How do I move pics/videos from my Smart Controller to my MacBook - and then how do I edit/post them?

[ColoradoSwede]

I just got my Mavic 2 or on Friday. I find the info for that transferring pictures and video from my Mavic 2 Pro and Smart Controller to somewhere where I can edit them and then post them to social media, email, messenger etc to be confusing and lacking. My DJI Go 4 app on my iPhone 6s is both hard to use and very confusing. And it does not seem to work well. Is the only wat to transfer these pictures is by taking out my San Disk card and transferring to my MacBook Pro 2011 version via a card reader? Any suggestions please.

 

[ff22]

I just got my Mavic 2 or on Friday. I find the info for that transferring pictures and video from my Mavic 2 Pro and Smart Controller to somewhere where I can edit them and then post them to social media, email, messenger etc to be confusing and lacking. My DJI Go 4 app on my iPhone 6s is both hard to use and very confusing. And it does not seem to work well. Is the only wat to transfer these pictures is by taking out my San Disk card and transferring to my MacBook Pro 2011 version via a card reader? Any suggestions please.

Possibly the most expedient, although not convenient, way is by using the card. You can also use a usb cable from controller to computer (I did have to futz to get the controller (and its drives) to show up on my Win computers). I did install the 3rd party Airmore app on the Smart Controller (SC) and that can be used to wifi transfer stuff. There are probably similar methods. I have not tried installing gmail or yahoo or similar on the SC to see if that might work. I doubt gmail which probably relies on Google services.

While flying or after landing with power still on the drone, you can use the Review function to download from the drone to the SC (or regular controller) using the icon just below the Camera Settings icon. You can do it while flying but while pictures transfer fast, videos take quite a while and use power and I believe, usurp the screen.

edited to add: Gmail does not appear to work (google services needed). But I just installed yahoo app on the SC and that seems to allow attachments. Might not be the fastest method of "moving" photos.

 

[Thomas B]

Move the card to a reader or slot on your computer. Straight forward and quick.

 

[ff22]

Move the card to a reader or slot on your computer. Straight forward and quick.

Maybe it's my age or finger size but I'm not happy about moving those thin, tiny cards in and out of slots. Some are springloaded while others require a deft finger nail 'grip."

Cable wouldn't be half bad since I have extension cables attached to usb ports on my computer but the Smart Controller being Android wants me to chose "charge/data" and usually on the first attempt, it does not show in Win Explorer until I repeat the choice a second or third time. And the Developer Option of "always TRANSFER" does not take. Or on the drone you can fiddle with the small usb port's door.

I really would like an easy wireless solution. In the old days Blackberry phones had a wireless sharing opton - always on. The phone's drives always showed up and you could move/copy/delete easily between phone and computer.

 

[Aussie Oldtimer]

Use the cable. Make a cuppa while you download.
Ive had lots of failures over the years from repeated handling of all forms of cards. once you lose info as a result of card failure, you will do everything you can to reduce handling to an absolute minimum.

 

[Bob001]

So which USB port on the Intelligent controller do you use? There are two. I assume if you find the right one, the internal files will show up on a laptop just like you plugged a thumbdrive into the USB port.............?? Thanks.

 

[ff22]

So which USB port on the Intelligent controller do you use? There are two. I assume if you find the right one, the internal files will show up on a laptop just like you plugged a thumbdrive into the USB port.............?? Thanks.

Are you talking about the Smart Controller? It only has one port for charging/data. The port on the bottom. There is an hdmi port for attaching an external monitor. The issue with the SC is that it is Android and in many cases, plugging a cable attached to a computer/laptop will initiate charging. You then have to intervene and tell it to connect for file/data transfer and NOT SOLELY for charging. If you Swipe down from the top of the screen, you can see notifications. Tap the "charging one" and change it to file transfer (not pictures). Actually, sometimes I have to do this twice as it does not always change to file transfer. Then, yes, the SC should show up on the computer as a drive or drives (like thumb drive).

 

[Bob001]

My bad - "Smart Controller". Thanks for that reply.

I beg to differ but there is another USB port on my smart controller (USB-A, top right) and DJI Mavic is saying that one is for "connecting external devices" and the USB-C port (bottom center) is for "charging and updating the remote controller". I did use the bottom port and got the drop down (which shows up as soon as I plug the opposite end in my laptop USB port) allowing me to select file or photo transfers but when I click file transfers, I get nothing and clicking photo transfers brings up a folder labeled "rm500 Digital Camera" which is a blank folder (empty). I remember seeing somewhere that DJI Assistant needs to be installed???? Anyway, I still haven't solved this issue of transferring directly from the smart controller. Any other suggestions would be appreciated.

Are you talking about the Smart Controller? It only has one port for charging/data. The port on the bottom. There is an hdmi port for attaching an external monitor. The issue with the SC is that it is Android and in many cases, plugging a cable attached to a computer/laptop will initiate charging. You then have to intervene and tell it to connect for file/data transfer and NOT SOLELY for charging. If you Swipe down from the top of the screen, you can see notifications. Tap the "charging one" and change it to file transfer (not pictures). Actually, sometimes I have to do this twice as it does not always change to file transfer. Then, yes, the SC should show up on the computer as a drive or drives (like thumb drive).
[/QUOTE

 

[ff22]

My bad - "Smart Controller". Thanks for that reply.

I beg to differ but there is another USB port on my smart controller (USB-A, top right) and DJI Mavic is saying that one is for "connecting external devices" and the USB-C port (bottom center) is for "charging and updating the remote controller". I did use the bottom port and got the drop down (which shows up as soon as I plug the opposite end in my laptop USB port) allowing me to select file or photo transfers but when I click file transfers, I get nothing and clicking photo transfers brings up a folder labeled "rm500 Digital Camera" which is a blank folder (empty). I remember seeing somewhere that DJI Assistant needs to be installed???? Anyway, I still haven't solved this issue of transferring directly from the smart controller. Any other suggestions would be appreciated.

Ah, so simple to see that second port when the smart controller is on my desk! (g) Sorry for the mis-information.

The reason it is on my desk is that just about half hour ago I moved/copied files from the SC to my desktop computer. When plugging it in, I immediately got the prompt about slow charging and then another about transferrring files. I selected the FILES option (like you, when I've tried that "photo transfer" nothing is available.)

This time the SC's two storage locations (drives of sorts) showed without me having to deal with the notification options. I then transferred my pictures. I do recall having issues early on since a needed driver was not installed and it took a bit of futzing to get to it. There's a thread on installing the driver (unless it is this one!).

But sometimes, I do have to go to the Notification slide down, pick files, nothing happens, I go to it again and pick charging and then once more and pick Files and it generally works. Not the most graceful process.

 

[Bob001]

Ah, so simple to see that second port when the smart controller is on my desk! (g) Sorry for the mis-information.

The reason it is on my desk is that just about half hour ago I moved/copied files from the SC to my desktop computer. When plugging it in, I immediately got the prompt about slow charging and then another about transferrring files. I selected the FILES option (like you, when I've tried that "photo transfer" nothing is available.)

This time the SC's two storage locations (drives of sorts) showed without me having to deal with the notification options. I then transferred my pictures. I do recall having issues early on since a needed driver was not installed and it took a bit of futzing to get to it. There's a thread on installing the driver (unless it is this one!).

But sometimes, I do have to go to the Notification slide down, pick files, nothing happens, I go to it again and pick charging and then once more and pick Files and it generally works. Not the most graceful process.

Thanks for the info. I did note that when I checked properties for the m500 camera it noted that a driver wasn't available. As you advised though, I don't think I want the "transfer photos" option since there are cases where I might want to transfer other types of files, so I would really like to see the "transfer files" option work. Will explore further and report back if I find anything. DJI hasn't been much help so far but I will keep looking. Thanks.

 

[Bob001]

Wow - that didn't take long! I think I found the secret. With the smart controller plugged in (still nothing showing on my laptop) I pulled the dropdown down on the first SC page (right after booting it). Up in the right corner is an asterisk (!). I tapped that and another page came up which listed USB troubleshooting. Tapping on that made my laptop kabonk and up came an "rm500 Portable Media Player" on my laptop memory list page. I had to unplug and replug the SC one more time and now that asterisk had a little red (1) by it. I tapped it again and this time got a page with the option to set up my SD card for exchanging data files (with a grayed out "future addition" below it. I tapped on that (the little red 1 disappeared) and now it works every time. I still have the dropdown which has the charge/files/photo options on it but tapping the "transfer files" option works perfectly and brings up the m500 Portable Media Player on my laptop (with both the internal and SD card memories shown in that folder and if I hit properties it shows the battery power remaining in the SC - as if I can see that on the SC itself - but nothing about drivers so I think that issue is moot).
Hope this helps others who are fighting this issue.

Thanks for the info. I did note that when I checked properties for the m500 camera it noted that a driver wasn't available. As you advised though, I don't think I want the "transfer photos" option since there are cases where I might want to transfer other types of files, so I would really like to see the "transfer files" option work. Will explore further and report back if I find anything. DJI hasn't been much help so far but I will keep looking. Thanks.

 

[ff22]

I believe I found the thread in the DJI forum that I was looking for. I had started another that was not fully answered. This one goes into more detail on how to find those well-hidden drivers!!!

Why doesn't Smart Controller show up attached with usb

Okay, I've asked before but have not gotten a specific reply regarding the fact that the Smart Controller does not show up in my Computer as a drive or drives when connected via usb. I am using the usb cable that came with the Smart Controller. I have tried both usb3 and usb2 ports. When I...

forum.dji.com

 

[Bob001]

I meant to thank you ff22 in my last post, for your help.

I'm good on getting the internal SC memory and SD card to show up on my laptop now every time but when I take a photo (which is supposed to be sync'd with my SC, that photo doesn't show up on the SD card. I recently put my registration & ID on the SD card in case I lose the SC and that shows up, but photos aren't even though they show on the SC browser. Not sure what's going on there but the first baby step seems solid - will do some more work to figure out the Mavic filing system. Thanks again.