Spherical video

360-degree videos, also known as immersive videos or spherical videos, are video recordings where a view in every direction is recorded at the same time, shot using an omnidirectional camera or a collection of cameras. During playback the viewer has control of the viewing direction like a panorama.

360-degree video is typically recorded using either a special rig of multiple cameras, or using a dedicated camera that contains multiple camera lenses embedded into the device, and filming overlapping angles simultaneously. Through a method known as video stitching, this separate footage is merged together into one spherical video piece, and the colour and contrast of each shot is calibrated to be consistent with the others. This process is done either by the camera itself, or using specialized video editing software that can analyze common visuals and audio to synchronize and link the different camera feeds together. Generally, the only area that cannot be viewed is the view toward the camera support. It is then rendered at high resolution – most commonly at 4K resolution – with positional or binaural sound to ensure the most immersive experience possible.

Specialized omnidirectional cameras and rigs have been developed for the purpose of filming 360-degree video, including rigs such as GoPro's Omni and Odyssey, the Nokia OZO, the Facebook Surround 360, the Kodak Pixpro SP360 4K Dual Pack Pro and the Axon's AZilPix Studio.One (all of which consist of multiple cameras installed into a single rig), the Vuze camera, handheld dual-lens cameras such as the Ricoh Theta S, Samsung Gear 360, Garmin VIRB 360, and the Kogeto Dot 360—a panoramic camera lens accessory developed for the iPhone 4, 4S, and Samsung Galaxy Nexus. In videoconferencing, 360° cameras are used, so that all participants on one location can be recorded with one camera. In Dec 2016, 360/VR specialist Orah. started shipping its 4K Live VR camera called Orah 4i.

Due to the newness of the technology, developer communities have begun to be developed around the various cameras, including the RICOH THETA Unofficial Guide, the Samsung Developer Program, LG Friends Developer, and more.

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