YouTube has announced that it is now supporting 360-degree video
uploads. Some of the cameras that are compatible with YouTube’s
360-degree video uploads include Bublcam, 360cam by Giroptic, Allie by
IC Real Tech,
the SP360 by Kodak and the RICOH THETA. This means that viewers can
watch videos in any direction for a different perspective instead of
just where the camera is facing. The 360-degree cameras have a price
range of about $350-$900.
With the 360-degree option, filmmakers and brands will be able to offer a unique experience by letting viewers watch scenes from multiple angles. “You share incredible videos with your fans every second of the day, but what if you could share even more in that video? Like, sharing the entire moment that you’re filming?” said YouTube’s staff in a blog post. “You could let viewers see the stage and the crowd of your concert, the sky and the ground as you wingsuit glide, or you could even have a choose-your-own-adventure video where people see a different story depending on where they look. Only you know what’s possible.”
When you upload a YouTube video with a 360-degree camera, the viewer is able to tap on the video and drag the screen to look around at different angles. In the screenshot below, you will notice that there are navigational controls at the top left of the videos. If you are using the YouTube app on an Android device, then you can pan around the video simply by moving your smartphone and tablet around.
As of right now, the 360-degree YouTube videos are supported by just the Chrome browser on the desktop and the YouTube app on Android devices. YouTube said that 360-degree videos will be supported on other platforms in the near future like the iPhone and iPad. YouTube also has plans to make the 360-degree videos accessible through virtual reality platforms, which is the best way to view immersive content. The experience feels very similar to Google GOOGL -1.48% Street View.
If you are near the YouTube Space L.A. studio on Bluff Creek Drive in
Los Angeles, the Creator Tech team is letting people try out the
360-degree cameras and put together those types of videos with help from
the staff between now through April. When you are ready to upload
360-degree videos on YouTube, you can find technical information on Github with a Python
script to insert the correct video metadata. YouTube plans to make the
process of uploading 360-degree videos automatic, but that script will
be required in the meantime.
Keep in mind that the quality of the 360-degree videos are not as high as we see in the standard YouTube videos. The 360-degree videos need to be at 24, 25 or 30 frames per second. And the 360-degree videos take up about four-to-five times the bandwidth of regular YouTube videos.
YouTube set up a playlist of some 360-degree videos so that you can see multiple examples. Here are a few examples of the new 360-degree videos on YouTube (watch these using Google Chrome on your desktop or the YouTube app for Android to see the 360-degree controls):
With the 360-degree option, filmmakers and brands will be able to offer a unique experience by letting viewers watch scenes from multiple angles. “You share incredible videos with your fans every second of the day, but what if you could share even more in that video? Like, sharing the entire moment that you’re filming?” said YouTube’s staff in a blog post. “You could let viewers see the stage and the crowd of your concert, the sky and the ground as you wingsuit glide, or you could even have a choose-your-own-adventure video where people see a different story depending on where they look. Only you know what’s possible.”
When you upload a YouTube video with a 360-degree camera, the viewer is able to tap on the video and drag the screen to look around at different angles. In the screenshot below, you will notice that there are navigational controls at the top left of the videos. If you are using the YouTube app on an Android device, then you can pan around the video simply by moving your smartphone and tablet around.
As of right now, the 360-degree YouTube videos are supported by just the Chrome browser on the desktop and the YouTube app on Android devices. YouTube said that 360-degree videos will be supported on other platforms in the near future like the iPhone and iPad. YouTube also has plans to make the 360-degree videos accessible through virtual reality platforms, which is the best way to view immersive content. The experience feels very similar to Google GOOGL -1.48% Street View.
Keep in mind that the quality of the 360-degree videos are not as high as we see in the standard YouTube videos. The 360-degree videos need to be at 24, 25 or 30 frames per second. And the 360-degree videos take up about four-to-five times the bandwidth of regular YouTube videos.
YouTube set up a playlist of some 360-degree videos so that you can see multiple examples. Here are a few examples of the new 360-degree videos on YouTube (watch these using Google Chrome on your desktop or the YouTube app for Android to see the 360-degree controls):
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