👉 RUclips VR and Meta Quest TV samples are out: ruclips.net/video/MtQlWHflmr8/видео.html - sorry it took me sometime to finish this. Working on the next sample as well and it will be out very soon! Don't forget to subscribe so you don't miss the news!
Fantastic introduction to the CALF vr cam. Love it! I am a recreational hobbyist only and have an EVO that I LOVE ... but that has been off the market for a long while now (couldn't purchase a NEW backup EVO if I wanted to do so ...) BUT and it's an attainable BUT ... the CALF cam is within the price range I'm willing to spend. I expect I WILL purchase this cam when it comes out. Thanks for the GREAT introduction!
Great news and an excellent review, Hugh! I still have my Insta Evo and in combination with the software from Topaz "Video AI" it delivers great quality. But I've been looking for an improved version for a long time. This could be an affordable camera. I'm looking forward to the future and I think it's great that YOU always keep your eyes open for us. Thank you!
cutting off the top and bottom is an interesting idea actually. Those are a lot of pixels saved which only take up little space when stitched. A lot of vr180 creators also put their logo or something at the bottom or top, so they could just make it fit to where it stretches. And it hides your tripod lol, so one worry less i guess.
Great review Hugh. Looking forward to seeing the comparison on metatv. My opinion is that this camera misses the mark based on image quality to price. The small sensor and compact optics put it in the ballpark of the horizontal resolution of the r5 series. R5 is out putting about 3.6k per eye stitched to 4k. This from the samples is giving us a solid 3k per eye. So it is not resolving as much as canon but is actually very close. Insta evo launched a $400 and gave us a bit under 3k per eye whereas this cam is $1500. It’s the vertical res that is lacking as this is probably an off the shelf sensor for consumer video cams. But vertical is not needed much. Stereoscopy is on par with canon which is very poor in both. Both this and canon will be good filming people in tight spaces. Only place where canon moves out far ahead is dynamic range and color which in the calf samples is very poor. So if you are only shooting VR than this makes more sense than canon which is honestly not that much better from samples. Build quality actually looks great and professional with lots of mounts. So while it’s better than an evo it’s really not 1k better. This cam should be priced at around $599 at most. A used K1 makes way more sense than this camera at 1.5k-2.5k price. There basically needs to be a vr180 cam using dual large action cam sensors for around 1k to meet the consumer market. For prosumer custom solutions seem like they will be the best for awhile more.
This is a very good overview! Appreciated for the inputs. For everyone info, the sensor is known - SONY IMX 577 - a common sensor. It is the weak department of the camera. All the other features thos are strong. Ease to use, great factory level 3D calibration, app for editing in VR and way to publish on platform directly. Def not gonna replace my R5 or R5C - not by far - but it land itself great in thing that I do not have a camera op, livestream or I just don't want to risk it, run and gun it. I will say this is more for Keeley than me as I love to pull focus, dail in my expource to the teeth and has log profile lol.
Where can I find a used K1 for 2k? All my searches came up dry... I'm itching to replace my EVO. 4 d*** years with the same cam is wayyyy too long for me.
Not having a similarly priced alternative in the current market does not mean this is not overpriced though. I watched some of their newer videos they posted in the last 3 days and the quality in overcast weather is very poor. I suspect you need amazing lighting to get passable footage with this camera. If insta360 took the $800 1 inch 360 camera and flipped the lenses it would have better quality IMO for a lot less money.
7:20 Where is the link to see these camera comparisons in YTVR? You're saying we need to watch this same video in YTVR? Or there's a different link somewhere?
@Hugh Hou Thanks, the gyro is correct, it works fine in videos. I mean: Why it doesn't work in photos? If I hold the camera 45° that angle will be used on the exported photo and that feels pretty wrong 🙈 But I marked the "Use gyroscope" checkbox before hitting export...
Good to see a new 3D 180 camera. Hope there's more to come this year. Surely Insta 360 have to update theirs now? The Vuze XR is the one I almost bought, but thought I would wait for the next one, that never came.
@@Insomn If this kickstarter raises the 1m+ I'm guessing it's trying to raise (no REAL kickstarter page yet), then Canon might indeed jump in and make it a reality. Their tease, instead of keeping it a surprise as usual, is likely due to this kickstarter competition, a la "keep your money safe and wait for us just a bit longer" lol
@@Fatman305 Canon's teased camera is in sort of an action cam form factor. It looks like it's trying to take the place of the EVO and compete with other 360 action cams at the same time. I dont think Calf is competing on the same space. Calf is doing to take out ZCam with this camera. I'd be interested in the new canon camera, but it doesn't look like it has a screen, and it's got a lot of better promoted 360 competition. It might never come out. Kodak had a camera that was basically the same thing a few years ago that never came out.
@@Insomn Unfortunately, statistically, it probably won't come out. As for who they're competing with: in my case, and many others' I'm sure, at this point I don't care about form factor or extra features like screen. I just want slightly higher res and slightly better low light image quality, and willing to spend up to $2k on it... Whoever makes it, gets my $.
Hi Hugh, thanks for the overview! I have three questions: 1) how long can it record in the hot california sun? Will it overheat? Even if it's plugged into a USB-C battery bank for extra runtime? 2) Will it support 10-bit video or even log? Part of what draws me to the Canon R5 is that it can produce HDR PQ VR180 content. 3) Does it support timecode in with something like a Deity TC-1/Tentacle Sync so we can sync with body pack recorders like the Tentacle Sync Track E/Deity PR-2?
1 - have not tested it in death valley yet if that is what you mean Cali sun lol. But in Paramount lot - we run it all day under the sun and its running. The Fan kick in at some point and get louder maybe - but can't really tell as Paramount is super noise as well. I do plug in my V-lock battery to use it so it last all day 2 - Nope, No 10-bit or log but the next one I am going to review will - but keep it a down low for now lol. Still working on it 3 - It support audio timecode but not professional feature - those you need R5C - not even R5 support that!
@@hughhou I'm also guessing CALF has no image stabilization if you're using a gimbal on this? And how does the CALF compare with the the zcam K1 or K2?
Thank you for the review of this very interesting camera! Are you also going to review the Teche 3D180VR camera? That's the next step up in price, but still cheaper than the Canon R5C system.
Issue with the Canon R5C is the IPD is too small giving everything a slightly fisheye look as 60mm IPD is too small which is why all the VR cameras have 64-65mm IPD. I'm glad there are other alternatives coming out though is this product actually going to be sold and supported from legit retailers? The last Chinese VR camera FM DUO was all the fuss for about 2 months and then gone.
Funded, just hope Kickstarter doesn’t cancel my Affirm payment. Bought Kandao, was too toyish. Bought the Samsung Round, way too unrealistic for my purpose. Was going to make my own but I want as point and shoot as I can get. Simply want to save memories to experience later in life. iPhone will come with dual lens vr180 capture within the next three or four years, so I’m paying a huge early adopter tax, but I can’t gamble that the aging good souls around me will still be there to film at that point. Worth it.
@@hughhouVery interested to see how they do it! Seems kinda crazy, but also the necessary element for mass adoption. Your channel is well positioned for the future 💪
Very worthy cause. I should probably follow through myself with some "plans" I've had for ages...to interview old members of extended family about their lives...
@@hughhou Is the new camera that is coming out one other than what is featured in this video? My 360 evo died a while ago, and they are no longer being sold. I'd like to have a few affordable options less than $6k.
@@hughhou Cant even buy Evo anymore. There's no second hand market for it either. I wish Insta360 would just release their VR mount for the OneR Twin already.
How is the onboard sound on the Calf? An external mic/recorder will of course work better, but decent onboard sound would be nice too, so you don't necessarily have to balance additional doodads on the gimbal. The Teche 3D180VR onboard sound is a real letdown - looking at the recordings in a spectrogram shows the internal sample rate is 16k only.
@@hughhou Yep, I was one of the early birds with Teche 3D180VR. It's a great camera except for the onboard sound - it sounds like the internal A/D converter only samples at 16000 Hz (just like Insta360 One R). It's a bit bigger and heavier than the Calf, so gimbal balancing is a bit trickier - especially if you also want to have a spatial audio recorder on the same plate.
@@LarryRosenthal the Teche 3D180VR is quite different from the EVO, quite a bit larger and heavier. There was an early bird discount for $3735 but now it costs $4225. Hugh Hou's review of the camera is soon up!
cropping these vertical canvas into a more digestible horizontal canvas, will make this 6k likely a mere 1080P , right ? I have a hard time find any logic sensors positioned in vertical canvas in any camera. Just does not make any sense. Or am i missing something here ?
The sensor is capable on 4K I believe - this is NOT* cropping the sensor but use the full sensor coverage - so it is opposite what you mean. If we want full 180 - then you will need a BIGGER sensor - but then, only smaller part of the sensor is used - so it is a waste of pixels. Canon is the only smart one to use all their image pixel with Dual Fisheye lens - but Canon make sensor so they can do whatever they want lol.
@Hugh Hou Regarding the thread about logo at the nadir: I personally do not like having the logo or anything other than retouched or tripod legs at the nadir. Since all of that distracts if you see it a bit when looking not in a real 90° angle but a bit downwards and it disturbs the immersion. A tripod leg doesn't has this effect and feels just real. That's why I prefer having it completely retouched (professional) or just leave it the way it is.
Yes agree! I am lazy so I usually avoid extra retouching works. But most of my client works requires retouching. My own content usually I don’t care as no one pay me lol.
Great review..Can you tell me if you can live view on your phone, like the EVO? Can you live view in Oculus 2? That would be awesome to see what you are filming straight to the headset.
No you can NOT live view on your phone (they are working on it) or live view in Meta Quest 2 (they are also working on it but livestream on Meta Quest 2 is working now)
Retail on the image sensors is $90 each bulk direct will be a lot less. Rk3588 are $84, battery probably $8 touchscreen ram body etc add more on but $2000 msrp seems real high.
It would be a good thing to have an option to not have distorted top and bottom, but have less width. But that cannot be corrected with a distorsion profile? On the go or in post production. Thanks for your great videos!
Lots of commenters seem put off by a $1400 price tag, but personally I am glad that there are finally some mid-range tier cameras starting to emerge. $1400 seems like a really sane compromise between toy and professional. I was less enthusiastic about the nadir, though; I find it really distracting. Do they give the option of customizing it, or replacing it with a black oval? To me, the most exciting part is the realtime stitching and live broadcast capabilities. Most cameras simply don't have a live streaming story, certainly not at this price point. I had a Giroptic 360cam with an Ethernet adapter back in the day, and hacked together my own streaming infrastucture with ffmpeg and lighttpd with an HLS module compiled in. I was able to use a Unity video player asset to create an HTC Vive demo where you could be in a room with yourself - and experience I recommend everyone try at least once. It had about 20 seconds of lag/latency, which created some funny social interactions. Anyhow, I would really love to know more about what the live streaming support actually looks like, in terms of protocols supported etc. That is, can you give it a URI to an HLS encoder on your local network? Or are you locked into a bunch of proprietary apps that are streaming via servers that you cannot control?
Great to hear. You are the first one here (in comment) as exciting as me on VR180 livestream. They did not design this with Pico standard as they are rolling out their own server. But it is RTMP and RTSP for now and all I need is to get the stream key from Pico or RUclips and it will stream live. I did not test too deep yet so I can not answer that question, but pretty sure it is just RTMP out like all other livestream camera. But it support H.265 codec so it can go up to 8K (camera limited to 6K tho)
@@hughhou I have lost a lot of optimism that "average" folks will see opportunity and potential in combinations of powerful ideas that are not spelled out to them. I know that sounds both cynical and elitist; it's not my goal, and actually makes me sad. What makes me excited is the real possibility that we're finally back on track - after a five year thumb-sitting break - to a tight delay loop between high-resolution 180 being captured and being experienced. I've watched your stuff for years, now; you're primarily a filmmaker and I'm primarily a VR/AR experience creator... but in this domain, our interests are highly aligned.
Love this video Hugh! The advancement of VR180 into the social media realm is the development I'm MOST excited for. Being able to create and share and then just watch and scroll through VR "reels" or "tiktoks" or in this case "calfs" seems like a great time. What I'd love to see is something more like VR 220, where it just goes a little further into the peripherals.. Almost like VR180 where you take one step INTO the video. Are there any cameras with, say, 3-4 lenses to create a slightly wider view? I suspect additional lenses could also add depth to the peripherals a lot better. I know about the super-expensive camera spheres with like 12 lenses, but that seems like overkill for this application. A further thought... any information about true depth cameras that use an array of cameras to capture a scene from multiple angles and let you move around the scene?
@@hughhou any info on this kandao thing? I have the Ego and I've been using AI models to make depth maps for the photos. I know that Kandao has a pretty good in house depth estimating AI as well. Is their solution AI driven, or does it use other sensors like lidar?
@@Insomn I don’t think I am allowed to share more unfortunately. It’s def using their depth sensoring algorithm - which is technically AI as they are one of the first introduced computer vision AI before AI is a thing (same as DayDream from google but no one give those early starters any credit lol)
Personally id pay for something so polished, yes its expensive but so is a apsc mirrorless camera. Love the build quality and options to add accessories.
The link that you have for the gimbal used shows off the Weebill 3S and CRANE-M 3S. The Weebill looked much nicer to me in that video, but would you still recommend the Crane-M for the CALF 180VR camera? Thank you in advance. Also, when will you be doing an update/review of the full CALF release?
thanks for the video. I have been looking for a easy to use vr180 camera for almost a year and I m surprised with their video quality. I just back them up on kickstarter hopefully they can ship before my europe trip by the end of this year 🎉
Hi Hugh. I'm excited for generative stereoscopic AI, and am interested in collecting videos for a LORA for 3D stereostopic videos. Given the limited consumer hardware and AI models right now, is it better to collect 2D 360 videos, or 180VR videos?
I don't even know how you can collect LORA for it as it is not image type you are collecting - it is disparity calibration. That has not thing to do with Models. So I don't know how to even start with LORA training. But there is other AI tool is active developing for stereo AI conversion. I might have a review coming out soon.
This looks very interesting. I am shooting twin Z Cam E2 cams synced and my rig is a monster. I would love something smaller and simpler. Loosing the extreme bottom and top is not a big deal.
What you mean recording a screen? It should able to record anything but if you can screen capture the screen it will always be better as this is still a camera.
Yes coming! Sorry need to do a job job and will be back in a week and I will update all the footage including CALF and TECHE and a third camera shhhhhh...
Excellent review. Those edges do bother me though; it won't blend well if you are using another camera and intercutting shots. (Please do Teche VR1803D next!)
I just bought CALF and was hoping to use it with a Gimbal I purchased a few years ago and have still never used - the Hohem iSteady Multi Gimbal - but I tried, and the CALF seems way too large and heavy (800g) for the gimbal, which supports maximum weight 400g. Can you tell me what gimbal is compatible? I would like something simple (I have no experience using a gimbal) and inexpensive.
@Hugh Hou Thanks for your help! :) Famous Bug? The software seems not to get any fixes...so what to so against? I bought a camera with flowstate stabilization but it doesn't work and will not work anywhere in the future?? :o
@@hughhou Yeah on video it's working great, I can hold the camera 45° angle and it makes it horizontal. Just the photos are not stabilized. I selected gyroscope. Have I missed a step?
Ayyy I just bought the R5 and the dual fisheye lens because of you, I can bet the workflow is easier in calf compared to the canon set up haha but the quality can't be better than R5 8K 60fps
Hopefully you got the $500 off the dual fish eye with the Canon Promo code. Yeah - I can't justify the cost myself.. and the 8k/60 needs external power?!!
R5 only go up to 8K 30fps. But R5 with Dual Fisheye will get you better image quality when you learn how to use it correctly. Also more control. As I state in the video - they are really DIFFERENT type of camera for very different type of users.
@@Philafxs While im aware only the R5c does 60fps with external power, thank you for correcting my error :) I was just trying to imply R5C's 8K 60FPS is unbeatable no matter what
Thank you for a great video! As a musician and video hobbyist, I'm trying to create music video content in 3D 180. I would like to "overdub" myself in 3D videos playing multiple instruments, but this is difficult to edit. Would you have any info on what the best software would be to do that?
The "overdub" should be the same in VR180 or 2D. As you as you are not overlap it should be fine. Premiere or Resolve will both work but Premiere might be easier in this case
I have this camera - actually I have 2X of K1PRO and I also has 2 K2Pro - the upgrade version of K1Pro. Why? I have a review on this channel btw. Like 5 years old.
I am primarily looking for a camera that excels with close range videos (6 to 24 inches from the camera) in a studio setting. Does the Calf perform well at this distance or are there other alternatives that are better?
I was really excited to get on board with this new VR180 camera. Hoping it would be the spark to re-ignite the flame in the VR consumer marketplace. However, at $1500 i don't think it's possible. If they could drop the price to 4 or even $500, i believe it would bring back the other makers like insta360 EVO backinto the marketplace.
Yeah, but I think with apple entering the market, demand will naturally increase anyway. There’s be a load of people buying them to make content despite the price.
I don't think the maker of the camera is on here that often - not me or my viewers will know how to answer that questions. I think this is better to ask on their kickstarter page so this kind of question can answer by officials.
Any info of release date (on Kickstarter) and if maybe an underwater case is considered? I am not rich in any way but I would actually gladly pay $1400 for a working VR180. I have my EVO360 but one lens is scratched and battery is really poor now.
Hugh! Loving your videos and tutorials, and all the information you're putting out there! Question for you: given the available cameras right now (understanding that there MAY be new cameras coming out around the corner, but we never know when...), what would you say is the best for an entry-mid level solution? Have you tried doubling up the DJI Action 2 for stereo 180VR view? Or doubling two other wide angle action cameras? Or just shell out for an out-of-the-box solution like the CALF (I MIGHT be able to spring for the $2K, but don't think I could affort the Canon or Kandao)?
I tried double up GO2 - or 2X GH5 with fisheye lens like the Laowa 4mm - but the post production is just so hard it is not worth the time. Here is a tutorial for it btw: ruclips.net/video/1QLyX6ApuEg/видео.html
Hi Hough :) when I take 8K3D images with my Insta360 Pro 2 and export them with gyro activated they are still not leveled and the ground is not flat in VR. In videos everything is stabilized but not in photos. What am I doing wrong...?
@hughhou Yeah on video it's working great, I can hold the camera 45° angle and it makes it horizontal. Just the photos are not stabilized. I selected gyroscope. Have I missed a step? Or is it a common bug that it works for video but not photos on the pro 2?
I would be interested in seeing what it would cut off in point of view mode. IE place the camera where your eyes would naturally be while standing and also while sitting, and drop your head (unaturally) backward to make room for it. Seems like it would cut off your chest. That would be a deal breaker for anyone trying to shoot POV content where you are meant to see the body you are inhabiting.
@@hughhou Yeah. But I think all series and blockbusters etc. will be in VR 180 on the future (20-30+ years, when VR is as comfortable and seemless as usual glasses). So keep up your nice work! You are on the right path! :)
Yes working on it lol - I just rush out the 2D first as so many people are asking my opinion. Let me work on the comparison sample - what you saw in the video but in 3D. Need to take a break and come back to it tomorrow lol. So many news hard to match up with my content speed lol.
Amazing! This comes timely! I actually wonder how the Vision Pro displays VR 180 content. It seems it fades on the side edges back to the real environment which I find to be a very elegant solution compared to those harsh lines to black. I also wonder if there will be a way to clip a little vertically since I wouldn't want the people to get too distracted moving their heads. I only want to fill their peripheral vision, not give them the opportunity to look too far sideways. I also wonder how it feels vertically, you said your eyes don't cross, what about tilting the head sideways, was it ok?
This will up to Vision Pro development - which on one has a unit to work on it yet. I am reading some of the RealityKit keynote - there is a lot you can do with controlling environment with the video frame - like if you are watching a ocean related VR180 video - potentially the " video app " can load up a 360 ocean back plate to cover the rest - so instead of black - you can still has fully immersive environment related to the video - app controlled match 360 photo with video experience. And potentially - 360 video as it allow moving images. I think we will know more when the Vision Pro start to ship to developers. Will update here when I learn more as well (not a developer so do bare with me lol)
@@hughhou Right!! Ahah looking forwards to see how this unfolds! I remember when trying light Field demo from google there was zero issue with the parallax it was very comfortable for the eyes. If developers can achieve something similar with immersive video it would be amazing!!
@@BenEncounters daydream and lighfield is so good from Google - it is all computer vision AI. But Google is too early in the game and people still can not wrap their head around what is good and what is bad. Then they out of money to spend and kill the program. It takes Apple to get the whole industry exciting again. So finger crossed we will have more exciting news to share in. the age of AI
@@hughhou Yesss it‘s gonna be exiting but I also feel that with the new Apple age it might become so simple for normal video creators to also make immersive video that even us with all we know we may not actually have a competitive advantage and the storytelling skills will still win at the end of the day regardless of the format. Except for the new forms of Art to come later with photorealistic AI fictional characters reacting in real time to what we tell them/do, just like in reality. But this won‘t be neither an interactive film nor a video game it will be its own thing and it will feel like the experience of Michael Douglas in the movie „The Game“.
The advertisement indicates 6k50 but only 4k60 in 3d. 6k50 seems 2d only. I am wrong? Is it real 60? I had a Vuze xr 5.7k30 but it was interpoled 30 fps more close to 15-20 fps
I think the quality of the CALF camera is pretty close to Canon VR (R5C 8k60FPS). I am currently working with the Canon system, but I can imagine that CALF could be an alternative for me. So when it comes to sharpness and resolution, I see no relevant disadvantage. What would also interest me is how many apertures dynamic range the CALF offers. Much less dynamic range then R5C (12-13 stops) is not acceptable for me.
Look at this one my test footage: ruclips.net/video/MtQlWHflmr8/видео.html - this is my biggest complaint. Dynamic range is low - 8 stops at best. So it does not handle dynamic scene that well. It is designed for outdoor or in studio use. So without lighting it will be super tough. You actually see that in my sample. I hope they can release LOG profile and focus on upping their dynamic range in the production unit and give us no compression footage like ProRES or some sort of raw...
@@hughhou 8 Stops is too bad for HDR scenes. Apple Vision Pro will support HDR and in this case CALF would not be future proof. Good news for all Canon Users like me, that the investment was not useless (not yet). 🙂
Hi Hugh, amazing content. I am in need of a wearable vr camera that can handle the Sub Saharan environment, and have a switch out battery (no power where I'm going). Price is secondary to function. Thank you in advance for any leads on which device will best serve my need.
Hi @hughhou, great video! Very promising #VR180 future 😊 never been to WB studios; hopefully soon I get to go 🎉 question what did you film there with the new calf camera? Was it an open event or private?
@@hughhou what is the difference of 3D video or VR video? the FOV? What I heard that it can actually record 180 3D, it has the right cameras for it since the passthrough is 180, or maybe not, what is the actual FOV of the headset? in either case, I think that is the best use-case for a mixed reality headset, somebody should make one.
@@trancemuter Essentially. It's also the shape of the frame. 3d cameras use a rectangular frame like you'd watch on a TV. They are usually 65 degrees wide by 50 degrees tall. VR180 is 180 degrees in a semispherical projection. They are both stereoscopic and 3d.
It's fantastic news that 180 content finally may reach a broad audience. I checked the app, though, and it's clunky and all the super short girl videos gets tired very quickly :)
I really messed up my husband's head by trying to create Stereoscopic videos. I love really close up shots, and it is so hard on the eyes. I am scared of law suits with creating stereoscopic footage. Am I crazy for having these worries? I am also not a fan of having that bold black line in 180. I would much prefer 360 videos, for it is more immersive. Am I making a huge mistake not embracing stereoscopic and 180?
No. VR180 is not for everyone. It is a different art form. I do both. But 360 is more for what you do and you are doing really well. Travel is better in 360 so keep what you are doing :)
@@hughhou thank you! I would love any advice you have for me. I don't really want to start doing how to videos, but it sure is a slow climb when you don't go there. 😂
Good stuff! This headset looks great and I shared this video with my richer friends (haha). I've also had a burning question for a while: Have you seen the videos where old video from 100 years ago is upscaled for 4k and 60fps using AI? What role do you think this could play in VR video? Could these processes be applied to VR video in post-production to increase frames per second and image quality? Thanks!
Good question! You can use old video upscale and even 3D depth it - make a good historical piece and it is a concept we are playing as well - lots of post processing tho
@@hughhou Thank you for the reply! Yes, I'm sure it would be a monster of a task to upscale and/or generate frames for VR video which is already GIGANTIC, but it would be an interesting proof of concept to, for instance, increase a high quality VR video to 90 FPS using AI frame generation.
The coolest thing is seeing how a place has changed over time. I could see some AR apps that use old google street data and AI to let you go back in time virtually (currently up to 16 years) as you walk down the same streets. Then users could upload old photos for select locations as well, and eventually you could put on an AR headset and virtually time travel. It could be neat.
Ever since I saw those vids (a few years ago), I've been personally BANKING on future AI to be able to use hints I give it in my footage to increase resolution. The hints I give it are moving VR180 cam close to (important) subjects, at least for a few seconds, so the future AI won't need to hallucinate details but rather remember them from the closeup shots, then add them to anywhere else it recognizes those subjects. Similarly, I show a color chart briefly in every (important) scene so the future AI can calibrate colors to the real colors, not just nice looking hallucinated colors... Re frame rate increase: I believe that part is gonna be trivially easy for a future AI to do, in extremely high quality with very few glitches. After all, not much changes in those few milliseconds, as I don't often film fast moving/flowing objects...
GoPro you can get 2x 11 and their finish eye mod. I hear there is sync cable but I did not do enough research on this. I my tutorial on 2X GO2 can use it on GoPro 11 as well.
@Hugh Hou Yeah. But I think all series and blockbusters etc. will be in VR 180 on the future (20-30+ years, when VR is as comfortable and seemless as usual glasses). So keep up your nice work! You are on the right path! :)
A friendly critique: the sound effects played when a caption is shown is very grating to the ears. Please use a different sound next time. All in all, great video!
You should check out my sample - their App does not stream the highest quality upload b/c of Unity limitation. Check this one out: ruclips.net/video/MtQlWHflmr8/видео.html
The list of tradeoffs seems to be equally spread out evenly for all three, but after watching this I'm now thinking that Cannon is most likely to make me not feel like I made a bad choice....
nice video. But sad to see Hugh working with a company with no reputation. First of all, I will show my identity. I used to be the product director of a VR camera company in mainland China. Hugh has evaluated 2 products I designed. The owner of calf company, Changba Company, began to cooperate with several camera manufacturers in mainland China to customize this camera in late 2021, and used relevant ideas for its own use in the process. When the camera reviewed by Hugh applied for an appearance patent in September 2022, Changba was still claiming with several camera companies that it had not yet decided which solution to use,and changba’s major technical exports still calling me for tech support. In fact, until last month, my former boss was still providing all kinds of camera equipment for free , hoping to win orders from changba.
Thank you for the information - I really don't know all the drama behind companies - any company. My job it is to review all VR camera - from nobody know to famous everyone know (Insta360, Canon). So to keep it FAIR. This channel only can be informative on the actual camera level - but anything beyond that will be beyond me and my speciality. I will point out the good and the bad, on the hardware. But who designed it, what company running it or selling it really beyond me. I do appreciate the information and the insider information. I can not validate any info but this is the community here for. Thank you for stopping by and voice your opinion. We value transparency and open discussion on all matters :)
I think the Calf addresses many issues I have with other 3d cameras- Screen for framing Easy auto exposure options Small form factor For everyday capture, it is hard to beat.
Specs are there but the unit is TOO DAMN BIG... Same dimensions as 2 full size GOPRO10's. Seriously, its a monster, who okayed this for production/sale? Unit is a necessary proof that people will pay anything for a good 4k VR180. Hope the market steps up with something 1/4 the size at half that price...
Yes agree. I guess the tech is not there yet to make them smaller like EVO with this frame rate and quality. Heat is a huge issue for internal stitching.
I actually prefer bulkier cameras...to a degree... Any 8k 30fps vr180 under $2.5k gets my cash. I don't even care at this point if it'll suck at low light. I'll bring my own lighting...
👉 RUclips VR and Meta Quest TV samples are out: ruclips.net/video/MtQlWHflmr8/видео.html - sorry it took me sometime to finish this. Working on the next sample as well and it will be out very soon! Don't forget to subscribe so you don't miss the news!
sound glitches are inappropriate and really irritating here
Thanks to Hugh for the review! Here can watch more great VR videos shot by CALF 3D VR180 camera.
This is super encouraging. I always get nervous with kickstarters, but this sounds very promising. Thanks
Fantastic introduction to the CALF vr cam. Love it! I am a recreational hobbyist only and have an EVO that I LOVE ... but that has been off the market for a long while now (couldn't purchase a NEW backup EVO if I wanted to do so ...) BUT and it's an attainable BUT ... the CALF cam is within the price range I'm willing to spend. I expect I WILL purchase this cam when it comes out. Thanks for the GREAT introduction!
Awesome, thank you!
Great news and an excellent review, Hugh! I still have my Insta Evo and in combination with the software from Topaz "Video AI" it delivers great quality.
But I've been looking for an improved version for a long time. This could be an affordable camera.
I'm looking forward to the future and I think it's great that YOU always keep your eyes open for us. Thank you!
Glad to hear this is helpful for you! Yes, I will do my best to support the VR180 creator community to cover anything new in development.
Thanks!
You bet! Thank you
Your content is one year ahead of current stuff. Respect.
Awww thank you! I am glad you think so!
Interesting to see this type of thing rolling out to regular consumers. Kind of exciting. Thanks for the rundown.
Our pleasure!
Low light footage test in the final review would be great
This is coming tomorrow on Meta Quest TV and RUclips VR. Better to see it in true VR for this
cutting off the top and bottom is an interesting idea actually. Those are a lot of pixels saved which only take up little space when stitched. A lot of vr180 creators also put their logo or something at the bottom or top, so they could just make it fit to where it stretches. And it hides your tripod lol, so one worry less i guess.
This is a good point - I should start putting my logo there
Great review Hugh. Looking forward to seeing the comparison on metatv. My opinion is that this camera misses the mark based on image quality to price. The small sensor and compact optics put it in the ballpark of the horizontal resolution of the r5 series. R5 is out putting about 3.6k per eye stitched to 4k. This from the samples is giving us a solid 3k per eye. So it is not resolving as much as canon but is actually very close. Insta evo launched a $400 and gave us a bit under 3k per eye whereas this cam is $1500. It’s the vertical res that is lacking as this is probably an off the shelf sensor for consumer video cams. But vertical is not needed much. Stereoscopy is on par with canon which is very poor in both. Both this and canon will be good filming people in tight spaces. Only place where canon moves out far ahead is dynamic range and color which in the calf samples is very poor. So if you are only shooting VR than this makes more sense than canon which is honestly not that much better from samples. Build quality actually looks great and professional with lots of mounts. So while it’s better than an evo it’s really not 1k better. This cam should be priced at around $599 at most. A used K1 makes way more sense than this camera at 1.5k-2.5k price. There basically needs to be a vr180 cam using dual large action cam sensors for around 1k to meet the consumer market. For prosumer custom solutions seem like they will be the best for awhile more.
This is a very good overview! Appreciated for the inputs. For everyone info, the sensor is known - SONY IMX 577 - a common sensor. It is the weak department of the camera. All the other features thos are strong. Ease to use, great factory level 3D calibration, app for editing in VR and way to publish on platform directly. Def not gonna replace my R5 or R5C - not by far - but it land itself great in thing that I do not have a camera op, livestream or I just don't want to risk it, run and gun it. I will say this is more for Keeley than me as I love to pull focus, dail in my expource to the teeth and has log profile lol.
Where can I find a used K1 for 2k? All my searches came up dry... I'm itching to replace my EVO. 4 d*** years with the same cam is wayyyy too long for me.
@@Fatman305 if your EVO 3D is in great condition, I'd be happy to buy it off you for a reasonable price.
@@sturm3n Keeping my EVO until there are better (max $2k) options. :)
Not having a similarly priced alternative in the current market does not mean this is not overpriced though.
I watched some of their newer videos they posted in the last 3 days and the quality in overcast weather is very poor. I suspect you need amazing lighting to get passable footage with this camera. If insta360 took the $800 1 inch 360 camera and flipped the lenses it would have better quality IMO for a lot less money.
Thank you Hugh. Another fantastic review. Not into VR180 yet, interested in following your exploration. Thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it.
7:20 Where is the link to see these camera comparisons in YTVR? You're saying we need to watch this same video in YTVR? Or there's a different link somewhere?
Thanks Hugh. Im particularly interested in this now the kickstart has gone live today!
Oh nice!
@Hugh Hou Thanks, the gyro is correct, it works fine in videos. I mean: Why it doesn't work in photos? If I hold the camera 45° that angle will be used on the exported photo and that feels pretty wrong 🙈
But I marked the "Use gyroscope" checkbox before hitting export...
Oh actually it is the famous bug of why Gryo is not working with 360 photos lol. Something to report back to Insta360.
Good to see a new 3D 180 camera. Hope there's more to come this year. Surely Insta 360 have to update theirs now? The Vuze XR is the one I almost bought, but thought I would wait for the next one, that never came.
More it is coming yes!
@@hughhou Canon just teased a 180 vr/ 360 solo camera similar to the Insta360 Evo. If it becomes a reality it could really disrupt the market.
@@Insomn If this kickstarter raises the 1m+ I'm guessing it's trying to raise (no REAL kickstarter page yet), then Canon might indeed jump in and make it a reality. Their tease, instead of keeping it a surprise as usual, is likely due to this kickstarter competition, a la "keep your money safe and wait for us just a bit longer" lol
@@Fatman305 Canon's teased camera is in sort of an action cam form factor. It looks like it's trying to take the place of the EVO and compete with other 360 action cams at the same time. I dont think Calf is competing on the same space. Calf is doing to take out ZCam with this camera. I'd be interested in the new canon camera, but it doesn't look like it has a screen, and it's got a lot of better promoted 360 competition. It might never come out. Kodak had a camera that was basically the same thing a few years ago that never came out.
@@Insomn Unfortunately, statistically, it probably won't come out. As for who they're competing with: in my case, and many others' I'm sure, at this point I don't care about form factor or extra features like screen. I just want slightly higher res and slightly better low light image quality, and willing to spend up to $2k on it... Whoever makes it, gets my $.
I can’t wait for the full review!
Hi Hugh, thanks for the overview! I have three questions:
1) how long can it record in the hot california sun? Will it overheat? Even if it's plugged into a USB-C battery bank for extra runtime?
2) Will it support 10-bit video or even log? Part of what draws me to the Canon R5 is that it can produce HDR PQ VR180 content.
3) Does it support timecode in with something like a Deity TC-1/Tentacle Sync so we can sync with body pack recorders like the Tentacle Sync Track E/Deity PR-2?
1 - have not tested it in death valley yet if that is what you mean Cali sun lol. But in Paramount lot - we run it all day under the sun and its running. The Fan kick in at some point and get louder maybe - but can't really tell as Paramount is super noise as well. I do plug in my V-lock battery to use it so it last all day
2 - Nope, No 10-bit or log but the next one I am going to review will - but keep it a down low for now lol. Still working on it
3 - It support audio timecode but not professional feature - those you need R5C - not even R5 support that!
@@hughhouNext one, like another 3d 180 VR camera is coming soon you are testing?
@@hughhou thanks for the reply! Don't worry, your secret's safe with me 🤫
Hey Hugh, can you upload some of these VR180 videos shot on the CALF? I want to see it on youtube in VR180.
Yes that is coming! I just rush out the 2D video and next I will work on the sample footage lol.
@@hughhou I'm also guessing CALF has no image stabilization if you're using a gimbal on this?
And how does the CALF compare with the the zcam K1 or K2?
Calf has a bunch of samples on their youtube page already and some on a google drive drive.google.com/drive/folders/1iqzetqTZr4tcNt9078ShlAom9p6FnXns
Thank you for the review of this very interesting camera! Are you also going to review the Teche 3D180VR camera? That's the next step up in price, but still cheaper than the Canon R5C system.
Yes that's coming next!
Issue with the Canon R5C is the IPD is too small giving everything a slightly fisheye look as 60mm IPD is too small which is why all the VR cameras have 64-65mm IPD.
I'm glad there are other alternatives coming out though is this product actually going to be sold and supported from legit retailers? The last Chinese VR camera FM DUO was all the fuss for about 2 months and then gone.
FM Duo is coming (the new one) but yes, hopefully this camera will come to retail soon after the Kickstarter campaign.
Funded, just hope Kickstarter doesn’t cancel my Affirm payment.
Bought Kandao, was too toyish. Bought the Samsung Round, way too unrealistic for my purpose. Was going to make my own but I want as point and shoot as I can get. Simply want to save memories to experience later in life.
iPhone will come with dual lens vr180 capture within the next three or four years, so I’m paying a huge early adopter tax, but I can’t gamble that the aging good souls around me will still be there to film at that point. Worth it.
Good call! I hope iPhone dual fisheye lens will be a thing soon :)
@@hughhouVery interested to see how they do it! Seems kinda crazy, but also the necessary element for mass adoption. Your channel is well positioned for the future 💪
Very worthy cause. I should probably follow through myself with some "plans" I've had for ages...to interview old members of extended family about their lives...
I want to record everything in 3D 180 but I have to find something budget friendly. Time to look through your vids!
Beside EVO - there is none unless you want to build your own like 2X Insta360 Go2 - but new camera is coming out might work.
@@hughhou Is the new camera that is coming out one other than what is featured in this video? My 360 evo died a while ago, and they are no longer being sold. I'd like to have a few affordable options less than $6k.
@@hughhou Cant even buy Evo anymore. There's no second hand market for it either. I wish Insta360 would just release their VR mount for the OneR Twin already.
How is the onboard sound on the Calf? An external mic/recorder will of course work better, but decent onboard sound would be nice too, so you don't necessarily have to balance additional doodads on the gimbal. The Teche 3D180VR onboard sound is a real letdown - looking at the recordings in a spectrogram shows the internal sample rate is 16k only.
You have Teche 180VR already? The onboard sound is also not great in this camera. It is mono on current firmware - that is an area they will fix.
@@hughhou Yep, I was one of the early birds with Teche 3D180VR. It's a great camera except for the onboard sound - it sounds like the internal A/D converter only samples at 16000 Hz (just like Insta360 One R). It's a bit bigger and heavier than the Calf, so gimbal balancing is a bit trickier - especially if you also want to have a spatial audio recorder on the same plate.
@@BeMeCam whats it price. my evo is dead. insta is no help.
@@LarryRosenthal the Teche 3D180VR is quite different from the EVO, quite a bit larger and heavier. There was an early bird discount for $3735 but now it costs $4225. Hugh Hou's review of the camera is soon up!
❤ Kimchi 3D from another world
looks very promising.
I ve also seen a new prototype from Canon in the form factor of an Insta360Evo. is this real? that would be perfect for me
Hi, where can I see those Canon’s prototypes?😮
That is also coming hehe. No footage yet tho. I will get my hand on it and review it asap!
Can you do a Instructional video on how to direct upload to cloud through quest3 onto CalfVR please 🙏
I can’t find anything to show me how to do it 😢
Okay I will work on it!
cropping these vertical canvas into a more digestible horizontal canvas, will make this 6k likely a mere 1080P , right ? I have a hard time find any logic sensors positioned in vertical canvas in any camera. Just does not make any sense. Or am i missing something here ?
The sensor is capable on 4K I believe - this is NOT* cropping the sensor but use the full sensor coverage - so it is opposite what you mean. If we want full 180 - then you will need a BIGGER sensor - but then, only smaller part of the sensor is used - so it is a waste of pixels. Canon is the only smart one to use all their image pixel with Dual Fisheye lens - but Canon make sensor so they can do whatever they want lol.
Colors and details looks better in the comparison than the rivals
Great you think so. Feedback like this really help others to decide. Thank you!
can't wait to be able to buy one of these someday
@Hugh Hou Regarding the thread about logo at the nadir: I personally do not like having the logo or anything other than retouched or tripod legs at the nadir. Since all of that distracts if you see it a bit when looking not in a real 90° angle but a bit downwards and it disturbs the immersion.
A tripod leg doesn't has this effect and feels just real. That's why I prefer having it completely retouched (professional) or just leave it the way it is.
Yes agree! I am lazy so I usually avoid extra retouching works. But most of my client works requires retouching. My own content usually I don’t care as no one pay me lol.
Great review..Can you tell me if you can live view on your phone, like the EVO? Can you live view in Oculus 2? That would be awesome to see what you are filming straight to the headset.
No you can NOT live view on your phone (they are working on it) or live view in Meta Quest 2 (they are also working on it but livestream on Meta Quest 2 is working now)
Retail on the image sensors is $90 each bulk direct will be a lot less. Rk3588 are $84, battery probably $8 touchscreen ram body etc add more on but $2000 msrp seems real high.
Wow no idea the sensor only cost $90 each!
Hello. could you write step-by-step instructions on how to connect calf VR 180 camera to oculus quest? I can't do it and it's sad.
You can’t. Only canon can right now
@@hughhou at the fifth minute of the video it is shown how the camera is connected. or did I understand something wrong???
It would be a good thing to have an option to not have distorted top and bottom, but have less width. But that cannot be corrected with a distorsion profile? On the go or in post production. Thanks for your great videos!
Thank you. It is the sensor coverage, so that missing top and bottom is locked.
would this be good for weddings? good enough image quality or do i need 8k
Good enough for wedding, 50fps is nice which no other camera has
@@hughhou ok when can i buy this?
@@edi18912 today is the last day for kickstarter
Lots of commenters seem put off by a $1400 price tag, but personally I am glad that there are finally some mid-range tier cameras starting to emerge. $1400 seems like a really sane compromise between toy and professional.
I was less enthusiastic about the nadir, though; I find it really distracting. Do they give the option of customizing it, or replacing it with a black oval?
To me, the most exciting part is the realtime stitching and live broadcast capabilities. Most cameras simply don't have a live streaming story, certainly not at this price point. I had a Giroptic 360cam with an Ethernet adapter back in the day, and hacked together my own streaming infrastucture with ffmpeg and lighttpd with an HLS module compiled in. I was able to use a Unity video player asset to create an HTC Vive demo where you could be in a room with yourself - and experience I recommend everyone try at least once. It had about 20 seconds of lag/latency, which created some funny social interactions.
Anyhow, I would really love to know more about what the live streaming support actually looks like, in terms of protocols supported etc. That is, can you give it a URI to an HLS encoder on your local network? Or are you locked into a bunch of proprietary apps that are streaming via servers that you cannot control?
Great to hear. You are the first one here (in comment) as exciting as me on VR180 livestream. They did not design this with Pico standard as they are rolling out their own server. But it is RTMP and RTSP for now and all I need is to get the stream key from Pico or RUclips and it will stream live. I did not test too deep yet so I can not answer that question, but pretty sure it is just RTMP out like all other livestream camera. But it support H.265 codec so it can go up to 8K (camera limited to 6K tho)
@@hughhou I have lost a lot of optimism that "average" folks will see opportunity and potential in combinations of powerful ideas that are not spelled out to them. I know that sounds both cynical and elitist; it's not my goal, and actually makes me sad. What makes me excited is the real possibility that we're finally back on track - after a five year thumb-sitting break - to a tight delay loop between high-resolution 180 being captured and being experienced. I've watched your stuff for years, now; you're primarily a filmmaker and I'm primarily a VR/AR experience creator... but in this domain, our interests are highly aligned.
Love this video Hugh! The advancement of VR180 into the social media realm is the development I'm MOST excited for. Being able to create and share and then just watch and scroll through VR "reels" or "tiktoks" or in this case "calfs" seems like a great time.
What I'd love to see is something more like VR 220, where it just goes a little further into the peripherals.. Almost like VR180 where you take one step INTO the video. Are there any cameras with, say, 3-4 lenses to create a slightly wider view? I suspect additional lenses could also add depth to the peripherals a lot better. I know about the super-expensive camera spheres with like 12 lenses, but that seems like overkill for this application.
A further thought... any information about true depth cameras that use an array of cameras to capture a scene from multiple angles and let you move around the scene?
Great tho! 220 will be great. Depth camera Kandao is working on it but it is gonna be expensive
@@hughhou any info on this kandao thing? I have the Ego and I've been using AI models to make depth maps for the photos. I know that Kandao has a pretty good in house depth estimating AI as well. Is their solution AI driven, or does it use other sensors like lidar?
@@Insomn I don’t think I am allowed to share more unfortunately. It’s def using their depth sensoring algorithm - which is technically AI as they are one of the first introduced computer vision AI before AI is a thing (same as DayDream from google but no one give those early starters any credit lol)
Personally id pay for something so polished, yes its expensive but so is a apsc mirrorless camera.
Love the build quality and options to add accessories.
The link that you have for the gimbal used shows off the Weebill 3S and CRANE-M 3S. The Weebill looked much nicer to me in that video, but would you still recommend the Crane-M for the CALF 180VR camera? Thank you in advance. Also, when will you be doing an update/review of the full CALF release?
Sorry Crane M3S is what I recommend as it hold heavy camera - even my R5C!! No joke it’s a tiny monster!
thanks for the video. I have been looking for a easy to use vr180 camera for almost a year and I m surprised with their video quality. I just back them up on kickstarter hopefully they can ship before my europe trip by the end of this year 🎉
Oh I hope so too. I think the production unit will be even better. Got some plan on using it on vacation as well - also Europe lol.
Hi Hugh. I'm excited for generative stereoscopic AI, and am interested in collecting videos for a LORA for 3D stereostopic videos. Given the limited consumer hardware and AI models right now, is it better to collect 2D 360 videos, or 180VR videos?
I don't even know how you can collect LORA for it as it is not image type you are collecting - it is disparity calibration. That has not thing to do with Models. So I don't know how to even start with LORA training. But there is other AI tool is active developing for stereo AI conversion. I might have a review coming out soon.
That second to last sentence 😮
This looks very interesting. I am shooting twin Z Cam E2 cams synced and my rig is a monster. I would love something smaller and simpler. Loosing the extreme bottom and top is not a big deal.
You can also try Z Cam K2Pro - basically what you have but built in 1 body.
Great stuff per usual
Glad you enjoyed it
Hi
What 3D video camera do you recommend that I can use to display the videos on a Naked-Eye 3D Led billboard
Do you have a link for the LED Billboard you are talking about. What 3D format it expect?
Do you have the link the the comparison video?
Yes, it is coming! Still working on it.
Can this work when recording a screen???
What you mean recording a screen? It should able to record anything but if you can screen capture the screen it will always be better as this is still a camera.
Any sample footage we can download to play locally?
Yes coming! Sorry need to do a job job and will be back in a week and I will update all the footage including CALF and TECHE and a third camera shhhhhh...
@@hughhou you are the man!!!!
Excellent review. Those edges do bother me though; it won't blend well if you are using another camera and intercutting shots. (Please do Teche VR1803D next!)
That is a very good point - hard to blend camera. Teche is next after I push out the VR180 sample of this camera.
Such a great Review 😃!! Thanks for taking a deep research on this camera and for the quality content as always🎉
My pleasure!
Don't forget, once you upload it, they own it!
And 50fps in VR is terrible.
once you upload, once you share.😀
I just bought CALF and was hoping to use it with a Gimbal I purchased a few years ago and have still never used - the Hohem iSteady Multi Gimbal - but I tried, and the CALF seems way too large and heavy (800g) for the gimbal, which supports maximum weight 400g. Can you tell me what gimbal is compatible? I would like something simple (I have no experience using a gimbal) and inexpensive.
All my gimbal works - the smallest is the Crane M3S
@@hughhouThank you
@Hugh - thanks for the review, and always a pleasure to see Kimchi.:)
Any ‘approx’ shipping dates?
That I don't know. Kimchi says hi!
I wonder how is the low light performance...
Sample is coming will show you! Almost done on Meta Quest and launching it tomorrow
thanx hugo i want this !
Any time!
@Hugh Hou Thanks for your help! :) Famous Bug? The software seems not to get any fixes...so what to so against?
I bought a camera with flowstate stabilization but it doesn't work and will not work anywhere in the future?? :o
It work great on video - but the data not transfer to photo as you described? Honestly I have not use Pro2 to take photo so I don’t remember.
@@hughhou Yeah on video it's working great, I can hold the camera 45° angle and it makes it horizontal. Just the photos are not stabilized. I selected gyroscope.
Have I missed a step?
Ayyy I just bought the R5 and the dual fisheye lens because of you, I can bet the workflow is easier in calf compared to the canon set up haha but the quality can't be better than R5 8K 60fps
Yet it will
R5 does 8K30. For 8K60 you need the R5 C.
Hopefully you got the $500 off the dual fish eye with the Canon Promo code. Yeah - I can't justify the cost myself.. and the 8k/60 needs external power?!!
R5 only go up to 8K 30fps. But R5 with Dual Fisheye will get you better image quality when you learn how to use it correctly. Also more control. As I state in the video - they are really DIFFERENT type of camera for very different type of users.
@@Philafxs While im aware only the R5c does 60fps with external power, thank you for correcting my error :)
I was just trying to imply R5C's 8K 60FPS is unbeatable no matter what
Thank you for a great video! As a musician and video hobbyist, I'm trying to create music video content in 3D 180. I would like to "overdub" myself in 3D videos playing multiple instruments, but this is difficult to edit. Would you have any info on what the best software would be to do that?
The "overdub" should be the same in VR180 or 2D. As you as you are not overlap it should be fine. Premiere or Resolve will both work but Premiere might be easier in this case
I'm really curious how the footage would look shot from an FPV quadcopter.
Me too! Talking to Potato Jet to see if he want to fly it on his Cinema level FPV!
Can it do Timelapse?
I believe so but let me check
Hi Hugh, did you tried this camera? Z CAM K1 Pro Cinematic VR180 Camera
I have this camera - actually I have 2X of K1PRO and I also has 2 K2Pro - the upgrade version of K1Pro. Why? I have a review on this channel btw. Like 5 years old.
I am primarily looking for a camera that excels with close range videos (6 to 24 inches from the camera) in a studio setting. Does the Calf perform well at this distance or are there other alternatives that are better?
I think all VR180 camera can handle that distance pretty well.
Thank you for your reply. Do you know if the stretch pixel issue has been resolved and if not how can one correct for it?@@hughhou
With a body that big, I was hoping for m43 sensors, or at least 1".
It would be nice.
“ was hoping for m43” , yeah me too
How far is infinity focus?
Pretty far - not sure how you can measure infinity focus.
No I mean like, how far from the lens becomes in focus? Eg. anything beyond 20cm?
I was really excited to get on board with this new VR180 camera. Hoping it would be the spark to re-ignite the flame in the VR consumer marketplace. However, at $1500 i don't think it's possible. If they could drop the price to 4 or even $500, i believe it would bring back the other makers like insta360 EVO backinto the marketplace.
Yes. I do wish it can be cheaper.
Yeah, but I think with apple entering the market, demand will naturally increase anyway. There’s be a load of people buying them to make content despite the price.
Anyone know if the Kickstarter is for an available product or will I pay $1400 and wait an undetermined amount of time for this to come out?
I don't think the maker of the camera is on here that often - not me or my viewers will know how to answer that questions. I think this is better to ask on their kickstarter page so this kind of question can answer by officials.
Any info of release date (on Kickstarter) and if maybe an underwater case is considered?
I am not rich in any way but I would actually gladly pay $1400 for a working VR180. I have my EVO360 but one lens is scratched and battery is really poor now.
It is not out yet unfortunately. But hopefully soon.
Hugh! Loving your videos and tutorials, and all the information you're putting out there! Question for you: given the available cameras right now (understanding that there MAY be new cameras coming out around the corner, but we never know when...), what would you say is the best for an entry-mid level solution? Have you tried doubling up the DJI Action 2 for stereo 180VR view? Or doubling two other wide angle action cameras? Or just shell out for an out-of-the-box solution like the CALF (I MIGHT be able to spring for the $2K, but don't think I could affort the Canon or Kandao)?
I tried double up GO2 - or 2X GH5 with fisheye lens like the Laowa 4mm - but the post production is just so hard it is not worth the time. Here is a tutorial for it btw: ruclips.net/video/1QLyX6ApuEg/видео.html
Thanks so much! @@hughhou
You are great, thanks
Thank you too!
Hi Hough :) when I take 8K3D images with my Insta360 Pro 2 and export them with gyro activated they are still not leveled and the ground is not flat in VR. In videos everything is stabilized but not in photos. What am I doing wrong...?
The gyro is not 100% accurated. You need to calibrate each day before shooting. But I usually just correct it in post production
@hughhou Yeah on video it's working great, I can hold the camera 45° angle and it makes it horizontal. Just the photos are not stabilized. I selected gyroscope.
Have I missed a step? Or is it a common bug that it works for video but not photos on the pro 2?
I would be interested in seeing what it would cut off in point of view mode. IE place the camera where your eyes would naturally be while standing and also while sitting, and drop your head (unaturally) backward to make room for it. Seems like it would cut off your chest. That would be a deal breaker for anyone trying to shoot POV content where you are meant to see the body you are inhabiting.
Crazy! Thanks for the review! :)
There is a market for them but I personally do like 360 a lot more since it is much more immersive. :)
Thank you! Yes 180 is not for everyone :)
@@hughhou Yeah. But I think all series and blockbusters etc. will be in VR 180 on the future (20-30+ years, when VR is as comfortable and seemless as usual glasses). So keep up your nice work! You are on the right path! :)
I've never seen a 360 video that is more immersive than VR180 3D.
Upload a sample so that we can watch on our oculus
Yes working on it lol - I just rush out the 2D first as so many people are asking my opinion. Let me work on the comparison sample - what you saw in the video but in 3D. Need to take a break and come back to it tomorrow lol. So many news hard to match up with my content speed lol.
The calf VR youtube page has a bunch and this google drive has some (plus 8k photos): drive.google.com/drive/folders/1iqzetqTZr4tcNt9078ShlAom9p6FnXns
Amazing! This comes timely! I actually wonder how the Vision Pro displays VR 180 content. It seems it fades on the side edges back to the real environment which I find to be a very elegant solution compared to those harsh lines to black. I also wonder if there will be a way to clip a little vertically since I wouldn't want the people to get too distracted moving their heads. I only want to fill their peripheral vision, not give them the opportunity to look too far sideways. I also wonder how it feels vertically, you said your eyes don't cross, what about tilting the head sideways, was it ok?
This will up to Vision Pro development - which on one has a unit to work on it yet. I am reading some of the RealityKit keynote - there is a lot you can do with controlling environment with the video frame - like if you are watching a ocean related VR180 video - potentially the " video app " can load up a 360 ocean back plate to cover the rest - so instead of black - you can still has fully immersive environment related to the video - app controlled match 360 photo with video experience. And potentially - 360 video as it allow moving images. I think we will know more when the Vision Pro start to ship to developers. Will update here when I learn more as well (not a developer so do bare with me lol)
@@hughhou Right!! Ahah looking forwards to see how this unfolds! I remember when trying light Field demo from google there was zero issue with the parallax it was very comfortable for the eyes. If developers can achieve something similar with immersive video it would be amazing!!
@@BenEncounters daydream and lighfield is so good from Google - it is all computer vision AI. But Google is too early in the game and people still can not wrap their head around what is good and what is bad. Then they out of money to spend and kill the program. It takes Apple to get the whole industry exciting again. So finger crossed we will have more exciting news to share in. the age of AI
@@hughhou Yesss it‘s gonna be exiting but I also feel that with the new Apple age it might become so simple for normal video creators to also make immersive video that even us with all we know we may not actually have a competitive advantage and the storytelling skills will still win at the end of the day regardless of the format. Except for the new forms of Art to come later with photorealistic AI fictional characters reacting in real time to what we tell them/do, just like in reality. But this won‘t be neither an interactive film nor a video game it will be its own thing and it will feel like the experience of Michael Douglas in the movie „The Game“.
Another great video Well done. 🎉
what's the minimum focus distance?
The advertisement indicates 6k50 but only 4k60 in 3d. 6k50 seems 2d only. I am wrong? Is it real 60? I had a Vuze xr 5.7k30 but it was interpoled 30 fps more close to 15-20 fps
Is his test footage available to watch somewhere? Im tired of 15 second clips of girls dancing and want to see how it feels on a gimbal
Still working on it - sorry. Rush out the 2D review but still working on the VR version.
That's awesome I cannot wait.
I think the quality of the CALF camera is pretty close to Canon VR (R5C 8k60FPS). I am currently working with the Canon system, but I can imagine that CALF could be an alternative for me. So when it comes to sharpness and resolution, I see no relevant disadvantage. What would also interest me is how many apertures dynamic range the CALF offers. Much less dynamic range then R5C (12-13 stops) is not acceptable for me.
Look at this one my test footage: ruclips.net/video/MtQlWHflmr8/видео.html - this is my biggest complaint. Dynamic range is low - 8 stops at best. So it does not handle dynamic scene that well. It is designed for outdoor or in studio use. So without lighting it will be super tough. You actually see that in my sample. I hope they can release LOG profile and focus on upping their dynamic range in the production unit and give us no compression footage like ProRES or some sort of raw...
@@hughhou 8 Stops is too bad for HDR scenes. Apple Vision Pro will support HDR and in this case CALF would not be future proof. Good news for all Canon Users like me, that the investment was not useless (not yet). 🙂
@@Exploristervision pro will be a marginal product, 130k units max... not sure you want to gear your workflow for that market.
Hi Hugh, amazing content. I am in need of a wearable vr camera that can handle the Sub Saharan environment, and have a switch out battery (no power where I'm going). Price is secondary to function. Thank you in advance for any leads on which device will best serve my need.
Hi @hughhou, great video! Very promising #VR180 future 😊 never been to WB studios; hopefully soon I get to go 🎉 question what did you film there with the new calf camera? Was it an open event or private?
Open event - Cinegear 2023 - happen every year!
all sounds kinda cool but if you think that the VisionPro can record 180VR with the headset itself, so this is a little bit redundant.
VisionPro CAN NOT record VR180 video - ONLY 3D video - not 180 or VR. Just to clarify :)
@@hughhou what is the difference of 3D video or VR video? the FOV? What I heard that it can actually record 180 3D, it has the right cameras for it since the passthrough is 180, or maybe not, what is the actual FOV of the headset? in either case, I think that is the best use-case for a mixed reality headset, somebody should make one.
@@trancemuter Essentially. It's also the shape of the frame. 3d cameras use a rectangular frame like you'd watch on a TV. They are usually 65 degrees wide by 50 degrees tall. VR180 is 180 degrees in a semispherical projection. They are both stereoscopic and 3d.
It's fantastic news that 180 content finally may reach a broad audience. I checked the app, though, and it's clunky and all the super short girl videos gets tired very quickly :)
Yes indeed.
I really messed up my husband's head by trying to create Stereoscopic videos. I love really close up shots, and it is so hard on the eyes. I am scared of law suits with creating stereoscopic footage. Am I crazy for having these worries? I am also not a fan of having that bold black line in 180. I would much prefer 360 videos, for it is more immersive. Am I making a huge mistake not embracing stereoscopic and 180?
No. VR180 is not for everyone. It is a different art form. I do both. But 360 is more for what you do and you are doing really well. Travel is better in 360 so keep what you are doing :)
@@hughhou thank you! I would love any advice you have for me. I don't really want to start doing how to videos, but it sure is a slow climb when you don't go there. 😂
They need to make this with dual MFT sensors.
Good stuff! This headset looks great and I shared this video with my richer friends (haha). I've also had a burning question for a while: Have you seen the videos where old video from 100 years ago is upscaled for 4k and 60fps using AI? What role do you think this could play in VR video? Could these processes be applied to VR video in post-production to increase frames per second and image quality? Thanks!
Good question! You can use old video upscale and even 3D depth it - make a good historical piece and it is a concept we are playing as well - lots of post processing tho
@@hughhou Thank you for the reply! Yes, I'm sure it would be a monster of a task to upscale and/or generate frames for VR video which is already GIGANTIC, but it would be an interesting proof of concept to, for instance, increase a high quality VR video to 90 FPS using AI frame generation.
The coolest thing is seeing how a place has changed over time. I could see some AR apps that use old google street data and AI to let you go back in time virtually (currently up to 16 years) as you walk down the same streets. Then users could upload old photos for select locations as well, and eventually you could put on an AR headset and virtually time travel. It could be neat.
@@Insomn Absolutely! That would be awesome.
Ever since I saw those vids (a few years ago), I've been personally BANKING on future AI to be able to use hints I give it in my footage to increase resolution. The hints I give it are moving VR180 cam close to (important) subjects, at least for a few seconds, so the future AI won't need to hallucinate details but rather remember them from the closeup shots, then add them to anywhere else it recognizes those subjects. Similarly, I show a color chart briefly in every (important) scene so the future AI can calibrate colors to the real colors, not just nice looking hallucinated colors...
Re frame rate increase: I believe that part is gonna be trivially easy for a future AI to do, in extremely high quality with very few glitches. After all, not much changes in those few milliseconds, as I don't often film fast moving/flowing objects...
Hopefully GoPro will join the ranks too
GoPro you can get 2x 11 and their finish eye mod. I hear there is sync cable but I did not do enough research on this. I my tutorial on 2X GO2 can use it on GoPro 11 as well.
love it , when can we have phones that can do vr180 that be great :D
Oh yes! Maybe the next iPhone since VisionPro is out.
nice, but not nearly enough improvement over my 4 year old Evo 360 to justify the 4x price...
Make sense. It is still not an action camera like Evo
@Hugh Hou Yeah. But I think all series and blockbusters etc. will be in VR 180 on the future (20-30+ years, when VR is as comfortable and seemless as usual glasses). So keep up your nice work! You are on the right path! :)
Fingers crossed!
A friendly critique: the sound effects played when a caption is shown is very grating to the ears. Please use a different sound next time.
All in all, great video!
Thanks for the tip!
Honestly, the Canon doesn't look very sharp in the comparison video across the image.
Thanks for the feedback. Canon is not famous for its sharpness but its cinematic look and color science.
好！很好！我们喜欢！❤
I used my Quest 2 on their website to test the VR capabilities and was not impressed.
You should check out my sample - their App does not stream the highest quality upload b/c of Unity limitation. Check this one out: ruclips.net/video/MtQlWHflmr8/видео.html
WOW! THe CALF is actually comparable to 8k R5 !!!
Glad you think so!
The list of tradeoffs seems to be equally spread out evenly for all three, but after watching this I'm now thinking that Cannon is most likely to make me not feel like I made a bad choice....
#CALF was hilarious 🤣
nice video. But sad to see Hugh working with a company with no reputation. First of all, I will show my identity. I used to be the product director of a VR camera company in mainland China. Hugh has evaluated 2 products I designed. The owner of calf company, Changba Company, began to cooperate with several camera manufacturers in mainland China to customize this camera in late 2021, and used relevant ideas for its own use in the process. When the camera reviewed by Hugh applied for an appearance patent in September 2022, Changba was still claiming with several camera companies that it had not yet decided which solution to use,and changba’s major technical exports still calling me for tech support. In fact, until last month, my former boss was still providing all kinds of camera equipment for free , hoping to win orders from changba.
Thank you for the information - I really don't know all the drama behind companies - any company. My job it is to review all VR camera - from nobody know to famous everyone know (Insta360, Canon). So to keep it FAIR. This channel only can be informative on the actual camera level - but anything beyond that will be beyond me and my speciality. I will point out the good and the bad, on the hardware. But who designed it, what company running it or selling it really beyond me. I do appreciate the information and the insider information. I can not validate any info but this is the community here for. Thank you for stopping by and voice your opinion. We value transparency and open discussion on all matters :)
@@hughhou thanks Hugh , still I love your review video.
I think the Calf addresses many issues I have with other 3d cameras-
Screen for framing
Easy auto exposure options
Small form factor
For everyday capture, it is hard to beat.
Insta360 is $700, CALF is $2k, Canon R5C is $3.3k
Yes!! Something is coming will be cheaper than all of them and something under $1000…
Hopefully soon!!
Specs are there but the unit is TOO DAMN BIG... Same dimensions as 2 full size GOPRO10's. Seriously, its a monster, who okayed this for production/sale?
Unit is a necessary proof that people will pay anything for a good 4k VR180. Hope the market steps up with something 1/4 the size at half that price...
Yes agree. I guess the tech is not there yet to make them smaller like EVO with this frame rate and quality. Heat is a huge issue for internal stitching.
I actually prefer bulkier cameras...to a degree... Any 8k 30fps vr180 under $2.5k gets my cash. I don't even care at this point if it'll suck at low light. I'll bring my own lighting...