Latency
Also known as: video latency, lag, glass-to-glass delay
The delay between something happening in front of the camera and the pilot seeing it on screen or goggles. Low latency is vital for FPV flying.
Updated
What it means
Every live video system takes time to capture, compress, transmit, receive and display each frame. That total delay, often called glass-to-glass latency, is measured in milliseconds. A few tens of milliseconds feels instant, while a few hundred makes precise flying difficult.
For camera drones flying slowly, moderate latency is fine. For FPV racing and freestyle, where the pilot reacts to gaps and obstacles at high speed, latency matters enormously. Analog FPV systems were long valued for very low delay, and modern digital FPV systems have narrowed the gap while offering clearer images.
Latency also affects remote livestreaming, but there a delay of a second or more is usually acceptable.
How it works in practice
Choose the right system for the job. Cinematic flying tolerates more latency in exchange for a sharper preview, while racing needs the lowest possible delay. Many digital systems offer modes that trade image quality for lower latency, and the right choice depends on whether you race through gates or film slow cinewhoop passes.
Keep a strong signal, since interference and weak links increase latency and cause frame drops. Antenna placement, line of sight and fewer obstacles all help.
Know your setup. Pilots learn to anticipate the delay, which becomes harder when switching between systems. Practice in an open field after changing any part of the video chain.
What to watch out for
Latency spikes during interference can make the drone seem to react late, leading to crashes into gaps or trees. If the feed stutters, slow down and regain signal.
Recording through the goggles or controller captures the transmitted feed, with its lower quality and occasional glitches. For the edit, use the onboard recording or the camera on the drone.
Displays and goggles add their own delay. Upgrading only the transmitter does not help if the screen is slow. Check the full chain, especially for freestyle flying, where split-second timing decides every trick.
How RawClip handles it
For RawClip, upload the full-quality clips recorded on the drone or its onboard camera, not the low-latency goggle recordings. The AI then builds your highlight from the sharpest footage you have.