Xiaomi Yi action camera owners often face the question of planning the shooting process. When you go on a trip or to a sports event, it is critical to know how much space will take up the footage on the memory card. The answer to the question of how much the video weighs depends on the selected resolution settings and frame rate.
Understanding compression and bitrate allows you to calculate the number of flash cards you need in advance, which eliminates the unpleasant situations when memory ends at the most inopportune moment. In this article, we will discuss in detail the file volumes for different shooting modes.
Don't rely on rough estimates, because modern codecs work differently, and accurate data can help you optimize your media spending and avoid losing valuable staff.
Factors Affecting Video File Size
The main parameter that determines how much a minute of writing weighs is the bitrate. Xiaomi Yi uses H.264 compression algorithms that effectively reduce the file size, but the quality depends on the number of bits per second. The higher the bitrate, the more details are saved, but the faster the memory card is filled.
Matrix resolution also plays a key role: 4K recording requires processing four times as many pixels as Full HD. This inevitably leads to more data, even if frame rates remain standard.
It is also important to consider the frequency of staff (FPS). Shooting at 60 or 120 frames per second creates a smooth Slow-Motion video, but the weight of one minute of such a video will significantly exceed the weight of a conventional video recording at 30 FPS.
The dynamics of the scene also influence the final weight, so if you're shooting a static landscape, the compression algorithm works better, but active sports with fast movement require a larger bitrate to maintain clarity, which increases the file size.
Memory for different resolutions and FPS
Let’s look at the specific numbers for popular camera modes. The data may vary slightly depending on the firmware version and camera model (Yi 4K, Yi Action, Yi Discovery), but the averages will help you make an accurate plan.
- 📹 Regime. 1080p upon 30 The frames per second is the standard for most users. In this mode, the camera consumes approximately 10-12 MB per second, which is about 600-700 MB per minute of recording.
- 🚀 Regime. 1080p At 60 frames per second, it doubles the data stream, where the weight of a minute of video can reach 1.2-1.5 GB, which requires fast memory cards of the class. UHS-I higher.
- 🎬 Regime. 4K At 30 frames per second, it's the most demanding, and a minute of video like this weighs 2.5 to 3 GB, filling up even the capacious drives quickly.
For a 720p slow motion at 120 FPS, the file size is comparable to a Full HD 60 FPS. This is a compromise option that allows you to get a smooth picture without excessive space consumption typical of 4K.
Why is the actual weight different from the stated weight?
It’s worth noting that memory card formatting also affects the available space: the exFAT file system, which is required to work with large volumes, takes up little space on its own, but provides compatibility with modern OSes.
Comparative table of memory consumption
So for the sake of computation, we've developed a composite table that shows how much write time you can fit on different sizes of memory cards depending on the mode you choose.
| Permission/FPS | Weight 1 minute (MB) | On the 32GB card. | 64GB on the map. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1080p / 30 fps | ~650MB | ~45 minutes | ~90 minutes |
| 1080p / 60 fps | ~1300MB | ~22 minutes | ~45 minutes |
| 4K / 30 fps | ~2800MB | ~10 minutes | ~20 minutes |
| 720p / 120 fps | ~1,100MB | ~26 minutes | ~52 minutes |
Note that memory card manufacturers list the full volume in bytes, whereas the operating system counts it in binary. So the 32GB card actually has about 29.8GB of available space.
⚠️ Note: Do not use memory cards below Class 10 (Class 10) to write in permissions above 720p. The camera can interrupt recording or create corrupted files if the recording speed does not keep up with the data stream.
When choosing a medium, pay attention to the U1 or U3 marking. For 4K video, a V30 label is a mandatory requirement, guaranteeing a minimum recording speed of 30 MB / s.
Customization of bitrate and codecs
In standard Xiaomi Yi firmware, the user does not always have direct access to manual bitrate changes, but the choice of shooting mode actually chooses the coding profile. Some custom firmware, such as Yi-Hack, allows more flexibility in managing these parameters.
If you use the original software, switching between Standard, Sport or Low Light modes can change the image processing algorithms, and in low light, the camera can artificially increase noise cancellation, which also affects the final file size.
☑️ Screening readiness check
For professional photography, it is important to understand the difference between Constant Bitrate (CBR) and Variable Bitrate (VBR). Xiaomi cameras typically use VBR, dynamically changing quality depending on the complexity of the frame. This saves space, but makes it difficult to accurately predict the weight of the file.
If you plan to edit further, you should prefer modes with less compression, even if they weigh more, which will give you more freedom when color correction and image stabilization in post-processing.
Optimization of data storage and transfer
After shooting, the issue of file organization arises: 4K videos are huge, so storing them on a long-term basis can be costly, and external hard drives or cloud storage with support for large files are recommended.
When transferring video to a computer or smartphone, the speed of copying will depend on the interface. Using a USB 3.0 card reader significantly speeds up the process of resetting material compared to built-in laptop slots.
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Use the exFAT file system for 64GB or higher memory cards, which will ensure compatibility with Windows, macOS and Android without the 4GB per file size restrictions typical of FAT32.
For fast social media posting, it makes sense to create proxy files (low-resolution copies) directly on your phone through Yi Action, while leaving the originals on your memory card as an archive.
Recommendations for choosing a memory card
Choosing the right memory card is an investment in the stability of your shooting, and given how much high-resolution video weighs, saving on storage can lead to loss of all data.
- 🏆 SanDisk Extreme Pro is one of the most reliable options for action cameras, can withstand overheating and intense recording.
- 💾 Samsung EVO Plus – great value for money, well-established with Xiaomi cameras.
- ⚡ Kingston Canvas Go! is a special series for action cameras that provides high speed sequential recording.
⚠️ Warning: Avoid buying memory cards on dubious marketplaces without warranty.Fake cards often show the wrong amount in the system, but when you fill the real limit, they start overwriting old files without warning.
Regularly check the integrity of the data on the map with utilities like H2testw, which will help you identify sector errors before you go to important shooting.
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For 4K shooting on Xiaomi Yi, be sure to use memory cards labeled U3 and V30.U1 cards may not be able to handle the data stream, causing the recording to stop.