Ortta Io Pro Manual

A Bluetooth receiver that plugs into the USB port of your camera: live view, photo review, shooting programs and geotag.

Table of Contents

• Table of Contents
• 1. Overview
  • 1.1 Box Contents
  • 1.2 Features
  • 1.3 Specifications
  • 1.4 Hardware
  • 1.5 Button
• 2. Getting Started
  • 2.1 Charging
  • 2.2 Power On and Off
  • 2.3 Status LEDs
  • 2.4 Connecting Io Pro to your camera
  • 2.5 Pairing
  • 2.6 Camera settings
    • Sony
    • Canon
    • Nikon
    • Fujifilm
    • Panasonic Lumix
• 3. Using Io Pro with an Ortta Remote
• 4. Programs
• 5. Live View and Photo Review
  • 5.1 Full-size JPEG over Wi-Fi
• 6. Ortta App
  • 6.1 Smart Sensors
  • 6.2 Ortta Camera app
• 7. Watch App
• 8. Geotag
• 9. Firmware Updates
• 10. FAQ and Troubleshooting
  • 10.1 FAQ
  • 10.2 Troubleshooting

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1. Overview

Thank you for purchasing the ORTTA Io Pro, a small Bluetooth receiver for the USB port of your camera. Io Pro lets Ortta remotes, the Ortta app and the Ortta Watch app control the camera from a distance. It fires the camera and runs the shooting programs by itself, and it also reads the camera: you can see live view and review each photo on your remote or phone right after it is taken. With a Canon camera, Io Pro can also write the position of your phone or remote into your photos.

You can control Io Pro from:

• Jupiter, Jupiter Pro, Pluto 2 and Pluto 2 Pro, which use Io Pro as their receiver
• The Ortta app, to run programs, use the Smart Sensors of your phone, and see live view and photos
• The Ortta Watch app on your Apple Watch
• The Ortta Camera app, where Io Pro works as a Bluetooth remote to take photos with your phone
• The button on Io Pro, for a single photo

1.1 Box Contents

• Io Pro
• USB-A to USB-C charging cable

The adapter plug is not in the box. It connects Io Pro to the USB port of your camera. There are four types, so buy the one that fits your camera separately:

• USB-C
• Mini USB
• Micro USB
• Nikon 8-pin

See Camera compatibility.

1.2 Features

• USB connection to the camera (PTP): shutter, bulb, video start and stop, and focus without a shutter-release cable.
• Live view from the camera on Jupiter, Jupiter Pro, the Ortta Watch app and the Ortta app.
• Photo review: each photo you take appears on Jupiter, Jupiter Pro, Pluto 2, Pluto 2 Pro, the Ortta Watch app or in the Ortta app right after the shot.
• Full-size JPEG of each photo on your phone, over Wi-Fi.
• Geotag Canon cameras with the position from your phone, Jupiter Pro or Pluto 2 Pro.
• Shooting programs: Shutter, Timelapse, HDR, Startrail, Video, Timer, ND Filter and Starscape, started from the Ortta app, the Watch app or a remote.
• Smart Sensors: use the microphone, motion sensors and camera of your phone as triggers for the camera, through the Ortta app.
• Bluetooth remote for the Ortta Camera app: click the button on Io Pro to take a photo with your phone.
• One-button photo: click the button on Io Pro to take a photo.

1.3 Specifications

• Size: 37 × 26 × 11.5 mm
• Weight: 14 g
• Connection to the camera: USB (PTP), through a 3.5 mm TRRS socket with adapter plugs (sold separately)
• Wireless: Bluetooth Low Energy
• Bluetooth range (open area): 10-20 m
• Battery: 300 mAh
• Battery life: about 8 hours
• Charging: about 1 hour
• Operating temperature: -20 to 60 °C

1.4 Hardware

1. Lanyard hole
2. Program LED (green)
3. Power LED (white)
4. Charging LED (orange)
5. Button
6. USB Type-C charging connector
7. 3.5 mm TRRS socket for the adapter plug

1.5 Button

Io Pro has one button.

A double click is the same as a single click: it takes one photo.

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2. Getting Started

2.1 Charging

Connect Io Pro to a USB power source with the supplied USB-A to USB-C cable. The orange LED lights while it charges and turns off when the battery is full. A full charge takes about 1 hour, and the battery lasts about 8 hours.

2.2 Power On and Off

• Power on: long-press the button for about 2 seconds. The white LED lights up.
• Power off: long-press the button for about 2 seconds. The white LED fades up to full brightness, then you can let go.
• Auto power-off: Io Pro turns itself off after 30 minutes without use. It does not turn off while a program is running or while a remote, the Ortta app or the watch is connected. You can change the time in the Ortta app under Settings › Device Settings, or on a remote under Settings › Devices › Device settings.
• Low battery: when the battery is nearly empty, Io Pro stops any running program and turns itself off. The battery level is shown on your remote or in the app.

2.3 Status LEDs

Io Pro has three LEDs, the same as Pluto 2.

The brightness of the green and white LEDs can be changed in the Ortta app under Settings › Device Settings, or on a remote under Settings › Devices › Device settings.

2.4 Connecting Io Pro to your camera

1. Set up your camera for USB control. See Camera settings.
2. Choose the adapter plug that matches the USB port of your camera: USB-C, Mini USB, Micro USB or Nikon 8-pin.
3. Push the 3.5 mm end of the plug into the socket of Io Pro, and the other end into the USB port of the camera.
4. Turn on the camera and Io Pro, in either order. When Io Pro connects, you can fire the camera and see live view from your remote or the app.

Io Pro works with Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fujifilm and Panasonic cameras that support USB PTP control. Which functions are available depends on the camera model. See Camera compatibility.

2.5 Pairing

Io Pro pairs with an Ortta remote or with the Ortta app. Io Pro is always ready to pair while it is on, so you do not have to press anything on Io Pro first. Do not pair it in the Bluetooth settings of your phone. The pairing is rejected.

With Jupiter, Jupiter Pro, Pluto 2 or Pluto 2 Pro

1. Turn on Io Pro.
2. On the remote, open Settings › Devices › Add. The remote scans for devices.
3. Select Io Pro from the Discovered list and press OK.
4. The remote shows Paired. Io Pro now appears in the Devices list.

With the Ortta app or the Ortta Camera app

1. Turn on Io Pro and open the app.
2. Open the Device page, either way:
   • tap the spinning icon in the status bar, or
   • tap the three-dot icon (settings menu), then tap Device.
3. The app scans automatically. Io Pro appears under Discovered devices.
4. Tap Io Pro. In the dialog, tap Pair Device.
5. Io Pro now appears under Paired devices.

The name of Io Pro in the lists is OT-IoPro-xx, where xx differs for each Io Pro.

Io Pro can be connected to up to three devices at the same time, for example Jupiter Pro, the Ortta app and a watch.

2.6 Camera settings

Io Pro talks to the camera over USB (PTP). Most cameras need a few menu settings first. Set the camera before you connect Io Pro. Some cameras do not save a menu change until they are switched off normally, so after a crash or a battery removal check the settings again.

For every brand:

• Turn off the camera's USB power supply (also called USB charging). The camera must not take power from the USB port, or it may switch to storage mode.
• Turn off the camera's Wi-Fi, and its Bluetooth link to a phone (for example SnapBridge or Camera Connect). Some cameras need Wi-Fi off before USB PTP works at all.
• Set the USB mode to PC connection, PTP or Remote control, if the camera has such a setting.
• Turn off the camera's auto power-off, or it may go to sleep during a long sequence.
• Keep the camera battery charged. A camera with a low battery may close its USB port.
• If the connection does not work, turn the camera off for 5 seconds, turn it on, and connect again.

Sony

Sony cameras fall into three groups.

New menu (2019 and later): A7 IV, A7R IV/V, A1, A9 II/III, FX3, FX30, ZV-E10, ZV-E1, A6700, A7C II, A7C R. These work best.

1. MENU › Setup › USB › USB Connection Mode = PC Remote.
2. MENU › Network › Transfer/Remote › PC Remote Function › PC Remote = On, and PC Remote Cnct Method = USB.
3. Still Img. Save Dest. = Camera Only (recommended) or PC + Camera.
4. Turn off Smartphone Connection, FTP Function and Wi-Fi.

Old menu (2016 to 2019): A7 III, A7R III, A9, A6400, A6500, A6600, A99 II. These work with some limits.

1. Quality/Image Size 1 › File Format = RAW & JPEG (or JPEG only).
2. Setup4 › USB Power Supply = Off.
3. Setup4 › USB Connection = PC Remote.
4. Setup4 › PC Remote Settings › Still Img. Save Dest. = PC + Camera.
5. Setup4 › PC Remote Settings › RAW+J PC Save Img = JPEG Only.
6. Turn off Wi-Fi. It fights with USB for the connection.
7. Turn the camera off normally once and on again, so the settings are saved.

Warning: never set the file format to RAW only. The camera may report a card error or freeze. These cameras do not support Camera Only: they must send a copy to Io Pro before they release the shutter. Shoot no faster than one photo every 2 seconds. If you shoot faster, the camera buffer can overflow, and the camera can need 5 to 10 seconds to recover. When the USB connection restarts, Io Pro reconnects by itself.

First generation (October 2013 to March 2016): A7, A7R, A7S, A7 II, A7R II, A7S II, RX10 III. These cameras cannot save a photo to the memory card when it is triggered over USB. Use them for video remote control only.

Before 2013 (NEX-7, NEX-6, A99, A77 II and others): not supported.

Canon

EOS R, second generation: R5, R5 C, R6, R6 Mark II, R7, R8, R10, R50.

1. Set USB connection app to Photo Import / Remote Control (R6 Mark II and later).
2. Set HDR PQ to Off.
3. Set Wi-Fi to Disable.

5D Mark IV: update the firmware to version 1.3.3 or 1.4.0 or later. Older firmware has performance problems. Set Automatic Transfer (FTP) and Wi-Fi to Disable.

Other EOS DSLR and mirrorless cameras (6D, 70D, 80D, 90D, Rebel, 1300D, 2000D and so on):

1. Set Wi-Fi and NFC to Disable.
2. Turn the mode dial to Av (aperture priority) for the first connection.
3. Turn the Live View switch to Stills, not Video.
4. For cameras with two card slots, record RAW + JPEG to the same card. Recording to separate cards is not supported.

For all Canon cameras:

• Set the exposure step to 1/3 EV, or bracketing does not work.
• A JPEG with a 3:2 aspect ratio works best.
• The EOS M cameras, except the M6 Mark II, do not support USB remote shooting.

Nikon

Z9, Z8, Z6, Z7, Z6 II, Z7 II, Z6III, Z5, Z fc, Zf, D850, D750, D7500 and similar models.

1. Turn off the SnapBridge Bluetooth pairing. It competes with USB.
2. Turn off the camera Wi-Fi.
3. Turn off USB charging / power supply, or the camera may switch to storage mode.

Fujifilm

Newer models: X-T4, X-T5, X-H2, X-H2S, X-S20, X100VI, GFX100 II.

1. MENU › SET UP › CONNECTION SETTING › CONNECTION MODE = USB TETHER SHOOTING AUTO.
2. On X-T5 and X-H models: USB POWER SUPPLY/COMM SETTING = POWER SUPPLY OFF / COMM ON.
3. Disconnect the Cam Remote app from the camera Wi-Fi.
4. Set the dials so that the controls can be changed over USB: shutter speed T, aperture A, ISO A and exposure compensation C.
5. Set the STILL / MOVIE lever to STILL. In MOVIE position almost all settings are locked.

Older models: X-T2, X-T3, X-Pro2, X-Pro3.

1. MENU › SET UP › CONNECTION SETTING › PC CONNECTION MODE = USB TETHER SHOOTING AUTO.
2. These cameras may take the picture with the settings of their own dials, even when the app shows that a setting was changed (known on the X-T2).
3. Video control is not supported.

Only the higher-end Fujifilm cameras support USB control. Live view is not available with Fujifilm cameras.

Panasonic Lumix

S1, S5, S5 II, S1H, S1R, GH5, GH6, GH7, G9 II.

1. MENU › Setup › IN/OUT › USB › USB Mode = PC (Tether).
2. MENU › Setup › IN/OUT › USB › USB Power Supply = Off.
3. Do not use the camera's Bluetooth together with USB. Panasonic cameras do not allow both at once.

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3. Using Io Pro with an Ortta Remote

Jupiter, Jupiter Pro, Pluto 2 and Pluto 2 Pro all use Io Pro as a receiver. You pair Io Pro with the remote once (see Pairing). After that the remote finds Io Pro again by itself whenever both are on.

• Fire the camera. With Io Pro set as the camera, the Shutter button of the remote releases the shutter. Video, timers and the other keys follow the page of the device you have set.
• Run the programs. Set Io Pro as Master and the Menu of the remote shows the programs of Io Pro. The program runs on Io Pro, so the camera keeps shooting even if the remote is turned off or goes out of range. When the remote connects again, it shows the program that is running. See Programs.
• Live view and photo review. Jupiter and Jupiter Pro show both. Pluto 2 and Pluto 2 Pro show photo review only, with no live view. See Live view and photo review.
• Shooting with the Pluto 2 sensors. Pluto 2 and Pluto 2 Pro can fire the camera through Io Pro with their own sensors (lidar, laser, sound and so on).

See the manual of your remote for the details: Jupiter, Jupiter Pro, Pluto 2 and Pluto 2 Pro.

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4. Programs

Io Pro runs these programs. You set the parameters on the remote, in the Ortta app or on the Apple Watch, and start the program there.

The programs work the same way as on Pluto 2. See the Pluto 2 manual, chapter Shooting Programs, for the parameters of each one.

For HDR, Startrail and ND Filter, set the camera to BULB mode. Io Pro controls how long the shutter stays open. For HDR it changes this time from photo to photo.

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5. Live View and Photo Review

Because Io Pro is connected to the camera over USB, it can read the camera.

• Live view. Start live view on Jupiter, Jupiter Pro, the Ortta Watch app or in the Ortta app, and the image of the camera appears there. Live view works with Canon, Nikon, Sony and Panasonic cameras. It is not available with Fujifilm cameras.
• Photo review. After each shot, Io Pro sends a small copy of the photo to Jupiter, Jupiter Pro, Pluto 2, Pluto 2 Pro, the Ortta Watch app or the Ortta app, so you can check it without touching the camera. This needs no setup and is on by default.
• Camera status. The remote can show the status of the camera, for example focus and capture.

Live view and photo review stop when the Bluetooth connection is lost. On Jupiter Pro

• Photo review: after each photo, a thumbnail appears on the screen for a few seconds. If the screen is off, a new photo turns it on.
• Image Review (F2): the last 10 photos, as full-screen images. Move with Left and Right. Press F2 again to leave. New photos are added while Image Review is open.
• Live view (hold F2): the live image of the camera. Hold F2 again to leave. Live view updates about 2 to 8 times per second.

You can set how the images look (review time, scale and quality) in the Review settings of Jupiter Pro.

On the other devices, how to start live view and where the photos appear depends on the device. See the manual of your remote: Jupiter, Jupiter Pro, Pluto 2 or Pluto 2 Pro.

5.1 Full-size JPEG over Wi-Fi

The Ortta app can also fetch the full-size JPEG of each photo, so you can see and save the whole picture on your phone while you shoot. Io Pro reads the JPEG from the camera and the app fetches it over Wi-Fi.

Io Pro does not make its own Wi-Fi network. It needs your router or the hotspot of your phone.

1. In the Ortta app, open Settings › Device Settings › Router/hotspot and enter the name (SSID) and the password of your router or phone hotspot.
2. Turn JPG Download on in the Ortta app.
3. Keep the Ortta app connected to Io Pro. Wi-Fi only runs while the Ortta app is connected. The app connects to it by itself.

Note: RAW files are not transferred; only the JPEG is. The camera must save JPEG, or RAW + JPEG. Sony cameras need the Wi-Fi of Io Pro to be on before the JPEG can be streamed. Photo transfer over Wi-Fi works with the Ortta app only, not with the Ortta Camera app.

Some cameras need their own Wi-Fi turned off before USB works (see Camera settings). This does not affect the Wi-Fi of Io Pro.

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6. Ortta App

Io Pro connects to the Ortta app over Bluetooth, after you pair it. The app can:

• Set up and start programs. Set the parameters on your phone. The app sends them to Io Pro and starts the program. Io Pro then runs it.
• Use the Smart Sensors of the phone to fire the camera.
• Show live view and photos from the camera.
• Send the position of your phone to a Canon camera (see Geotag).
• Set the clock. Each time the app connects, it sets the time and time zone of Io Pro from your phone, which the Timer program uses.

6.1 Smart Sensors

Smart Sensors use the sensors of your phone to fire the camera through Io Pro. The phone must be near Io Pro while the program runs.

The pages are the same as on Pluto 2. See the Pluto 2 manual, chapter Ortta App, section Smart Sensors, for the screenshots and the settings of each mode.

6.2 Ortta Camera app

The Ortta Camera app turns a phone into a camera. Io Pro connects to it over Bluetooth and works as a manual Bluetooth remote: click the button on Io Pro to take a photo with the phone. It cannot record video. This does not fire your camera. Pair Io Pro with the Ortta Camera app the same way as with the Ortta app (see Pairing).

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7. Watch App

The Ortta Watch app controls Io Pro from your Apple Watch. The watch connects to Io Pro directly over Bluetooth, so you do not need your phone in the field.

1. Turn on Io Pro.
2. On the watch, open the Ortta Watch app and choose Devices from the menu.
3. The watch scans for a few seconds. Io Pro appears in the list. Tap it to connect.

With Io Pro connected, you can start and watch the Intervalometer programs from the wrist: Shutter, Timelapse, Startrail, HDR and ND Filter. Set the parameters on the watch and start the program there. The watch pages look the same as with Pluto 2 Pro; see the Pluto 2 Pro manual, chapter Watch App. The sensor programs of Pluto 2 (such as Sound and Lightning) do not work with Io Pro.

With Io Pro the watch can also show the photos you take (photo review).

To see the camera on your wrist, open Camera in the watch menu. It shows the mode, shutter speed, aperture and ISO of the camera. Tap the viewfinder button to start live view, and tap it again to stop. Live view works with Canon, Nikon, Sony and Panasonic cameras.

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8. Geotag

Io Pro can write the position into the photos of a Canon camera over USB. Io Pro has no GPS of its own: the position comes from the Ortta app on your phone, from Jupiter Pro or from Pluto 2 Pro.

1. Pair Io Pro with the Ortta app, Jupiter Pro or Pluto 2 Pro, and connect Io Pro to the camera.
2. On the camera, turn on the GPS function and set the GPS source to smartphone. Most Canon cameras support this. Some cameras can only be set to smartphone after you pair them once with the Canon Camera Connect app.
3. On the remote or in the app, set Geotag rate to anything other than Off. The position is then sent to the camera at that rate.

The options for Geotag rate are Off, 1 s, 2 s, 5 s, 10 s, 15 s, 30 s, 1 min, 2 min and 5 min.

Io Pro cannot geotag Nikon cameras. For Nikon cameras use the Ortta Io for Nikon (see the Io manual, chapter Geotag). For Sony cameras you do not need Io Pro for geotag. Jupiter Pro and Pluto 2 Pro connect to the Bluetooth of the Sony camera directly and send the position, with no extra device. See their manuals.

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9. Firmware Updates

New firmware adds features and fixes bugs. You update Io Pro from the Ortta app over Bluetooth; no computer or cable is needed.

1. Charge Io Pro and keep your phone close to it.
2. Open the Ortta app and go to the Device page. Connect Io Pro, then choose Set as Master. A star appears on the chosen device. Only the master device can be upgraded.
3. When a newer version is available, the app shows the upgrade page with the hardware version, the current firmware and the new firmware. Tap Upgrade.
4. The app shows the progress as a percentage. The update can take several minutes. Keep the app open and stay close to Io Pro until it finishes.
5. When the update is done, Io Pro restarts by itself and reconnects to the app.

While the update runs, Io Pro does not turn off by itself. If the update stops or fails, you can start it again.

Note: after an update, leave Io Pro on and let the Ortta app connect to it once. This confirms that the new firmware works. If the new firmware does not start properly, Io Pro goes back to the previous version by itself, and the app offers the update again.

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10. FAQ and Troubleshooting

10.1 FAQ

What is the difference between Io and Io Pro? Io fires the camera over a shutter-release cable. Io Pro connects to the camera over USB: it can show live view, send photos to your remote, watch and the Ortta app, and write the phone position into Canon photos. The programs are the same.

Does my camera need Bluetooth? No. Io Pro uses the USB port of the camera.

Do I need Io Pro if my camera has Bluetooth? No. Jupiter and Pluto 2 can control cameras with Bluetooth remote support directly. Io Pro is for cameras without Bluetooth, for live view and photo review, and for running programs on the camera side.

Can Io Pro charge my camera? No. Turn off the USB power supply of the camera. Io Pro has its own battery.

10.2 Troubleshooting

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For more information, visit ortta.co.