Tech,Space,Gaming, and Science Fiction News to wet your whistle
Insta360 Pro 2 captures 8K VR video with stabilization
Get link
Facebook
X
Pinterest
Email
Other Apps
Back in December, Insta360 managed to prolong the life of its professional VR camera, the aptly-named Insta360 Pro, with a significant firmware upgrade. But of course, since there is only so much that software can do, the company is now bringing us the Insta360 Pro 2 to offer a bigger performance bump, while also aiming to simplify one's VR production workflow.
Most notably, this 3.42-pound camera can capture 360 video at up to 8K 3D at 30 fps, and thanks to its new 9-axis gyroscope, it's backed by the company's impressive FlowState stabilization technology, thus offering more creative freedom to users. Another major addition to the kit is the dedicated "Farsight" 5.18GHz video transmission system, which is plugged into the camera via the LAN port, has a 300m range and is said to be a more reliable alternative to the old WiFi for live monitoring on a mobile device; hence the higher price tag -- $5,000 instead of $3,499.
The familiar-looking Pro 2 still consists of six 200-degree f/2.4 lenses, but with each lens powered by a new sensor for maximum bit rate of 120 Mbps, plus direct access to one microSD card each for post-processing stitching (all six slots can be found under the belly); this is why this camera is able to capture up to 8K 2D at 60 fps, 8K 3D at 30 fps or even 8K 2D HDR at 30fps.
The old full-size SD card can still be found under the removable battery (which lasts for up to 60 minutes), and in this mode, it's used for storing gyroscopic metadata (for FlowState stabilization) plus a low-res clone of the clips from all six lenses. These proxy files are designed for use with Insta360's Adobe Premiere Pro plug-in, which lets you make quicker edits using those smaller files, and then it applies those edits to their full-res counterparts for the final output. I'm sure that this time-saving feature will be much appreciated by the 360 video editors out there.
For those who prefer the old quick and dirty way, you can still toggle real-time stitching and have the stitched footage stored on the full-size SD card, but you'll only get up to 4K 3D at 30 fps -- still a slight bump from the old 24 fps limit. It's worth pointing out that the original clips per lens are still saved to the microSD cards in this mode, so should something go horribly wrong with the auto stitching, you can always just grab the original files and stitch manually. Likewise for 360 live-streaming which supports up to 4K 2D at 30 fps (4K or 8K 2D clips of the same frame rate are stored simultaneously per lens) or 4K 3D at 30 fps (4K 3D or 6K 3D clips are stored).
Not much has changed for stills: The Pro 2 benefits from the same-old 12K multi-photo composite mode using post-processing stitching, and it supports up to 7,680 x 7,680 in 3D with real-time stitching.
Given the seemingly impressive FlowState stabilization here, the Pro 2 will likely see more mobile usage. The company found that those who carry its original Pro around tend to use their own audio recording equipment, so to make their lives easier, it's added an extra pair of 3.5mm mic-in jack plus a USB port near the top of the Pro 2. That way the users are no longer limited to sticking their own recording devices to the bottom side of the 360 camera. But for those who aren't too fussed about audio, they can simply use the Pro 2's four built-in mics instead.
Also found near the top of the Pro 2 are two new antennas: One for GPS and the other for WiFi. The latter offers the same 30 fps frame rate for live monitoring while within a five-meter range, which still serves as a handy backup should your Farsight kit run out of battery (it should be good for three hours) or is out of service.
Given the price tag, the Insta360 Pro 2 clearly isn't meant for everyone, but based on the list of specs and features, it should solve many pain points faced by the professionals -- especially on the mobility side, which will hopefully lead to more interesting VR content in the very near future. For those who want to give this camera a spin, you can already place an order today and expect shipment within 15 to 20 business days.
By Liam McCabe This post was done in partnership with Wirecutter . When readers choose to buy Wirecutter's independently chosen editorial picks, it may earn affiliate commissions that support its work. Read the full article here . After six summers of researching, testing, and recommending window air conditioners, we've learned that quiet and affordable ACs make most people the happiest—and we think the LG LW8016ER will fit the bill in most rooms. This 8,000 Btu unit cools as efficiently and effectively as any model with an equal Btu rating, and runs at a lower volume and deeper pitch than others at this price. Little extra features like a fresh-air vent, two-axis fan blades, and a removable drain plug help set it apart, too. The LG LW8016ER is a top choice for an office or den, and some people will find it quiet enough for a bedroom, too. If our main pic...
Currently priced at: 14.69 via https://ift.tt/HzrCcJa May 4, 2022 at 07:00PM Manage Unsubscribe from these notifications or sign in to manage your Email service. ...
Pre-loaded cartridges of cannabis concentrate are currently among the most popular means of consumption, and for good reason. They're discreet to use and easy to handle, a far cry from the dark days of 2016 when we had to dribble hash oil or load wax into narrow-mouthed vape pens by hand. But, frustratingly, an ever increasing number of oil cartridge manufacturers employ one-off design standards so that their products won't work with those of their competitors, thereby locking customers into proprietary ecosystems. We've already seen this with nicotine vaporizers -- which has a seen a massive rise in "pod systems" in the last few years, each outfitted with a unique canister and battery built to be incompatible with those of their competition. Is it too late for the burgeoning cannabis industry to set a universal standard for their product designs? ...
Comments
Post a Comment