LRV files on GoPro and Insta360: what they are and whether you need them in the edit
An LRV file is a lightweight copy of a clip that GoPro and Insta360 record next to the original for viewing on a phone. The edit needs the original. MultiSyncer Studio recognises lightweight copies in the shoot folder itself and matches them to the originals, so there is no need to delete them by hand: if the original's sound cannot be read, the app takes the sound for sync from the LRV.
What an LRV file is
LRV (low resolution video) is a lightweight copy of a clip that the camera records next to the original. It is used for quick viewing on a phone in the camera's app. These files are written, for example, by GoPro (GL010001.LRV next to GX010001.MP4) and Insta360 (LRV_… next to VID_…). On DJI similar lightweight copies are called .LRF.
| Camera | Original | Lightweight copy |
|---|---|---|
| GoPro | GX010001.MP4, GH010001.MP4 | GL010001.LRV |
| Insta360 | VID_…_00_….insv or .mp4 | LRV_… |
| DJI | …MP4 | ….LRF |
Do you need LRV files in the edit
Editing and sync need the original: it has the full quality. The lightweight copy is smaller and worse. We do not recommend deleting LRV files from the card by hand: when you add the shoot folder, the app recognises the lightweight copy itself and matches it to its original.
What MultiSyncer Studio does
- Copies the whole card, LRV files included, and checks every copy by checksum.
- In “Add shoot folder” it recognises .LRV and .LRF lightweight copies and matches each one to its original: GL010001.LRV to GX010001.MP4, LRV_… to VID_…_00_…. No separate track appears for them.
- If the original is not there, it leaves the file in place and adds a warning.
- The original remembers its lightweight copy. If the original's sound cannot be read, MultiSyncer takes the sound for sync from the LRV, while the original still goes on the track and into the edit.
- For a dual-lens Insta360 it treats the _00_ and _10_ files as one take: the sound and time are in the _00_ file.