What Is 360 Video?
360 videos, also written as 360-degree videos, are actually recorded videos in which a view in each direction is captured simultaneously. They are recorded by a collection of cameras or an omnidirectional camera.
The term 360×180 can be used to refer to 360° of azimuth and 180° from nadir to zenith. While playing 360 videos on a common flat display, the viewer can control the viewing direction like a panorama. 360 videos can also be played on displays or projectors arranged in a sphere or some part of a sphere.
Besides, 360 videos are also called immersive videos, spherical videos, or surround videos in our daily life.
360 Video Format
360 videos are either in mono format or in stereo format and they should be saved in the equirectangular-panoramic (equirect-pano) format. However, what’s the file format of 360-degree videos? The most common options are as below:
1. MP4 (H.264)
MP4 encoded with H.264 is the most supported format by 360 videos. It offers excellent compression while keeping good video quality. MP4 is widely compatible with hardware devices and social media platforms.
2. MKV
MKV (Matroska Multimedia Container) is another 360-degree video format that is highly flexible and can be compatible with many codecs.
3. WEBM
As an open and royalty-free file format, WEBM can be used to replace MP4 video container. Compared with MP4, it has a smaller file size, which makes it gain great popularity, especially on online platforms.
4. ProRes
Developed by Apple Inc., the ProRes video format is usually applied in professional video production including 360 video production. Although ProRes provides high-quality videos, the video sizes are large.
Since there are several choices for your 360 videos, you need to make a selection according to your special needs and the project constraints. You are recommended to take these aspects into consideration: video quality, file size (storage space), hardware and software compatibility, and so on.
In most cases, you are recommended to use MP4 (h.264) in mono type (2:1 aspect ratio) or stereo type (1:1 aspect ratio) with a resolution that is suitable for your hardware device.
What Types of 360 Videos Are Available?
After knowing what is a 360 video, next, let’s learn some popular kinds of 360 degree videos.
# 360 VR Video
According to some storytellers, 360 cine-VR (cinematic virtual reality) videos indicate 360-degree videos that take advantage of professional cinematic production technologies like scenic design, lighting design, and sound design.
However, a controversy appears upon using “virtual reality” to describe 360 videos. The opponents hold that VR usually refers to interactive experiences where the player’s reactions are trackable, which makes real-time interactions possible with position and orientation tracking. Be different from that, the viewer’s position is limited to the video maker’s motion in 360 videos. Thus, people are unable to interact with the environment.
# 360 Interactive Video
Just as mentioned above, a 360-degree video is actually different from a VR video since the former lacks the viewer’s interaction with the video environment. However, we can put some interactions into a 360 video to make up for the shortcoming. Therefore, 360 interactive videos came into being.
In general, 360 interactive videos refer to 360-degree videos that require interaction with viewers. They are used in real estate, tourism, art exhibitions, concerts, training courses, VR games, and many more fields.
You can find and watch virtual reality 360 grad videos on YouTube, AirPano, Google Arts and Culture, Storyblocks, Envato, etc. If you want to download your favorite 360 VR videos from YouTube to play offline, you can use MiniTool Video Converter, a free video converter to achieve that.
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Also, some VR headset manufacturers will provide 360 videos for their users to watch. For instance, Apple Vision Pro 360 videos, Sony PSVR2 360 videos, and Meta Quest 360 videos.
# 360 Product Video
360 product videos are used by brands and retailers to promote their products in the digital space. It has become a popular method for enhancing visual communication with customers. Unlike 360 product photography, which provides interaction with viewers through mouse clicks and drags, 360 product videos are more optimal for some sales and social platforms. Moreover, 360 product videos require less time to record.
Common 360-degree product videos are for physical products whose physical shapes are cared for by customers like jewelry, clothes, sunglasses, electronics, furniture, food, cars…
Watch an example of a 360-degree product video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaFkV8fLIn4
# 360 Video Animation
360 video animation involves 3D animation, which can be used to create 360 VR environments as effectively as 360 videos can. Together with 360-degree animation, in terms of the virtual environment you can create, you are unlimited. 360 video animation is widely popular from interactive storytelling to wild tours.
Some examples of 3D animated 360 videos: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlH-IRPZQOY6Jj8k-g4Epq-fXnbJmJGhR
# Scenario-Based 360 Video
Common written scenarios lack contextual details and they rarely grasp the more emotional and visceral aspects of the real world. Besides, the written scenarios are unlikely to realistically incorporate crucial nuances of social experience and to exactly reflect the complex reality of real-life decision-making situations.
Compared with traditional written scenarios, scenario-based 360 videos provide a more immersive experience. With them, viewers can just feel themselves in the required environment and expose their real motions.
About The Author
Position: Columnist
Helen enjoys the process of turning video clips and photos about herself into beautiful videos. Then, she will share the videos on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, etc. The most exciting thing is to see the increasing number of views of her videos. Helen is willing to share her ideas about making wonderful videos from scratch. Thus, she writes articles for MiniTool Technology.