Theta Z1 Firmware update process

The 360° camera is an essential part of every iGUIDE PLANIX camera system. PLANIX's modular design allows users to detach and use the 360° camera independently from the PLANIX core when needed. Because of this, firmware updates to the 360° camera are also done independently from the PLANIX system (i.e. PLANIX is turned off), through an altogether different process than updating PLANIX firmware.

Note: You are not required to detach the Theta Z1 for a firmware update. The steps in updating your Theta Z1 may vary slightly and is dependent on the current firmware version you are using.

We recommend following our instructions, however, below are some links to Ricoh’s how-to, see below:

Updating the Camera Firmware Using a Smartphone | RICOH THETA Updating the Camera Firmware Using a Computer | RICOH THETA

So that you do not have to remove the Theta Z1 from the PLANIX core, we recommend following the steps to update the camera via a smartphone.

Firstly, you will need to acquire the numerical part of the Theta Z1’s serial number in order to access the WiFi, to do this:

1. Install the Theta app.

2. Start Theta and its WiFi.

3. From your phone find Theta WiFi access point (look for something like THETAYN12345678.OSC).

4. Connect by using the numbers (e.g., 12345678) from the access point name as its WiFi password.

5. Launch the Theta app and register the Theta Z1 in the app using the serial number which includes "YN" (e.g., YN12345678).

Updating the Z1 Firmware:

1. Power on the Theta Z1 and, once powered up, single press the WiFi button (see Figure 1).

Figure 1 - WiFi toggle

2. Download the Ricoh Theta app on your smart device, see below for some handy links to the app:

   • Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.theta360

   • iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/ricoh-theta/id1023254741

   Note: from this point on you may need to switch between WiFi connections for Internet connectivity and Z1 communication. During this process, airplane mode is recommended (with WiFi on) as your cellular connection can interfere with the process.

3. Open the Theta App on your device; you may need to register your Theta Z1 with Ricoh to process the update,

   Note: The Serial number of the Z1 (for Registration purposes) Starts with a "YN".

   Once complete, navigate to the Settings (see Figure 2) button in the bottom right-hand corner.

Figure 2 - Theta Settings

4. You will find the option to Update Firmware (see Figure 3).

Figure 3 - Update Firmware option

5. Once selected, the app should check for the most recent firmware version, you will be able to see the most recent Theta Z1 FW (see Figure 4 (4)), then proceed to check the version of your Z1 (see Figure 4 (5).

Note: If you have used the app to update your Theta Z1 Previously, you may only see the relevant device firmware.

Figure 4 - Update Firmware

6. The app will prompt you with the below message, Select OK and move on to step 12.

Figure 5 - Connect to the camera prompt

7. FigureAs previously noted, this is where you will need to switch/swap WiFi connections multiple times. The app will request that you connect to the Theta Z1’s WiFi, the SSID looks something like this (see Figure 6).

Figure 6 - Theta WiFi

Note: When connecting to the Theta Z1’s WiFi, you may be presented with a message stating “This device does not provide a connection to the internet”. Select OK or Connect anyway. The terminology may vary.

8. Once you are connected to the Z1’s WiFi, reopen the Theta app. The app should now report the firmware version and, if necessary, may recommend downloading the latest firmware version.

   Depending on the Theta Z1’s current firmware version, you may be prompted to choose a connection method, for this tutorial, we advise that you select Access point mode (see figure 7).

Figure 7 - Access point mode

9. There are a number of steps that may occur here, depending on whether the app downloads the firmware updates prior to connecting, or requires that you connect to the Z1 first.

10. Once the app has confirmed your firmware version, you may be prompted to switch your WiFi back to an Internet-enabled one so that the firmware can be downloaded.

11. Once downloaded, the app will ask you to (once again) connect to the Theta Z1’s WiFi and then proceed to process the firmware update on your Z1.

12. To check that your firmware update was successful and the latest version was installed, simply go back to Settings and select the Update Firmware option.