Virtual reality experiences and 360 videos have been gaining tremendous popularity with their respective audiences, but from a technical standpoint, there is an understandable frustration about consumer confusion. Many laypeople are under the false impression that VR video and 360 video are indistinguishable from each other, believing the two formats are mere synonyms. While both may show filmed footage in 360-degree environments, this is where their similarities begin and end.
Knowing the differences between VR video and 360 video is essential for understanding which platform makes sense for different kinds of projects, as well as a well-rounded knowledge of the emerging new camera market as a whole.
The Differences Between VR and 360 Videos
If you’ve ever seen an advertisement that tries to take you “inside the experience” when browsing on your phone and exploring your social feeds — that’s a 360 video. Three hundred sixty-degree videos aren’t just used in advertising, but in a broad range of professional and consumer experiences. Three hundred sixty-degree videos allow you to look around inside a still image or video by moving your phone or tablet in real space or making a similar gesture with your mouse on a desktop.
While 360 video provides a minor sense of immersion by simulating the experience of looking around an environment, there are a number of things that set it apart from VR video.
Unlike the 3D presentation of VR video, 360 videos are presented in 2D. This means that the image has height and width, but will always lack depth. Think of it like taking a big poster and wrapping it around you. You can turn around and look at the different pieces of the image, but it’s still just a flat picture. By contrast, VR video is recorded using multiple cameras at specific distances apart, which capture left eye / right eye differences. The videos created by these VR cameras are stitched together to create something much closer to real life, allowing users to surround themselves in a 3D experience while using a VR headset.
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Source: Dealerscope