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How do I record and share 360° videos using Ricoh Theta cameras?

Here are step-by-step instructions to help you record 360° videos using your Ricoh Theta camera and export these files for Avatour use.

Step 1: Download the Ricoh Theta app

If you haven't already done so, download the Ricoh Theta app to your mobile device from your respective app store.  You can download the Apple version here and the Google Play version here

Step 2: Connect the Theta app to your camera

Power on your Ricoh Theta camera and launch the Theta app. To start the connection process, click the round Theta icon at the bottom of the screen:

If you have not connected your camera before, you'll see this screen:

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If you have connected your camera before, you'll see a screen that looks something like this (depending on model):

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Choose the option corresponding to the relevant connection mode.

Tip: When you connect to a Theta camera it may request a password. The default password for Theta cameras is the last 8 digits of the camera name.

Note: Theta cameras support several different connection modes, and the specifics are beyond the scope of this article. If you have trouble connecting your Theta, please visit the Ricoh support site for more information, depending on your model: Theta V, Theta X, Theta Z1.

Step 3: Validate Recording Settings

After the camera is connected, you should see a preview mode, including several settings, as shown here.

If you're unfamiliar with these settings, simply confirm the following recommended settings:

  • Movie mode (top icon)
  • 360 mode (right corner of preview area)
  • EV 0.0
  • WB Auto
  • Shutter auto (lower right)

In addition, click on the "gear" icon in the upper right corner to set your recording mode options. Depending on whether you want to optimize for ease-of-use or quality, you could choose different options here.

Optimized for ease-of-use:

  • Bitrate: Low
  • Microphone gain: Normal
  • Stitching during shooting: On
  • Video size:  4k (typically the highest option available with stitching during shooting)

Optimized for quality:

  • Bitrate: High
  • Microphone gain: Normal
  • Stitching during shooting: Off
  • Video size:  choose the highest available (4k on some Theta models, 5.7k on others)

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Step 4: Record Video

Click the red button to start recording!

Many Theta models will not show a preview image during recording, but they will show a timer as shown here:

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Click the red button again to stop recording.

 

Step 5: Export Video to Mobile Device

When your recording is complete, you'll exit to the main app menu. Select the "Cam Images" option from the menu in order to review the photos and videos stored on the camera.

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Click on the "Gear" icon to open the settings menu. Ensure the following settings are selected:

  • Transfer method: Copy
  • Video top/bottom correction: On
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Select the video you just created (it will be at the top), and transfer to your mobile device will begin. Video files are large and transfer will take considerable time. Be sure to keep the Theta app open on your device or the transfer will fail.

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Step 6: Upload Video to your Avatour Asset Library

Option One (recommended): Avatour app

Download the Avatour app from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.

Launch the app and login using your Avatour account.

Choose the "Gallery" icon. You'll see a list of the images and videos on your phone.

Locate the 360 video you downloaded to your phone, and choose it. Then click Upload to begin uploading to the Avatour cloud.

Option Two: Browser Upload

Using your Android/iOS mobile browser, login into the Host Dashboard at avatour.live/login

Next, click the top left pane option and select "Assets".

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Once this page has loaded select the orange "Upload Files" button in the top right corner to access your phone's media library containing the exported files

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After selecting which files to upload,  progress will be indicated in the bottom right corner of the page. A green completion banner will appear at the top of the browser page once the upload is finished.