Tag Archives: Xiaomi

Announcements, Camera News, Firmware/Software, Hardware Development, Hi Speed Phone Video

Mi 8 and Mi 8 Explorer Get 960fps Firmware Update!

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Mi 8 and Mi 8 Explorer

Xiaomi is soon releasing a new Firmware Update:  ROM – MIUI V10.1.2.0.PEHCNFI – based on Android 9 Pie and available first in China now.  The 2.1 GB update will include two new features that will make these phones more competitive. Search online for the ROM – MIUI V10.1.2.0.PEHCNFI  and be sure to follow the instructions while updating your phone.

The first feature is the inclusion of a 960fps slow-motion mode which is a big increase from the 240fps max setting before. As with other Xiaomi releases of the past, the slow motion samples are very hard to find or non-existent and there is a huge likelihood that they will use image interpolation from that same 240p to yield the 960fps. In a previous article, we referenced this test that showed the Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 using clear software interpolation to reach those frame rates. → Continue Reading Full Post ←

Announcements, Availability, Hi Speed Phone Video, Media Showcase, Previews, Reviews, Slowmo Samples

Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 960fps Mode Uses Interpolation?

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Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 960fps

The Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 had a few leaks in the past weeks concerning the slow motion mode and the company even released a water balloon sample. We decided to wait for the real reviews and samples before making an opinion on this phone which is destined for the Chinese market first. The phone is supposed to shoot 960fps in 1080p mode which is exciting as an initial spec matching the Sony Xperia XZ2 and XZ3 phones in resolution and frame rate but we really have no slow motion duration spec yet.

After looking at the samples we have seen a clear indication of software interpolation to fill in video frames between high frame rate recorded video which looks to be 240p at 1080p and then conformed in software to 960fps on the fly using the phone’s hardware. The results are very good and beat anything we have seen before on phone frame rate interpolation which is a good thing, however, it looks like the phone is faking its way into slow motion 960fps. → Continue Reading Full Post ←

Announcements, Camera News, Hi Speed Phone Video, Media Showcase, Slowmo Samples

Xiaomi Mi 8 Has 240fps 1080p Slow Motion!

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Xiaomi Mi 8 Slow Motion

The Chinese tech company Xiaomi has released it’s latest high-end flagship phone the Mi 8 which has the highest ever specs for a Xiaomi Phone with great benchmark scores to boot.  It has up to 8GB of RAM with a Snapdragon 845 chip at 2.8Ghz which should perform admirably. The phone is targeted for under $500 in Asia for the lower version spec and under $700 USD for the highest Explorer version.

The video modes are what you would expect from a competitive flagship with UHD 30p 4k and 1080p up to 60fps standard with the option to go 120fps and 240fps in both full HD and regular 720p HD modes.  240p is becoming a standard for full HD and it is encouraging to see that phones all over the globe are adopting these specs as near standard now at least in the higher end. The 4k 60p spec is missing here so the iPhone and other phones that can do it are still preferable for high-end phone video capture. → Continue Reading Full Post ←

Articles, Hardware Development, Questions and Answers, Rumors

GoPro Being Acquired by Xiaomi?

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GoPro Being Acquired by Xiaomi

Last week the site The Information posted a piece stating the possibility of GoPro being bought out by Chinese electronics company Xiaomi which are the makers of the main competitor to GoPro in the same form factor with the Yi camera line.   We liked the Yi 4k+ last year as it delivered pretty acceptable quality in 4k 60p in a GoPro like the body+enclosure design. We were not thrilled by the bit rates or the slow-motion quality but it was in the running for the best alternative action camera with a lower price.

If the rumors are true Xiaomi will be consolidating the Action camera market and improving the Yi camera line overnight by rebranding it to GoPro as the name might be just as valuable as the technology being acquired.  Most of the current Yi camera products share the components with pre Hero 6 Black cameras like the Hero 5 Black as they were based on the Ambarella chips that GoPro used for a decade. → Continue Reading Full Post ←

Action Cameras, Media Showcase, Slowmo Samples

Yi 4k+ Slow Motion Samples!

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Yi 4k+ Slow Motion Samples

The Yi Technology Yi 4k+ has been shipping for a few days and now slow motion samples have been posted online. There is no question the Yi 4k+ is the best value in action cameras today with specs that reach 4k at 60fps and up to 240fps in 720p Wide mode.

There is, of course, a resolution decrease and softness increase when it reduces the frame size to extract frames but it is within the norm and very competitive image quality wise with GoPro Hero 5 and Sony Action cam.  There are nearly identical components inside the Yi 4k+ to other action cameras and the Ambarella H2 Chipset makes its debut on the Yi line with good performance. → Continue Reading Full Post ←

Hardware Development, Media Showcase, Slowmo Samples, Uncategorized

Chronos 1.4 Update 4 and Yi 4k+ Ships!

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Chronos 1.4

The Chronos 1.4 camera is nearing the ship date with early bird units now scheduled to be shipped end of April or beginning of May.  The delay as stated in update #3 is due to some LCD parts not performing as indicated and the manufacturer taking longer than anticipated. All other components are ready for assembly.

As far as FCC & CE emissions approval, tests are still ongoing and look promising.  If nothing else changes early bird backers should start to get their Chronos 1.4 in 4 weeks time. For non early bird backers expect a similar delay time frame to your orders. Once the cameras start shipping the time delay should compress with assembly, testing and packaging being the only steps. → Continue Reading Full Post ←