with goggles v2 and vista. One thing I want to be able to do is give my family ride along’s using goggles. Can you output video to another pair of goggles with this? Or would I need a second set of v2’s to use the spectate mode?
I can confirm you will need a OTG cable to make this work. For most people, simply plugging the phone into the dji goggles will make the phone think it’s the host device not a slave device. The OTG cable makes the phone think it needs to be the slave so the goggles can be the host. I bought a USB C to USB adapter type C OTG cable(USB C Male to USB 3.0 A Female connector). Hope that helps someone!
Thanks for the info I am wondering will digiview work on an android tablet?
yes
Works great on dell I7 laptop.Latency is 2.5 secs or so in either of the 3 modes..low latency maybe 2 sec.
Thats fine because it will be for spectator/s.Give them an idea of what things look like flying around.
I dont think they will know the lattency much because of there perspective and not really knowing where the quad is and what it is actually doing in realtime.
all works but I see only: I am waiting for Video. Any Ideas?
Power on the quad and DJI goggles first, wait until you get an image, then open the app before connecting the USB cable?
Of course. First Info: Connect Goggles – I do it – then next Info: Waiting for Video. I open the App before connecting usb. Drone is of courst on and I see Video in goggles. And whenn I disconnect the usb cabel I see info: Goggles Disconnected. What I am doing wrong?
ok I have 1 frame. and nothing more. any ideas?
I got a 6ft usb-c to usb-c Anker cable and it won’t work on my V1 goggles. This was working with a 3ft Usb-A to usb-c cable with OTG adapter on the phone side but I thought I’d get a longer cable and ditch the adapter… no luck.
Oscar, you have this working on v1 goggles with usbc to usbc cable without OTG adapter?
Anker cables are charging cables. You have to use a OTG adapter and a data cable to steam over Digiview when using Goggles V2
Great job guys, Hack the OSD next, so we can have full OSD, please.
Thanks for the post. I bought a K10 android tablet just for this, but it didn’t work… there is no prompt after I connect everything. I used a type c to micro cable. Does anyone have the same issue? Thanks!
You have the V2 goggles?
Try use an OTG adapter (on the phone side) to work since they can also function as a USB Host device so just using a USB-C to USB-C cable will usually make most the phone charge off of goggles but not be able to stream.
Oscar, I have to thank you, man – It seemed like I had everything right, but no video. This post saved me. When you spend hours on something and someone gives you that missing piece of the puzzle, it’s so gratifying. Thanks for all you do for us!
AWESOME!!! Thanks Oscar!
I get heachaches from the DJI Goggles and actually bought the V2 googles based on Joshua Bardwell’s review stating that V2 would allow video out – which was false. (What a piss-off!)
I sold the V2 goggles and was about to buy the Smart Controller when I saw this news.
Cheers!
Any chance this allows video input over usb c?
No, only output.
What the recommended data speed for the usb-c cable?
I’m also trying to find the recommended data speed. My phone and tablet that I’d like to use for this have USB Micro B (2.0) inputs on them. I did try a USB-C to USB Micro B cable I have from my Insta360 OneX kit and was able to see the DJI goggles video output but it was a jumpy video (Was also delayed but I understand that this is normal). I’m searching now to see if USB Micro B (2.0) is even sufficient for the type of data transfer speeds required for this application. I did try switching to 25mbps mode in the goggles and saw a small improvement but still jumpy.
I am going to try using a USB-C to USB-A 2.0 cable that I have with a Micro USB B + USB C to USB 2.0 Female Adapter Cable on the end to allow me to connect to either Micro USB B devices or USB C devices.
According to this website USB 2.0 can have a max data transfer speed of 480 Mbps so should work fine for this. tripplite.com/products/usb-connectivity-types-standards
The adapter I’m going to test: amazon.com/gp/product/B01N1RHJC0/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
what app on the iphone do i open to see the video?
doesn’t work on iPhone
Downloaded everything correctly and went fine.
The problem is when I Run VOC the black screen pops on and then off immediately
and get the no live feed. I re- installed everything and the same issue came up.
Any Ideas this early in the game?
Brilliant thanks
This really is excellent news as one of the few bummer of the DJi FPV goggles is the lack of a reasonable spectator display. The solution is simply just a simple toggle sent to the googles via USB which dumps the video in a standard manner via USB-C. It will be trivial to create an Android App to facilitate with most of the work being UI and error handling.
Very exciting!