![[images/Insta360 X6 The Ultimate Beginners Guide Best Settings.webp]] **Creator:** MountMedia · **Published:** 2026-08-21 · **Length:** 28:51 · [Watch on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZngQIU09eA) > Sponsored by Insta360. The tutorial is split into chapters (see timestamps), and a cheat sheet for the X6 is available to channel members. ## Detailed outline ### [0:00] Intro - Covers everything you need to use the X6 properly: hidden features, the best settings, and the special features of the Insta360 app. ### [0:28] How to protect the lenses - Like any 360 camera, it has two sensors and two protruding fisheye lenses. Pack it in the **pouch** from the Standard Bundle when you travel. - A **rubber lens cap** comes in the Essentials Bundle, not the Standard Bundle, and he strongly recommends getting one. - A **Lens Replacement Kit** is available if a lens cover gets damaged (demonstrated at the end). ### [1:10] Camera, ports & buttons - **Battery door** on the left. On the lower right, a **side door** covers the **USB-C port**, used for charging, a mic adapter, or the Quick Card Reader. Pull the door off to attach the mic adapter. - No orange should be visible when a door is closed; only then is it sealed and **waterproof**. - To open the battery door, hold the small button and slide down. The **microSD slot** sits behind the battery. - **47 GB of internal storage**, which isn't enough over time. Use a fast card rated at least **UHS-I V30** (he uses a Lexar card). Insert it label-side inward. - Three physical buttons: **Power** (on/off and standby), **Shutter**, and the **QuickButton** on the back (switches modes and shows charge status). Power and QuickButton are customizable. ![[images/Insta360 X6 The Ultimate Beginners Guide Best Settings-t0145.webp]] ### [2:56] Mount & invisible selfie stick - Mounts via the **1/4-inch thread** on the bottom. A selfie stick is the ideal mount because it's automatically erased from 360 footage. - Good starter: the Insta360 **114 cm Invisible Selfie Stick**. - The stick must be mounted **straight**. A bent stick used like an action camera breaks the effect. ### [3:58] The Insta360 app - Required for first **activation** and **firmware updates**, which add new features as well as fixes. Install updates right away. - Connect with the camera icon at the bottom center, or faster via **NFC**: turn on Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, then hold the phone's NFC area (right of the cameras on an iPhone) to the lower half of the X6 screen. - The app gives full remote control: modes, settings, recording. ### [5:19] How to operate the camera - Briefly press Power to wake it from standby. - Swipes: **down** = settings menu; **left to right** = album (view, delete, and transfer to phone or cloud); **up** = resolution and frame rate; **right to left** = advanced image settings. The bottom-right icon switches the preview lens. - Two **virtual buttons** need a real press and give haptic feedback. The left one is a shutter; the right one opens the shooting-mode menu. - Tip: **Full Screen Press** lets you start and stop recording by pressing anywhere on the screen, and it works with gloves. ![[images/Insta360 X6 The Ultimate Beginners Guide Best Settings-t0610.webp]] ### [6:53] 360 mode vs flat single-lens mode - **360 mode** stitches both lenses together. You can export a look-around 360 clip, or more often pick a framing later and export a normal clip. Every 360 clip must be edited, in the smartphone app or **Insta360 Studio**. - **Flat (single-lens) mode** works like an action camera. Choose the lens beforehand. There's no invisible-stick effect and no reframing, but you get a finished clip. - In 360 mode, hold your arm so the result looks natural once the stick disappears. ### [8:50] Shooting modes explained - Standard **Video**, **Photo**, **Time-lapse**, **TimeShift** (hyperlapse), **Loop**, **Road** (dashcam), **Starlapse**, **Interval**, and **Bullet Time** (spin the camera overhead on a dedicated Bullet Time accessory). - The two key extra modes are **Pure Video** and **InstaFrame**, found under the flat shooting modes. ### [9:58] Pure Video mode - A low-light video mode that gives noticeably better results at night and **indoors under artificial light**. - Turn on **Auto Pure Video** (far right of the settings menu) so it switches automatically when light drops. ### [10:40] InstaFrame mode (X6-exclusive) - Simulates a gimbal camera: pick gimbal-style stabilization modes (lateral rotation only in **FPV**; the others keep the horizon level). - **Double-tap a subject to track it**, and adjust its position manually. The result is a flat clip that's already reframed. - **360 Video Backup** also records a 360 file in case the auto framing misses. ![[images/Insta360 X6 The Ultimate Beginners Guide Best Settings-t1050.webp]] ### [11:50] Best settings for 360 video - Shoot the highest resolution, **8K**, because reframing crops heavily. - 8K runs 24–50 fps. 24/25 fps look cinematic (25 = PAL) but stutter with motion. **30 fps** looks more natural, and 50 fps is smoother and allows some slow motion, at the cost of bigger files, more power, and worse low light. - **Recommendation: 8K30.** - Slow motion: 360 at **4K100** (much lower quality). Flat **4K120** looks considerably better. ### [14:01] Best image settings - **Color modes:** Standard, **Dolby Vision** (brighter HDR highlights; only for viewing on Dolby Vision-compatible HDR screens, otherwise it looks washed out), and **I-LOG** (flat 10-bit for grading; Insta360 offers a downloadable LUT). Don't expect more dynamic range from I-LOG, because Standard already gets HDR processing. - **Color Restoration** only affects the preview. - He mostly uses **Standard**. If 360 footage looks too bright, set **EV −0.3 or −0.7**. - **Pro menu:** manual shutter, ISO, and WB. These are hard to get right in 360, so he leaves them on Auto. - **Sharpness: Low** for a more cinematic, less digital look. - **Bitrate: High** (Settings → Image Settings) gives the best quality but bigger files. ![[images/Insta360 X6 The Ultimate Beginners Guide Best Settings-t1410.webp]] ### [16:41] How to create a preset - Open the settings menu, tap the preset icon (bottom right), then **+** (bottom left). Name it and adjust as needed. - Switch presets with the bottom-right button, or from the shooting-mode virtual button → preset icon. ### [17:18] How to reframe a 360 recording - Some features exist only in the **smartphone app**. Open Album → clip; tap to play or pause. - Choose an aspect ratio: **9:16, 16:9, 1:1, 2.35:1**. - **Custom** (drag manually), **Selfie** (finds the subject and centers it), and **Forward** (matches the camera's heading, for POV). Pinch to set the field of view, or use FOV presets. **Trim** is top left; export is top right. - **Keyframes** (yellow keyframe icon) give the most control, and the app interpolates between them. - **Record**: reframe live with your finger or by moving the phone, with optional subject tracking. - AI tools: **AI Frame** (automatic framing, with alternatives offered), **Editor** (multi-clip), and **Auto Edit** (best moments plus music). - To start, he suggests Selfie view or Record. Export lets you set resolution, fps, and bitrate. - **Desktop Studio**: better for keyframing on a big screen, but it lacks the AI tools. It's the only way to export **ProRes**. ![[images/Insta360 X6 The Ultimate Beginners Guide Best Settings-t1920.webp]] ### [21:00] Best settings for flat recordings - Up to **5K60**. Set aspect ratio and FOV before shooting and pick the right lens. **Horizon Lock** is available. - **5K** looks more natural, but **4K gets HDR processing** (better highlights), so use 4K in difficult light. Flat slow motion goes up to **4K120**. - Flexible FOV with optional distortion correction. **0.7** gives an ultra-wide view, good for chest or helmet POV. - Cinematic **filters** can be applied while recording, which isn't possible in 360 mode. Pure Video also exists for flat video. ### [22:47] Best photo settings - The real strength is **360 photos**: use **120 MP**, a timer for selfies or virtual tours, and **HDR** (keeps windows from blowing out). - **Multiple exposure** merges frames for even more dynamic range (use a tripod). - **Pure Shot & RAW** format adds a RAW file for editing. ### [23:42] The settings menu - Toggle sounds, LEDs, screen brightness, and **Endurance Mode** (longer battery life). - Turn on **Quick Capture** to start recording straight from off. ### [24:18] Connecting the Mic Pro or Mic Air - Accessories tab → put the mic in pairing mode → **Add Bluetooth**. Up to **two mics** connect without a receiver, with mic settings on the camera. - For the internal mics, turn on **Intelligent Audio Mode**. ### [24:58] Twist to Shoot - Under Quick Access, along with **Voice Control** and **Gesture Control**. Quickly twisting the stick twice starts or stops recording. ### [25:16] AI Director - Shoot through the day, then charge the camera. While charging it analyzes the clips and, with the app, builds a highlight montage with effects and music. You get a notification, or find it under **Memories**. - The far-left settings page shows storage location and formatting for the SD card or internal storage. ### [26:01] Transferring files - SD card, USB-C to a computer, direct transfer from the camera album to phone or cloud, or download via the app. ### [26:22] Best new app features - **Flash Cut** and **Shot Lab** effects. - **Auto Edit 2.0**: you pick the clips and it builds an editable video with effects and music. **Moments Pro** is another auto-edit option for the X6. - **Spatial Capture**: a cloud feature that turns footage of a house or garden into a walkable **3D model**, taking virtual tours further than 360 photos. ### [27:43] Replacing a damaged lens - Lay the X6 flat. Use the **Lens Grip Tool** to turn the ring 30° left and remove it, then lift off the cover with the removal tool. - Clean with the blower, brush, wipe, and cloth. Place the new cover with the suction cup, screw the ring back on, and remove the cup. - Outro: asks for feedback and mentions more X6 videos to come. ## Things mentioned ### Cameras & hardware - **Insta360 X6**: 8K 360 video up to 50 fps, 4K100 360 slow motion, flat 5K60 and 4K120, 120 MP 360 photos, 47 GB internal storage, two virtual haptic buttons, a customizable QuickButton, NFC pairing, waterproof doors, and replaceable lens covers - **Lens cap** (rubber; in the Essentials Bundle) and **Lens Replacement Kit** (Lens Grip Tool, removal tool, suction cup, blower, brush, wipes, cloth) - **Standard Bundle** (includes a pouch) vs **Essentials Bundle** - **Lexar microSD card** (at least UHS-I V30) - **Insta360 114 cm Invisible Selfie Stick**, **Bullet Time accessory**, **mic adapter**, and **Quick Card Reader** - **Insta360 Mic Pro** and **Mic Air** (connect directly via Bluetooth, up to two) ### Software & features - **Insta360 app**: activation, firmware, remote control, reframing (Custom, Selfie, Forward, keyframes, Record with tracking), AI Frame, Editor, Auto Edit / **Auto Edit 2.0**, **Moments Pro**, Flash Cut, Shot Lab, **Spatial Capture**, and Memories - **Insta360 Studio** (desktop): keyframing and **ProRes** export - Camera modes and features: Video, Photo, Time-lapse, TimeShift, Loop, Road, Starlapse, Interval, **Bullet Time**, **Pure Video** / Auto Pure Video, **InstaFrame** (with 360 Video Backup), Horizon Lock, Full Screen Press, Quick Capture, Endurance Mode, Intelligent Audio Mode, Voice and Gesture Control, **Twist to Shoot**, **AI Director**, and presets - Color modes: Standard, **Dolby Vision**, **I-LOG** (10-bit; free Insta360 I-LOG LUT), plus Color Restoration preview - Photo: 120 MP, HDR, multiple exposure, **Pure Shot & RAW** ### Recommended settings (quick reference) | Use | Setting | |---|---| | 360 video | 8K30, Standard color, Sharpness Low, Bitrate High, EV −0.3/−0.7 if bright | | 360 slow-mo | 4K100 (lower quality) | | Flat video | 5K (4K in tough light for HDR), FOV 0.7 for POV | | Flat slow-mo | 4K120 | | Low light / indoors | Pure Video (enable Auto Pure Video) | | 360 photo | 120 MP, HDR (multi-exposure on a tripod), Pure Shot & RAW for editing | | Always on | Quick Capture, Intelligent Audio Mode | ### Purchase options & links - Insta360 X6 affiliate link: **free Lens Kit + 500 GB cloud** (bit.ly/X6_MountMedia) - Insta360 accessory store (stick, lens cap), affiliate - microSD card for the X6 (Amazon affiliate) - **Musicbed** music licensing (14-day free trial) - Related videos: The NEW Insta360 Auto Edit Features Explained, and The Best Accessories ## Biographies ### MountMedia German-speaking creator behind the YouTube channel **MountMedia** (@MountMediaChannel), focused on action cameras, 360 cameras (Insta360 X-series, DJI Osmo 360, GoPro MAX), 360 drones such as the Antigravity A1, and creator gear. He's known for very structured, chaptered tutorials, side-by-side comparisons, and "best settings" guides. Download extras such as cheat sheets go to channel members. Contact: [email protected]. ### Insta360 Shenzhen-based camera maker (Arashi Vision Inc.), best known for consumer 360 cameras (the ONE and X series), the GO and Ace action cameras, and the Antigravity drone spin-off. Insta360 sponsored this video.