1 — Software
| # | Question | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1.1 | Do I need an internet connection? | Only to validate your license, once at launch, and once every 24 hours. After that you can go offline. The server runs locally on your machine. |
| 1.2 | How often are new versions released? | At least one version every two months. We actively add features and improve performance. |
| 1.3 | Can I use a second monitor with the Basic version? | Yes. Basic and higher can open replay or sharing tiles on a connected second monitor from the dashboard monitor icon. Pro is required for browser pages and stations on separate devices. |
| 1.4 | Can I remove the Xangle logo? | With a Pro license you can replace the logo and app title shown in the header. Other branded elements (Windows taskbar title, footer credits) cannot be altered. Injecting substitute values in those areas violates the terms and conditions. |
2 — License & payments
| # | Question | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 2.1 | How can I upgrade my license? | Monthly to yearly: upgrade within the first 10 days and the monthly payment is credited. Yearly: remaining time is credited toward the new license. Contract licenses can be upgraded any time. Downgrades are not available. |
| 2.2 | Can I use the software on two computers? | One computer at a time. Log out (top-right menu) before logging in elsewhere. If your machine crashes, the session token expires automatically after 24 hours, or we can reset it manually. |
| 2.3 | Can I split a 24-camera license into two 12-camera setups? | No. One license = one computer. You can add Raspberry Pi or Windows nodes to scale transfer speed, but everything runs under a single server. |
| 2.4 | Can I get a trial license? | Yes, fill out the form on the website. The trial is limited to 4 cameras for 7 days. |
| 2.5 | What are the trial limitations? | Full Pro features for evaluation only, not for production events. The daily trigger count is limited. |
| 2.6 | Can I use the software after my license expires? | No. A valid, active license is required at all times. |
| 2.7 | Single vs Contract license? | Single: 31 or 365 days, no auto-renewal. Contract: 12-month commitment with monthly billing, not cancellable mid-term. |
| 2.8 | How do I renew? | Single licenses do not auto-renew, you get a reminder two weeks before expiry. Purchase a new license using the same email address and it appears immediately in your account. |
3 — Physical configuration
| # | Question | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 3.1 | What is the best distance between cameras / subject? | It depends on the effect you want. Closer cameras = smoother result over a smaller arc. Wider spacing = stronger 3D effect but requires more space. Keep the subject close enough to preserve depth. |
| 3.2 | What lens or focal length should I use? | The kit 18–55 mm works great for most setups. The 24 mm pancake is popular for its compact look. In tight spaces, a 10–18 mm wide-angle helps. |
| 3.3 | Straight or curved bar? | Straight is preferred, the alignment module compensates the angle. Easier to set up and transport. Up to 12 cameras fit on a straight bar as long as they are close together. |
4 — Camera
| # | Question | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 4.1 | What camera models are compatible? | See the Supported Cameras page in this guide. |
| 4.2 | Can I mix camera models? | Yes. Settings and trigger delays will differ between models, and colour/brightness shifts may need post-correction. You cannot mix PiCam and other models on the same Pi. |
| 4.3 | Do I need SD cards in my cameras? | No in most cases, files transfer straight to the computer. Exceptions: video mode on Canon requires an SD card. |
5 — Raspberry Pi
| # | Question | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 5.1 | Do I need Raspberry Pis? | No. All cameras can connect to one computer. Pis let you scale well past 24 cameras by distributing USB load across nodes. |
| 5.2 | Can I mix Pis and Windows clients? | Yes, but trigger timing differences may appear. |
| 5.3 | Can I mix PiCam and other cameras on the same Pi? | No. |
| 5.4 | USB hub vs Raspberry Pi architecture? | USB hub is simpler and requires less gear. Raspberry Pis scale better, each Pi pulls its cameras in parallel over Ethernet. See the benchmark page. |
| 5.5 | Which Pi models work? | 3B+, 4B, and 5. |
| 5.6 | Can I use a mini PC instead of a Pi? | Technically yes, but Pis are far easier to deploy at scale. A Windows node needs manual install, firewall config, and update management. A Pi only needs a flashed SD card. |
6 — Network & nodes
| # | Question | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 6.1 | Why not plug every camera into one computer? | The bottleneck is the camera's slow USB transfer. Distributing cameras across Pis spreads that load, each Pi ships files back over Ethernet, which is far faster and more scalable than one USB bus. |
| 6.2 | How fast is the network? | Each Pi has Gigabit Ethernet. At scale, a 10 Gbps uplink between the switch and computer lets all Pis transfer concurrently. Our fastest rig: 44 Pis on a 48-port gigabit switch with a 10G uplink to the computer. |
| 6.3 | Boot-server + cardless, or standalone? | Standalone is simpler to start: flash a card and run. Boot-server is better long-term: one update point, no SD-card fleet to maintain (less corruption risk). |
| 6.4 | How do I flash a microSD card? | Download the image from portal.xangle.net, write it with Rufus (free, portable), balenaEtcher, or Raspberry Pi Imager. See the Getting Started section for a full step-by-step. |
| 6.5 | How precise is triggering across hundreds of cameras? | The trigger signal reaches cameras within about 1 ms. Variation comes from camera shutter and processing latency, not the network. |
| 6.6 | Can I connect more than 4 cameras to one Pi? | Yes, but 4 on the Pi's 4 USB ports is the sweet spot. Beyond that, cameras contend for USB bandwidth. |
| 6.7 | Can I use GoPros with a Pi? | Yes, but through a powered USB hub, not directly into the Pi's USB ports. |
| 6.8 | Can I mix cardless and standalone Pis? | Yes. Both register the same way once they share a subnet with the server. |
| 6.9 | What cables should I use? | Cat6 handles gigabit Pi runs and 10G uplinks comfortably. |
| 6.10 | Can I power Pis over Ethernet (PoE)? | Some users do. We have not tested specific setups ourselves. Ensure the switch and PoE HATs can supply the required current. |
| 6.11 | Should I keep a backup boot server? | Yes. Keep it powered off and disconnected until needed, two live boot servers on the same network will fight over cardless Pis and break booting. |
7 — Computer
| # | Question | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 7.1 | What kind of computer is required? | Windows 10 or 11. For 12 cameras or fewer, a Surface Pro i7 works. For larger rigs, use a gaming laptop or desktop with a fast SSD and CPU. The software works on slower hardware but processing takes longer. |
| 7.2 | Do I need a GPU? | For fast alignment, an Nvidia GPU is a big bonus. It is also required to train splats using Postshot. |
8 — Other gear
| # | Question | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 8.1 | Which wireless triggers work? | Pretty much any Bluetooth PowerPoint presenter or gamepad. You can also remap keys from Button Mapping. |