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Insta360 Pro 2 Launches with 8K 3D

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Insta360 has launched the Insta360 Pro 2, a groundbreaking six-lens professional VR camera. Ready to shoot 8K-per-eye 3D 360 video, the Pro 2 innovates the entire professional VR production workflow – offering effortless FlowState stabilization, long-range live monitoring, simplified post-production in partnership with Adobe, and a new technology that delivers 8K VR to viewers regardless of whether they have high-end playback devices.

Check out the video of the Insta360 Pro 2, below:

The Insta360 Pro 2 uses six cameras to capture every angle of a scene at once. The resulting videos or photos are then fused into two 8K 360 images, one per eye, to create immersive, beautifully detailed 3D VR. Available shooting modes include 8K 3D at 30 FPS, 8K monoscopic at 60 FPS, 6K 3D at 60 FPS, and 4K 3D at 120 FPS, among others. New in-camera HDR keeps lighting natural even when it varies in every direction, and i-Log mode is optimized for maximum flexibility in post-production colouring.

The Pro 2 features Insta360’s proprietary FlowState stabilization, bringing a high-quality in-camera stabilization system to professional VR for the first time ever. Until now, VR creators have faced a grim choice: Make their audience sick with poorly stabilized footage, or use bulky stabilizing gear that would show up in the scene and create a post-production headache.

FlowState solves this, achieving gimbal-level, pro-quality stabilization with no gear necessary. The Pro 2 uses an ultra-precise gyroscope that tracks motion on nine axes, and then – when paired with Insta360’s software innovations – allows creators to stabilize their footage down to a hair, fully automatically. The dynamic, moving shots that filmmakers rely on to tell good stories are now possible in VR, along with a new language of dynamic 360 shots waiting to be created.

VR creators struggle with a fundamental challenge of the medium. How do you direct a shot when you can’t be on-set? The common solution – Wi-Fi monitoring – is notorious for being unreliable, short-range and prone to delay and interference. The Pro 2 comes paired with all-new Farsight technology, a 360° live monitoring system that offers a high-definition, low-latency video stream that’s optimized for long-distance previewing.

With a transmitter and receiver, creators can effortlessly direct and control their scene from a distance of roughly 300 meters ground-to-ground, and 1 kilometer ground-to-air. Transmitting at 5.18Ghz, the Farsight uses smart channel switching to ensure it always cuts through the noise. The Pro 2 is tailored for convenient stitching and editing using Insta360’s integrated Adobe Premiere Pro workflow. Every time the Pro 2 captures a video, it automatically saves a low-res proxy version in addition to the full-quality footage.

All a creator needs to do when they finish a shoot is directly import their footage into Adobe Premiere Pro.  The proxy files will be automatically recognized and stitched instantly to let creators preview their final project. This proxy version can be used to edit the project as usual. Then, when users are ready to export, Insta360’s algorithm will take over and stitch together exactly the footage they used in the final project, at full quality. There’s no wasted time, processing power, or effort. Creators stitch only what they use.

The Pro 2 weighs in at a handy 1.55-kgs (including a battery and antennae), making it easy to carry on remote shoots or send upon a drone, and its hot-swap battery dock ensures that it stays powered-up out in the field. It sports four built-in mics for 360 audio, plus a pair of USB and 3.5 mm audio inputs on its top and bottom – allowing creators to add a custom audio setup or other add-ons as their shoots demand.

Six MicroSD card slots, one per each camera, allow the Pro 2 to record at the maximum possible bitrate, ensuring optimal image quality and post-production flexibility. A seventh Full SD card captures stabilization data and low-res proxy files optimized for editing in Adobe Premiere Pro. There’s a drawback to creating a beautiful, high-res VR project: You have to figure out how to deliver it to an audience — most of whom are going to be using either a smartphone or a popular headset like the Oculus Go or Samsung Gear VR, both of which max out at 4K.

Using Insta360’s proprietary CrystalView technology, Pro 2 content can be quickly converted into a format that’s ready to play back – at full 8K quality – on any mainstream smartphone or headset. Insta360’s free playback apps (such as Insta360 Moment) will dynamically render these files, displaying in full quality the exact segment of a scene that a user is looking at.

The Insta360 supports 360 live-streaming at 4K resolution — in both 3D and monoscopic formats. The best part: Creators can save full-quality 8K footage at the same time that they broadcast in 4K, giving them the flexibility to turn their live recording into a polished edit later on. The Insta360 Pro 2 sports a built-in GPS module, enhanced with a top-mounted antenna to improve signal strength. Creators can automatically append GPS data to their captures, allowing for easy contributions to Google Maps Street View and other precision-mapping projects.

Insta360 Pro 2 customers will also have access to some of the premiere post-production tools in the VR industry. Included in the purchase of the Pro 2 is a 3-month license for Mistika VR Professional Edition ($236 USD value), offering customizable stitching controls, integrated with Insta360’s official stitching libraries. Also included is a 3-month license for Blend Media’s 360 Stories Pro software ($745 USD value), letting users easily create and publish virtual tours and other interactive 360 experiences.

Preorders for the Insta360 Pro 2 are open now via Insta360 Store, B&H Photo Video and select retailers worldwide. It’s priced at $4999.95, and includes the Farsight transmitter system, plus one battery. Cameras are set to ship in September 2018.

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360-Degree Cameras

Insta360 Launches the new ONE RS

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Insta360 has announced the new ONE RS, an interchangeable lens action camera that offers creators all-in-one versatility, without compromises. Using a three-part design—one battery, one processor, and three quick-swapping lenses—ONE RS effortlessly transforms from a traditional action cam to a creative 360 cam. A new high-performance 4K Boost Lens with a 1/2″ 48MP image sensor now offers stunningly detailed wide-angle videos and photos, while a powerful Core offers better than ever in-camera stabilization, crisper audio, and more.

As a modular camera system, the new lens and Core are cross-compatible with the preceding ONE R generation as well, enabling creators to upgrade their camera at their own pace. The previously-released 5.7K 360 Lens unlocks endless creative possibilities with the Invisible Selfie Stick effect and 360 reframing. Meanwhile, the 5.3K 1-Inch Wide Angle Lens co-engineered with Leica continues to offer unparalleled image quality thanks to its 1-inch sensor. No matter which lens is installed, the action camera is tough, rugged, and waterproof to 16 feet (5m).

The new 4K Boost Lens is the go-to choice for athletes, adventurers and creators to capture vibrant and detailed action shots. With an upgraded 1/2″ 48MP image sensor, the new lens shoots sharp 4K 60fps videos and best-in-class 48MP stills. Two innovative new modes are also available on the 4K Boost Lens. The first mode is Active HDR, a game-changer for action sports. While HDR modes on other action cameras are limited to stationary use due to ghosting challenges, Active HDR is specifically designed for action. Active HDR keeps your video stabilized as you move, minimizing ghosting and revealing details in the highlights and shadows that other action cameras miss.

The second cutting-edge option is 6K Widescreen mode. Taking full advantage of the 48MP sensor, this mode outputs ultra-high-resolution 6K footage with a classic 2.35:1 ratio for a cinematic widescreen look. With its interchangeable lens design, ONE RS ensures that creators always have the best tool for the job. While the 4K Boost Lens is ideal for zeroing in on details, the 360 Lens is perfect for when you want to focus on the action, not on your camera.

Whether you’re motorcycling, skiing or just kicking back with friends, getting creative shots is effortless with the 360 Lens. All you have to do is hit record and let the camera capture everything in 5.7K 360 degrees. Later, you can choose your favorite angle (or multiple angles) and export it as a flat video that can be shared just like any other video. The 360 Lens also enables creators to capture impossible third-person views of themselves as they’re in the moment. Thanks to the camera’s dual-lens design, the selfie stick is automatically stitched out of the final footage, resulting in incredible video-game-like angles.

With the powerful new ONE RS Core, Insta360’s proprietary FlowState Stabilization is now delivered through the camera hardware for smoother-than-ever videos. With enhanced stabilization applied in camera, creators can now instantly share smooth wide-angle content to social media without having to process it in the Insta360 app. No matter how much the camera is rotated during the action, 360 horizon leveling also ensures your video always stays magically level. Toggle a switch in the Insta360 app or desktop software with footage shot on any of the three lenses and watch the footage instantly level out. 

With a rugged design and IPX8 waterproofing to 16 feet, ONE RS is built to go anywhere you go. Even at the height of the action, high-performance connectors ensure a reliable connection between the mods, while a number of hardware upgrades make operating the camera seamless.

Upgrades to the new Core include:

  • An additional mic, for crisp and true-to-life audio
  • 50% faster WiFi, for easy mobile file transfers
  • An Instant Zoom function, for digitally zooming in up to 2.7x while recording videos
  • A Quick menu, for easy access to preset shooting modes

The Mounting Bracket has also been redesigned, with a quick-release mechanism for switching lenses on the fly, a windproof mic cover, and a heat-dissipating panel to ensure the camera stays cool while recording. With the Quick Reader accessory, there’s no need to transfer files over WiFi, saving time, the camera’s battery, and mobile storage space. Simply plug it into ONE RS to save files to the SD card and then plug it into your phone to start editing. Editing epic shots is easier than ever with the Insta360 app’s powerful editing suite, packed with AI-powered features.

For 360 footage, finding the best angle is easy with Snap Wizard—simply move your phone or swipe the screen to change the angle of the camera and export your desired footage instantly. For fun effects like cloning or stop motion, Shot Lab is constantly being updated with new AI editing effects. One exciting new effect is Cinelapse, which adds cinematic transitions between clips to create a next-level hyperlapse.

For wide-angle footage, FlashCut uses AI to find the best moments in your clips and edit them together on beat to music. You can choose from several different editing themes, from action highlight reels to travel vlogs. For creators who prefer editing on desktop, the free Insta360 Studio software is also available for Mac and Windows, as well as free plugins for Adobe Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro. 

ONE RS isn’t just an action camera. It also doubles as a 360-degree live streaming camera using the Insta360 app, as well as a webcam when connected to a computer. Thanks to its interchangeable lens design, ONE RS is all but future-proof, with exciting potential for future hardware upgrades and expanded functionality.

As a modular system, several purchasing options are available. The Twin Edition includes the powerful combination of the 4K Boost Lens and 360 Lens, and offers the best value at $549.99. For users looking to upgrade their wide-angle action cam setup, the 4K Edition retails for $299.99, while the 1-Inch Edition retails for $549.99. The Core, battery and Mounting Bracket are also available to purchase as a bundle. Support for the 4K Boost Lens with the ONE R Core will come in a post-launch firmware update.

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360-Degree Cameras

Insta360 Launches EVO Foldable Camera That Shoots 180 3D and 360 Videos

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Insta360 today launched EVO, a camera that comes with a quick-folding body. This allows the EVO to transform between two shooting modes, one for shooting lifelike 180-degree 3D content and another for immersive 360 that captures every angle at once.

Insta360 also announced two new technologies that make reliving memories in 3D easier than ever. Insta360 VR, a new app for Oculus Go, HTC VIVE Focus and Samsung Gear VR, allows you to connect EVO to a headset for streamlined wireless playback and transfer. Insta360 HoloFrame is a specially designed phone display cover that lets you watch 3D photos and video with the naked eye. It’s simple, mind-blowing and feels like magic.

By unfolding its dual lenses and tapping the shutter button, EVO captures 5.7K 180 3D video and 18 MP 180 3D photos. Fold the EVO so its lenses are back to back and it shoots 5.7K 360 video and 18 MP 360 photos. Content captured on the EVO can be played back on any VR headset, allowing for 3D immersion. Using the new Insta360 VR app, users can also wirelessly connect EVO to an Oculus Go, HTC VIVE Focus (support coming later this month) or Samsung Gear VR for instant 5.7K playback straight off the camera. The app also offers streamlined file transfer and real-time VR monitoring while shooting with the EVO.

There are times, though, when a headset isn’t handy or when it’s easier to share a moment with friends and family by simply opening it up on a phone like we usually do. That’s the idea behind the innovative Insta360 HoloFrame, allowing naked-eye playback of 3D content straight from a smartphone — no glasses needed. Insta360 co-engineered HoloFrame with Mopic, a South Korea-based company focused on innovative approaches to 3D playback.

HoloFrame pops straight over a smartphone display (think a reverse phone case). Then, users open their favorite 3D photo or video in the EVO app. During playback, the app uses eye-tracking to align with a viewer’s gaze and display an image that takes on a lifelike three dimensions in their line of sight. It’s a groundbreaking way to experience 3D content that has to be seen to be believed.  

Sold separately, HoloFrame is priced at $29.99 and is available today for iPhone models X, XS, XS Max and XR, with additional versions for Samsung Galaxy S8, S8+, S9, S9+ and Note 8 models coming soon.

Good stabilization is essential for both 360 and 180 3D content, especially when it’s viewed in a headset. That’s why EVO uses FlowState Stabilization, the industry-leading tech that captures footage so stable it looks gimbal-mounted. Filming 180 3D used to mean you were stuck in place, with footage that became unwatchable as soon as you moved. Now, creators can move freely to get the shot, while ensuring footage stays smooth, steady and headset-ready.

Insta360’s signature TimeShift mode puts a 360 twist on time-lapse and hyper-lapse photography, allowing EVO users to control both the flow of time and the perspective of the camera at any given moment. TimeShift is a killer feature for travel experiences, family events and more.

EVO uses best-in-class HDR video capture technology for both 180 and 360 shooting modes. Scenes look natural and vibrant in every direction, with no post processing necessary. HDR photos are also supported for both 180 and 360 shooting modes. The EVO’s companion app makes capturing and editing great moments easy.

WiFi connectivity lets users see what they’re capturing on EVO in real time, and then quickly transfer footage to their phone. The app also lets users easily publish 360 and 180 3D content to supporting platforms, such as YouTube and Facebook.

EVO is priced at $419.99 and available to order now via , B&H Photo Video and select retailers worldwide.

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Watch World Games in 360° Virtual Reality

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For the first time in Special Olympics history, people will be able to experience the excitement of a World Games unfold in 360° Virtual Reality prior to and during Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019, which takes place from 14 – 21 March. The Local Organizing Committee (LOC) of Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019 has partnered with leading digital creative studio, CreatorUp, to develop spectacular 360° Virtual Reality experiences that offer fans the opportunity to engage with Special Olympics athletes around the world in an unprecedented manner.

Launching today, UAE Now – the first in a 3-part pre-Games ‘Meet The Determined’ film series that is being released in the lead-up to the event – looks at the story of the United Arab Emirates and how the nation is gearing up to host the largest sports and humanitarian event on the planet this year. Throughout the Games from 14 March onwards, a live daily one-hour show will be broadcast on YouTube from 6-7pm looking at all the competition action and other cultural events taking place on the side-lines of the World Games. The show will be hosted by UAE cultural expert and social media influencer Max of Arabia.

Additionally, for the first time ever, fans and families across the world will be able to tune into live 360° coverage of the Opening Ceremony, with the CreatorUp team reporting on the event and providing an immersive experience of the celebration.Fans can head to the Festival Area at ADNEC from 12 – 20 March to try out watching the series on Samsung VR headsets.

The full 3-part Meet The Determined film series will include:

  • ‘UAE Now’, which offers an insight into the preparations ahead of the first World Games in the Middle East as well as covering different topics such as how the UAE government is leading by example in promoting inclusivity and what people can expect from the event.
  • ‘50 years of Special Olympics’, which focuses on the history of the organization and the impact Special Olympics has had since the journey began in 1968.
  • ‘Athletes at Home’, travelling to various countries across the world and capturing the stories of athletes and families – the film will look at what makes them so determined to excel and overcome the stereotypes of intellectual disability.

In less than 2 weeks, the UAE will welcome more than 7,500 athletes from over 190 nations, who will compete in Abu Dhabi and Dubai between 14-21 March.

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