How to Avoid Overheating Errors on your DJI Osmo Pocket


Released on the tail-end of 2018, the Osmo Pocket by DJI revolutionized travel vlogging and casual filmmaking. At the time of its launch, the Osmo Pocket was the smallest integrated camera and three-axis gimbal. With its unparalleled video stabilization, mobile app compatibility, and a suite of instant video editing options, the Osmo Pocket remains fairly popular even today.
However, it’s worth mentioning that the Osmo Pocket is a product that is the first of its kind. As with any first-generation device, the number of hiccups that users encountered with the Osmo Pocket was higher than usual. In this article, we’re tackling the most common problem – the “overheating error.” What causes this error and how can it be avoided?
What can cause an overheating error?
If you’re using an Osmo Pocket, then you’ll know that you have run into the overheating problem if the gimbal displays the error message “protecting gimbal, press to resume.” When this prompt comes up, the Osmo Pocket will shut down presumably to protect from overheating damage. It’s easy to see how this can be a huge nuisance, especially if you’re in the middle of shooting a video.
Even though this problem had already been reported by a huge number of users, DJI has not come out with a statement on why it happens and the conditions that can cause such an error. Overheating also occurs in the DJI Osmo Mobile line of handheld gimbals for phones, although the variable weight of phones and optional lenses makes the performance threshold of that product a bit less predictable.
Without any official statement from DJI, all we can do right now is to infer why this error happens. Based on a basic understanding of how the product works, these are some of the factors that can contribute to overheating.
Motor overload
Just as with any gimbal, the Osmo Pocket has motors that work in tandem with sensors. The sensors detect the movement of the gimbal in any direction and the motors move to keep the camera in the proper upright position. The constant movement of these motors generates heat from friction. After prolonged use of the gimbal, it’s not unreasonable to think that the temperature of the motors can go beyond a pre-set threshold value.
Data processing

The Osmo Pocket is quite unique, even in the market for handheld gimbals, since it comes with an integrated camera. Without a separate DSLR camera or phone camera, this means that the Osmo Pocket needs its own processing unit. This is responsible for translating data from the camera’s optical sensors to electronic data for storage.
Several factors contribute to the “burden” of the camera’s processor. These include the resolution of the video, the framerate, and any post-processing options. However, these can all be simplified into a single term -the bitrate.
Based on the experience of Osmo Pocket users, overheating errors become more common when...

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