Freefly M?vi controller User manual

Freefly represents the intersection of art and technology. Our team consists of industry leading

specialists all focused on one task—inventing solutions to allow unrestricted camera movement.

Freefly initially created the CineStar line of multi-rotor camera platforms, which allowed smooth,

stable and dynamic low-altitude aerial imagery. After years of research and development in

camera stability, Freefly has created the MōVI stabilized camera gimbal. Our goal with the MōVI

is to empower a new era of stabilized cinematography on a variety of platforms, from handheld

to helicopters and everything in between.

The MōVI Controller is compatible with the MōVI M5, M10, and

M15 running firmware version 3.08 or later.

Download the latest MōVI firmware and update instructions at

www.freeflysystems.com.

See Follow-Focus Integration section for information on wireless

lens control system compatibility.

COMPATABILITY

POWER INPUTS:

External DC Supply or Battery Controller Only (No Monitor), Power Level 4

Controller and Monitor, Max

13.0 V - 20.0 V 0.2A

13.0 V - 20.0 V 3.2A

USB Controller only (No monitor), Power Level 4 4.75 V - 5.25 V 0.4A

POWER OUTPUTS:

12V DC OUTPUT Input 13.0 - 20.0V, Output Current < 3.0A

Max. Current Output

11.4 V - 12.6 V

3.0A

USB 5V OUTPUT Input 13.0 - 20.0V, Output Current < 2.0A

Max. Current Output

4.50 V - 5.25 V

2.0A

MōVI CONTROLLER PHYSICAL:

Weight Including Antenna, Excluding Monitor and Battery Plate 950 g

Dimensions Including Antenna and Joystick, Excluding Monitor and Battery Plate 300mm X 175mm X 120mm

RECIEVER OUTPUTS:

Weight Excluding Wires and Mounting Tape 15 g

Dimensions Excluding Wires, Mounting Tape, Antenna 33mm X 38mm X 15mm

RADIO TRANSMITTER:

Frequency All Channels 2.410 - 2.465 Ghz

Transmission Power Power Level 0 (EU)

Power Level 4

+10 dBm

+1B dBm

Range Power Level 0 (EU), Outdoor Line-of-Sight 1200 ft / 300 m

CONTROLLER SPECIFICATIONS

Any MōVI M5, M10, or M15 can be configured to work with the MōVI Controller.

The MōVI must have firmware version 3.08 or later. The latest MōVI firmware,

release notes, and update instructions are available at www.freeflysystems.com

Once running firmware v3.08 or later, change the MōVI Radio Type from the

default (DSMX 2048) to MōVI Controller. This can be done from any of the

Freefly Configurator apps (PC, Mac, Android) in the Remote Controller Config

menu.

The values of the other parameters in this menu (Map Remote Mode, etc.) do

not matter for this Radio Type and can be left at

their defaults.

After installing the MōVI Controller Reciever (see Reciever Installation section

below, or the Quick Start Guide included in the package) and configuring the

MōVI Radio Type as above, the MōVI Controller is ready to send commands and

recieve data from the MōVI. As the Spektrum DX7/DX8 remote controller, the

feel of the joystick can be adjusted from the Remote Operator Config menu.

MōVI CONTROLLER LAYOUT

MōVI CONTROLLER // FULL CONTROLL AT YOUR FINGERS

12V DC Output

(2-Pin LEMO)

Pan

Speed

Tilt

Speed

Roll

Speed

Zoom

Speed

Power

Switch

User 3

Switch Tilt Direction Mode

Record

Start/Stop

Menu Select

Knob Menu Set

Knob

User 1

Knob

User 2

Knob

Neck Strap

Eyelet

Roll Trim

Buttons

Focus Knob Pan/Tilt

Joystick

Iris Knob

Zoom

Rocker

Dual Operator

Majestic Mode

Kill

13-20V DC Input

2x USB Ports

2.4 Ghz

Antenna

Monitor Mount / Tripod Mount

Tripod Mount

Menu Display

Auxiliary Data Port

(7-Pin LEMO)

RECEIVER LAYOUT

2.4 Ghz Antenna

Channel Switch Bind Button

Firmware Update (FW) Button

5-Pin MōVI Data Port

3-Pin Spektrum Remote Port

Shutter/Record Output Port

Status LED

RECEIVER SPEKTRUM / RECORD OUTPUT PORT

3-pin JST ZH

ZHR-3

1 - 3.3V Input

2 - GNO

3 - Shutter/Record of Spektrum Date Out

(3.3V digital output)

RECEIVER DATA PORT

5-pin JST ZH

ZHR-5

1 - GND

2 - 5V Input

3 - Data In (3.3V digital input, 5V tolerant)

4 - Data Out (3.3V digital output)

5 - GPIO1

RECEIVER DATA PORT

7-pin LEMO

FGG.08.307.CLAD52

1 - GND

2 - 5V Output, 1A max.

3 - GPI01 (0.0V - 3.3V)

4 - GPI02 (0.0V - 3.3V)

5 - GPIO3 (0.0V - 3.3V)

6 - Auxillary Data Out (3.3V digital output)

7 - Auxillary Data In (3.3V digital input, 5V tolerent)

CONNECTORS AND PINOUTS

13-20V DC INPUT

5.5mm 0D

2.1mm ID Barrell Jack Connector

Center Positive

e.g. CUI Inc PP3-002A

12V DC OUTPUT

2-pin LEMO

FGG.08.302.CLAD52

(LOOKING IN TO RECEIVER SIDE CONNECTER)

(LOOKING IN TO CONTROLLER SIDE CONNECTER)

(LOOKING IN TO CONTROLLER

SIDE CONNECTER)

12V DC OUTPUT, 3A MAX

GNO

307

TYPE

(LOOKING IN TO RECEIVER SIDE CONNECTER)

12345

123

DISPLAY LAYOUT

HOME ICON Return to the Home menu at any time by scrolling (with the Menu Select knob) to and clicking on the Home

icon in the top left corner of the display.

MENU TITLE The title of the currently active menu is displayed here.

MoVI Status

Booting

Error

Connected

When connected to a MōVI, this icon will display the MōVI Status:

The MōVI is starting up. Keep the camera stationary while this icon is displayed for the IMU to properly initilize.

The MōVI is connected, but an error has occured. Check the MōVI Monitor menu for more information on the error, or try

restarting the MōVI.

The MōVI is connected and running, and the MōVI Controller is receiving live telemetry.

GPS STATUS When the MōVI acquires GPS lock, the GPS icon () is displayed and the GPS-based acceleration compensation

(to minimize horizon drift during high-acceleration movement) is active.

MōVI BATTERY LEVEL The state of charge of the MōVI battery. Check the MōVI Monitor menu for the exact battery voltage.

1 1

2 2

3 3

4 4

5 5

HOME SCREEN TYPICAL MENU SCREEN

6 6

8 8

9 9

107

P10

DISPLAY LAYOUT

TRANSMITTER

BATTERY LEVEL

The state of charge of the MoVI Controller battery. See Power section for details on what batteries can be used with the MōVI

Controller.

MENU DESCRIPTION A brief description of each menu accessible from the Home menu.

MENU LIST A list of menu items. The highest-level menus appear on the Home menu. Individual menu items appear within their respective

menu. Scroll through and select a menu item using the Menu SelectKnob.

SCROLL BAR The scroll bar always appears on the left side of the display and shows the current scroll position, indicating if there are more

menu items above or below the ones currently displayed.

MENU ITEM DETAILS

Within a menu, details for each menu item are shown on the right side of the display. These include status indicators and

bar graphs for menu items that are read-only and adjustable values or options for menu items that can be modified. Use the

Menu Select Knob to change values or select options where applicable. Refer to the individual menu descriptions in the Menu

Structure section for details on each menu item.

HOME SCREEN TYPICAL MENU SCREEN

1 1

2 2

3 34 45 5

6 6

8 8

9 9

107

P11

MōVI CONTROLLER RECEIVER INSTALLATION: M10

MōVI CONTROLLER RECEIVER INSTALLATION: M5 / M15

1. Remove the Spektrum

Receiever and 3-pin cable

(if applicable).

2. Plug shorter 5-pin cable

into MōVI Data port on

the Gimbal Controller.

3. Plug the other end of the

5-pin cable into the MōVI

Data port on the receiver.

4. Remove the adhesive

backing from the receiver.

5. Attach the Receiver

to the Gimbal Controller

shown.

1. Remove the Strain Relief

cover from the Gimbal

Controller.

2. Remove the Spektrum

Receiver and 3-pin cable

(if applicable).

3. Plug longer 5-pin cable

into MōVI Data port on

the Gimbal Controller.

4. Route the 5-pin cable

with the other wires

through the Strain Relief

track.

5. Replace the Strain Relief

cover.

6. Plug the other end of the

5-pin cable into the MōVI

Data port on the Receiver.

7. Remove adhesive backing

from the Receiver.

8. Attach the Receiver

to the Gimbal Controller

shown.

P12

RECEIVER STATUS LED

The Receiver Status LED conveys information about the state of the radio link between the MōVI Controller and the MōVI.

LED CONDITION NORMAL OPERATION WHILE BINDING

OFF No Power. No Power.

FAST FLASHING GREEN Connection starting. Not used.

SLOW FLASHING GREEN Connection started. Waiting for data. Not used.

SOLID GREEN Connected and receiving data

from MōVI Controller. Bind successful.

FAST FLASHING ORANGE Not used. Bind started, searching

for MōVI Controller.

SLOW FLASHING ORANGE Not used. MōVI Controller found,

waiting for permission to bind.

SOLID ORANGE Not used. Not used.

FAST FLASHING RED Not used. Not used.

SLOW FLASHING RED Auto channel search failed. No MōVI Controller found.

SOLID RED Not used. Bind failed.

P13

BINDING TO A NEW MōVI CONTROLLER RECEIVER

The MōVI Controller comes with a Receiver already bound to it and ready for communication with a MoVI. This MōVI Controller and Receiver form a bound pair. Only

that specific MōVI Controller can control that Receiver. However, it is possible to rebind the Receiver to a new MōVI Controller, or bind new Receivers to a single MōVI

Controller for working with multiple MōVI systems.

Ensure that the MōVI Controller and Receiver are both set to the same channel, or both set to auto-select (Channel 0)

Set the channel in Radio Config::Channel on the MōVI Controller.

Apply changes with Radio Config::Radio Action::Write.

Select the same channel on the Channel Switch at the Receiver.

Select a Device Group. Binding is specific to a Device Group; the receiver is joing the chosen group. See Radio Config menu description for more info.

Set the Device Group in Radio Config::Device Group.

Apply changes with Radio Config::Radio Action::Write.

Initiate Bind Mode on the MōVI Controller Receiver.

Press and hold the Bind button on the Receiver for at least two seconds. The Status LED will be fast-flashing orange to indicate the Bind Mode is active and it

is seeking a MōVI Controller with which to bind.

After a few seconds, the Status LED will change to slow-flashing orange to indicate that a MōVI Controller has been detected and the Receiver is requesting

permission to bind. A slow-flashing red Status LED at this point indicates that no MōVI Controller was detected.

Initiate Bind Mode on the MōVI Controller.

Allow the Receiver to bind by starting Bind Mode on the MōVI Controller with Radio Config::Radio Action::Bind.

After a few seconds, the Receiver will indicate successful binding with a solid green Status LED. A solid red Status LED indicates a bind failure.

Following a bind, the receiver will reset. During this time the Status LED will return to flashing green momentarily as the connection starts. After a few seconds,

the MōVI will be connected.

The receiver Status LED will return to solid green to indicate that it is receiving control data from the MōVI Controller.

The MoVI Controller will display a connection icon () and display MōVI battery voltage in the Status Bar to indicate that is is receiving data

from the MōVI.

If the bind process fails, try repeating Steps 1-5. For further troubleshooting steps, refer to the Troubleshooting section.

P14

BINDING AND DEVICE GROUPS

The illustration below shows how a complex network of multiple MōVI Controllers, MoVIs, and Freefly 3-Axis FIZ Receivers* might be configured. Each Device Group

can consist of one of more MōVIs (with attached MoVI Controller Receivers) or Freefly 3-Axis FIZ Receivers. This allows a single MōVI Controller to control both the

MōVI and the Freefly 3-Axis FIZ Receiver on one radio link.

Additionally, the MōVI Controller can bind up to 16 Device Groups. This allows selection from multiple sets of prebound devices. Only one Device Group is active at any

given time. Devices in another Device Group will not be controlled, even if they are powered on and have been bound. The Device Group function is similar to "model

memory" on an RC transmitter.

Arrows indicate binds, which are potential data links for control and telemetry. It is not possible for an unbound MōVI Controller/Receiver pair to communicate. For

example, in the illustration below, MōVI Controller Serial Number 0001 cannot control MōVI Serial Number 0003, because they have not bound.

Binding is the act of joining a Device Group of one particular MōVI Controller. For example, setting MōVI Controller Serial Number 0003 to Device Group 02 and

binding MōVI Serial Number 0005 according to the bind process desribed above causes MōVI Serial Number 0005 to join that Device Group. After that, it can be

controlled by MōVI Controller Serial Number 0003 whenever Device Group 02 is selected.

P15

POWER

DC INPUT:

The primary DC input is a 5.5mm O.D., 2.1mm I.D. center-positive barrel jack connecter located on the back of the MōVI Controller. It is designed for a 15V power

supply, but will accept voltages from 13V to 20V. It is reverse polarity protected up to 20V. However, supplying more than 20V will result in damage.

There are several battery options for powering the MōVI Controller. An optional IDX mounting plate can be fitted, which will supply power to the DC input from

standard V-Lock batteries and provides one additional D-Tap output. An optional overcurrent-protected MōVI battery (LiPo) cable is also available. The MōVI

Controller will go into low power sleep mode when the battery drains below 13V, but it is still important to turn off the power switch and remove the battery when

not in use.

12V DC OUTPUT:

When supplied with a 13-20V DC input, the MōVI Controller generates a regulated 12V output for powering auxilaries at up to 3A. The output is a 2-pin LEMO

connector with standard polarity. (Pin 1 / red dot / key is positive. Note: This is reversed from the polarity of the Teradek Bolt.) The mating connector is

FGG.0B.302.CLAD52.

USB:

The MōVI Controller USB ports are capable of supplying 5V at up to 2A for powering external devices such as wireless video receivers, tablets, or smartphones.

Note: Only the top USB port can be used for powering Apple devices.

The MōVI Controller can be powered at 5B through either of its USB ports. When powered by USB, the regulated 12V output will not be active. USB voltage may be

noisy and vary significantly from host device to host device. This can cause noise or drift on the joystick axes. Always power the controller through the primary DC

input when possible. Refer to the Tx Config menu description for tips on how to detect and remove joystick drift.

Note: Powering your MōVI Controller with both DC input and USB simultaneously will not cause any damage.

P16

FOLLOW-FOCUS INTEGRATION

The MōVI Controller can integrate with wireless follow-focus systems from Redrock Micro and Hocus Products with an optional Auxiliary Transmitter. The Auxiliary

Transmitter uses the same hardware as the MōVI Controller Receiver and communicates directly with the follow-focus system. It connects to the Auxiliary Data Port

on the MōVI Controller. The range of the Auxiliary Transmitter is similar to that of the primary radio link to the MōVI (approx. 1200ft outdoor/line-of-sight).

REDROCK MICRO MICROREMOTE

To enable the Auxiliary Transmitter to communicate with a Redrock Micro microRemote Basestation:

1. Set the Auxiliary Transmitter to microRemote Auxiliary Transmitter mode by following the instructions in the Auxiliary Transmitter section.

2. Use the Channel Switch on the Auxiliary Transmitter to set the channel to be the same as that of the microRemote Basestation. This can and should

be set to a different channel than the primary radio link to the MōVI to prevent interference. See the channel mapping table in the Radio Config section.

3. Select "microRemote" in FIZ Config::System on the MōVI Controller.

Note: Only channels 1 through C are available. Channels 0, D, E, and F are reserved for low-power transmitters.

HOCUS PRODUCTS AXIS 1

To enable the Auxiliary Transmitter to communicate with a Hocus Pocus Axis 1 Digital Receiver:

1. Set the Auxiliary Transmitter to Axis 1 Auxiliary Transmitter Mode mode by following the instructions in the Auxiliary Transmitter section.

2. Use the Channel Switch on the Auxiliary Transmitter to set the channel to be the same as that of the Axis 1 Digital Receiver. This can and should be set to a

different channel than the primary radio link to the MōVI to prevent interference. See the channel mapping table in the Radio Config section.

3. Select "Axis 1" in FIZ Config::System on the MōVI Controller.

Note: Only channels 1 through C are available. Channels 0, D, E, and F are reserved for low-power transmitters.

P17

MENU STRUCTURE

• TX ACTION: Load, Save, or Restore MōVI Controller Transmitter Configurations

SAVE Save Tx Configuration to non-volatile (flash) memory from here.

Settings changes not saved before powering down the MōVI Controller will be lost.

LOAD Load the most recently saved Tx Configuration from non-volatile (flash) memory. This can be useful for undoing changes made since the

last power up.

DEFAULT Temporarily restore the default factory Tx Configuration. Save this configuration permenantly using Tx Action::Save as described above.

RE-ZERO

Reset the center point of the Pan/Tilt Joystick and Zoom Rocker. These inputs are zeroed on start-up. Check the center points in the

Tx Monitor men. If pan, tilt, or zoom has more than 1-2% of offset when the joystick and zoom rocker are in their center positions, it can

create slow drift of the MōVI.

CALIBRATE Re-calibrate the end points of the Focus Knob. See Calibration section for calibration instructions.

• MAP ROLL INPUT:

• FOCUS DIRECTION:

• ZOOM DIRECTION:

• IRIS DIRECTION:

• PAN DIRECTION:

Assign an input (Zoom Rocker, Iris Knob, etc.) to control the MōVI Roll Axis

Reverse the direction of the Focus Knob input.

Reverse the direction of the Zoom Rocker input

Reverse the direction of the Iris Knob input.

Reverse the direction of the Pan/Tilt Joystick X-Axis (Pan). The Pan/Tilt Joystick Y-Axis (Tilt) can be reversed using the

Tilt Direction Switch.

HOME

The home menu is the starting point for navigating through other MōVI Controller menus. You can always return to the Home menu by scrolling to and clicking the

Home icon in the top-left corner of the display.

TX MONITOR

The transmitter (Tx) Monitor menu displays information about the transmitted user inputs. The Pan/Tilt Joystick, Focus Wheel, Zoom Rocker, Iris Knob, Record Button,

and other knobs and switches report their position in this menu. This information can be useful for holding consistent pan, tilt, or zoom rates.

TX CONFIG

User inputs and the MōVI Controller operation can be customized from the Tx Config menu:

P18

• RECORD TYPE: Change the shutter/record output on the MoVI Controller Receiver.

MOMENTARY The Shutter/Record Output is active only while the Record Start/Stop Button is pressed.

TOGGLE The Shutter/Record Output switches between active and inactive each time the Record Start/Stop Button is pressed.

• RECORD POLARITY: Change the active state of the Shutter/Record Output signal from the MoVI Controller Receiver.

NORMAL The Shutter/Record Output is active high (3.3V digital output).

REVERSE The Shutter/Record Output active low (0.0V digital output).

• TILT REV Function: Configure the function of the TILT REV switch center position.

NORMAL The Center position is the same as the Up position (TILT FWD).

REVERSE The Center position disables the Tilt Axis.

• USER 3 Function:

• USER 1 Function:

• USER 2 Function:

Assign a function to the USER 3 switch. See User Functions table below.

Assign a function to the USER 1 knob. See User Function table below. The USER 1 function assignment has priority over

USER 2 and USER 3.

Assign a function to the USER 2 knob. See User Function table below. The USER 2 function assignment has priority

over USER 3.

P19

USER FUNCTION DESCRIPTION USER 1 USER 2 USER 3 NOTES

None Default Default Default

Pan Dir Reverse Pan/Tilt Joystick X-Axis (Pan). Yes Yes Ye s Threshold is 50% for USER 1 and USER 2.

Focus Dir Reverse Focus Knob input. Yes Yes Ye s Threshold is 50% for USER 1 and USER 2.

Zoom Dir Reverse Zoom Rocker input. Yes Yes Ye s Threshold is 50% for USER 1 and USER 2.

Iris Dir Reverse Iris Knob input. Ye s Yes Ye s Threshold is 50% for USER 1 and USER 2.

Mode Change MoVI Mode: Kill, Majestic, Dual Operator. Yes Yes Ye s Disables the dedicated Mode Switch.

Pan Speed Adjust maximum Pan Speed. Yes Ye s No Disables the dedicated Pan Speed Knob.

Tilt Speed Adjust maximum Tilt Speed. Yes Ye s No Disables the dedicated Tilt Speed Knob.

Roll Speed Adjust maximum Roll Speed. Ye s Yes No Disables the dedicated Roll Speed Knob.

Zoom Speed Adjust maximum Zoom Speed. Yes Yes No Disables the dedicated Zoom Speed Knob.

 When a knob is used to control axis direction, forward is defined as >50% (clockwise) and reverse is defined as <50% (counter clockwise) rotation.

P20

MōVI MONITOR

Live telemetry from the MōVI is available in this menu. The first line displays MōVI run time since power-up, as well as the status of important MōVI systems:

Compass (CMP), Global Positioning System (GPS), Motor Drive (DRV), and Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU).

The Compass (CMP) and Global Positioning System (GPS) are used to minimize the effect of high acceleration on the MōVI’s tilt and roll axis stabilization. In indoor

environments, they may not be available, but the MōVI will still operate.

The Motor Drive (DRV) and Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) are critical systems and the MōVI will not operate without them. If DRV or IMU is not active, the following

quick troubleshooting steps may help:

+ Motor Drive (DRV) Errors: Check for unplugged wires at the Motor Drive (MōVI M10). Check for wire damage in general.

+ Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) Errors: The IMU may fail to start properly if the MōVI is moving during startup. Try rebooting the MōVI while

stationary. If this fails, check for an unplugged wire between the IMU and the Gimbal Controller, or physical damage to the IMU.

Other telemetry values in this menu provide information about MōVI status and performance:

+ Batt [V]: The exact MōVI battery voltage is provided here. (An approximate fuel gauge is always available in the status bar.)

+ Batt [Ah]: An estimate of the battery capacity used since startup of the MōVI. Consult the battery labeling for the nominal full-charge capacity.

+ GPS Sats: The number of GPS satellite links acquired. A minimum of six is required for the MōVI to utilize GPS-based acceleration compensation.

Not applicable in indoor environments.

+ Temp [C]: The temperature of the MōVI processor. (Typical values are under 50-60ºC.)

+ CPU [%]: The MōVI processor utilization. (Typical values are under 60-70%.)

+ Tilt/Roll/Pan [deg]: The physical angle of each MōVI axis, referenced to the outside world. This can be useful for moving to exact positions, such as

looking straight down (Tilt -90º).