Guide: Quickstart guide for Canon EOS VR Utility v1.6.0

Canon EOS VR Utility v1.6.0 is a desktop application used to convert and process 180° stereoscopic video and photo content captured with Canon's EOS VR System, such as the Canon RF 5.2mm F2.8L Dual Fisheye lens.

Main purposes for Canon EOS VR Utility:

• Convert dual fisheye footage into equirectangular format for VR playback.
• Correct parallax and lens distortion automatically or manually.
• Adjust color, white balance, brightness, and sharpness in RAW footage.
• Export high-quality VR content in formats like HEVC 10-bit for editing or direct playback.
• Batch process multiple clips efficiently.

VR content creators primarily use it to prepare Canon VR footage before uploading to DeoVR. Here's how to use it. 

Installation and Launch

1. Download EOS VR Utility from the official Canon website.

2. Install the software.

Note: The free version allows only 2 minutes of video export.

3. To unlock full functionality, purchase a license:

   • Visit Canon's website

   • Or launch EVU and click Move to the plans page
     
     

4. Select a plan, create a Canon ID, and complete the purchase.

5. Launch EOS VR Utility and click Use functions of the subscribed plan.

6. Login with your Canon ID and activate your license.

7. Restart EVU.

8. Go to File - Select Folder, choose the folder with your Canon RAW (.crm) files, and click Select Folder.

VR Correction

1. View all footage in the selected folder.

2. Camera and footage settings are shown in this tab.

3. You are currently in VR Correction mode.

4. RAW Development mode comes next.

5. Toggle Lens Mask on or off.

6. Recommended: Keep it on for automatic stereo (parallax) correction.

7. You can also enable Automatic Horizontal Correction.

8. Manual projection adjustment is available.

9. Enable Stabilization for smoother footage - works only with smooth camera movement.

Tips:

• Switch between Photos and Videos if working on stills.

• Toggle between List and Thumbnails view.

Once settings are adjusted, move on to RAW Development mode.

RAW Development

• Keep Cinema Gamut if planning further color grading in external software.

• Change color space as needed.

1. Select appropriate gamma:

   • For quick correction, use BT709 (Color Space) and Canon 709 or Wide DR/CMT709 (Gamma).

   • Footage will still be exported in nearly uncompressed format for further adjustments if needed.

2. Adjust White Balance:

   • Use custom settings (#5) or the droplet tool (#4).

3. Droplet Tool: Select a white object in the video to auto-correct white balance.

4. Enter white balance value (Kelvins) manually and fine-tune with WB Shift.

5. Adjust ISO.

6. Adjust Brightness.

7. Add Sharpness.

8. Apply Noise Reduction (NR).

Export

1. When ready, click the Export button.

2. In the Export settings window:

   • Choose HEVC 444 MP4 10bit for best balance of quality and filesize.

   • Select desired resolution or keep the original.

3. Click Export.

Batch Export Tip:

• You can adjust multiple shots before exporting.

• All settings will be retained until export.

• In the file browser (#1), right-click selected videos and choose Export to batch export them.