What’s required?

We tested pretty much any configuration you can think of. This is the optimal equipment for multi-camera work!

Multi-camera gear list

Gear list for bullet-time, photogrammetry or gaussian splat multi-camera work using Xangle Camera Server

This is the recommended equipment list to run our solution and this is exactly what we use at the studio and during our events. Many other items can be used instead of what’s listed below, but you’ll play safe if you go with what we suggest

Checkout our budget calculator to help you with the approximate investment required for a specified number of camera (Raspberry Pi architecture)

Request a trial version or purchase a license on our online store (instant download after payment is completed)


Architecture A: USB-HUBS

Minimal setup, as seen in the bullet-time tutorial. Ideal for 24 cameras or less. This list is for 6 cameras


Architecture B: Rasbperry Pis (24+ cameras)


Architecture C: Diskless Rasbperry Pis (24+ cameras)


What to choose between the USB-HUBs, Raspberry Pis or Diskless Raspberry Pis?

  • 12 cameras or less: No brainer — use USB hubs. It’s the simplest option.

  • Between 12 and 24 cameras: It depends. Raspberry Pis will give you faster download speeds across all cameras, especially if you’re shooting in RAW. However, this comes with the added complexity of setting up a network and managing the Raspberry Pis.

  • 24 cameras or more: Raspberry Pis all the way. It’s simpler than it sounds. Just flash the microSD cards, insert them into the Pis, and you’re done. No configuration needed: no IP addresses to assign, nothing to tweak. This is how we've been running our 100+ camera rigs since 2016.

  • Diskless Pis? That’s our latest addition, and it’s quite amazing. You only need to boot each Pi once with the same microSD card. Once done, your pi can be ran from the network and will always be up to date. Use an additional Pi as a boot server that provides the operating system to all other Pis. Full instructions here: https://doc.xanglecs.com/raspberrypi


Bullet-time vs photogrammetry / gaussian splat

The equipment is the same no mater the output type. But for bullet-time, you’re also going to need a calibration bar, either from us, or a DIY version of it


Additional equipment

  • Camera power: here’s what I recommend (please don’t run on battery!): https://doc.xanglecs.com/Powering-up-your-cameras-faa85977c9df4307a697e3c6f097dab0

  • USB Cables: we’ve been having a couple of issues in the past with the usb cables that come with the Canon cameras. In any case, you’ll want to use angled-connectors / high quality usb cables (shielded) as you’re going to have a lot of electronic components packed in a small area. We’ve been using Startech cables for a while and they are absolutely perfect. Choose the right side for the elbow angle (right angle for SL1, left angle for SL2): https://amzn.to/31tYACb. For the EOS-R, EOS-RP, G7x Mark III and G5x Mark II, a simple elbow adapter is enough. Full frame: https://amzn.to/31oEUPY, Powershot: https://amzn.to/31oL8iP


Request a trial version or purchase a license on our online store (instant download after payment is completed)