The Betaflight OSD (On-Display screen Show) is a strong characteristic that means that you can view vital flight data straight in your FPV feed. This tutorial will information you thru the steps to arrange and configure the OSD in Betaflight, function the OSD menu, and supply helpful CLI instructions for frequent OSD aspect setups.
What’s Betaflight OSD?
Betaflight OSD is a characteristic that overlays flight information equivalent to battery voltage, flight time, RSSI, and extra onto your FPV video feed. This characteristic is extremely helpful for monitoring the efficiency and standing of your drone whereas flying. You’ll be able to even use it as a menu to alter your drone’s settings together with PID, charges, filters, VTX channel and extra.
This tutorial focuses on OSD for analog FPV techniques. If you’re utilizing the DJI FPV System, try this tutorial on the best way to set it up: https://oscarliang.com/dji-fpv-system-setup/#betaflight-osd-setup.
{Hardware} Necessities
Most Betaflight flight controllers (FC) help OSD for analog FPV techniques, with a number of exceptions which can be designed particularly for HD digital FPV techniques. This needs to be acknowledged within the FC specs.
For an FC to help OSD in analog FPV system, it should have an built-in OSD chip (AT7456E). HD digital techniques don’t require this chip for OSD performance.
Wiring
Join your FPV digicam and video transmitter to the flight controller. The digicam sign goes to the “Vin” (video enter) pad on the FC, whereas the VTX sign connects to the “Vout” (video output) pad.
Betaflight Configurations
Enabling OSD Function
Obtain and Set up Betaflight Configurator: https://oscarliang.com/download-betaflight-configurator/. Plug your flight controller into your laptop utilizing a USB cable. Open Betaflight Configurator and click on on the Join button.
Within the Betaflight Configurator, go to the Configuration tab and allow the “OSD” characteristic. That’s it—your OSD is now activated.
OSD Tab Interface
Navigate to the OSD tab in Betaflight Configurator. That is the place you configure which parts seem in your FPV feed.
On the left, you’ll see an inventory of OSD parts. Merely activate or off the weather you wish to show on the display.
You’ll discover three checkboxes for every aspect, these correspond to the three out there OSD profiles you could swap between throughout flight. This lets you use fully completely different OSD layouts and parts at any time by flipping a swap in your radio. Should you don’t want a number of OSD profiles, set “Preview for” to OSD Profile 1, and “Lively OSD Profile” to OSD Profile 1 as properly. Then, verify the primary field for the aspect you wish to show.
Configuring OSD Components
Click on on a component from the left-hand menu so as to add it to the preview display, then drag it to your required location.
My regularly used parts embrace:
- Battery Voltage: Shows the battery voltage, so you realize when to land and keep away from over-discharging your LiPo.
- Battery Common Cell Voltage: Mechanically calculates the voltage per cell, simplifying monitoring (e.g., 16.0V for a 4S battery will show as 4.0V).
- Timer2: That is your flight time, it shows how lengthy the drone has been armed. That is completely different from “Timer1,” which reveals powered-on time.
- Warning: Vital. Shows messages if something is improper with the quad, aiding in troubleshooting.
- Battery Present Draw: Exhibits amp attract actual time. It requires a present sensor.
- Battery Present mAh Drawn: Exhibits how a lot battery has been consumed. It requires a present sensor.
- Hyperlink High quality
- RSSI dBm Worth: Preferable over RSSI which is a share worth.
- Throttle Place
- VTX Channel: Helpful for confirming the channel in use.
Ideas for OSD Placement:
- Keep away from Muddle: Attempt to not overcrowd your display with an excessive amount of data. Give attention to the necessities to maintain your FPV feed clear and readable.
- Use Logical Placement: Place your vital OSD parts in places the place they’re simply readable with out obstructing your view.
OSD Settings
On the fitting facet of the OSD tab, you’ll discover numerous OSD-related choices, most of which may be left at default. Nevertheless, listed below are some key settings to think about:
- Video Format: Select Auto, PAL, NTSC, or HD relying in your digicam/FPV system. For analog, I like to recommend setting it to “Auto” so it detects the proper video format for you. For DJI, Walksnail and HDZero, set this to HD.
- Alarms: Set limits for RSSI, battery capability, flight time, and altitude. When these limits are reached, the information will flash on-screen as a warning.
Working the OSD Menu
Betaflight OSD not solely shows flight data but in addition means that you can entry a configuration menu straight out of your goggles. This menu permits you to regulate numerous settings of the drone with out connecting to a pc, together with PID settings, charges, VTX energy/channel, and extra. This characteristic is helpful for fine-tuning your quadcopter within the subject. Word that not all choices in Betaflight Configurator can be found within the OSD menu, so that you may nonetheless want your laptop or an Android app for full configuration.
To entry the OSD menu, disarm your drone and use your transmitter sticks (mode 2):
- Throttle heart
- Yaw left
- Pitch ahead
Your throttle ought to stay at round heart throughout menu navigation.
Navigating the OSD Menu:
- Pitch Up/Down: Transfer up and down the menu gadgets.
- Roll Proper: Enter a menu merchandise.
- Roll Left: Return or exit.
- Roll: Change parameter values.
- Yaw Proper: Rapidly save and exit.
- Yaw Left: Return to the final menu.
After making changes, save your settings by going again to the primary menu and choosing “Save & Reboot.”
Altering Betaflight OSD Font
You’ll be able to change the OSD font by clicking the “Font Supervisor” button positioned on the backside proper of the OSD tab. Choose a font preset (I like to recommend “Daring”) and click on “Add Font.”
On this window, you too can add a customized brand, which is able to seem if you plug within the battery.
Remember that when you’ve uploaded a brand new font, it gained’t present within the preview window, however it’s going to show appropriately in your goggles.
FAQ and Ideas
- Q: I’m getting a core temperature warning. Ought to I be involved?
- A: This will occur when the drone is sitting on the bench for too lengthy with out correct cooling. It’s normally a non-issue, and you’ll disable this warning within the OSD tab below “Warnings”.
- Q: I’m getting an RSSI warning. Ought to I be involved?
- A: Make sure you’ve set the proper RSSI alarm worth. By default, it’s set to -60 which is simply too excessive for ExpressLRS. Regulate it to match your system’s sensitivity limits. For instance, for ExpressLRS 250Hz, the sensitivity restrict is -108dBm, so I usually set the warning to be round -93dBm (-15dBm hyperlink margin). You’ll be able to set this in CLI:
set osd_rssi_dbm_alarm = -93. Extra data right here: https://oscarliang.com/lq-rssi/#What-is-RSSI
- A: Make sure you’ve set the proper RSSI alarm worth. By default, it’s set to -60 which is simply too excessive for ExpressLRS. Regulate it to match your system’s sensitivity limits. For instance, for ExpressLRS 250Hz, the sensitivity restrict is -108dBm, so I usually set the warning to be round -93dBm (-15dBm hyperlink margin). You’ll be able to set this in CLI:
- Q: I’m not getting OSD textual content on the display. Why?
- A: Should you can see the Betaflight brand when energy on, that implies your OSD is working, make sure you’ve chosen OSD parts and are utilizing the proper OSD profile. If there’s no Betaflight brand at startup, verify your video format (NTSC/PAL), set it to Auto if doubtful. Additionally verify your digicam and VTX wiring. Or else it might be a defective OSD chip on the FC.
- Q: How do I modify the craft identify within the OSD?
- A: The craft identify enter subject is positioned within the Configuration tab.
- Q: I’m seeing a variety of “V” letters on the display.
- Q: The OSD doesn’t save the font and different OSD settings.
- A: Attempt plugging in your battery whereas making modifications in Betaflight Configurator to make sure the OSD chip is absolutely powered. Warning: ensure that to take away the props first for security.
- Q: “Add Font” isn’t responding.
- A: Attempt plugging within the battery earlier than connecting the USB to Betaflight Configurator, then strive once more.
My OSD Setup CLI Instructions
Configuring OSD parts from scratch for each quad you construct may be time-consuming. To make issues simpler, I’ve compiled a few of my most popular OSD parts/structure configurations you could simply copy and paste into the CLI.
Analog (with out GPS)
set osd_vbat_pos = 6465set osd_link_quality_pos = 2112set osd_rssi_dbm_pos = 2080set osd_tim_2_pos = 6520set osd_throttle_pos = 2298set osd_vtx_channel_pos = 2101set osd_current_pos = 2327set osd_mah_drawn_pos = 6496set osd_craft_name_pos = 6155set osd_warnings_pos = 6410set osd_avg_cell_voltage_pos = 2348save
Analog (with GPS)
set osd_vbat_pos = 2371set osd_link_quality_pos = 2179set osd_rssi_dbm_pos = 2147set osd_tim_2_pos = 2467set osd_flymode_pos = 2456set osd_throttle_pos = 2391set osd_current_pos = 2421set osd_mah_drawn_pos = 2404set osd_gps_speed_pos = 2359set osd_gps_lon_pos = 2065set osd_gps_lat_pos = 2048set osd_gps_sats_pos = 2115set osd_home_dir_pos = 2190set osd_home_dist_pos = 2156set osd_flight_dist_pos = 2435set osd_altitude_pos = 18508set osd_warnings_pos = 14601set osd_avg_cell_voltage_pos = 2339save
Analog (Tiny Whoop)
set osd_vbat_pos = 6444set osd_link_quality_pos = 2112set osd_rssi_dbm_pos = 2080set osd_tim_2_pos = 6520set osd_throttle_pos = 2298set osd_vtx_channel_pos = 2101set osd_current_pos = 2327set osd_mah_drawn_pos = 6496set osd_craft_name_pos = 6155set osd_warnings_pos = 6410save
Minimalist Setup
For individuals who favor a clear and uncluttered view, the minimalist setup focuses on displaying solely the necessities:
set osd_vbat_pos = 2433set osd_rssi_dbm_pos = 2150set osd_tim_2_pos = 6520save
HD (with GPS)
set osd_vbat_pos = 2529set osd_link_quality_pos = 2337set osd_rssi_dbm_pos = 2305set osd_tim_2_pos = 2625set osd_flymode_pos = 3670set osd_throttle_pos = 3606set osd_current_pos = 3636set osd_mah_drawn_pos = 2561set osd_craft_name_pos = 2049set osd_pilot_name_pos = 2081set osd_gps_speed_pos = 3382set osd_gps_lon_pos = 3119set osd_gps_lat_pos = 3087set osd_gps_sats_pos = 2369set osd_home_dir_pos = 2269set osd_home_dist_pos = 2235set osd_flight_dist_pos = 2593set osd_altitude_pos = 18587set osd_warnings_pos = 14712set osd_avg_cell_voltage_pos = 2587set osd_log_status_pos = 1616set osd_sys_lq_pos = 225set osd_displayport_device = MSPset osd_canvas_width = 60set osd_canvas_height = 22save
HD (with out GPS)
set osd_vbat_pos = 2499 set osd_link_quality_pos = 2237 set osd_rssi_dbm_pos = 2229 set osd_tim_2_pos = 2563 set osd_flymode_pos = 3596 set osd_throttle_pos = 3532 set osd_current_pos = 3563 set osd_mah_drawn_pos = 2531 set osd_craft_name_pos = 2083 set osd_pilot_name_pos = 2115 set osd_warnings_pos = 14677 set osd_avg_cell_voltage_pos = 2520 save
Conclusion
Establishing the OSD in Betaflight is simple, however with some customization, you possibly can considerably improve your FPV expertise. Whether or not you’re utilizing the OSD to maintain observe of your battery life, monitor your flight time, or entry the configuration menu on the fly, it’s a characteristic that each pilot can profit from. Use the steps and instructions on this information to tailor your OSD setup to your particular wants, and revel in a extra immersive FPV flying expertise.
Edit Historical past
- Jul 2017 – Article created
- Apr 2021 – Eliminated data relating to MinimOSD, not relevant; up to date article with the newest data and screenshots
- Aug 2024 – Tutorial up to date and added my OSD setups in CLI instructions