Overview
This article will go over setting up the Insta360 Pro 1 camera, configuring the recording settings, remotely linking to it via the Insta360 Phone App, then exporting for Post-Production.
Camera Setup
The Insta360 Pro kit comes with a case and a separate monopod. The case contains the camera, a lens cover, two camera batteries, and a dual-battery charger with cables.
Set the monopod up, open up the case, and take out the camera. It can be twisted and attached to the top of the monopod. Be careful as the Insta360 Pro 1 camera is relatively top heavy. I suggest using two hands, keep it stable when attaching, and be ready to catch, if needed.
There is a latched battery compartment on the opposite side of the LCD screen. The Insta360 kit comes with two batteries, they will look like long rectangular blocks with a handle on one end, and five notches on the other.
Place the battery with the notches down, into the battery compartment.
Next, insert an SD card placed into the camera. The SD card slot is directly below the battery. The Insta360 Pro requires a high speed SD card. Their documentation recommends using a SanDisk Extreme Pro V30 SD card, with the V30 mark being a hard requirement.
Next, turn the camera on by double-tapping the circle/'O' button below, on the LCD screen side. Once on, the nearby white light should turn on. Both it and the recording indicator lights between the lenses will also indicate battery level by turning yellow (<20%) or red (<10%).
It will take a few moments for the camera to fully start. Once ready, you will be brought to a menu with six options (in order from top left, left-to-right, top-to-bottom): Photo, Video, Livestream, WiFi, Calibrate, and Settings.
Using the up and down arrow keys, you are able to cycle through your options. 'O' serves as the confirm key, with a 'Back' button beside the arrows.
Go to Settings > Storage, select your SD card, select the format EXFAT (this will be the only choice), then confirm formatting.
Once formatted, return to the home screen and select Stitching Calibration in the bottom middle.
Follow the onscreen instructions, make sure to stand a meter away and that there are no objects directly in front within that radius of the camera.
Once done, you may notice that the fans on the Pro 1 are rather loud. This camera is capable of recording spatial audio, and, by default, the fans will be on and hearable. In camera settings, there is an option to Sample Fan Noise in order to remove during Post Production. That said, there is also an option to turn the fan off.
PLEASE NOTE: You may only record 15 minutes of non-Real-time Stitched (RTS) video footage with the fans off! The camera will also display this warning.
Depending on your recording resolution, you may either have this stitched during recording (with 'Real-time Stitching' enabled), or you will have to stitch your footage in Post Production using a separate software such as Insta360 STITCHER.
Real-time stitching (RTS) is available up to 4K resolution. Any higher, and you will need to stitch your footage during post production. If you are using RTS, then the fans will need to be on during recording
Lastly, if you would like to connect to the Pro 1 camera with your phone/device for remote control, go to Settings and set WiFi to AP. Otherwise, feel free to disregard this and skip the (Optional) Linking to Insta360 Pro App section.
(Optional) Linking to Insta360 Pro App
In addition to navigating and recording from the camera alone, you are also able to connect to it using your phone or device using the Insta360 Pro app (iOS/Android/Windows/macOS).
First, download and install the app on your device.
On your phone's/device's WiFi, connect to the Insta360 Pro camera. Its access point will resemble the format: "Insta360-Pro-XXXXXX.XXX". Your camera's WiFi setting should be set to AP.
In the Insta360 Pro app on your device, you will be prompted to select a Connection Method. Since we're connecting to the camera as a hotspot, swipe to the right and select Connection Method B. The default device IP will be 192.168.43.1, and will be auto-filled.
Once ready, press Connect and you will be able to remotely configure and record with the Pro camera. You will be brought to the main app menu.
Recording
This article will assume you are recording a 2D 360 video; however, this camera can be used for photography and livestreaming, both in monoscopic and stereoscopic. This section will have two options: controlling/configuring the camera via the phone app or only using the camera itself.
Insta360 Pro App
On the main app menu, select 'Video'. Here, you will be able to configure your recording settings and stream what the camera sees (with some delay).
Set what Mode you are using. We would be using Normal in this case. There are also options for high FPS (120FPS) and a Timelapse mode.
Set your Content Type (Panoramic/2D vs 3D/Stereoscopic)
Set whether you would like to use Real Time Stitching, supported for lens resolutions up to 4K. Past that, you will need to stitch in Post.
Select your Single lens resolution.
Review your settings, and then begin recording once ready.
Camera Only
If you are recording using solely the camera, and without the phone app: navigate to the video camera icon, and confirm.
Using the arrow buttons, you are able to cycle through the Insta360 Pro's recording presets:
- 8K@5FPS
- 8K@30FPS
- 6K@30FPS | 3D
- 4K@120FPS
- 4K@60FPS | 3D
- 4K@24FPS | 3D
- 4K@30FPS
Resolutions marked with 3D are stereoscopic recordings.
On the right side of the screen, if you see RTS, signifies Real-Time Stitching is enabled. Past 4K, it is no longer available. With RTS enabled, the camera will record with the fans on, regardless of your setting.
Confirm with the O key. Press the O key again once you are ready to record. When recording, you will see small white lights blinking between each pair of lenses.
If you have inserted a new SD card or recently reformatted it, the camera will run a one-time speed test on the SD card. Your SD card must meet the recommended specifications. Insta360 uses a SanDisk Extreme Pro V30 SD card as an example, and it should be formatted as exFat.
Once the SD card is verified, you will be brought back to the recording screen.
Press the O key to begin recording. Hit it again to stop.
Exporting
Take the SD card out of the camera, and insert into your computer/current workstation.
At the base directory of the SD card, you will find each of your shots saved in folders titled "VID_" then the date and time of recording, formatted as "VID_YYYY_MM_DD_HH_MM_SS" (ex. VID_2023_11_04_16_08_15).
Transfer your footage onto your personal storage and then proceed into the [Insta360 Pro #2] Post Production Workflow article.
Resources
- Insta360: Pro 1 User Guide
- Insta360: LUT for restoring color if shot using Flat Color mode