السبت، 30 ديسمبر 2017

Virtual 360 Tours For Fun And Recreation

By Mary Sullivan


One of the newest forms of entertainment is online touring. What better way to visit other countries and well known landmarks than through Virtual 360 Tours. Whether previewing for a potential trip or just wanting to experience other cultures, this type of touring can be a fun way to do so. In addition, it is also a good way to take a beautiful vacation without ever leaving home.

While some photographs and videos are free, there are others which are only available either with a paid subscription or on an individual basis. In cases where there is a cost for video, most users have suggested that the experience is well worth the price. For, while a vacation would costs thousands of dollars, a subscription fee or the cost of an individual video is often minimal in comparison.

AirPana was one of the first to develop this new technology. While this is the case, there are other companies currently involved in research and development of similar applications and programs. Basically, the photographs are created by using multiple cameras. Whereas, these videos also known as spherical or immersive videos are created using a multitude of equipment.

Most often this type of photography is photographed using a omnidirectional camera or multiple cameras. Once the photographs are stored, individuals can play back the photographs using a viewer which controls the photographs like a panorama. Whereas, 360 degree video is often formatted with an equirectangular projection using either a monoscopic or stereoscopic video camera.

One problem with this specialized video technique is that it can be hard to get a clear picture in the middle of a video. Whereas, the top, bottom and sides are often clear. When it comes to sound, the quality is basically the same as that of a stereo when set to either mono or stereo. When using external speakers, it is important to use high quality speakers which can handle stereophonic sound.

There are currently specialized rigs and cameras which have been created for use with this technology. Equipment used in this manner includes all-in-one virtual reality cameras, Go Pro's and an Odyssey system which provides an array of different size camera equipment. Once other companies discover how to use this and other equipment, AirPana will have far more competition. As such, the cost of memberships and videos will most likely go down in the future.

These videos are generally viewed using personal computers, mobile devices or dedicated head mounted displays such as Virtual Reality headgear. When viewing on smart phones, there are internal sensors like the gyroscope which can be used to pan across images. While virtual reality headgear can be used to view these videos, it should be noted that it is often advised not to use a virtual reality headset for more than 30 to 55 minutes per session.

Whether a membership or individual video purchase, those using this new technology have often found doing so quite beneficial. For, whether using the photographs and video for a class project, or to tour the world without leaving home, the technology is useful in both. While a membership or price per video is often required, photographs are often available free of charge.




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