Hi, I film mainly with Insta360 cameras (x2, x3, x4 and 1-inch) and I'm struggling with the lack of support for these cameras in MEP 2022.
They go up to 8k resolution but the 360 options in MEP are so limited and low resolution it's unusable. Can I set a custom resolution so I can bump it up to 4k, 6k, 8k etc?
Also the editing is so clunky. Have a look at at Insta360 Studio to see how slick and simple and can be.
Has support been updated in more recent versions?
Did you ever find a solution? Just crickets?
Did you ever find a solution? Just crickets?
At least crickets would be some kind of reply. It seems this program is being left for dead. Shame.
Hi
Do note that this is a user to user forum, not Magix Support, therefore the lack of a response to your questions is most likely due to the limited number of forum members who actually work with 360° cameras.
John EB
Forum Moderator
While I do not own a Insta360 camera I am interested in purchasing the X5 as my next action camera. I'm wondering what the expectation is for any NLE? The great thing about 360 video is that you virtually capture everything! The downside is there is additional editing steps.
My understanding is that once the footage is captured on the Insta360, it's necessary to import it into Insta360 Studio for generating the view/perspective rough cuts and export to an intermediate codec such as ProRes. Then, import the files into VPX/VDL and edit as normal.
Because Insta360 Studio is specifically built for Insta360 cameras I assume it's the best rough-cut tool for 360 videos. Infact, watching some Insta360 Studio tutorials on YouTube, one can generate a movie from start to finish with titles, transitions and music using this specific 360 editor so there may not be a need to export to another NLE.
I'm curious what your current workflow is? Have you come across any other NLE's that can rough cut equal to or better than Insta360 Studio? Also, if you use the Insta360 camera as a regular action-cam, I assume there is no issue editing the video in VPX/VDL?
I shot video with the Insta360 x4 last weekend. I'm new to the 360 world and have never edited the footage, so I don't know how it will work with Vegas Pro. I'm assuming at this point that I'll need to edit and output the footage in the 360 app, and then add it to the Vegas timeline which has the standard footage that I shot with the NX800.
To the OP, I would love to know what editing software support the Insta360 native INSV file format outside of Premiere. It is easy to create an editor for someone's specific file format, but how about it (that software) editing anything else besides INSV?
The best way to answer any question (or at least to satisfy the curious) is to provide native samples (nothing long) to the cloud to be downloaded and tested. I am also curious about this camera.
I've read the various workflows for different editing software, but it all comes down to initially using the Insta to export to a file format (MP4) that the editors can use. Yes, Premiere supports is, but you have to also acquire the plugin to do it. And then also incur the monthly subscription for Premiere.
If the Insta software works great, then use it, export and add your "trimmings" if necessary in the editor of your choice.
Thanks for your feedback. In terms of editing the footage in Vegas Pro, Video deluxe or VPX, as @Reyfox indicated, the .insv file format created by the Insta360 camera, first needs to be processed by Inst360 Studio software to generate a standard video file or a 360 equirectangular file. If the latter is generated, then you can use the 360 effects within the three Magix editors to edit the footage. VPX, VDL and Vegas Pro essentially use the same process which is applying specific 360 effects to the equirectangular video clip. The effect for reframing in VPX/VDL is "360 Scene Rotation" and for Vegas Pro is "Scene Rotation."
Some caveats I have discovered; Insta360 Studio can export 4 codecs; H264, H265, ProRes422 and ProRes422LT. VPX/VDL can only read the H264 and H265 files and cannot read the ProRes files. Vegas Pro can read all four codecs. Also, exporting from VPX/VDL and Vegas Pro is limited to H264.
Fortunately, Insta360 Studio is free to download and use even if you do not own a Insta360 camera. All you have to do is register your email to create an account! 😀
https://www.insta360.com/download/app/studio2019
Also I was able to find some sample .insv files which really helped me to understand how to use the Studio app. With these .insv files I was able to generate the required equirectangular files which I was able to import/test in VPX/VDL and Vegas Pro.
https://360rumors.com/download-1-inch-360/
In summary, because VPX/VDL and Vegas Pro cannot natively import the .insv files, the Studio app has to used. Because of this, you might as well use the Studio app to trim and reframe the video clips as rough cuts and export them as standard video files. Then import these standard video clips into VPX/VDL or Vegas Pro for further editing as required.
This essentially answers @Peeteey's question as to why there has not been further development for 360 video within the three Magix editors. The .insv files are proprietary which requires specific software to convert them so there really isn't any efficiency gain. Since you have to use the Studio app to convert the files, you might as well use the tools within that app to generate standard videos which can be used in any NLE. And if the project is simple, just use the Studio app to generate the final video.
Cheers! 🤓
Hi
. . . . the .insv file format created by the Insta360 camera, first needs to be processed by Inst360 Studio software . . . .
From the MediaInfo data of the sample file linked to, the actual codecs are standard AVC (h.264) 8 bit 4:2:0 Chroma subsampling video and AAC audio, the only 'oddity' is the Aspect ratio at 1:1 and, presumably, the equirectangular data is in the file header.
Did you try changing the file extension to MP4 to see if it is editable in VPX/VDL and Vegas Pro ?
John EB
I chose the "VID_20220625_140410_00_008.insv" file from Candive's link, changed the extension to "MP4" and it opens fine in Magix:
Running it thru AVIDemux for a lossless "copy, copy" to MP4 also worked.
If you have an ongoing use of these, it might be worth firing a suggestion to Support, as it seems the Insta360 is becoming popular and it would be handy to be able to import them directly. It appears there's nothing particularly weird about the underlying video, only the container/wrapper.
While the video is "legible", it's the proprietary metadata contained inside the .insv file that is the issue. I agree, it would be great if the three Magix editors could import the .insv files directly but there must be a licensing (money) issue. There is a plugin for Premiere Pro.
DJI just released its own 360 camera so now there is increased competition in this space. If one of these companies starts issuing plugins for 3rd party editors, that may sway potential buyers. I certainly would be.
I guess you are referring to 360 edited final video? The software can export to various other formats.
Yes that is correct. I am referring to the immersive 360 video file that can be created. This type of file is limited to H264.
Just taking a step back, there are two formats you can export from a 360 video; a standard "flat" video file or an immersive 360 file where the viewer can use his mouse or VR googles to change his/her viewing perspective within the video.
So a decision has to be made as to what the final video will be. If it's going to be an immersive 360 video, then in VPX/VDL a 360 project needs to be created. In Vegas Pro, the 360 Output box in Properties (Advanced tab) needs to be ticked.
From there, the main effect to be added to the video in VPX/VDL is the "360 Scene Rotation" and for Vegas Pro is "Scene Rotation." It really only needs to be set for the beginning frame since once the video starts playing, the viewer can control his/her perspective for the duration of the movie using the mouse for example. The 360 Scene Rotation effect has three sliders which can be used to set the initial frame. The effect is exactly the same for VPX/VDL and Vegas Pro.
If the final video is going to be a standard flat video, then in VPX/VDL a standard project is defined and in Vegas Pro the 360 output box is not ticked.
In this mode, there is a slightly different process. In VPX/VDL the 360 Editing effect is used on the object and the Selection box needs to be ticked. The Alignment controls act in the same manner as the sliders of the 360 Scene Rotation effect only now the editor needs to use keyframes to follow the action and reframe the video. If you don't like the Alignment controls to set the keyframes, just add the 360 Scene Rotation effect after the 360 Editing effect and use the sliders to set the key frames which I personally find easier to use.
For Vegas Pro, the Scene Rotation effect is used but in this case the effect needs to be placed before the Pan/Crop effect for the reframing to work properly.
I hope these tips help anyone trying to navigate the editing workflow for 360 video using any of the three Magix editors.
While I do not own a Insta360 camera I am interested in purchasing the X5 as my next action camera. I'm wondering what the expectation is for any NLE? The great thing about 360 video is that you virtually capture everything! The downside is there is additional editing steps.
My understanding is that once the footage is captured on the Insta360, it's necessary to import it into Insta360 Studio for generating the view/perspective rough cuts and export to an intermediate codec such as ProRes. Then, import the files into VPX/VDL and edit as normal.
Because Insta360 Studio is specifically built for Insta360 cameras I assume it's the best rough-cut tool for 360 videos. Infact, watching some Insta360 Studio tutorials on YouTube, one can generate a movie from start to finish with titles, transitions and music using this specific 360 editor so there may not be a need to export to another NLE.
I'm curious what your current workflow is? Have you come across any other NLE's that can rough cut equal to or better than Insta360 Studio? Also, if you use the Insta360 camera as a regular action-cam, I assume there is no issue editing the video in VPX/VDL?
Hey, yep that's pretty much the flow but the desktop app can do some pretty decent editing itself but it's nothing compared to a normal editor.
I generally film concerts using stationary cameras whilst also recording the audio on a dedicated audio device, so I need to combine the audio and video together in post. So far, it's a pain in the insta360 app but it is possible, you have to sync the A/V manually.
What's not possible is multi cam. I use the X2, 3, 4 and the One RS 1-inch. It'd be nice to be able to sync all cameras and audio then edit in the app as usual but so far they can only handle one camera.
I usually use the app to reframe the 360 video then export to Movie Edit Pro to then edit as normal, multi cam, av sync etc.
Davinci Resolve has a plug in that enables native insta360 file editing without the need to use their app first. That's a good way to go but I find Resolve has a huge learning curve for me and I've paid for Magix so I'd like to make it work here if possible before jumping ship.
I shot video with the Insta360 x4 last weekend. I'm new to the 360 world and have never edited the footage, so I don't know how it will work with Vegas Pro. I'm assuming at this point that I'll need to edit and output the footage in the 360 app, and then add it to the Vegas timeline which has the standard footage that I shot with the NX800.
That's generally the idea. The insta app can export in a lossless format as well as mp4 which, so long as your editor of choice can support the lossless codec, is a great way to go.
To the OP, I would love to know what editing software support the Insta360 native INSV file format outside of Premiere. It is easy to create an editor for someone's specific file format, but how about it (that software) editing anything else besides INSV?
Davinci Resolve has a fan made plugin called KartaVR which means Resolve can do it natively too, and for free!
But, I find Resolve has a steep learning curve that I can't really be bothered with at the moment. I still have a play with it from time to time but get too confused and quit. If I follow a tutorial step by step then I've managed to get some good results but if I want to deviate from that tutorial in any way then I'm stuck :D
I chose the "VID_20220625_140410_00_008.insv" file from Candive's link, changed the extension to "MP4" and it opens fine in Magix:
Running it thru AVIDemux for a lossless "copy, copy" to MP4 also worked.
If you have an ongoing use of these, it might be worth firing a suggestion to Support, as it seems the Insta360 is becoming popular and it would be handy to be able to import them directly. It appears there's nothing particularly weird about the underlying video, only the container/wrapper.
I've tried that too and had some success but haven't played with it any further. The pic you have there is one half of what the MP4 will look like in MEP etc. You get two circular views, like the one you show there, one from the front and one from the rear cameras, but you then have to stitch the two together to make one 360 video. That's fiddly. MEP has a stitching preset for a few really old cameras such as the Samsung 360 cameras, which I also have, but nothing for any cameras in the last 8 years or so, which is when the massive leaps forward in 360 cameras took place.
I'll try the renaming to MP4 thing again to see if I can make sense of it again. Thanks for the reminder :)
While the video is "legible", it's the proprietary metadata contained inside the .insv file that is the issue. I agree, it would be great if the three Magix editors could import the .insv files directly but there must be a licensing (money) issue. There is a plugin for Premiere Pro.
DJI just released its own 360 camera so now there is increased competition in this space. If one of these companies starts issuing plugins for 3rd party editors, that may sway potential buyers. I certainly would be.
I'm keen to see the new DJI one, apparently has some good pros and cons when compared to the X5.
I doubt a lesser known editor such as Magix would get a plugin made for it by the companies so we'd need either Magix or a fan to make us one.
If Magix just gave all their editor programs the ability to import the Prores codec stuff then that'd be a huge help.
I guess you are referring to 360 edited final video? The software can export to various other formats.
Yes that is correct. I am referring to the immersive 360 video file that can be created. This type of file is limited to H264.
Just taking a step back, there are two formats you can export from a 360 video; a standard "flat" video file or an immersive 360 file where the viewer can use his mouse or VR googles to change his/her viewing perspective within the video.
So a decision has to be made as to what the final video will be. If it's going to be an immersive 360 video, then in VPX/VDL a 360 project needs to be created. In Vegas Pro, the 360 Output box in Properties (Advanced tab) needs to be ticked.
From there, the main effect to be added to the video in VPX/VDL is the "360 Scene Rotation" and for Vegas Pro is "Scene Rotation." It really only needs to be set for the beginning frame since once the video starts playing, the viewer can control his/her perspective for the duration of the movie using the mouse for example. The 360 Scene Rotation effect has three sliders which can be used to set the initial frame. The effect is exactly the same for VPX/VDL and Vegas Pro.
If the final video is going to be a standard flat video, then in VPX/VDL a standard project is defined and in Vegas Pro the 360 output box is not ticked.
In this mode, there is a slightly different process. In VPX/VDL the 360 Editing effect is used on the object and the Selection box needs to be ticked. The Alignment controls act in the same manner as the sliders of the 360 Scene Rotation effect only now the editor needs to use keyframes to follow the action and reframe the video. If you don't like the Alignment controls to set the keyframes, just add the 360 Scene Rotation effect after the 360 Editing effect and use the sliders to set the key frames which I personally find easier to use.
For Vegas Pro, the Scene Rotation effect is used but in this case the effect needs to be placed before the Pan/Crop effect for the reframing to work properly.
I hope these tips help anyone trying to navigate the editing workflow for 360 video using any of the three Magix editors.
Thanks for that! I think that's more or less what I tried last time I used MEP but I'll try following along exactly as you wrote in case I missed something last time.
One thing I found a pain in MEP was that once in the 360 view of the footage, I could only look around left and right, not up and down. Drove me nuts. I think I had trouble zooming in and out too but I seem to remember that's not as easy as a click and drag any more, as it used to be in older versions.
I don't like having to go to menus to access what should be quick and frequently used editing commands. In the insta360 app, it's so easy to reframe, simple click and drag, zoom in and out is simple too with the slider right there, but trying to do the same in MEP takes ages, feels like I've gone back in time a decade.