Yi action camera operating time. Russified user manual for Xiaomi Yi Action Camera

• 1. Rating
• 2. Specifications
• 3. The equipment is modest for an action camera
• 4. Design - an allusion to GoPro with its own features
• 5. Lens – wide angle up to 155 degrees
• 6. Smartphone screen instead of display
• 7. Shooting video in resolutions up to Full HD
• 8. Taking a photo - frame in resolution up to 4K
• 9. Autonomy up to an hour of operation, you need a power reserve
• 10. Conclusions, pros and cons
• 11. Pros and cons

Lei Jun's company Xiaomi develops not only smartphones, but also many other gadgets, managing to maintain low price with good quality. This commands respect, especially since the company does not have its own production. Since 2015, the company has entered the action camera market, literally blowing it up with its YI Action Camera box.

Chinese sites are packing packages by the thousands, bloggers are singing YI’s praises and calling it “the GoPro killer,” and enthusiasts are writing improving scripts for it and coding alternative firmware. What's good about this camera? Read the review.

Information about YI Action Camera Basic Edition

7.5 Evaluation

The equipment is modest for an action camera

The equipment of most action cameras is prepared for all occasions, but this is not the case with Xiaomi. The camera itself, a short flat USB micro-USB cable, instructions and a battery are enclosed in a strict box made of natural cardboard. This is not to say that this is bad, this is normal savings. Each owner knows why the device is being purchased and will purchase a selfie stick, windshield holder or cat mount separately.

The design is an allusion to GoPro with its own features

Externally, YI looks like a small parallelepiped measuring 60x42x21 mm and weighing 72 g, reminiscent of GoPro, but does not copy it. The body is made of matte plastic with corrugation, not soft-touch, but does not slip in your hands. The color of the shell is blue, the façade is yellow-green. There is also an inconspicuous white version on sale - it’s better not to take this one to the mountains, so as not to get lost in the snow. Although the plastic is quite durable, there is no special protection in the camera; you need to at least buy a silicone case, and for underwater photography - an aquabox.

On the front panel there is a lens and a large button for turning on and changing photo / video modes. The elegant glowing ring around it changes color depending on the remaining battery charge. The shutter button is in a place familiar to photographers—it starts or stops recording. The side contact controls the Wi-Fi module.

Appearance YI Action Camera Basic Edition

Unlike GoPro, the 1/4" tripod thread is already built into the body and this is a big plus; no additional frames are needed; the mobile studio can start working immediately after mounting the camera on a monopod.

The left flap on the rear wall hides a micro-USB socket for charging, a micro-HDMI socket for an external screen, and a micro-SD card slot (supports up to 128 GB). A removable battery is hidden under the cover on the right.

Lens – wide angle up to 155 degrees

The YI Action Camera uses aspherical glass lenses to reduce aberrations at the edges of the frame. The field of view is 155 degrees.

This is not very much, but it beats any smartphone. When filming a boat regatta, not only the rowers and helmsman, but also the dog will be in the frame. There is no optical image stabilization - this is the level of more expensive cameras. For filming in motion, it is recommended to purchase a stabilizer (steadicam) separately.

YI Action Camera Basic Edition Lens

Smartphone screen instead of display

The YI camera does not have its own display. On the one hand, this is good - there is no unnecessary energy consumption, the weight of the unit is reduced. On the other hand, when installing on a skateboard, there is a chance to miss and get a great video of the sneakers on the deck instead of a trick on the ramp. Therefore, the mobile application becomes an integral part of the Xiaomi ecosystem.

Interface mobile application YI Action Camera

The program connects to the camera via Wi-Fi, shows a live stream from the sensor and a list of captured videos. All settings and remote control— works at a distance of up to 100 meters.

Shooting video in resolutions up to Full HD

The Sony Exmor R BSI CMOS sensor with a resolution of 16 MP is responsible for the formation of digital images. There are many video modes in the settings, the coolest is 1920x1080 (Full HD) at 60 frames per second. Note that the camera has difficulty operating this mode - it heats up like a stove, until the frames fall out, and drains the battery. It is recommended to reduce the frame rate to at least 30 frames. There is a high-speed shooting mode up to 240 frames per second, but the resolution is only 840x480 - you won’t want to watch it.

The YI sensor works well in bright light, but in the dark the picture turns out worse, matrix noise increases, and the image is blurred. There is also no stabilization provided; the vibrations of a bicycle or snowboard will be captured on video - a very unpleasant effect of a jerky picture.

The case has a built-in microphone for recording sound with a sampling frequency of 96 kHz. You can quickly listen to the recording through the built-in speaker. Unfortunately, the membrane catches wind and extraneous noise, resulting in a “dirty” sound. Before publishing a video, it is recommended to overlay a track from another source to avoid embarrassment.

Taking a photo - frame in resolution up to 4K

The YI action camera can work as a camera, with a maximum image resolution of up to 4608×3456 pixels—slightly larger than a full 4K frame. Suitable for printing on A4, but not up to A3. Photos in bright light are clear and high quality. A wide-angle lens captures both a group of tourists at a rest stop and a panorama of the river valley.

The time lapse mode with intervals of 0.5-60 seconds allows you to film slow processes - the movement of the sun, clouds over the city or the growth of mushrooms.

The self-timer makes it possible to film a group of tourists without forgetting the cameraman. If the camera is on a tripod, the set interval of 3 to 15 seconds is enough for everyone to gather in front of the lens.

It will be possible to film your friends’ performance at the skate park, but if you plan to raft on the Vuoksa River, you can’t do without a couple of extra batteries. The device can also operate while simultaneously charging from a power bank.

Conclusions, pros and cons

Xiaomi YI Action Camera has become a serious competitor for famous brands, primarily GoPro. At its price, it made the world of action cameras accessible to literally everyone. Xiaomi has created a kind of starter kit with a low entry threshold. For more or less serious activities, you will have to buy a case or frame, a monopod or other mount, and an aquabox for protection from precipitation and underwater photography. The software needs to be updated immediately - errors are gradually corrected and new modes are added. Some of the shortcomings, such as poor-quality sound from the microphone, will have to be understood and forgiven, and the extreme shooting modes should not be used. Particularly enthusiastic people can experiment with alternative firmware and scripts.

• Low price for good basic features
• Shooting high-quality Full HD video up to 30 frames per second
• Mobile app with rich features - a must use

• The contents correspond to the starter set, you need to buy accessories
• The sound of the built-in microphone is blocked by extraneous noise
• No built-in screen for basic image cropping
• Low quality of night shots is common for inexpensive sensors

To begin with, we had to spend about two hours preparing the camera for use. In modern times, this is not just a long time, but a very long time! We have all long been accustomed to the fact that most devices are simply enough to be turned on, and then everything is clear on an intuitive level and without any instructions.

First use experience and negative points

Immediately after turning on, the Xiaomi Yi camera basic edition action camera reported that for some reason it was working in photo mode. This circumstance seemed very strange to us, because we are dealing with a video camera... Where is the logic here? Moreover, if you switch the device to video mode, and then turn it off and turn it on again, it will again be in photo shooting mode.

You can change the camera settings only through a special application, which must first be installed on your smartphone. The program requires Android versions 4.1 or higher.

Also, the lack of a display causes a lot of inconvenience, even for basic navigation through the menu.

Logic of the display system

About successful inclusion The camera is announced by the main light indicator and sound signal. However, this does not mean that the device is ready for use; you will have to wait another ten to fifteen seconds. It is not clear why this particular moment could not be accompanied by a sound signal. After updating the software, the turn-on time of the camera was reduced to several seconds and the “blinking” of the indicators became more logical and understandable. When copying footage to a computer, the camera gets quite hot.

In addition, it took us a lot of effort to select a basic USB cable for the Xiaomi Yi action camera (only one out of three worked). Therefore, we recommend using a card reader to exchange information with a PC.

The protective cap covering USB, memory card slot and HDMI is very small in size and losing it is a breeze. It would be much better if it was attached to the body.

The delivery package is very meager, it only includes: the camera itself, a battery, and an interface cable. In the Travel version, the manufacturer was also generous with a monopod.

Speaking of monopods, you most likely won’t be able to use any one you like from third-party manufacturers. The whole point is that the screw hole is too short, which does not allow the camera to be securely fastened. However, this problem can be solved using a rubber washer placed on the monopod screw.

Advantages of the camera and impressions from longer use

• Dimensions – we decided to mention them, despite the fact that almost all action cameras without exception are very small. Now I don’t want to use anything bulky to shoot video.
• The video quality, in our subjective opinion, is very decent. There was nothing special to compare with; only the Sony a6000 and Canon 7d were at hand - typical representatives of a more serious niche. For everyday needs or even video blogging, the capabilities of this device are absolutely enough.
• Low cost - about $70-90 (in the green case a little more expensive).
• You can easily use branded GoPro accessories through a special adapter.
• Battery life – when shooting videos in 1080p 25fps mode, the camera can last a little less than two hours without recharging.

Well, a few more words about the impressions that were formed after solving the main problems associated with the camera’s operation. Shooting with an action camera is incredibly cool! We were literally delighted. Firstly, it is very convenient that the device can be put into your pocket at any time, and then very quickly removed from there and continue shooting.

In an outstretched hand, the camera is practically not felt, this is not for you reflex camera hold when your hand becomes numb after a few minutes. Also pleases a small amount of control keys, the likelihood of accidentally pressing them while shooting, moving the camera from hand to hand, or when choosing an angle is almost completely eliminated.

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All buyers know that a monopoly in the electronics market is not welcome. Therefore, it is not surprising that the world-famous action camera Hero GoPro has a worthy competitor, which will be discussed in this article. Chinese mobile equipment manufacturer Xiaomi Yi presented to the public its product, which claims to displace the world's best camera for shooting in extreme conditions from the market. It’s not for nothing that Xiaomi Yi action cameras are called Hero GoPro “killers”.

Company pricing policy

It’s better to start with the fact that Xiaomi is considered a serious Chinese brand. For comparison: the world-famous manufacturer Lenovo is inferior in quality and price to all products released under the Xiaomi brand. Therefore, the opinion that a digital camera for shooting in extreme conditions produced by the Chinese is of poor quality is erroneous.

All Xiaomi products are manufactured at the Foxconn plant. This company produces high-quality computer and network equipment. One of the lines of the enterprise produces world-famous Apple products: iPhone, iPad, Iwatch and iPod.

As for the affordable cost of all Xiaomi products, everything is simple here - experts assure that in pricing Chinese goods There are no costs for advertising and maintaining the brand. The company is young (on the market since 2010), so purchasing power is attracted by reducing the cost of high-quality goods.

Xiaomi Yi action cameras: first acquaintance

The Chinese somehow strangely decided to remove their competitor Hero GoPro from the market. Having recreated the device in a durable case, endowing it with enormous functionality and an affordable price, the manufacturer did not worry about the configuration of the action camera. An ordinary gray cardboard box, without any identification marks, evokes strange feelings in all buyers. And the equipment can completely upset the future owner: camera, battery, monopod tripod, interface cable and instructions in Chinese.

No mounts or underwater housings, not to mention a regular strap for transportation digital device. Naturally, the manufacturer promises to correct the defect, but this statement is unlikely to help the camera owner. On the other hand, many users believe that additional accessories are unnecessary, because most athletes already have reliable fastenings and no one wants to overpay for additional equipment.

Appearance

Xiaomi Yi action camera, priced at Russian market is 5500 rubles, has miniature dimensions (two matchboxes superimposed on each other). But even such a small device, the manufacturer managed to provide external beauty and create all the convenience for the user. On the main panel of the camera, the owner will find a built-in lens and a large power button. Just one click is enough to switch photo and video modes. There are LEDs around the button that inform the user about the battery charge.

At one end of the camera there is a button to turn on the Wi-Fi module with an activity indicator. At the bottom, the manufacturer has placed a mount that has a threaded connection and is adapted for a monopod tripod. On the back wall of the device, the user will find a compartment for installing a battery, as well as a panel for installing a memory card and connecting interface cables.

Autonomy

The built-in lithium battery with a capacity of 1010 mAh is enough for one and a half hours of video shooting. The figure is small, but, taking into account the physical size of the portable camera, it still commands the respect of others, judging by the reviews of the owners. It's funny that it also takes 1.5 hours to charge the battery. Naturally, in order to extend the shooting, the user will need a spare battery. The only thing that confuses me is underwater photography - you won’t be able to replace the battery without going to the surface, and the gadget doesn’t have a secure interface for connecting additional power.

Create high-quality photos

A 16-megapixel sensor guarantees the future owner the creation of decent photographs, and the wide-angle lens of the built-in lens (155 degrees) provides an excellent choice of exposure both outdoors and in a darkened room. In addition, the manufacturer installed photosensitive Sony Exmor, which will have a positive effect on photo and video shooting of objects in poor lighting. In fact, Xiaomi Yi camera is a high quality digital camera, only reduced several times. Matrix, sensor, control buttons and lens - a complete set for creating a regular camera.

Full video shooting

The Xiaomi Yi Sport action camera can shoot video in HD and FullHD formats. This serious statement from the manufacturer is confirmed by all device owners in their reviews. However, there are disadvantages that future owners should be aware of. Firstly, the manufacturer was silent about the frame rate when shooting video. Thus, in FullHD format, the gadget can shoot at a frequency not exceeding 50 frames per second. For normal shooting of dynamic objects, this is quite enough, but for a photographer who is on the move, this frame rate will not be enough to obtain a high-quality video.

Xiaomi Yi action cameras support the H.264 codec and save video in MP4 format. In fact, the manufacturer managed to achieve a golden mean in processing the video stream - getting a small output file without loss of quality. Judging by the reviews of the owners, this is one of the main advantages of this device.

Handheld camera display

Many users may find it strange that the action camera does not have an LCD screen. At first it looks wild and from the outside resembles shooting with an old film camera, where you can see the results of the work only after developing the photographs. Okay, underwater photography - you can’t see through anything anyway, but how to choose the right exposure in nature?

It's all very simple. It’s enough to remember the company’s other products - most of them are controlled using the Android operating system (Xiaomi fitness bracelet, watches, acoustics, headphones). Digital camera is no exception, the user only needs to connect the device via Wi-Fi to any phone. Naturally, to control you will need a proprietary software, which can be downloaded from the Play Market store completely free of charge.

Covert surveillance camera

The Xiaomi Yi product - camera - will be of interest not only to fans of extreme sports, but also to people whose work or hobby is inextricably linked with observation. The miniature camera can be placed anywhere and discreetly observe any living organisms. The footage does not have to be downloaded from a memory card or transferred to a computer via an interface cable. A wireless connection allows you not only to control the action camera and observe the subject, but also to download the footage directly to a device running under operating system"Android". If the issue of autonomous power supply for the device were resolved, the camera would have no price at all. At least that’s what all the owners think, judging by their reviews.

System Performance

There is no need to think that a miniature device has a small processor installed. Xiaomi Yi action cameras are equipped with a powerful crystal, because to save the video stream in high quality requires a lot of mobile platform resources. The same applies to RAM with a video adapter and a wireless module - in terms of performance, an action camera is not much inferior to a modern mobile phone.

It is worth noting that the sound adapter present in the camera has its own processor for processing sound, which has a positive effect on the operation of the entire system. The sound card has a built-in noise reduction system, can automatically adjust microphone sensitivity and records sound in stereo mode.

Professional use

The lack of optical stabilization in the Xiaomi Yi device causes dissatisfaction among many buyers. After all, using the camera as a video recorder in a car or when traveling off-road on a two-wheeler vehicle It's simply impossible. This is a serious flaw of the manufacturer. Let the camera test in extreme conditions (biking, parachuting or ice skating) and demonstrate acceptable video shooting in high resolution, but camera shake is still noticeable.

The action camera behaves quite strangely in winter conditions. The plastic case of the device does not protect the battery from the cold. As a result, instead of an hour and a half video, users manage to shoot only 30-40 minutes of video material in twenty-degree frost. This is a very low figure.

Finally

Xiaomi Yi action cameras are a desirable purchase for many users who decide to capture the pleasant moments of their lives in extreme conditions. Low cost, portability, convenient functionality and a wide range of capabilities can attract many buyers to the new product. There are, of course, shortcomings, but many camera owners simply turn a blind eye to them, because Xiaomi Yi does not have many competitors in the electronics market - the nearest Hero GoPro costs 5 times more and is not much different in functionality from the Chinese product.

The Chinese manufacturer Xiaomi released its next hit - Yi Action Camera, which was immediately nicknamed the “GoPro killer”. A lightweight and very compact action camera is capable of not only shooting video, but also high quality photos. At any time you can download them via Wi-Fi to your smartphone using a special application. About how to work with Xiaomi camera Yi, read our instructions in Russian.

Appearance of Xiaomi Yi

Procedure for turning on the device

Turning on the camera is very simple - just one press of the key (1). You may hear several beeps during the process.

Around the power key you can see a light indicator, the main function of which is to signal the current state of your device. If it lights up, the camera is turned on; if not, then it’s turned off.

Additional color indication allows you to determine the current battery charge level:

• Blue color – high level
• Purple – approximately half capacity remaining
• Red – about 15% of the capacity remains and it’s time to recharge the camera.

Turning off the camera

To do this, you also need to use the key (1), and pressing should last about two to three seconds. Immediately before turning off, the camera will signal it three times with light and sound.

How to start shooting

Shooting both photo and video materials is carried out using the button (2) located on top. In the “photo” mode, the result of clicking on it will be a photo, and the process of creating it will be accompanied by two short sound signals.

In the “video” mode, pressing this key starts the recording process (accompanied by one short beep), pressing it again stops recording (you will hear two short beeps).

Switching between PHOTO and VIDEO modes

Immediately after turning on, the device goes into “photo” mode (the default mode can be changed in the settings). The current mode is changed by quickly pressing the power key (2).

Determine which mode is active in this moment You can look at the light indicator located next to the above-mentioned key:

• The indicator lights up – “video” mode
• The indicator does not light - photo mode.

Charging the battery

Attention! Before charging, make sure the device is turned off! After that, connect the camera to the source electrical energy(UMB, electrical outlet or corresponding port of your PC) using a USB -> MicroUSB interface cable and wait. The charging ports are located on the back of your camera body under a removable protective cover. It may take 60 to 80 minutes to fully charge the battery.

Accumulator battery

Resetting the camera to factory settings

To cancel all current settings and return the device to its original state, you must simultaneously hold down the shooting, power and Wi-Fi control keys for five seconds. In addition, you can perform a reset programmatically through the corresponding menu section.

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