Yi Halo
Contents
Intro
Built by Yi Technology in a close collaboration with Google, Yi Halo is a full consumer 360 VR camera based on the Google Jump 3D video production cloud technology. Priced at $17,000, the Vi Halo is scheduled to be available for sales in summer 2017, targeting serious professional VR developers.
Features
The Yi Halo features a total of 17 4K resolution action camera, with 16 configured horizontally and 1 facing top to provide 360-degree video with depth and realism. This is an improvement from rival GoPro Odyssey’s 16 horizontal cameras that failed to capture realistic top view images.
Working with Google Jump 3D video stitching cloud solution, Yi Halo is the first Jump VR camera to be produced commercially, unlike its rival GoPro Odyssey which is more of a prototype version. Its mechanical body has been built to ensure robustness in the harsh shooting environment.
Its capability of producing realistic 3D video in 8K (30fps) and 5.8K (60fps) is an impressive feat in the industry.
Hardware
As stated by the company, the Yi Halo is not a proof of concept, but a full-blown commercial product. The development team has put great effort into making the heat dissipation minimal, enabling the Yi Halo to be used in the desert.
The frame holding up the 17 cameras are made of rigid ABS material in black.A thoughtful design resulted in an impressive consumption of just 50 Watts of power, making the provided battery to last up to 100 minutes in a continuous shoot.
With a built-in 5GHz WiFi, the Yi Halo allows the user to shoot remotely with an Android app. The native support for Jump assembler takes the burden of 3D video stitching out of the user’s hand.
Technical Specifications
General
| Size: | 28.7cm X 28.7cm X19.2cm |
| Weight | 7.7lb with battery |
| Horizontal view unit camera | 16 |
| Up view unit camera | 1 |
| LCD control panel | Yes |
| Level | 2 bubble levels placed orthogonally |
| Tripod mount | 1 x 3/8”-20 and 2 x 1/4”-16 aluminum mounting points |
| Handle | Yes |
| Construction | PC/ABS |
| Color | Night Black |
| Protection Case | Pelican 1610 |
Hardware
| Header text | Header text |
|---|---|
| Main processor | 18 Ambarella A9SE75 chipset |
| Image sensor | 17 SONY IMX377, 1/2.3", 12 megapixels CMOS image sensor with Exmor R ability. |
| Lens | Lens F2.8 aperture / 155° wide-angle lens, 7G, f=2.66±5%mm |
| Audio | Omni-directional microphone |
| Wi-Fi | Broadcom BCM43340 |
| LCD Screen | 2.2", 640*360 resolution touch screen, 330PPI, 250cd/m2 brightness, 30FPS, 160° FOV, 16:9 |
| Clock synchronization | Yes |
| Battery | ATL 93Wh high density lithium polymer battery, battery life 100 minutes in video recording |
| Power consumption | 24V DC, 50W in video recording |
Capture Mode
| Camera mode | Camera output resolution | Jump stitch output resolution |
|---|---|---|
| Video 2.5K 29.97fps | 17 2560x1920x29.97fps | 8192x8192x29.97fps |
| Video 2.5K 25fps | 17 2560x1920x25fps | 8192x8192x25fps |
| Video 1440p 59.94fps | 17 1920x1440x59.94fps | 5760x5760x59.94fps |
| Video 1440p 50fps | 17 1920x1440x50fps | 5760x5760x50fps |
| Time lapse video 2.5K 29.97fps | 17 2560x1920x29.97fps | 8192x8192x29.97fps |
| Time lapse video 2.5K 25fps | 17 2560x1920x25fps | 8192x8192x25fps |
| Time lapse video 1440p 59.94fps | 17 1920x1440x59.94fps | 5760x5760x59.94fps |
| Time lapse video 1440p 50fps | 17 1920x1440x50fps | 5760x5760x50fps |
| Photo 12MP | 17 4000x3000 | 8192x8192 |
Video Format
| Video format | H.264 codec, .mp4 format |
| MP4 metadata | Jump compatible |
Image Quality Settings
| White balance | Auto, Native, Tungsten, Daylight, Cloudy |
| Video ISO | Auto, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400 |
| Photo ISO | Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800 |
| EV | -2.0, -1.5, -1.0, -0.5, 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 |
| Photo shutter | Auto, 2s, 5s, 10s, 20s, 30s |
| Color | YI Color, Flat Color |
| Metering | Center |
Video Storage
| Video Storage | H.264 codec, .mp4 format |
| Supported micro SD cards | Lexar 1000x U3 32G/64G
SanDisk Extreme Pro U3 32G/64G |
Thermal Performance
| Cooling system | Passive and fanless |
| Operating Temperature | 32°F-95°F |
| Storage Temperature | -4°F-140°F |
Others
| Waterproof | No, please do not use YI HALO in wet environment |
| Dustproof | No, please do not use YI HALO in dusty environment |
| Warranty | 12 Momths |
YI HALO App
| Supported Android versions | Android 5.0 and above |
| Recommended smart phones | Google Pixel and Google Pixel XL |
Software
The Yi Halo operates on its own custom SDK, and can be updated via a few clicks on its control panel.
Apps
Yi Halo Android app, is used as a remote control and also for live preview of the camera.
Accessories
- Included in the package are
- Backup camera x 2
- Battery x 1
- Bluetooth remote x 1
- Charger and power cable x 1
- Screwdriver x 2
- Backup cable pack x 1
- Power cable x 1
History
- April 24, 2017 : Yi Halo revealed.
- June 2017 : Yi Halo scheduled for release
References
- https://www.yitechnology.com/yi-halo-vr-camera
- http://variety.com/2017/digital/news/google-yi-technology-halo-vr-camera-1202393420/
- https://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2017/4/24/15405540/yi-technology-halo-360-vr-google-jump-start-camera
- https://blog.google/products/google-vr/introducing-next-generation-jump/
- http://tech.firstpost.com/news-analysis/google-introduces-the-yi-halo-vr-camera-that-can-capture-8k-3d-360-degree-videos-at-30-fps-373223.html
- http://bgr.com/2017/04/24/google-vr-camera-yi-halo/
