Xangle FAQ

1- Software

1.1 - Do I need an internet connection to run Xangle Camera Server?
An internet connection is required only to validate your license. The license is validated only when you turn on the app, and only once every 24 hours. Once validated, you can go offline. The software can be accessed through a web browser, but the server runs on your local machine (localhost address).

1.2 - How does the bullet-time calibration work?
You put the calibration bar in the middle of the rig, then you take a reference shot. As long as nothing moves, this reference is going to be applied to each subsequent shots. If for any reason a camera gets bumped, simply put back the calibration bar on the center marker and repeat the steps. Check out the full tutorial here: https://doc.xanglecs.com/calibration. Please note that this is not required for photogrammetry.

1.3 - Do I need to purchase an Xangle Calibration Bar to make this work?
No, you can get away with two markers of the same size/color. Starting from version 1.13+, if you’re using 12 cameras or less, we recommend that you build your own calibration panel instead of using our calibration bar. For a full 360, our backlit solution is a solid option.

1.4 - How often do you release new versions?
So far we’ve been launching at least one version every two months. We are very active at adding features and improving performances

1.5 - Can I use a second monitor with the “basic” version to use as a replay or sharing station?
Absolutely! You can extend your main monitor on another one to display a second window. You’ll need the “pro” version only if you need to run those off other devices (computer, tablet, smartphone)

1.6 - Can I remove the Xangle logo from the software?
With a “Pro” license, you can use your own background on public pages (sharing, gallery, replay, selfie…), but you can’t change the app itself (dashboard, calibration, configuration)

2- License & payments

2.1 - How can I upgrade my license?
Monthly licenses can be credited if you purchase an equivalent Yearly license before day number 10 (of your monthly license). Meaning that if you purchase a “24-cameras pro 1-month license” on January 1st, you have up to the end of January 10th to place your order for a “24-cameras pro 1-year license”, and then we’ll refund the monthly license.

Yearly licenses can be upgraded by applying the remaining period credits on a new one.

2.2 - Can I use the software on two different computers?
Your license is going to work on a single computer at a time. To switch to another computer, you’ll need to log out from the first one (top right corner menu). If you need to run multiple stations, you’ll need additional licenses. If for any reason you are stuck (computer explodes!), we can kick you out from our admin panel, or you can wait 24 hours to let the token expire.

2.3 - Can I split my 24-cameras license into two 12-cameras licenses?
No, one license = one computer. However, you can extend your license on multiple computers (Raspberry Pis or Windows computers) to speed up the data transfer.

2.4 - Can I have a trial license before purchasing the software?
Of course! Simply fill this form.

2.5 - What are the limitations of the “trial” license?
On a trial license, you will have access to all functionalities (Pro version), however, we add a watermark on the output files (mp4 & jpgs). In other words, the trial license is great to test the system, but not to run your events or to create content. RAW files are not provided when using a trial license.

2.6 - Can I use the software after my license has expired?
No, a valid license is required in order to use the software

2.7 - How can I renew my license?
None of our software licenses renew automatically, but we’ll send you a reminder two weeks before your license expires. When you’re ready, you can purchase a new license from xangle.store.

If you use the same email address for both billing and software, your new license will appear immediately in your existing user account. There’s no need to log in to the store—just make sure to use the same email address.

After completing your payment, your new license will be visible both in the software and on xangleApps.net. Initially, the license status will appear as “Pending” until you activate it. Once activated, the expiry date will be set—typically one month or one year from the activation date.

You have up to 60 days to activate your license after purchase. If it is not activated within this period, it will be automatically activated.

2.8 - Do you offer a monthly payment option for the yearly licenses?
Yes, we now offer a monthly payment option for your convenience. This option includes a 20% increase over the regular one-time payment price. To enroll in this plan, a one-year contract must be signed, with a minimum purchase order of $1,000 for the year. For the best value, we recommend the one-time payment option. Payments are automated via Stripe, allowing you to use your credit card for convenience.

3- Physical configuration

3.1 - What is the best distance between cameras and/or the subject?
This is really a matter of preference and about the style you’re looking for (just as with regular photography). If you place your cameras closer to each other, you’ll have a very smooth result, but you’ll cover a shorter distance. In the other hand, a larger gap is giving you a greater 3d effect, but you’ll have to consider a bigger backdrop. For the distance between the cameras and the subject, there is no rule. Simply try to avoid having your subject too far, otherwise you’re going to loose the 3d effect.

3.2 - What lens / focal length to use?
It doesn’t help that much to get fancy/expensive lenses for your bullet time installation. Mostly everyone in the industry is using the kit lens (18-55mm) and this is working just fine. The big advantage of this one is that it comes with the camera, but also that it’s super sharp at 18mm, and you can use it at various zoom position. The 24mm pancake is also used a lot for its simplicity a good looking style (it’s slim, so sliiiim). The 10-18mm is also a good option if you’re working in a tighter environment.

3.3 - Is it better to use a straight or a curved bar?
Since the calibration module is able to compensate the angle on a straight bar, it is the preferred option. This makes the setup and transportation much easier. You can place up to 12 cameras on a straight bar as long as they are close to each other. You’ll find many examples on my instagram: https://instagram.com/thexangle

4- Camera

4.1- What camera models are compatible?

  • Most Canon entry level DSLRs are compatible. These models have been used intensively with our system: T3/1100d, T3i/600d, T5/1200d, T5i/650d, T6/1300d/2000d, T6i/750d, T6s/760d, t7i/800d, SL1/100d, SL2/200d, SL3/250d/200dii.
    * Avoid the 4000d/t100 as it can’t be powered by an external source
    * The models with no mirror lockup are less accurate for the triggering (T3/1100d, T5/1200d, T6/1300d/2000d)
    * The SL3/250d/200dii and T7/1500d/2000d don’t have the central pin to trigger an external flash, but there’s a workaround
    - The EOS-R/R5/R6/R10 are working perfectly, but are not as accurate as the DSLRs equivalent. For some unknown reasons, the trigger port brings better precision than the usb port. The work around is to use the XangleBoard (this gives you full access to interval, jump-and-freeze, custom trigger sequences) on a Raspberry Pi architecture (4 cameras per pi, 4 audio cables).
    - R5c doesn’t work! It is not available from the Canon SDK

    - If you’re using strobes, then you can stick to USB triggering and shoot at 1/60s on any Canon mirrorless cameras.

    - The M50. M200 and G7x3 are working well but are not accurate (and can’t be triggered using an analog cable). The M50 is known to have issues on Raspberry Pis, but is working perfectly on Windows when connected directly by USB.

    - The M200 and G7x3 don’t have a physical switch to turn on the cameras. This means that you’ll need to manually turn on/off all cameras one by one every time you need to use them 😵
    * My favorite option is still the SL3/250d (great value, available, super accurate, super tiny and high quality image)
    Check out my bullet-time camera review for more details
    *** July 2024 update: The R100 is what most of our new users are going for these days. It is very reliable and accurate enough in USB for any photogrammetry rig (using strobes). For bullet-time, it works well when combined with our boards.

  • Sony cameras are now fully tested on large scale systems. The trigger accuracy USB is not great, but enough for a photogrammetry system. For better precision, use our boards with trigger cables. But even with analog triggering, the precision is not as good as what we get on Canon cameras, no matter the model. Limitations on Sony: burst and video capture are not available at the moment.

  • Most Android smartphones are also supported. Avoid Xiaomi Note or Umidigi as these two brands might require more complicated configuration (adding a sim card, rooting the phone, etc). These brands have been tested with success: Oppo, Samsung, Motorola, Huawei, LG, Google. Smartphones are not accurate and can’t be combined with an external flash! These are rarely a good option. Before purchasing a license, please request for a trial so you can test with your Android model.
    *** July 2024 update: Android has been put into “experimental” status within the app. There are too many models out there.

  • Raspberry Pi cameras are also supported (PiCam v2, v3, HQ)

  • Arducam IMX519

  • Nikon: no Nikon models are supported at the moment

4.2 - Can I mix camera models?

Yes! You can now mix any camera models, but keep in mind that the settings might be different, and the trigger delay will vary a lot. You can set a delay per camera model from Xangle. You’ll find more details about mixing different camera models on our documentation page. Also, having different cameras/lenses is very likely to induce some color/brightness shift which can be adjusted in post, but not automatically in XangleCS. Please note that you can’t mix PiCam and other models on the same Pi.

4.3 - Do I need SD cards in my cameras?
The answer is no in most cases. The files are transferred right away to your computer, saving a few precious milliseconds in the process. However, there are two exceptions: If you capture in video mode (Canon), then you need SD Cards. There is also an obscure way to use SD cards to extend the burst capabilities, but this is not properly documented yet.

5- Raspberry Pi

5.1 - Do I need Raspberry Pis to use Xangle Camera Server?
No. You can connect all of your cameras to a single computer. However, adding Raspberry Pis is going to allow you to scale up your installation to well over 24 cameras

5.2 - Can I mix Raspberry Pi’s and Windows client?
No, you have to either one or the other

5.3 - Can I mix PiCam and other cameras on the same Raspberry Pi?
No.

5.4 - What’s the difference between the USB-HUB and the Raspberry Pi architecture?
USB-HUB is a simpler solution and works with the equipment you probably already have (One Windows computer, a few cameras, one usb hub and that’s it). Raspberry Pis are making it easier to scale up your rigs. Check out the performance difference on the benchmark page.

5.5 - What Raspberry Pi models works?
3b+ and 4b! The Raspberry Pi 4b is a better option if your cameras support usb-3. Support for Raspbery Pi 5 is coming soon

5.6 - Can I use a mini PC instead of a Raspberry Pi?
Yes, you can! In some cases, a mini PC might seem like a simpler solution, but for most multi-camera systems, it’s not as efficient or straightforward as using Raspberry Pi computers.

On Windows, setting up a multi-camera system can be challenging. You’ll need to:

  • Manually install the software.

  • Troubleshoot potential firewall issues.

  • Disable Windows updates (notoriously difficult).

  • Prevent automatic restarts.

Managing this across dozens of nodes can quickly become frustrating.

In contrast, Raspberry Pis require virtually no configuration. Just flash a microSD card, and you’re ready to go! Over 95% of our users with 24+ cameras rely on Raspberry Pis—and for good reason. While Raspberry Pis might seem intimidating if you’re new to these devices, they are by far the best option for multi-camera systems.

In addition to this, using only four cameras per Raspberry Pi helps avoid USB bottlenecks by taking advantage of the much faster Ethernet connection.

6- Computer

6.1 - What kind of computer is required?
Xangle Camera Server works on Windows 10 and Windows 11. For 12 cameras or less, you can go with a basic Surface Pro i7, but for larger rigs, we recommend using either a gaming computer or a desktop computer with a fast SSD and a fast CPU. Even with a slower computer, the software is going to work properly, but you are going to wait longer to generate the files. Check out the benchmark page for more details. *UPDATE*: we did this amazing paid ad with Asus recently, and it turned out to be our new favorite laptop to run our 176-cameras system: https://xanglecs.com/blog/176-cameras-bullet-time-hardware-performance

6.2 - Do I need a fast graphic card?
We are not leveraging the GPU at the moment, meaning that you won’t see any performance difference even if you have a NVIDIA card. We do however plan to apply the digital calibration on the GPU in the near future.

6.3 - Can I run Xangle Camera Server on a Mac computer?
We don’t officially support this, but the software can run through Parallels on a Mac. This has been tested multiple times by our clients

7- Other gear items

7.1 - Which wireless triggers models can be used?
Pretty much any bluetooth powerpoint presenter or gamepad. Check out my recommendations on the gear page.