MINI TESTS
The YI can not only record 360° footage in 4K but it also streams it to websites that support this technology, such as Facebook Live. So viewers can take a look aroundwhat’s going on in real-time at events, for example. The camera stitches the footage internally, although you do have to turn this function on as it’s off by default. As well as 4K, the camera can record in 5.7K resolution but this is only to aMicroSDmemory card and needs editing afterwards on a computer. This is where it gets a bit tricky, as the free YI 360 Studio desktop app is forWindows only. Mac users are urged by YI to download theMistikaVR software which is a fully-functioning professional tool, costing £43/$60 a month for the basic Personal version and £61/$85 for the Pro version. As a pro tool, it’s one of the best with lots of built-in features but complicated for the beginner. If you intend to add 360 VR video to your business, you’ll need to get to grips with it. However, the YI camera is easy to use when you rely on the camera to stitch everything and upload directly to YouTube or Facebook via the free YI app for iOS and Android devices. This is easy to use and lets you control the camera remotely, ideal for ensuring you’re not in the shot. Your device searches for the YI’s ownWi-Fi network and connects quickly. You can then see what the camera sees, use your finger on the screen to look around the scene and change the camera’s settings. You also can convert your images into different views including a panoramic, little planet-style viewor stretched. You can alter this after capture. The camera also has six-axis internal stabilisationwhich is ideal if it’s used like an action camera, although it’s not waterproof. It has a standard tripod mount on the bottomand comes with its ownmini tripod, so youwould need a converter tomake it fit most general action cameramounts.
SPECIFICATIONS Lenses: Dual 220° FOV, f/2.0, 2 aspheric glass lenses LCD screen: 96x64 dot matrix OLED Sensor: 2x 12-megapixel Sony CMOS 1/2.3in Formats: 5.7K,5K,4K,2.5K@30fps, 2.5K, 2K@60fps, 2K@120fps H.264, MP4 format Other formats: Time-lapse ISO range: 400-6400 Stabilisation: 6-axis Charging: USB Type C Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, HDMI, USB Type C Storage: MicroSD Class 3 Dimensions: 102x53.2 x29.6mm/ 2.6x1.7x1.2in Weight: 170g/3.4oz PROMOVIEMAKERRATING: 8/10 Pros: Great quality and easy connectivity Cons: Needs additional software for use onMac video, 4K live streaming Photo: 12-megapixel JPEG The 1400mA battery lasts for around an hour in 4K/30pmode but that drops to 40minutes if you’re using 5.7K. However, you can connect an external battery via the USB-C charging socket to stream for longer, such as at an all-day event, or even connect this to a permanent power source. There are mics on either side, so audio is not too bad but there’s no option for a proper external mic. The app lets you easily control ISO, white-balance and exposure, which is always tough as a 360 camera obviously shoots in all directions – frombright sky to dark shadows. Easy-to- understand settings for stills and time-lapse are also in the app. The image quality itself is very good, but don’t let those headline figures of 4K or 5.7K fool you into thinking this is comparable to 5.7K froma regular video camera. It’s not, but the footage is still sharp and punchy, with lots of detail even in high-contrast situations. As a VR camera to introduce the regular filmmaker into the world of 360, the YI camera is a great tool, inexpensive and easy to get to grips with quickly via the app. And as your skills and knowledge increase, you can do lotsmore with the footage. AD
YI TECHNOLOGY 360 VR CAMERA £355 /$399 www.yitechnology.com If you think shooting and editing regular two-dimensional films for use on a normal screen is complicated enough, then the idea of shooting 360° VRmoviesmight just tip you over the edge. There’s somuchmore to think of, such as audio and not getting in the shot. And that’s before the added complexities of stitching together the footage then editing it. It’s an art that is just in its infancy formost filmmakers, but something that can give you an edge with your clients. Being able to offer VR video footage, as well as 360° stills, can give you a huge advantage over others who haven’t embraced the technology. YI Technology comes to the rescue of those new to the world of 360° with a user-friendly VR camera that’s small, affordable and packs a big punch in terms of making it easy to use your footage. And it also offers lots of options for themore advanced user to edit it on professional editing software. The small unit essentially has a pair of camerasmounted back to back, using a pair of fast f/2.0 lenses with two aspheric elements. These lenses have a 220° field of view, so there is some overlap at the edges, which allows plenty of room for clever software to match up the footage.
ABOVE Essentially the YI 360 is two cameras mounted back to back.
BELOW The YI 360 VR camera comes with its own mini tripod and there’s a free YI app for iOS and Android.
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SPRING 2018 PRO MOVIEMAKER
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