New Z1 and V Bluetooth Remote Control and Underwater Mode Free Upgrade

Ricoh Hardware and Software
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https://topics.theta360.com/en/news/2020-02-06-2/

■RICOH THETA Z1

・REMOTE CONTROL has been added as a new pre-installed plug-in. It can be used to connect a commercially-available Bluetooth® remote control for remote shooting.

*Click here for details on how to use it

*Click here for information on remote control

・Bug fix.

RICOH THETA Z1 RELEASE NOTES: Version 1.31.1

Updating the Camera Firmware

■RICOH THETA V

・The “Underwater” mode has been added for white balance.

・REMOTE CONTROL has been added as a new pre-installed plug-in. It can be used to connect a commercially-available Bluetooth® remote control for remote shooting.

*Click here for details on how to use it

*Click here for information on remote control

・Bug fix.

RICOH THETA V RELEASE NOTES: Version 3.21.1

Updating the Camera Firmware

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Process to Upgrade

Get Basic App

https://support.theta360.com/en/download/

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Connect Camera to computer with USB Cable

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The Z1 uses a USB-C cable.

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Under File, select “Firmware Upgrade”

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Press “OK”

For THETA V

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For Z1
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LED will flash red.

Bottom LEDs will flash blue.

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Will now show you have the latest firmware.

Below is for V.

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Screen for Z1 successful upgrade

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If anyone tries the bluetooth remote, please report back.

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Attempt to Set Plug-in to Remote Control

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Press Mode to Cycle between plug-ins.

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Not able to pair.

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Test done with Fugetek remote control. Not supported.

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The site lists only one supported bluetooth clicker.

https://topics.theta360.com/en/faq/c_00_z1/3064/

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I just ordered one.

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Please post if you get it working.

Underwater Mode?

I’ve gone through the mobile app and can’t figure out how to enable underwater mode. Has anyone seen this setting?

I only see it in the API. How do I access these settings from the official mobile app?

https://api.ricoh/docs/theta-web-api-v2.1/options/white_balance/

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Underwater mode is under the white balance options in the center (scroll to the far right, fishy icon) not under the options menu where you choose HDR

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Thank you for your help. When you use the mobile app, do you see the white balance in Kelvin like my screenshot below?

Is there a setting where I can switch from K to the words like “Underwater” and “fluorescent”?

The screenshot below is with a Z1, but I think the problem is with my mobile app configuration and that if I change a setting, the fish icon will appear when I use the mobile app with the V.

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Using Auto mode.

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I can’t find the fish icon either! This screenshot is on an iPhone, connected to a THETA V.

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Why does your mobile app show the nice icons and mine shows the temperature in K numbers? Is this a iOS and Android thing?

Is there a setting where I can switch the display from stuff like 5000K to a nice icon?

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Yes, in the app, under camera settings, there is an option to choose the color temperature by value.
Sorry, don’t know the english label for this.

I can’t even create a screenshot as the wifi connection is frequently dropping after the firmware upgrade!
Not sure if this is actually caused by the upgrade.

On my Z1, the fish icon don’t show up as well. Perhaps it’s only supported for the V, not the Z1?
Note that there is not even an underwater housing for the Z1 yet.

1 Like
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Even after rebooting Z1 and phone, very unstable wifi connection, only lasting for a few seconds.

Anyone else experiencing this after the upgrade?

Samsung Galaxy S7 (SM-G930F) with Android 8.0.0

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Just saw the note in the instructions regarding slowing down the response speed of the wifi:

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After turning off the remote control plugin, wifi connectivty gets better - but still not as before!
Preview runs for less than 30-60 sec before the wifi connection drops!

This makes the camera practically unusable!

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Thanks. The color temperature icons are controlled by “CT Settings”. This should be made clearer for novice people. Maybe a link to a help window?

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I’m not sure if the icons themselves are an improvement. I’ll try later with a V and look for the fish icon.

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I’m using Google Pixel 2 with Android 10 security patch level Feb 5, 2020.

I’m using 5GHz wi-fi connection.

Did you remove the remote control plug-in from the list of selectable plug-ins?

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Facebook post in Japanese

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Shigeru Okada reported success with the device below.
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Yoshihiro Satoh reports that the device below did not work.

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This is the English version of the Japanese post on Facebook.

support for shooting with Bluetooth Remote Control (Theta Z1 / v / SC2)♪🎊

The firmware of Theta Z1 / Theta v has been updated, and the install plugin “Remote Control” has been added. This allows you to connect with the aftermarket bluetooth remote control to do remote shooting :exclamation:
Z1 / v is the settings using the plugin unlike the configuration procedure in the Theta SC2.
This will allow you to do remote shooting even if you don’t use your smartphone :smiling_face_with_three_hearts:
Please take advantage of it!

  • the following information will be published on the usage page of theta lab later.

How to set remote control in THETA Z1

  1. Update the firmware to the latest version
    Launch 2. Plugin “Remote Control” (Remote Control Mark Flashing)
    (method of booting the plugin)
    RICOH THETA Z1 - User Guide
  2. Turn The Bluetooth Remote Control and paired with the theta (the remote control mark is lit)
  3. End the plugin
  4. Shooting from remote control
    ※ if you have a pairing once, you can unlock the sleep status of the theta by pressing the shutter button on the remote control.

How to set remote control for THETA V

  1. Update the firmware to the latest version
    Launch 2. Plugin “Remote Control” (Camera State Lamp in white flashing)
    (method of booting the plugin)
    RICOH THETA V - User Guide
  2. Turn The Bluetooth Remote Control and paired with the theta (the camera state lamp is white lit)
  3. Shooting from remote control
    ※ if you have a pairing once, you can unlock the sleep status of the theta by pressing the shutter button on the remote control.

Remote Control settings for THETA SC2

  1. Hold on self timer button (Remote Control Mark Flashing)
  2. Turn The Bluetooth Remote Control and paired with the theta (the remote control mark is lit)
  3. Shooting from remote control
    ※ you need to pairing again after the power of the theta is turned off.
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Yes, even after doing this the wifi connection is still very unrealiable.

How can I rollback to the previous firmware version?

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I updated my Theta V and can confirm that I got my Bluetooth remote working. The underwater mode shows the fish icon, I can’t really tell the difference when switched on, I still have to play around with it some more.

2 Likes
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Z1 owners, please participate in this poll to narrow down a potential issue with the new firmware 1.31.1.
Is the preview in the mobile app stable for at least one minute or does the connection drop before?

  • Have installed 1.31.1 and observe wifi instability now
  • Have installed 1.31.1 and don’t observe wifi instability now
  • Have not installed 1.31.1 yet

0 voters

(BTW: The wifi connection to my trusty old THETA S still works without problems.)

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I voted! Thanks for pulling this together @CorLeone, I’m interested in seeing the results.

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@jcasman, are you experiencing instability?

The Z1 seems fine with my Pixel 2. I’ll put this poll out on a Facebook Group. Maybe we can get more responses.

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@LCalderon what remote are you using? If you have a moment, can you post the name and model?

I just received the unit below, but have not tested it yet.

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I do not think there is a way to rollback the firmware.

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It’s not a known brand. It actually came with a selfie stick that I use. I’ll post a picture when I get home.

1 Like
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It would be great if you could also post the procedure that worked for you and your specific clicker. Such as:

  1. place clicker into pairing mode by long-pressing shutter button on clicker
  2. set THETA V into plug-in mode by long-pressing mode button
  3. something happens to LEDs on clicker and camera
  4. it works