For the budding filmmakers in need of a 360-degree camera
Most creators have constructed Frankenstein-like devices with multiple GoPro’s to film in 360-degrees but that may change soon.
The camera company has announced the pricing for its Omni camera and now there’s a release date as well. On 17 August, GoPro will start selling it’s rig and ship out pre-orders.
For $5,000, you’ll get a bundle of six cameras, Kolor software, smart remote, cables, memory cards and more, with preorders open now. The rig alone costs $1,500.
To go along with the new kit, GoPro is launching GoPro VR, a channel for 360-degree and virtual reality videos. The platform will be available for users via iOS and Android apps to showcase curated GoPro VR videos and eventually user created content.
Finally, a wireless streaming tool called LiveVR was also revealed by GoPro.
Teased a year ago, then given a name in February, the GoPro Omni is the first official spherical camera rig straight from GoPro.
Unlike cameras in GoPro’s past, the Omni is aimed at the professional crowd and may be a tad more costly since it consists of six GoPro Black cameras. It isn’t as expensive as the $15,000 Google Jump VR rig but it isn’t cheap either.
Earlier this year saw a bevy of new 360-degree cameras including the LG 360 CAM and Samsung Gear 360, both smaller handheld devices, and the Gear 360 which is a follow up to Project Beyond – a larger camera for capturing VR. It may not be the production quality you’re looking for, but it may be what you can afford.
In comparison, there’s the Nokia OZO which is for Hollywood bigwigs and costs a stomach churning $60,000. Aside from the larger brands, plenty of other smaller names have also thrown their hats into the VR camera ring at much more economical price points.
With the release of consumer VR headsets Oculus Rift and HTC Vive, the demand for more VR content beyond games and quick experiences will start to increase so expect to see more content in the future, and even more VR tools for creators.
Source: Engadget