INTRODUCTION

    Video streaming has been a thing for almost 2 decades now and so it's no wonder that quite a few manufacturers have since focused on the design of either smartphone gimbals or standalone cameras (some also built around gimbals). Personally, even though I was never into video streaming that doesn't mean I've stayed away from that segment of the market since taking pictures and videos of places I visit has always been a thing for me (same with most people). A few months back someone from a company called Aicoco reached out and asked if I'd be interested in testing their latest onAir 4K Wireless Live Streaming Camera and well, that's exactly what I've been using for the past month.

    Since its establishment, we have been adhering to the brand mission of "Linking Each Other Across Time and Space". Deeply engaged in the field of streaming camera, we continue to develop and explore based on user needs and experience, and are committed to becoming the preferred productivity tool for more creators, making your live stream more popular.

    The strongest selling point of the onAir 4K Wireless Live Streaming Camera by Aicoco is obviously its 1/1.8” Sony Starvis CMOS 2 sensor that can record 4K @ 30fps video (1080p @ 60fps / 4k @ 25fps, 1080p @ 50fps for PAL) and sports a 90 degree FOV, F/2.8 aperture, 180 degrees rotating lens and support for HDR. The aviation aluminum alloy housing is IPX4 certified (splashproof) and inside Aicoco has also placed an 2.4" color LCD touch screen (480x640p), dual omnidirectional microphones, WiFi, speaker, microSD card slot, 3400mAh hot-swappable lithium-ion battery (up to 240 minutes of battery life) and even a cooling fan. The mentioned specifications and features allow the onAir to be used for wireless streaming (WiFi - supports many platforms like YouTube, Twitch and others), local recording (microSD card slot) and both as a wired (USB) or wireless (WiFi) camera for your PC. Needless to say, Aicoco gives you the ability to control all functions of the onAir 4K Wireless Live Streaming Camera either via its 2.4" LCD touch screen or via their Live app for smartphones and tablets.

SPECIFICATIONS AND FEATURES

PACKAGING AND CONTENTS

The creators kit which I received arrived in a long box the front of which has a product picture, picture of some people and the company logo.

A list of the bundle contents is placed on the left side of the box.

In terms of packaging, I think Aicoco could had done a better job but since everything arrived in one piece, I guess it's fine.

So, inside the box you'll find the onAir 4K Wireless Live Streaming Camera, 64GB microSD card, microSD card to USB adapter, tripod/selfie stick, two mounting adapters, USB-C cable, storage pouch, extra battery, dual battery charger and a screen protector.

THE ONAIR

The aviation aluminum alloy housing of the onAir measures 137mm in length, 58mm in width and 29mm in thickness.

LCD touch screens on a camera is nothing new, however 2.4" in size is not something we see a lot.

By placing the 1/1.8” Sony Starvis CMOS 2 sensor behind the rotatable lens Aicoco allows their onAir model to record 4k video (2160p@25/30fps, 1080p@50/60fps).

One ¼-inch screw mount is located on the right side of the enclosure just next to the speaker and over a 3.5mm microphone port.

On the left side we find the battery port and a USB-C port (another ¼-inch screw mount is located at the base of the onAir).

To mount/unmount one of the batteries you just need to push both clips inwards and pull it out as seen above.

The microSD card slot is located in the same area so it's easily accessible.

The creator bundle has two 3400mAh hot-swappable batteries in it which according to Aicoco should provide up to over 450 minutes of recording (at 720p).

For some people the dual battery charger may seem a bit bulky but it's a good addition to the bundle.

There are charging LEDs on the charger, so you'll know when the batteries are ready.

The bundled tripod/selfie stick is made out of plastic and although useful it's not particularly impressive.

Still, it does what it's supposed to do and as for tripod use it has a height from around 28.5cm all the way up to 1.49m.

LIVE APP

Even though the onAir can be controlled via its 2.4" color LCD touch screen using the WiFi app is faster and easier (also has some extra options including a firmware update).

The app requires WiFi to be enabled so once you do that it should detect your onAir camera.

Version 1.1.1.6 was detected upon launch, so this is what I used for this review.

From the main tab you can check the remaining video time on the microSD card, check the WiFi signal, use the video zoom function (2x max), change video quality, adjust the microphone (omni/mono), switch between modes (live, wireless, USB, video), browse media on the microSD card, open preview and access the settings tab.

If you've chosen a PAL region you can switch between 720/1080/BD1080/2160p resolutions at 25/50fps and with either standard or high bitrates.

From the main settings tab you can also adjust a plethora of image settings (HDR mode is good but for me without produces more detail), again switch between omni/mono microphone recording, enable recording with an external microphone (3.5mm port), changing the video ratio and using the mirror and grid functions.

The second settings tab allows you to change between PAL/NTSC standards, H.264/H.265 encoding (H.264 was used for this review), adjust fan speed (for 4K recording I strongly recommend having this on), adjust the volume level, adjust the brightness level, enable auto power off, check information about the camera, change the language and more.

When you choose the Live function the device will allow you to connect to specific platforms for Livestream and Multistream.

I took two short clips (day/night) at maximum video quality and stitched them together so if interested you can head to YouTube and TikTok to check that clip out (for best quality prefer YouTube)..

CONCLUSION

    Aicoco may be one of many unknown manufacturers but products like the onAir 4K Wireless Live Streaming Camera are usually the start of something great. Video quality especially at 4K and super 1080p is very good (very good detail, smooth movement, good color accuracy, portrait and landscape modes), audio quality is crisp with emphasis on vocals and as for battery life even though at 4K recording battery life drops to around half of what's advertised it's still plenty, especially if you have the creators kit that comes with two 3400mAh batteries. Yes, the onAir 4K Wireless Live Streaming Camera is far from perfect, video stabilization is not great (you can tell from my short clip), its 2.4" screen is not exactly easy to navigate, sometimes the battery wouldn't secure in place (had to push it again and again) and the microSD card slot would launch the card a couple of meters away when I wasn't careful to keep my finger on it at all times but overall I was satisfied with its performance. It also turns out that the cooling fan wasn't just put inside the onAir for fun, as a matter of fact if you're into 4K video recording I strongly recommend turning it on manually (instead of the auto), otherwise the camera will probably overheat before long (especially indoors) and well, that's never good.

    Currently the onAir 4K Wireless Live Streaming Camera by Aicoco retails for USD349 while the creators kit goes for USD399 (directly from Aicoco) so it’s not quite what I’d call affordable. Yes, you are getting a very capable 4K camera but at around the same price point you can find many others. With that out of the way I can’t ignore the entire package, from build quality and features to image sharpness and audio accuracy the onAir delivers on most and for that it gets the Golden Award.

PROS

- Build Quality (Aviation Aluminum Alloy Enclosure)
- Video Detail (1/1.8” Sony Starvis CMOS 2 Sensor / 4K30 With HDR)
- Portrait / Landscape Mode
- Rotatable Lens
- Audio Quality (Omni Directional / Mono)
- 2.4” LCD Touch Screen
- Available Features
- External Microphone Port
- Hot Swappable Battery Pack
- 4 Modes (Live / Wireless / USB / Video)

CONS

- Video Stabilization (Not Great)
- Overheating (When Fan On Auto/Off)
- Price (For Some)