Capture the world as your eyes see it.
VR180 video surrounds half the world of a viewer, allowing for 180º of exploration. Your audience can look around just enough to be immersed, but not need to rotate in all directions.
To learn more about how to experience VR, visit the Watch page.
For Creators looking for a hands-on VR180 education, learn more about the VR Creator Lab.
Here are a few VR180 cameras currently available. Every camera can capture 180º footage, though each has features unique to it.
The EOS VR System with RF5.2mm F2.8 L Dual Fisheye lens now compatible with EOS R5, shoots 180° VR up to 8K@30p on a single camera. EOS VR software solutions are also provided, making it a good choice if you are looking for an easier post-production process, but still want to edit your footage.
Aperture: F2.8-16
Video Resolution: 8k@30p, 4k@60p
File Format: .mp4
Video Encoder: H.265/H.264
Audio Encoder: AAC
Microphone: Monaural
Update to firmware version 1.5.0 or later required
Camera records fisheye images equivalent to 8k resolution
A 2-in-1 360º and 180º camera, the Insta360 EVO shoots in 5.7K/4K/1440p @30fps. It’s a good choice if you usually shoot alone, don’t need to color-correct your footage, or prefer to publish sooner than later.
Aperture: f/2.2
Video Resolution: 57602880 @30fps, 38401920 @50fps, 38401920 @30fps, 30081504 @100fps
Photo Resolution: 6080*3040 (18 MP)
File Format: .insv, .mp4, .LOG, .insp, .jpg, .dng (RAW)
Video Encoder: H.264
ISO: 100 ~ 3200
Stabilization: Built-in 6-axis gyroscopic “Flowstate” stabilization
Exposure: -4EV to +4EV
White Balance: Auto, Cloudy, Sunny, Fluorescent, Incandescent
With the highest current resolution available for VR180, the Z CAM K1 Pro shoots in 6K@30fps and 4K@60fps. It has no built in monitor, though is a good choice if you need advanced camera settings and want to color-correct your footage.
Aperture: f/2.8-11
Video Resolution: 6K@30fps, 4K@60fps (post-stitching output)
File Format: .mov
Video Encoder: H.264
Audio Encoder: AAC
ISO: 100 ~ 3200
Exposure: Auto, Manual, Coordinated
White Balance: Auto, Manual, Coordinated
Professional Gamma Setting: Z-log
Microphone: Stereo
A 2-in-1 360º and 180º camera, the Vuze XR shoots in 5.7K@30fps and 4K@60fps. It’s a good choice if you usually shoot alone, don’t need to color-correct your footage, or prefer to publish sooner than later.
Aperture: f/2.4
Video Resolution: 5.7K@30fps, 4K@60fps, 4K@30fps
Photo Resolution: 6000*3000
File Format: .mp4
Video Encoder: H.264
Audio Encoder: AAC
ISO: 100 ~ 1600
Stabilization: Built-in 6-axis gyroscopic
Microphone: Four MEMS 48KHz microphones
VR180 is simpler to create than 360º video, but it’s still quite different from traditional filming. The following video provides a few tips to keep in mind when you start shooting.
Watch in headset: Open this page on your phone then tap the video.
For another good overview of shooting in VR180, check out the video below from our friends at VRScout (no headset required).
A VR180 camera captures two separate fisheye images, one for the left eye and one for the right. To make those different views editable, stitching software converts those images into two equirectangular squares placed either side-by-side or stacked one on top of the other.
Most VR180 cameras come with their own proprietary stitching software.
The post-production workflow is slightly different for each VR180 camera on the market. To find your particular workflow, first select your camera and then your preferred editing software.
Camera
Editing Software
You will use Insta360 Studio to stitch, Final Cut Pro X to edit, and VR180 Creator software to prepare for publishing to YouTube. These video tutorials will walk you through the basics of each step.
Capture
Stitch
Edit
Export
Upload
Projection: Cropped Equirectangular
Aspect Ratio (vertical option): 1:2 / Top-Bottom Stereo format / 2880 x 5760 resolution
Aspect Ratio (horizontal option): 2:1 / Side-by-side Stereo format / 5760 x 2880 resolution
Codec: ProRes 422 HQ
Frame Rate: 29.97 (for Highest Resolution Possible, or 30fps depending on your camera & workflow)
Audio codec: Stereo audio AAC / 48000Hz sample rate
You will use Insta360 Studio to stitch, Adobe Premiere 2018 to edit, and VR180 Creator software to prepare for publishing to YouTube. The video tutorials below will walk you through the basics of each step.
Capture
Stitch
Edit
Export
Upload
Projection: Cropped Equirectangular
Aspect Ratio (vertical option): 1:2 / Top-Bottom Stereo format / 2880 x 5760 resolution
Aspect Ratio (horizontal option): 2:1 / Side-by-side Stereo format / 5760 x 2880 resolution
Codec: ProRes 422 HQ
Frame Rate: 29.97 (for Highest Resolution Possible, or 30fps depending on your camera & workflow)
Audio codec: Stereo audio AAC / 48000Hz sample rate
After installing the Insta360 Studio plugin, you will use Adobe Premiere 2019 to both edit your footage and prepare it for publishing to YouTube. The video tutorials below will walk you through the basics of each step.
Capture
Edit
Upload
Projection: Cropped Equirectangular
Aspect Ratio (vertical option): 1:2 / Top-Bottom Stereo format / 2880 x 5760 resolution
Aspect Ratio (horizontal option): 2:1 / Side-by-side Stereo format / 5760 x 2880 resolution
Codec: ProRes 422 HQ
Frame Rate: 29.97 (for Highest Resolution Possible, or 30fps depending on your camera & workflow)
Audio codec: Stereo audio AAC / 48000Hz sample rate
You will use VR180 Creator software to stitch, FinalCut Pro X to edit, and VR180 Creator again to prepare for publishing to YouTube. The video tutorials below will walk you through the basics of each step.
Capture
Stitch
Edit
Export
Upload
Projection: Cropped Equirectangular
Aspect Ratio (vertical option): 1:2 / Top-Bottom Stereo format / 2880 x 5760 resolution
Aspect Ratio (horizontal option): 2:1 / Side-by-side Stereo format / 5760 x 2880 resolution
Codec: ProRes 422 HQ
Frame Rate: 29.97 (for Highest Resolution Possible, or 30fps depending on your camera & workflow)
Audio codec: Stereo audio AAC / 48000Hz sample rate
You will use VR180 Creator software to stitch, Adobe Premiere 2018 to edit, and VR180 Creator again to prepare for publishing to YouTube. The video tutorials below will walk you through the basics of each step.
Capture
Stitch
Edit
Export
Upload
Projection: Cropped Equirectangular
Aspect Ratio (vertical option): 1:2 / Top-Bottom Stereo format / 2880 x 5760 resolution
Aspect Ratio (horizontal option): 2:1 / Side-by-side Stereo format / 5760 x 2880 resolution
Codec: ProRes 422 HQ
Frame Rate: 29.97 (for Highest Resolution Possible, or 30fps depending on your camera & workflow)
Audio codec: Stereo audio AAC / 48000Hz sample rate
You will use VR180 Creator software to stitch, and then Adobe Premiere 2019 to both edit your footage and prepare it for publishing to YouTube. The video tutorials below will walk you through the basics of each step.
Capture
Stitch
Edit
Upload
Projection: Cropped Equirectangular
Aspect Ratio (vertical option): 1:2 / Top-Bottom Stereo format / 2880 x 5760 resolution
Aspect Ratio (horizontal option): 2:1 / Side-by-side Stereo format / 5760 x 2880 resolution
Codec: ProRes 422 HQ
Frame Rate: 29.97 (for Highest Resolution Possible, or 30fps depending on your camera & workflow)
Audio codec: Stereo audio AAC / 48000Hz sample rate
You will use Vuze VR Studio to stitch, FinalCut Pro X to edit, and VR180 Creator software to prepare for publishing to YouTube. The video tutorials below will walk you through the basics of each step.
Capture
Stitch
Edit
Export
Upload
Projection: Cropped Equirectangular
Aspect Ratio (vertical option): 1:2 / Top-Bottom Stereo format / 2880 x 5760 resolution
Aspect Ratio (horizontal option): 2:1 / Side-by-side Stereo format / 5760 x 2880 resolution
Codec: ProRes 422 HQ
Frame Rate: 29.97 (for Highest Resolution Possible, or 30fps depending on your camera & workflow)
Audio codec: Stereo audio AAC / 48000Hz sample rate
You will use Vuze VR Studio to stitch, Adobe Premiere 2018 to edit, and VR180 Creator software to prepare for publishing to YouTube. The video tutorials below will walk you through the basics of each step.
Capture
Stitch
Edit
Export
Upload
Projection: Cropped Equirectangular
Aspect Ratio (vertical option): 1:2 / Top-Bottom Stereo format / 2880 x 5760 resolution
Aspect Ratio (horizontal option): 2:1 / Side-by-side Stereo format / 5760 x 2880 resolution
Codec: ProRes 422 HQ
Frame Rate: 29.97 (for Highest Resolution Possible, or 30fps depending on your camera & workflow)
Audio codec: Stereo audio AAC / 48000Hz sample rate
You will use Vuze VR Studio to stitch, and then Adobe Premiere 2019 to both edit your footage and prepare it for publishing to YouTube. The video tutorials below will walk you through the basics of each step.
Capture
Stitch
Edit
Upload
Projection: Cropped Equirectangular
Aspect Ratio (vertical option): 1:2 / Top-Bottom Stereo format / 2880 x 5760 resolution
Aspect Ratio (horizontal option): 2:1 / Side-by-side Stereo format / 5760 x 2880 resolution
Codec: ProRes 422 HQ
Frame Rate: 29.97 (for Highest Resolution Possible, or 30fps depending on your camera & workflow)
Audio codec: Stereo audio AAC / 48000Hz sample rate
Once you’ve exported your edit and are ready to publish, upload to YouTube as “Unlisted”, allow at least one hour for processing time, and then watch in a Cardboard or other headset before going “Live”.
We recommend including “VR180” in the video title and to add viewing instructions in the description. Something like:
This is a VR180 video, so pop on your Google Cardboard or VR Headset to be totally immersed in my world! No headset? No problem. Move your mobile phone around and catch the total 180 experience.
If you missed the recommended export specs, you can find them here.