Pisofttech Pilot Era Operator's manual

Pilot Era Documentation
——— v5.18.0
Getting Started

The Pilot Era is a 4-lens, 360-degree panoramic camera with 8K resolution for both photos and videos; the camera
can stitch everything by itself, with no computer required. With a touch screen, what you see is what you get, with
a simple experience like a mobile phone.
Hardware Introduction
Pilot Era Camera
The various components and buttons on the camera body are as follows:
Basic operation
Press and hold the Home button for 3 seconds to power on.
Tap each app icon to open the app;
In the application, press the Home button to return to the home screen;
Press and hold the Home button for 1 second to turn off the screen.
Press and hold the Home button for 3 seconds to power off.
After entering each settings interface in the app, slide your finger from the left side to the right side of the screen to
go back.

Camera
The Camera is used to take 360-degree panoramic photos and videos.
The camera preview is automatically turned on when the Camera app is opened. Touch the icon in the upper right
corner or double-tap anywhere on the screen to change the preview mode. Preview modes are: Little Planet,
Equirectangular, Fisheye, Rectilinear.
There are several shooting modes in the lower operating area: Photo, Unstitched video, Stitched video, PilotTour,
Time Lapse, Google Street View Video.
Slide or tap the mode icon to change the shooting mode. In the lower left corner of the album icon, you can jump
to the album to view photos/videos. The lower right corner is the setting button for the current mode.
In Photo mode, The HDR button above the preview allows you to turn on the HDR function to improve the
exposure quality of your photos.
Camera Settings

Tap the Settings button in the lower right corner of the camera to enter the photo/video settings UI. If it is
in Photo mode, it is displayed as the photo setting; if it is currently in the video mode, it is displayed as the video
setting.

Photo settings include Resolution, Countdown, Auto Level and Hide Photographer.
Unstitched Video settings include Resolution, Countdown, PilotSteady, , and Fragment Storage. Recording
produces unstitched video. The video can be stitched in the gallery, after the shot is finished.
Stitched Video settings include Resolution, Countdown, PilotSteady, and Fragment Storage. Recording produces
real-time stitched video.
Time Lapse settings include Resolution, Countdown, Scale Rate and PilotSteady.
Google Street View Video settings include Frame Rate, Countdown and Fragment Storage.
Gallery
Gallery is used to view and manage photos and videos within the camera.
After entering the Gallery, pinch to zoom the photo list to switch between the large image and the small image
mode. Tap to select multiple photos and delete them in batches. The photos are arranged in reverse
order of shooting time.

Tap a photo/video to enter playback view. In playback view, double-tap the screen or tap the icon in the upper right
corner to switch the view mode. View modes include: Little Planet, Equirectangular, Fisheye, and Rectilinear.
Tap the round arrows on the middle of the playback view to switch to the previous/next photo. The menu bar below
has delete and view details. 8K photos can also be uploaded to Google Street View.
Live Streaming
Pilot Era's built-in Live app allows for panoramic live streaming on multiple platforms. Including: Facebook,
YouTube, Kwai, Custom server ， and Self streaming in LAN.
In the Live, tap the LIVE button to enter the live broadcast platform selection. Tap the icon to select the platform, or
swipe the icon to select the platform.
After each platform is authorized to sign in, set the title, definition, and privacy. The definition can be set up to 4K.
Tap to Start Live and enter the live broadcast status. The live time, current platform, and current definition are
displayed in the UI.
Pilot supports multiple networks, including Ethernet, WiFi, and LTE. Choose the definition of the right live
broadcast based on your network.

PilotLive 8K
PilotLive 8K is 8K VR live streaming without cloud stitching. You can directly watch 8K live on PiPlayer for
Windows and PiPlayer for VR.
Live -Custom Server , choose RTMP protocol, choose PilotLive 8K resolution, then Pilot can push 8K live
stream. This live streaming uses Labpano's self-developed compression technology, without the need for a cloud
stitcher, using PiPlayer Windows version or VR version, you can watch 8K 24fps live streaming on normal devices.
Click here to download PiPlayer.
PilotLive 8K currently only supports PiPlayer, not other players.
Settings
Setting the networks of Pilot, system options, software information, etc.
Pilot supports multiple networks, including Ethernet, WiFi, and LTE. The Ethernet and LTE need to be connected
to the Dock, and the network cable and SIM card are inserted into the Dock.
In About –Device Name The name of the Pilot can be modified. You will see this name when the Mobile app
connects to the Pilot or creates a hotspot.
Pilot OS can be downloaded and updated via the network. When a new version is found, the settings icon in
Launcher displays the notification badge. To ensure safety and Auto Level, please update the Pilot OS in time.

Mobile Control
Pilot Go can remotely control the camera and view even manage Gallery.
Download the official mobile app ： Pilot Go
After installing Pilot Go, make sure the phone and Pilot are in the same wireless network.
1. Connect an identical WiFi;
2. Pilot builds a hotspot and the phone connects Pilot hotspots;
After the Pilot Go is connected to the Pilot, you can control the camera via the app.

Tap Gallery in Pilot Go to view and manage the Gallery of Pilot. You can download photos from your Pilot to
your phone and share to social platforms.
Mobile control Pilot shooting
After the Pilot Go is connected to the Pilot, the screen of the Pilot picture on the main interface will light up and
there will be a prompt sound. Tap Enter Pilot in Pilot Go to control Pilot Era. When the Pilot is controlled, the
screen will display “Mobile Control...”.
Control camera photos and videos in Pilot Go, the interface and operation are exactly the same as Pilot. You can
even control Pilot to record Google Street View Video while viewing Pilot's latitude and longitude information.

Mobile management photos in Pilot
Tap the icon of Pilot Go to view and manage the Pilot Era Gallery. You can select and delete
photos/videos, or you can download photos/videos to your phone locally.
The top left corner of the photo/video cover has a badge to indicate the current state:
: Already downloaded to the phone. After disconnecting from Pilot, you can still view, delete, and share.
: Downloading. Blue is the download progress.
: The phone cannot be viewed. This is usually because the video size is too large or unstitched.

Share to social media
Pilot Go can share panoramic photos/videos to various social platforms.
Open a photo/video in the Gallery and tap the Share button below. After choosing a social platform,
you can share it.
Currently supported platforms are:
Photos: Facebook, Weibo, WeChat, mobile photo album.
Videos: Facebook, YouTube, WeChat, Kwai, mobile photo album.

Connect Network
Pilot Era supports a variety of networks, including: WiFi, LTE, Ethernet. When three types of networks exist at the
same time, the Ethernet is preferred, then WiFi, and finally LTE.
When connected to the network, the current network type is displayed in the upper left corner of the system top
bar.

WiFi
The process of connecting the WiFi is the same as that of the mobile phone. Open Settings - WiFi , enable
WiFi, and select a WiFi to connect.
LTE
The Pilot Dock is required to connect the mobile network. Insert the 4G/5G SIM card into the slot of the Dock and
connect the Dock to the Pilot camera. Wait a moment, then you can use the mobile network.
Open the Settings app. If you have connected to mobile network, the LTE option in the menu will be displayed as
Connected , otherwise it will be displayed as No SIM Card . If the No SIM Card is displayed all the time, please
check if the SIM card in the Dock is plugged in.
Ethernet
The Hub is required to connect to a Ethernet. Plug the cable into the Hub and connect the Hub to Pilot camera.
Wait a moment, you can use the Ethernet.
Open the Settings app. If you are connected to a Ethernet, the Ethernet option in the menu will appear as
Connected , otherwise it will appear as Unconnected . If the Unconnected is displayed all the time, please
check if the network cable in the Hub is plugged in.
Hotspot
Pilot can make its own wifi hotspot. Go to Settings -Hotspot , and open the hotspot. The system will create a
hotspot, the default password is: 12345678. You can change your password in the Hotspot Settings .

WiFi will be automatically disabled when the Hotspot is turned on. When there is a LTE or Ethernet, Pilot will
create hotspot based on LTE or Ethernet. This way the Pilot and the devices connected to the Pilot hotspot can
access the Internet. When connecting LTE and Ethernet at the same time, Pilot will use the Ethernet to create a
hotspot.
Connecting to a computer
The Pilot can be connected to a computer to copy files. Pilot supports Windows PC and Mac.
Windows PC
Connect the Pilot to your Windows computer using the included Type-C cable. An external hard drive called “Pilot
Era” will appear in My Computer. This hard drive is the internal file of Pilot.
The storage path for photos and videos is DCIM , and there are two folders Stitched and Unstitched in the
photo and video folders. Stitched stores stitched files; Unstitched stores unstitched fisheye files, and fisheye
files can be post-processed with tools on the PC.

Mac
Connecting a Mac to Pilot requires third-party tool: OpenMTP or Android File Transfer
OpenMTP is a free and open source transfer tool with no restrictions on file size.
If the file size does not exceed 4GB, you can also choose Android File Transfer. It's a free, lightweight transfer tool
that's quick and easy to use.
Connect the Pilot to your Mac using the included Type-C cable. Open OpenMTP or Android File Transfer and it will
automatically connect to and open the files inside Pilot.
The storage path for photos and videos is DCIM , and there are two folders Stitched and Unstitched in the
photo and video folders. Stitched stores stitched files; Unstitched stores unstitched fisheye files, and fisheye
files can be post-processed with tools on the Mac.

PilotSteady
PilotSteady is a technology that keeps video footage stable and reduces shake. Turning this feature on when
shooting a sports scene or moving a live stream will have a better effect. PilotSteady is supported by the Camera
recording RealTime stitching video and unstitched video, as well as Live streaming.
Enable video PilotSteady as follows: Turn on the Camera , select real-time stitching video or unstitched video,
-PilotSteady , turn on .
Enable live streaming PilotSteady as follows: Turn on Live streaming - - PilotSteady , turn on.

PilotSteady has two orientations: Fixed, Follows Camera.
If you choose Fixed, the orientation of picture is always fixed regardless of how camera rotates or moves. If you
choose to Follows Camera, the orientation of picture will change with camera.
Professional Mode
For professional photographers, Pilot offers a professional mode. You can adjust more parameters when taking
photos and videos.
There is a Pro button in the upper left corner of the control area to turn the professional photo mode on
and off. When the professional photo mode is turned on, ExposureTime/ISO/EV/WB/StitchingFocus can be
adjusted in the preview.
Photo mode support : ExposureTime, ISO, EV, WB, StitchingFocus.
Video mode support : ISO, EV, StitchingFocus.

HDR
The HDR switch is directly above the preview. Tap HDR to turn HDR on and off. HDR generated photos with
lighter and darker details.
When shooting in HDR, 3 shutter sounds will sound. During this time, try to keep the camera stable and do not
move objects, otherwise the image will be blurred. The time to generate a photo after turning on HDR is longer
than the normal mode.
Pilot supports several HDR modes: Auto, Sunny, Cloudy, Indoor. The default is Auto mode.
In a specific scene, if the Auto mode is overexposed, choose the HDR mode corresponding to the scene - the
result may be better.
ExposureTime (S)
ExposureTime can be set to: Auto, 1/3200, 1/1000, 1/500, 1/100, 1/50, 1/15.
When the ExposureTime is set to Auto, the icon has the word "Auto";

When the ExposureTime is set to non-Auto, the icon does not have the word "Auto". The ISO adjustment range
is now larger and EV are not available.
SO
When ExposureTime is Auto, the ISO can be set to: Auto, 50, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600.
When ExposureTime is manually, the ISO can be set to: 100, 200, 600, 800, 1600, 3200.
EV
EV is used to adjust the exposure brightness of the picture. It can be set between -4 and 4.
When ExposureTime is manually, the EV is invalid and cannot be adjusted.
WhiteBalance (WB)
WhiteBalance is used to adjust the hue of the picture. Pilot supports settings: Auto, Sunlight, Cloudy,
Incandescent, Fluorescent.
mprove stitching effect
In indoor environment, objects in the scene are closer to camera; in outdoor environment, objects in the scene are
farther away from camera. This difference in the scene, in the Photo and Unstitched Video mode, the camera will
automatically calculate the stitching difference to make the best stitching effect.
If it is Stitching Video mode, you need to set the stitching focal length to achieve the best stitching effect.
In order to adapt to different scenes, Pilot can adjust the Stitching Focus . Open the Camera - -
to adjust the stitching focus and see the changes in the stitching effect in real time.

Time Lapse Photography
Pilot supports Time Lapse mode. Turn on the Camera , adjust to the Time Lapse mode, and the icon
lights up.
Normal video records 30 frames per second, and if you want to reduce the time by 10 times, then record 3 frames
per second. That is, 0.33 second per frame. You can select time Scale Rate in the Time Lapse settings. Pilot
offers up to 10 Scale Rates to choose: 10x, 20x, 50x, 100x, 200x, 500x, 1000x, 2000x, 5000x, 10000x.
When recording, the screen displays the recording time and the length of the actual video. The recording button
has a blue progress bar that rotates, and one revolution per turn indicates that one frame has been recorded.
Time-lapse photography will eventually generate a real-time stitched 30fps video.