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VRmustard
New Participant
April 25, 2015

4k 180 stereo

VR is new to me, but this technology is too exciting not to get into. I would like to create high quality, 180+ stereo, 4k videos with binaural sound. I've been searching around on my limited free time and believe you guys can be my biggest help. I've got a lot more to read and learn, but hoped you wouldn't mind if I jumped in with some questions and an introduction.

Firstly, are there any pre-built 4k 180 rigs? I see 360heroes, ricotheta, and a bunch of other not yet released 180-360 setups (like lucidcam), but haven't found any 180 stereo cameras.

Second, is my best bet to go with two GoPro Hero4 Black cameras, or are there are other small/suitable options I should look into? I want 4k and imagine the 24+ fps is also important. Other 4k cameras I see are all big DSLR style and don't think they'd be suitable for a natural IPD.

Of course, Hero4 doesn't have Dual Hero syncing available yet, but I need to create high quality 4k content and would love to find solutions. You'll like it.

The investment may multiple thousands, but it has to be quality so any help would be appreciated.. If anyone is in S.E. MI for hands on help, that's great too.

I'm excited to find the "My Gopro 3+ Black 180 degree stereo rig" thread as that should help as I've been jumping around so much from various sources just to scratch the surface of learning terms and setup needs.

Thanks!

    6 replies

    nosys70
    Up and Coming
    April 25, 2015
    the problem with 180 (or 360) camera and stereo is the incompatibility or the rigs for the two techniques.
    if you want 180, it means you will see the other camera in the field.
    if you want a relatively small IPD, it means you will hardly fit a 180 lens side to side into a small ipd.
    if you try to cheat using mirror, it is almost impossible to use mirror with wide angle lens.

    an inbetween solution is to use several pairs of cameras and stitch the result.
    for 180 deg, 34 pairs of cameras should be enough. the benefit of that is you can use low res camera, because the stitching give a higher resolution picture.
    but there is a drwback to stiching, it is slow, painful, and even properly done , still has some glitches.
    j1vvy
    Up and Coming
    April 26, 2015
    VRMustard,
    For best results you will want a sync cable, that mean GoPro H3+.
    If you are going to try and sync in post you will want faster shutter speeds. H4B can do 2.7k @ 60fps
    Sync will probably not be available for the Hero4. Hopefully they will fix their mistake with the Hero5.
    Two new Black Magic might be what you need.

    Two cameras capturing 180 in stereo is very popular with the porn industry that has joined the VR game.

    nosys70,
    There are many difficulties to overcome in shooting full spherical in 360 with a multicameras rig. To minimize seams need to use either fewer cameras or pack them close together as possible so lenses are touching. Capturing in stereo complicates things again because you need to maintain a L & R camera separation to capture stereo. My solution was to use overlapping pairs of images. I used 7 pairs but 6 would be possible with wider lenses. Samsung Project beyond did a simular thing with 8 overlapping pairs. http://photocreations.ca/3D/mobius_camera_rig.html
    Roaster
    Inspiring
    April 26, 2015
    This presentation is very informative as far as state of the art camera setups being done already.
    viewtopic.php?f=33&t=22474&p=264121&hilit=foundry#p264121
    They get into vr work at around the 3:30 point, and discuss the problems to be overcome.
    Personally I like using the hmd for stills and non-interactive content, ie reality. For vr you need a synthetic rendered world to move around in.
    i7-5820K @ 4.2Ghz, water cooled, Asus X99-Pro USB 3.1, 48 Gb DDR4 2400, Samsung 950 pro M.2 SSD, GTX 980 Ti SC, 750w psu
    mediavr
    Up and Coming
    April 26, 2015
    See viewtopic.php?f=33&t=5622&start=120 for my current workflow
    KieferVG
    New Participant
    July 5, 2015
    Hey jivvy,

    I've been trying to figure out a good work flow for 180 VR. Do you know how the guys you mentioned are shooting their stuff? Are they using go pros? If so what type of lenses should I get.

    Thanks in advance
    VROT
    New Participant
    April 27, 2016
    Hi VR mustard. Like you I am now trying to figure out the same rig. Did you find any pre built rigs?  I want to shoot POV 3d 180. The audience will become the actor while experiencing the situations they are facing.  It would be blacked out in the back. So have you managed to solve the rig for your purpose? 
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