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This 4K Camera Simplifies VR Video Capture, for a Price

The Orah 4i isn't exactly cheap, but it promises to simplify the process of creating your own 360-degree streaming video.

 & Angela Moscaritolo Managing Editor, Consumer Electronics

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Creating content for virtual reality headsets is about to get a little easier for those with deep pockets.

VideoStitch, a company that makes 360-degree VR video production software, on Wednesday unveiled a new all-in-one 4K camera "designed for high­-quality live streaming to online video platforms and VR headsets." Dubbed the Orah 4i, the camera isn't exactly cheap, even at its "special introductory price" of $1,795 (it will go up to $3,595 after April 30), but it promises to simplify the process of creating your own 360-degree streaming video.

VideoStitch Orah 4i"Until today, a live VR video production workflow relied on an array of small cameras put together on a holder," VideoStitch Founder and CEO Nicolas Burtey said in a statement. "Videographers then dealt with multiple cables, power supplies, and a variety of small hardware components."

The Orah 4i, on the other hand, "removes these inefficiencies and numerous points of failure," Burtey said, letting content creators stream 4K-resolution live virtual reality video to headsets "with the push of a button." It also captures "ambisonic 3D sound," further increasing the feeling of immersion.

The Orah 4i consists of two units: a camera and a stitching box, which work together to record, stitch, and process VR audio and video fast enough for live streaming. The camera itself measures about 3 inches on each side, but don't let its small size fool you.

Inside its aluminum body, there are four Sony EXMOR sensors and four fisheye lenses that send 4K video to a pair of Ambarella video processors. The feed is then transmitted to the stitching box for removal of seamlines and gaps. Video can either be stored on the Orah 4i's internal 120GB SSD or streamed on the Web.

Interested parties can pre-order the Orah 4i via VideoStitch or B&H; it's expected to launch this summer.

For a look at the Orah 4i in action, check out the video below. Also be sure to check out the full technical specs.

About Our Expert

Angela Moscaritolo

Angela Moscaritolo

Managing Editor, Consumer Electronics

My Experience

I'm PCMag's managing editor for consumer electronics, overseeing an experienced team of analysts covering smart home, home entertainment, wearables, fitness and health tech, and various other product categories. I have been with PCMag for more than 10 years, and in that time have written more than 6,000 articles and reviews for the site. I previously served as an analyst focused on smart home and wearable devices, and before that I was a reporter covering consumer tech news. I'm also a yoga instructor, and have been actively teaching group and private classes for nearly a decade. 

Prior to joining PCMag, I was a reporter for SC Magazine, focusing on hackers and computer security. I earned a BS in journalism from West Virginia University, and started my career writing for newspapers in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.

The Technology I Use

My little Florida beach bungalow is brimming with smart home tech. I have a smart speaker or display in every room, allowing me to control other connected devices by voice. The Nest Hub on my bedside table lets me set wake-up alarms, control my smart light bulbs, and set the temperature on my smart thermostat. I use the Amazon Echo Show 8 on my kitchen counter to browse recipes, reorder protein powder, check the weather, and watch the news while I do dishes. 

Because I suffer from allergies, air purifiers are essential. My favorite model is the Dyson Purifier Cool TP07, which doubles as a fan and continuously sends indoor pollution data to its companion mobile app. 

My pitbull Bradley sheds, so a good robot vacuum is a must. I currently use a premium Ecovacs Deebot that can both vacuum and mop, empty its own dustbin, and wash its own mop cloth. 

For fitness, I like to mix up my routine with cycling, indoor rowing, running, and strength training in addition to yoga. I take classes on the Tonal 2 smart strength training machine, I row indoors on an Aviron machine, and track my beach runs with an Apple Watch while listening to music on my Apple AirPods Pro. On the weekends, I love riding e-bikes like the rugged, beach-friendly Aventon Aventure for fun and fitness.

My job involves a lot of virtual meetings, so a quality webcam, microphone, and ring light are important. I use the Jabra PanaCast 20 webcam, the Elgato Wave: 3 microphone, and a Yesker tripod ring light. 

As for my preferred phone platform, I'm an iPhone person, but I've also extensively used Android for product testing.

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