Immersive Video

As processor power increases while prices fall, and as advancements in bandwidth and connectivity improve, the quality and speed of video on the Web is always increasing. We’ve already seen larger dimensions of video being used throughout the Web in recent months, as well as better quality and the introduction of high(er) definition videos on popular sites such as YouTube.com.

Out With the Old, In With the New

But what’s fascinating as far as how video is distributed and how it can be interacted with, is the direction it now appears to be going. Video is no longer one dimensional. Instead, it is becoming three dimensional.

Just like Google Maps Street View allows users to interact with a static, three-dimensional view of a street or map location, a type of video is now appearing allowing users to change the view and direction of the camera in a video. And by changing the view, we’re not talking a few movements left and right. We’re talking about full, zoomable, 360 degree multi-directional camera angles.

360 Degree Video

Need convincing this is possible? Take a look at examples below from immersivemedia.com, click the play button and then drag the video in 360 degrees to pan around the viewport.

Crystal Ball

What does this hold for the future? Well it will only be a matter of time before we start seeing entire Hollywood movies shot this way. This would allow the viewer to interact and direct their own movie by choosing to view any actor they wish in a scene for example, and not just the way a director intended a movie to be shot. Just as the current movement on the Web is about customization and personalization, some video and movie makers may also allow customizable video by allowing the viewer to virtually direct his or her own movie cut.

Limitless Potential?

As for other potential uses, how about watching a video of a rock band and being able to move the camera angle to your favorite band member or musician? Or following your favorite sports star on a team and being able to rotate a camera around each and every move (s)he makes? Or perhaps using immersive video for training and educational videos, such as teaching doctors and surgeons how to operate on internal organs?

Where to Draw the Line?

As scary as it seems, it also seems plausible that one day, it might be possible to view live video of anywhere in the world (via satellite technology), and be able to pan around live video just like in the immersive media video previews above. Think about Google Street View but with realtime video. A scary thought indeed, but moral issues aside, it certainly seems technically possible. Especially for those who think that Big Brother are already watching us.

Do you think immersive, three-dimensional video will take off and become mainstream? Can you think of any other cool or useful ways this technology could be used? Share your thoughts in the comments!