YouTube live streams 360-degree virtual reality video with 3D sound
YouTube has upped the ante in video streaming after live streaming a 360-degree video in virtual reality complete with 3D sound.
California’s Coachella festival was the subject of the hi-tech trial which allowed music fans who were stuck at home to experience the spectacle for themselves from the comfort of their armchair.
Adding to the realism Google added ‘spatial audio’ to the mix in an effort to further fool the brain into believing it was present at the show by audio cues from different distances and directions to the viewer.
When viewed on a laptop 360-degree videos can be manipulated by a mouse to adjust perspective on the fly but when coupled with a smartphone or VR headset the experience becomes far more immersive
YouTube executive Neal Mohan, wrote in a blog: “From musicians to athletes to brands, creators have done some incredible things with this technology. Now they'll be able to do even more to bring fans directly into their world, with 360-degree live-streaming."
Google’s VR foray comes amidst a growing mania for the technology with Oculus Rift and HTC Vive releasing their long awaited consumer ready headsets.