Insta360 X4 360-Degree Video Breakdown marks a revolutionary leap in immersive storytelling, inviting creators to transcend traditional boundaries and capture every angle of their world with unparalleled clarity. This groundbreaking camera redefines what’s possible in portable 360-degree capture, empowering you to unlock new creative dimensions.
Dive into the X4’s enhanced core features, from its robust design and extended battery life to its stunning 8K30fps and 5.7K60fps recording capabilities. Experience the magic of advanced FlowState Stabilization and seamless post-production workflows, all designed to transform your vision into breathtaking, dynamic content that truly stands out.
Core Features and Design Enhancements: Insta360 X4 360-Degree Video Breakdown
The Insta360 X4 marks a significant leap forward in 360-degree action camera technology, meticulously engineered to redefine the capture and creation of immersive content. Building upon the robust foundation of its predecessors, the X4 introduces a suite of enhancements across its core features and physical design, pushing the boundaries of resolution, processing power, and user experience. This evolution empowers creators with unprecedented capabilities, ensuring every shot is not just recorded, but transformed into a cinematic experience.The design philosophy behind the X4 prioritizes both raw performance and practical usability, integrating cutting-edge hardware with thoughtful ergonomic improvements.
From its advanced imaging capabilities to its durable construction and extended power supply, every aspect has been refined to meet the rigorous demands of modern content creation, whether in dynamic action scenarios or meticulously planned productions.
Key Hardware Specifications and Design Improvements
The Insta360 X4 elevates the benchmark for 360-degree cameras through substantial upgrades in its internal components and operational efficiency. These improvements are not merely incremental; they fundamentally enhance the camera’s ability to capture higher quality footage, process data more efficiently, and offer a smoother user experience. The following table illustrates a direct comparison of key features between the Insta360 X3 and the new Insta360 X4, highlighting the tangible benefits for users.
Feature | Insta360 X3 | Insta360 X4 | Benefit |
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360 Video Resolution | 5.7K @ 30fps | 8K @ 30fps, 5.7K @ 60fps, 4K @ 100fps | Unprecedented detail and clarity, enabling sharper reframed shots and smoother slow-motion. |
Single-Lens Mode | 4K @ 30fps | 4K @ 60fps, 2.7K @ 120fps | Higher frame rates for traditional action camera footage, ideal for dynamic scenes and slow-motion effects. |
Photo Resolution | 72MP (360), 36MP (PureShot) | 72MP (360), 36MP (PureShot) | Maintains high-resolution stills for detailed panoramic and reframed images. |
Processor | Standard Chipset | New 5nm AI Chip | Faster processing for higher resolutions, improved AI features, and more efficient power management. |
Display Screen | 2.29-inch Touchscreen | 2.5-inch Corning Gorilla Glass Touchscreen | Larger, more durable display for easier framing, settings adjustment, and playback. |
Battery Capacity | 1800 mAh | 2290 mAh | Significantly extended recording times, especially for high-resolution video. |
Waterproofing | 10m (33ft) without case | 10m (33ft) without case | Robust water resistance for underwater adventures without additional housing. |
Lens Guards | Optional Sticky Lens Guards | Removable Standard Lens Guards | Enhanced protection for the lenses, easily replaceable, providing peace of mind during adventurous shoots. |
Physical Build and Ergonomics
The Insta360 X4 features a meticulously refined physical build that enhances both its durability and user interaction. Designed to withstand demanding environments, its construction balances robust protection with ergonomic handling. The camera’s dimensions are approximately 123.6mm x 46.0mm x 37.6mm, making it slightly larger than its predecessor, a necessary adjustment to accommodate the larger battery and improved internal components. This slight increase in size contributes to a more substantial feel in hand, without compromising portability.Weighing in at approximately 203g, the X4 maintains a lightweight profile, ensuring it remains comfortable for extended handheld use or when mounted on various accessories.
The camera’s exterior is crafted from durable materials, including the advanced 2.5-inch Corning Gorilla Glass touchscreen, which offers superior scratch resistance and impact protection compared to standard displays. This robust screen is essential for outdoor use, where accidental bumps and scrapes are common.The button layout on the Insta360 X4 has been thoughtfully designed for intuitive operation. On the front, below the screen, resides the prominent power/mode button, allowing for easy camera activation and quick toggling between shooting modes.
The main shutter button is conveniently located on the top surface, providing immediate access for capturing photos and starting/stopping video recordings. On the side, a dedicated Quick Menu button offers swift access to frequently used settings and custom presets, streamlining the shooting process. This strategic placement of controls ensures that users can operate the camera efficiently, even when wearing gloves or in fast-paced scenarios.
The design also incorporates integrated attachment points, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of Insta360 accessories, from invisible selfie sticks to specialized mounts.
Enhanced Battery Capacity and Recording Duration
A significant upgrade in the Insta360 X4 is its substantially increased battery capacity, which directly translates into extended recording durations for high-resolution 360-degree video. The X4 is powered by a new 2290mAh battery, a considerable increase from the 1800mAh battery found in the Insta360 X3. This larger power source is critical for sustaining the higher processing demands of 8K resolution video.This enhanced battery allows the Insta360 X4 to record approximately 75 minutes of 8K 30fps 360-degree video on a single charge.
This represents a remarkable achievement, as 8K footage requires significantly more power to process and store compared to 5.7K. For comparison, when recording at 5.7K 30fps, the X4 can achieve up to 135 minutes of continuous recording, a substantial improvement over the X3’s 81 minutes at the same resolution. This extended battery life is particularly beneficial for capturing long events, extensive travel vlogs, or multi-part projects without the constant worry of running out of power.
Creators can confidently embark on longer shooting sessions, such as a full day of exploring a new city or documenting an entire sports event, knowing their camera can keep up with their creative ambitions.
Advanced Video Quality and Performance
The Insta360 X4 elevates 360-degree video capture to new heights, delivering a significant leap in image fidelity and performance. This advancement empowers creators to capture breathtaking footage with unprecedented detail, smoothness, and clarity, transforming raw experiences into polished, professional-grade content.
Unprecedented Resolution and Frame Rates, Insta360 X4 360-Degree Video Breakdown
The X4 introduces groundbreaking recording capabilities with its new 8K30fps and 5.7K60fps modes, each designed to cater to distinct creative needs while offering substantial technical advantages.
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8K30fps Recording: This mode delivers an unparalleled level of detail, making every frame rich with information. The technical advantage lies in the sheer pixel count, offering immense reframing flexibility in post-production without sacrificing image quality. Viewers can zoom in significantly on specific areas of a 360-degree scene or extract high-resolution flat video crops, maintaining crispness even on large displays.
Ideal use cases include cinematic productions, intricate landscape videography, architectural walkthroughs, and virtual tours where maximum clarity and the ability to punch in are paramount.
- 5.7K60fps Recording: While slightly lower in resolution than 8K, the 5.7K60fps mode excels in capturing dynamic action with incredible fluidity. The higher frame rate provides buttery-smooth playback and enables stunning slow-motion effects, capturing every nuance of fast-moving subjects. This mode offers a perfect balance between high resolution and high frame rate, making it ideal for sports, action sequences, fast-paced vlogging, FPV drone footage, and any scenario where motion clarity and the option for slow-motion are critical.
FlowState Stabilization and Horizon Leveling Mastery
The Insta360 X4 features an enhanced iteration of FlowState Stabilization, the industry-leading electronic image stabilization technology, coupled with precise horizon leveling. These improvements work in tandem to deliver incredibly smooth and perfectly level 360-degree footage, even in the most challenging and dynamic environments. The advanced algorithms analyze motion across all axes, intelligently correcting for shakes, bumps, and tilts, resulting in footage that appears as if it were captured with professional-grade gimbals.The benefits of FlowState Stabilization and horizon leveling are particularly evident in situations traditionally prone to shaky or skewed footage.
Consider these challenging shooting conditions where the X4 excels:
- Mountain biking over rough, rocky trails, where the camera absorbs constant vibrations and impacts.
- Skiing down a steep, mogul-filled slope, maintaining a stable and level perspective despite the body’s rapid movements.
- Running with the camera mounted on an extended selfie stick, ensuring a smooth and steady shot free from jarring footsteps.
- Kayaking through turbulent river rapids, where the camera remains level despite the boat’s pitching and rolling.
- Filming from a moving vehicle traversing uneven, unpaved roads, eliminating the appearance of a bumpy ride.
- Paragliding or skydiving, where the camera’s orientation constantly shifts, yet the horizon remains perfectly flat.
The X4’s FlowState Stabilization and Horizon Leveling transform chaotic motion into cinematic fluidity, ensuring every shot is perfectly balanced and professional.
Exceptional Low-Light Performance
The Insta360 X4 demonstrates significant advancements in its ability to capture high-quality footage in low-light conditions. Footage captured in dimly lit environments exhibits a remarkable balance of detail and minimal noise. The camera employs sophisticated noise reduction algorithms that intelligently suppress grain without excessively smoothing out fine textures, preserving the visual integrity of the scene.Furthermore, the X4 shows improved dynamic range performance in low light.
This means it is better equipped to handle scenes with significant contrast between bright and dark areas, such as night cityscapes with illuminated buildings against deep shadows, or indoor events with mixed lighting sources. The camera works to retain detail in both the highlights, preventing them from being blown out, and the shadows, ensuring they don’t become completely crushed or muddy.
This results in more balanced and visually pleasing footage that captures the true ambiance of challenging lighting scenarios, offering greater flexibility for post-production color grading and exposure adjustments.
Post-Production Workflow and Editing Capabilities
The true power of the Insta360 X4 extends far beyond its impressive capture capabilities, manifesting significantly in its intuitive and robust post-production workflow. This comprehensive ecosystem, comprising both desktop and mobile applications, transforms raw 360-degree footage into compelling, shareable content, making professional-grade video editing accessible to creators of all skill levels. From seamless file management to advanced reframing and AI-powered editing, the X4’s post-production suite is designed to unlock the full creative potential of every shot.
Seamless File Transfer and Management
Effectively managing your 360-degree video files is the crucial first step in any post-production workflow, especially given the high resolution and resulting large file sizes of Insta360 X4 footage. The X4 offers versatile options for offloading and organizing your captured content, ensuring your creative process remains efficient and your valuable footage is secure.The primary method for transferring files from the Insta360 X4 to a computer is through a direct USB-C connection.
This provides the fastest data transfer speeds, essential for handling large 8K video files, minimizing waiting times, and accelerating your editing process. For mobile devices, the Insta360 app facilitates wireless transfer via Wi-Fi, offering convenience for on-the-go editing and quick sharing. Regardless of the transfer method, it is highly recommended to establish a clear file organization system, such as creating dedicated project folders and implementing consistent naming conventions, to maintain an organized archive of your creative work.
Given the significant storage demands of 360-degree footage, always ensure ample storage space on your computer or mobile device, and regularly back up your files to external drives or cloud storage solutions to prevent data loss.
Comprehensive Reframing and Editing Tools
Unlocking the full potential of your Insta360 X4 footage is achieved through the powerful editing capabilities offered by both the Insta360 Studio desktop software and the Insta360 mobile app. These platforms provide a comprehensive suite of tools designed to transform raw 360-degree captures into dynamic, reframed flat videos or immersive 360 experiences, catering to different editing needs and skill levels.The Insta360 Studio desktop software is engineered for precision editing, offering a robust environment for detailed reframing, advanced color grading, and efficient batch processing.
It is the preferred choice for professional creators seeking maximum control over their footage and higher fidelity exports. The Insta360 mobile app, conversely, excels in its portability and AI-powered features, making it ideal for quick edits, on-the-go adjustments, and direct social media sharing. Both platforms empower users to tell their stories by choosing the perfect perspective from every angle of the 360 capture.Here are some of the key editing tools and functionalities available across the Insta360 ecosystem for reframing and enhancing X4 footage:
- Reframing with Keyframes: This fundamental tool allows creators to define dynamic camera movements within the 360-degree sphere. By setting keyframes at different points in the timeline, users can smoothly pan, tilt, zoom, and rotate the perspective, transforming a single 360 clip into multiple conventional video shots, including effects like Dolly Zoom and Tiny Planet.
- FlowState Stabilization: Leveraging Insta360’s proprietary stabilization technology, FlowState ensures that even the most action-packed footage remains incredibly smooth and stable, eliminating the need for additional gimbals and delivering professional-grade results.
- Deep Track 3.0: An advanced AI-powered tracking feature that automatically identifies and follows subjects within the 360-degree video. This automates the reframing process, keeping your chosen subject perfectly centered and in focus, even if they move out of the original frame.
- Shot Lab: Available in the mobile app, Shot Lab offers a collection of AI-powered templates that automatically apply creative editing techniques and effects to your footage with just a few taps, generating impressive cinematic clips without manual effort.
- Speed Ramps: This feature allows for dynamic control over video speed, enabling users to create dramatic slow-motion effects or rapid hyperlapses at specific moments within a clip, adding emphasis and rhythm to the narrative.
- Color Grading: Both platforms offer essential color adjustment tools, including brightness, contrast, saturation, highlights, shadows, and the application of LUTs (Look-Up Tables), enabling users to fine-tune the visual aesthetics and mood of their videos.
- Horizon Lock: This ensures that the horizon remains perfectly level in your reframed video, regardless of how the camera was tilted or rotated during capture, providing a stable and professional viewing experience.
Mastering the Invisible Selfie Stick with ‘Me Mode’
The Insta360 X4’s ‘Me Mode’ feature, when combined with the official invisible selfie stick, represents a groundbreaking advancement in capturing unique, third-person perspectives where the camera appears to float freely around the subject. This innovative mode automatically stitches out the selfie stick from your 360-degree footage, creating a seemingly impossible shot that adds a professional, cinematic touch to your content.Here is a step-by-step guide on how to effectively utilize ‘Me Mode’ for invisible selfie stick shots:
- Setup for Capture:
- Attach the X4: Securely mount your Insta360 X4 onto the official Insta360 invisible selfie stick. Ensure the camera is properly seated and tightened.
- Extend the Stick: Fully extend the selfie stick to maximize the distance between the camera and yourself. This greater distance enhances the stick’s invisibility and provides a wider perspective.
- Camera Orientation: For optimal stick removal, position the X4 so that one of its lenses is perfectly aligned with the stick. This ensures the stick falls directly into the camera’s stitch line, allowing the software to seamlessly remove it.
- Select ‘Me Mode’: On the Insta360 X4 camera, navigate to the shooting modes and select ‘Me Mode’. This mode is specifically optimized for this effect, often recording at higher frame rates (e.g., 120fps or 60fps) to facilitate smooth slow-motion effects in post-production.
- Filming Technique:
- Hold Straight: Hold the invisible selfie stick as straight as possible, either directly above you or slightly angled, depending on the desired perspective.
- Keep Subject in Frame: While the 360-degree capture covers everything, consciously try to keep yourself (the main subject) relatively centered in the camera’s view. This makes post-processing easier for optimal reframing.
- Movement: Move naturally as you would for any activity. The X4’s FlowState stabilization will ensure your footage remains smooth, even with dynamic movements.
- Post-processing Adjustments (Insta360 App/Studio):
- Import Footage: Transfer the ‘Me Mode’ footage to either the Insta360 mobile app or Insta360 Studio desktop software.
- Automatic Stick Removal: Upon opening the ‘Me Mode’ clip, the software automatically detects and removes the invisible selfie stick. You will immediately see the effect, with the camera appearing to float independently.
- Reframing and Editing:
- Keyframing: Use the keyframe tool to define your desired camera movements. You can zoom in and out, pan left and right, or tilt up and down to create dynamic shots that follow your action or reveal your surroundings.
- Speed Ramps: Apply speed ramps to emphasize certain moments, such as a jump or a turn, by slowing down the footage.
- Color Grading: Enhance the visual appeal with color corrections, adjustments to exposure, contrast, and saturation.
- Export: Once satisfied with your edits, export the reframed video as a flat, conventional video file. This ready-to-share output is perfect for social media platforms or further editing in traditional video editors.
The magic of ‘Me Mode’ hinges on the precise alignment of the invisible selfie stick within the Insta360 X4’s stitching line. This careful positioning allows the camera’s software to seamlessly erase the stick, creating the illusion of a detached, floating camera.
Creative Applications and Practical Scenarios
The Insta360 X4 transcends the limitations of traditional cameras, opening up a universe of creative possibilities through its unparalleled 360-degree capture capabilities. This innovative approach allows creators to capture every angle simultaneously, ensuring no moment is missed and providing unprecedented flexibility in post-production. From dynamic action sequences to immersive virtual tours, the X4 empowers users to tell stories in ways previously unimaginable, redefining visual content creation across diverse fields.
Diverse Scenarios for 360-Degree Immersion
The unique omnidirectional capture of the Insta360 X4 offers distinct advantages over conventional single-perspective cameras, enabling a broader and more engaging storytelling experience in numerous practical applications. Its ability to record everything around the lens means that the focus can be decided later, or multiple points of interest can be highlighted within a single dynamic shot.
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Action Sports: For athletes and adventurers, the X4 captures the entire thrill of the moment, from the rider’s perspective to the surrounding environment. Whether it’s a downhill mountain bike run, a surfing session, or a snowboarding descent, the camera captures every jump, turn, and landscape detail. This allows for “impossible” angles to be reframed later, showcasing both the athlete’s skill and the immersive beauty of the location without needing multiple camera setups.
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Travel Vlogging: Travel vloggers can transport their audience directly into their experiences. Instead of just showing what’s in front, the X4 records the entire ambiance of a bustling market, a serene beach, or a historical monument. This enables viewers to virtually explore the scene, turning passive consumption into an interactive journey. Features like “Bullet Time” also add dramatic flair, creating cinematic slow-motion spins that capture the grandeur of a location.
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Real Estate Tours: In the real estate industry, the Insta360 X4 revolutionizes property showcasing. Comprehensive 360-degree virtual tours can be created with ease, allowing potential buyers to navigate through properties remotely, gaining a full sense of space and layout. This eliminates the need for numerous static photos or complex video walkthroughs, providing an efficient and highly engaging alternative that saves time for both agents and clients, offering a complete perspective of every room and outdoor area.
360-Degree Project Concept: Urban Rhythms
Imagine a short 360-degree video project titled “Urban Rhythms,” designed to capture the pulsating energy and often-overlooked beauty of a city through the lens of street performers and daily life. The project aims to immerse viewers in the vibrant tapestry of urban existence, allowing them to choose their focus within the dynamic 360-degree canvas.
The narrative flow follows a chronological journey through a day in a bustling city center, moving from quiet mornings to energetic evenings, highlighting different facets of urban culture and interaction. The X4’s ability to capture everything ensures that no spontaneous moment or background detail is missed, making each viewing a unique experience as the audience reframes their perspective.
Shot List and Narrative Flow:
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Opening Scene (Dawn’s Awakening): The X4 is mounted on a fixed tripod at a high vantage point overlooking a city square just before sunrise. The shot captures the square gradually coming to life – early commuters, street cleaners, and the first hints of activity. The reframed sequence could start wide, then focus on a single person opening a coffee shop, then pan to the rising sun glinting off buildings.
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Mid-Morning Melody (Busker’s Corner): The X4 is placed on a low, discreet stand near a street musician performing in a busy pedestrian area. The shot captures the musician, the flow of people passing by, and their reactions. Reframing highlights the musician’s performance, then shifts to show people stopping to listen, and finally a wide shot of the surrounding architecture and the crowd.
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Lunchtime Rush (Market Dynamics): The X4 is handheld, slowly moving through a vibrant open-air market during peak lunch hours. It captures vendors calling out, shoppers browsing, and the general hustle and bustle. Reframing allows for quick cuts between different stalls, close-ups of produce, and the overall energetic atmosphere of the market from various angles within the single capture.
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Afternoon Artistry (Graffiti Alley): The X4 is attached to an extended selfie stick, providing an elevated view as it moves through a narrow alley adorned with street art. The camera captures the intricate details of the murals and the occasional artist at work. Reframing allows viewers to “walk” through the alley, pausing to admire specific artworks, and even catch glimpses of artists’ techniques.
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Evening Spectacle (Street Performers): The X4 is positioned centrally in a public plaza where various street performers are entertaining crowds – a breakdancer, a magician, a fire-eater. The 360-degree capture allows for a full view of all performances simultaneously. Reframing focuses on one performer at a time, then quickly cuts to audience reactions, and finally a panoramic view of the entire plaza bathed in evening light, showcasing the diverse entertainment happening around the camera.
Dynamic Scene Reframing: The Parkour Pursuit
One of the most powerful features of 360-degree video, especially with the Insta360 X4, is the ability to capture a dynamic scene once and then reframe it endlessly in post-production to highlight multiple points of interest. This transformative capability allows for the creation of compelling linear videos from the spherical raw footage, offering unparalleled control over the narrative and perspective.
Consider a high-energy parkour pursuit through an urban environment.
The Insta360 X4 is mounted on a chest strap of a follower, maintaining a consistent distance behind the parkour athlete. This setup ensures that the entire action – the athlete’s movements, the obstacles they navigate, and the surrounding cityscape – is captured within the 360-degree sphere without needing to manually pan or tilt the camera during the actual chase. The raw footage is a complete, immersive sphere of the scene.
From this single 360-degree capture, a sequence of reframed shots can be meticulously crafted to tell a compelling story:
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Reframed Shot 1 (The Approach and Initial Vault): The sequence begins with a wide-angle, slightly elevated view, smoothly following the athlete as they run towards a low wall. As they prepare to vault, the frame quickly reframes to a tighter shot, focusing on their feet and hands as they spring over the obstacle. This emphasizes the precision of their movement while still hinting at the broader environment.
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Reframed Shot 2 (Obstacle Negotiation): Immediately after the vault, the athlete approaches a more complex set of railings. The frame shifts to a ground-level perspective, looking up at the athlete as they climb and balance on the railings. As they reach the peak, the frame rapidly pans around to show the drop below them, then quickly refocuses on their determined face, highlighting the challenge and their focus.
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Reframed Shot 3 (Mid-Air Dynamics and Landing): The athlete executes a daring leap across a gap between two buildings. As they launch, the frame is set to capture them mid-air, then smoothly rotates to show the urban landscape beneath them, emphasizing the height and danger. Upon landing, the frame instantly snaps to a close-up of their feet making contact, followed by a quick pan to show their confident stance, before pulling back slightly to reveal the next section of their path.
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Reframed Shot 4 (Environmental Interaction and Revelation): The athlete navigates a crowded pedestrian area. Instead of just following the athlete, the frame momentarily shifts to capture the reactions of surprised onlookers, then pans to show the unique architectural details of a building they are about to ascend. This demonstrates how the 360 capture allows for simultaneous observation of both the subject and the surrounding narrative elements, enriching the context of the pursuit.
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Reframed Shot 5 (The Grand Finale): The sequence concludes as the athlete reaches a rooftop. The frame smoothly transitions from following their final steps to an expansive “tiny planet” view of the entire cityscape, with the athlete prominently featured in the center. This wide, immersive shot encapsulates the entire journey and the vast urban playground they have just conquered, showcasing the ultimate freedom of movement enabled by parkour and captured by the X4.
Closure

Source: insta360.com
The Insta360 X4 is more than just a camera; it’s a gateway to limitless creative exploration, offering an intuitive platform for capturing, editing, and sharing your unique perspective. From action-packed adventures to serene travelogues, the X4 empowers you to craft compelling narratives that immerse viewers in your world like never before. Embrace the future of spherical capture and unleash your full storytelling potential with the Insta360 X4.
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