Insta360 X4 FOVs (Dewarp, Mega and Ultra) comparison

[@ralusek]

I don't actually understand what is happening when I select from these at record time. As far as I can tell, the camera is recording full 360 spherical no matter which you select, at which point the FOV is simply a function of how cropped into the spherical footage you want to be. This is something that can be dynamically selected in post processing though, so what is even happening when we select it at record time? Is it just to determine what shows up in the screen while recording? Is it just to determine the baseline FOV that is used as a starting point in post processing?

[@Shmepple]

Exactly what I was thinking. I still have no idea what the differences are.

[@castle_media423]

Came here looking for answer to this as well my take is that if I shoot in Mega and want to change FOV to dewarp to avoid curving then I have to do so in post edits using the key frame to set it. If set to dewarp from the start of recording then I can avoid key framing first. I guess my point is I typically prefer dewarped footages (less curve) so I typically begin with dewarp and will only switch to wider FOV in post for specific moments. I saw another YT content maker that suggested we should always use MEGA but I think his use case was mostly outdoor hiking which makes more sense for wider view.

[@Livewild78]

dont have X4 for the moment, but i think it's like stitching option on X3 (i owned and lost..), maybe just for preview on screen or point to start in postprod (dont really remember but i didn't care of stitching option at recording , only in postprod), but doesn't have consequence on your definitive choice in postprod insta360studio

[@sharkeymusic9165]

I am going on a long motorcycle trip with my X4. What settings would you recommend as a set and forget? I am not a big fan of the fish eye look that I tend to get. I also find that when I am going through a heavily tree covered area that the tops of the trees are blurred. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!

[@AmyRoseNose]

Which is the best for editing sportbike videos???

[@subethasoftware]

I personally HATE the warped fish-eye look of action cameras and 360 cameras, but if you want to get more in than just what is right in front of you, pick a wide angle view you like.

[@ras0ne]

Where can you switch between the FOVs on Insta360 Studio (desktop).

[@Jcool721]

Thanks, what a great comparison. I use dewarp if I like to have more speed in the video! It's amazing in sports like MTB riding in the woods. Beautiful natural blur and crazy speed :-)

[@subethasoftware]

I have much to learn! I normally use this camera for walking around theme parks and capturing everything going on, so I don't have to spend my vacation looking at a screen or through a lens. I have used it on some bike and scooter rides, and may try to do more of that this year.

[@ElmerVlog]

Nice video comparison

[@mikelafferty5253]

I find myself using Mega most of the time, the fov is HUGE!!

[@subethasoftware]

We are in a world where folks actually seem to enjoy looking at warped video where all the buildings are curved, etc. A year or two ago, I did some walk thru videos of Universal Orlando using one of the fish-eye modes. It really does capture a lot more of what is "going around" but I'm so old school I still have a hard time "liking" warped video like that.

[@Ro_revi]

If I had to choose, I like "mega".

[@subethasoftware]

Thanks to the resolution improvements with the X4, I am expecting to mostly record 360 video. With the ONE X2 and X3, I would usually just record single lens since the reframed 360 was pretty poor. With X4, I think the reframed video is "good enough" but if I really want to record something with better resolution and lack of warping, I'll just use my phone for that.

[@lancairdriver]

Noob question, I know, but does the setting change of Mega, Dewarp, or Ultra actually change the way the 360 video is recorded or just how it is first seen in editing software? I would have thought a camera that shoots 360 would have all the possible FOV. Just got x4 yesterday and have to break 40+ years of old school video habits, thanks for help.

[@subethasoftware]

In single lens mode, the FOV setting (vertical or horizontal video, too) will be what is put in the MP4 file. For 360, the file that is recorded looks like two fish eye circles, and the field of view is just synthetic by the editing software. I can just walk around and record 360, then export it in all these different modes.

[@lancairdriver]

@@subethasoftware Thanks, very helpful. Now if I can only figure out why I'm getting worse battery life with 8k 30 than with 5.7 30 with my new x4

[@subethasoftware]

@@lancairdriver I would expect any larger format would have worse battery life simply from having to do more I/O to the memory card, writing out more data. Larger file, more work. Maybe that should be a test. Lens cap on, so it's encoding the same "screen", and record for 45 minutes in 8K, 45 minutes in 5.7K, 45 minutes in 5.7K+, etc. and check the file sizes. The estimates given by Insta360 are just estimates, and we should see a much smaller file when recording things that are not moving, versus recording motion/action footage.

[@M3lionsinformationBOOTH]

Like that comparison!

[@subethasoftware]

There are other modes (see other comments here) but I am not sure where they are. I saw them when I first got the camera and went through every Setting option, and I need to redo that. I have more comparisons to do.

[@MensFashionFiles]

good stuff

[@MisterSoul2008]

Great!

[@jensendelap]

Q1 What fields of view (FOV) does X4 support? MegaView: Suitable for wide-shooting and urban scenes. Vertical distortion is reduced in 16:9/2.35:1 ratios. MaxView: Widest angle with distortion, best for shooting open landscapes such as canyons and grass. ActionView: Compresses the space for an immersive first-person view, ideal for skiing, cycling, and more. UltraWide: Suitable for scenes requiring a wider view such as mountaineering, hiking, and other outdoor sports. Dewarp: Lower distortion, suitable for shots with people, such as vlogs.

[@subethasoftware]

Sadly, there must be some criteria that gives you all of those. My mobile app and desktop app only offer me Mega, Ultra, Dewarp, Crystal Ball and Tiny Planet with this video.

[@kitttt2002]

may i ask u film in 8k, 5.7k or 4k?

[@subethasoftware]

I believe these were all recorded as 380 videos in 8K mode. Keep in mind, that is 8K for the entire 360 image - front, back, left, right, up and down - so the resolution of each "view" is closer to HD.

[@wildcatslife686]

4k

[@RedpaX]

I use only mega

[@kmira]

nice

[@AldrikEthelward]

I hate the new app and studio ASPECT RATIOS ! my question is why Insta360 people delete the LINEAR and LINEAR+ and Narrow they say, they changed the name but isn't true the real aspect ratio Lienar and Linear+ is very good to do a video with 0 effect of fish eye the DEWARP the say is the same as LINEAR and LINEAR+ but not if you raise up and down you'll see the video get curved fuck it!!! for X4 if you want to add a new or rename the aspect ratio ok! but dont delete a real flat aspect ratio was very good and a lot people use that LINEAR and + aspect ratio to edit videos that look normal and not fish eye i hope INSTA360 return again that 3 aspect ratios linear and + and Narrow! what a big mistake!!

[@JJ-pl4ee]

Thank you for this. I was considering buying the cam and was searching if non fish eye is possible.

[@subethasoftware]

I had hoped it was just a renaming of LINEAR. I did not think to test those modes against the X3.

[@BeautifulKrk]

Glad I saw this. Was going to buy the X4 but now when I read there is no true linear mode anymore there is a no way I am buying this one. No way!