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Many Xiaomi Yi users were asking for a display to get a live preview. Now there is a 3rd party product available similar to the GoPro backpacks.

 

It seems that there are two different brands available although they look very much alike. One is branded SupTig and the other Pannovo. I got the model from SupTig (ordered at Gearbest), so this review refers to this one. I got a set with the LCD screen and the battery backpack. Here’s whats inside the packaging:

Xiaomi Yi LCD screen & battery backpack set

Xiaomi Yi LCD screen & battery backpack set

 

Included there is the LCD screen backpack, the battery backpack, an underwater case with two doors (a larger one for the backpacks and a smaller one to use it without them), a GoPro Quick mount, a 1/4″ tripod mount, USB cable and a little white pice of plastic (bottom right) – more on that later.
First let’s take a look at the screen backpack:

 

Xiaomi Yi LCD screen

The Xiaomi Yi LCD screen backpack is a 1,5″ Color TFT display, so the same size as the Git2 or SJ4000 e.g.. The screen connects to the camera via micro HDMI and micro USD, you just have to stick it on the backside of the camera and you are ready to go.

Xiaomi Yi LCD screen backpack - front- and backside

Xiaomi Yi LCD screen backpack – front- and backside

 

Attention:

Now this is important as I read quite often: “doesn’t work, my screen is blue”.
The video signal gets to the screen via USB so you have to switch on A/V video output via USB in the settings using the App!
(A/V out is possible since Firmware 1.0.7)

It is also important to know that only the video signal is forwarded, so you won’t see any menu and you are not able to change the settings of the camera! In fact you wouldn’t be able to navigate through the menu as there is only one button on the display to turn it on and off. The LCD screen is powered by the camera (which of course shortens the recording time) and you can’t use battery backpack and screen!

Xiaomi YI LCD Screen backpack - power button

Xiaomi YI LCD Screen backpack – power button

Conclusion:

I like the LCD screen to quickly check the framing of the picture as it is easier to use than getting out my smartphone all the time. It gives you a live feedback of the image, but don’t expect a very high quality image to check the settings (sharpness, color,…) in detail.

 

Xiaomi battery backpack

Xiaomi Yi battery backpack

Xiaomi Yi battery backpack

 

As mentioned above I’ve seen two different brandings of this set, where the logo is printed on the battery backpack. The battery has a capacity of 2400 mAh compared to the 1010 mAh battery which comes with the camera. Here it is important to know that the battery backpack replaces the battery of the camera, so in contrast to a GoPro where the battery backpack is added to the battery inside the slot, you can’t use both of them! It’s quite tricky to mount the battery as here the white little plastic part mentioned above has to be used:

Xiaomi Yi battery backpack mount

Xiaomi Yi battery backpack mount

 

This plastic part is placed on the battery backpack and then tightened using the 1/4″ tripod mount, otherwise it would fall off as there is no locking mechanism. You only have to use the plastic part when you don’t pace it in the underwater case. The case is keeping the battery on the back of the camera, just be careful when opening the case, as two parts come out of it. As you can see the battery backpack also has a microUSB port for charging.

Conclusion:

It depends on how you want to use your camera. With the battery backpack you can of course record for a longer period of time, but you need the included underwater case and an’t use another one. So if the battery backpack runs out and you want to use the standard battery you have to switch cases (or the backdoor of the case to the smaller one). It’s also important to know that you can’t use both screen & battery backpack. But if you want to extend battery life of your Xiaomi when you don’t have access to the camera to change batteries, it is defiantly a product to look at.

 

Xiaomi backpack underwater case

As you probably know from my underwater cases review, there are several cases showing vignetting so I was a little doubtful about this case. But in fact it shows very good results, there is no vignetting in photo mode nor video mode when lens rectification is turned off.

 

International Version

With the release of the International Version of the Yi Action Camera I’ve been asked quite often on my YouTube Channel if battery backpack and LCD screen will work:

The LCD screen works very well:

Yi Action Camera with LCD screen

Yi Action Camera with LCD screen

 

and also no problems with international version and battery backpack.

Xiaomi Yi International Version with 2400 mAh battery pack

Xiaomi Yi International Version with 2400 mAh battery pack

 

Retailer / Prices comparison:

Set with LCD & battery backpack incl. underwater case:

 

Xiaomi Yi LCD screen & battery backpack

Xiaomi Yi LCD screen & battery backpack

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