Firmware Friday: DJI Inspire 1 drones, LightBridge controller and follow-focus system updated

The weekend beckons once more, and with it comes our weekly roundup of all the latest news from the firmware front! This week, our Firmware Friday roundup is a little different, though, because it's dominated by a single manufacturer which doesn't actually make standalone cameras. (Well, at least not unless you count the interesting DJI Osmo, a camera mounted on a stabilized pistol grip, that is.) Instead, DJI is best known for its aerial platforms such as the affordable DJI Phantom-series and the recently-launched DJI Inspire-series. And it's the latter which is the recipient of two of the four firmware updates on which we'll be reporting from the company this week.

DJI Inspire 1 and Inspire 1 Pro firmware

Both the DJI Inspire 1 and Inspire 1 Pro firmware updates resolve issues with battery level fluctuations. In other respects, though, these two firmware updates differ significantly. In full, the list of changes for the Inspire 1 Pro is as follows:

• Fixed issue of battery level fluctuation.

• Fixed issue of flicking lines in night scenes.

• Fixed issue of flicking dots in dark areas.

• Reduced noise for photos and video.

• Decreased the sharpness settings for D-LOG and D-Cinelike.

• Fine-tuned the tone curve for photos and video.

• Tuned down 3D denoising for night scenes.

While for the DJI Inspire 1, the firmware changes are as follows:

• Fixed battery level fluctuation issue.

• The X3 gimbal on the Inspire 1 is now compatible with the Osmo. Note that you must attach X3 gimbal to the Inspire 1 before updating the firmware. Do not attach X3 gimbal to the Osmo to update the firmware. 

• Follow Me feature now supported in Intelligent Flight Mode.

• Optimized HDR performance.

• Adjusted video storage rate to 60 Mbps at 1080p60, and 40 Mbps at 1080p30.

• Added a feature to smooth the pitch, roll and yaw movement of the X3 gimbal from the DJI GO app.

• Enforced read-only access for the data in the flight recorder.

• Optimized sampling methods for the Vision Position System to improve its stability.

Firmware version 1.2.0.50 for the DJI Inspire 1 Pro can be downloaded here. Firmware version 1.5.0.30 for the DJI Inspire 1, meanwhile, can be downloaded here.

DJI Lightbridge 2 firmware

That's not all from DJI for the week, though. The company has also issued updated firmware for its Lightbridge 2 long-range remote control, which provides a remote live view at ranges of up to three miles. Changes in the new firmware version 1.0.10 for the Lightbridge 2, which can be downloaded here, are as follows:

• Added HDMI video output for 1080p25, 720p30, 720p25 and 720p24.

• Optimized image transmission.

DJI Focus firmware

That only leaves us with one more update for the week: The company's DJI Focus follow-focus system. Here, there doesn't seem to be a single overall version number; instead, the Follow Focus Motor is upgraded to version 1.4, the Follow Focus Motor Radio to version 1.10,  the Follow Focus Remote to version 1.4 and the Follow Focus Remote Radio to version 1.9. There are quite a list of changes in the new firmware, which you can download here, including:

• Added aperture control for the Zenmuse X5 series gimbal and camera. Ensure you have the latest versions of the DJI GO app (iOS v2.4.2 or Android v2.4.2) and Inspire 1 Pro remote controller firmware (v1.5.70) installed.

• Added a shortcut for auto calibration.

• Added a function to record motor calibration so that the motor can use the previous settings prior to powering off.

• Fixed the quick focus so that it responds precisely after you change the motor’s direction.

• Optimized the remote controller’s UI. After powering on, the remote controller displays information from the last device connected to it.

• The previous quick focus settings will be cleared when the DJI Focus is used to control other devices.

• Improved communication stability between the remote controller and motor.

• Added a reminder for manual-remote calibration so that the motor doesn’t stall when it reaches the mechanical limit.

• Fixed issues related to manual calibration so that you can redo manual calibration after you suspend it.

And that's all the camera-related firmware we've spotted this week. Seen anything we might've missed? Sound off in the comments below, and be sure to check back next time for all the latest firmware news!

(Camera parts image courtesy of Kelly Hofer / Flickr; used under a Creative Commons CC-BY-2.0 license. Image has been modified from the original.)