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So, I'm starting a VR project that's going to need 180-degree (or thereabouts) stereoscopic video. Ready to spend money on cameras and actually get started. "

So, I'm starting a VR project that's going to need 180-degree (or thereabouts) stereoscopic video. Ready to spend money on cameras and actually get started. "Cool! This should be straightforward, everyone uses GoPro cameras for that, so a I'll need to buy two GoPros!" was my immediate thought. All ready to give GoPro my money. Oh, but they dropped stereo genlock after the 3+..... wait what?!?! VR filmmaking is one of those things that people are heavily experimenting with. Why would they purposely drop this segment when it's only just starting to pick up? This is a segment not filled by their ultra-expensive 360 rigs. So off to eBay I go. Hmmmm.... do I need a 3, a 3+, a 3+ Black? A 2? Is there a 2 Pro or something? Do I need the 3D kit or the dual-Hero kit? Does it even still work with the latest firmware? It's so confusing that even some people on eBay honestly weren't sure what they were selling. There are a few things that could fill this niche, all right now frustratingly in 'pre-order' or 'might be out the end of this year' state. Yet GoPro had this and they just.... dropped it. Too many different models in the past, just far too confusing. For the record, I've gone with used GoPro Hero 2s from eBay. Just waiting on the sync cable now. Will see how that works out :)

carbocation 10y ago
I think the Kodak Pixpro is purpose built for what you're describing, for what it's worth: https://store.mypixpro.com/?route=product/product&path=70&product_id=103 https://store.mypixpro.com/?route=product/product&path=70&pr...
- thrownblown 10y ago
  off topic, but isn't 3DR done?
  - georgemcbay 10y ago
    Not fully done, but they've "retreated" from the consumer drone space. Basically they got crushed by DJI (which was pretty predictable since the Phantom was already kind of the Bandaid/Google brand of consumer drones before 3DR went all-in with the Solo). 3DR still exists but is trying to pivot into some kind of "enterprise" mapping drone company.
bronson 10y ago
You think selecting one is confusing? Wait until you try to use it!
- BipolarElsa 10y ago
  Only so many clowns can buy a GoPro. Just another fad.
  - sctb 10y ago
    We've asked you already to stop, so we've banned this account.
ge96 10y ago
Not 180, but you could buy that $15,000.00 go pro camera set for 360 video haha Although I think truly immersive 360 video would require not only stereoscopic eg. Dual cameras per fov, but also that new camera technology that captures at multiple depths of field. Litho or something don't know what it's called. Then you can focus on different focal points of the video like up close or super faraway
- initram 10y ago
  You're thinking of the Lytro light field cameras. https://lytro.com/ https://lytro.com/
  - umeshunni 10y ago
    No - OP is probably thinking of this GoPro rig: https://www.engadget.com/2015/09/08/gopro-odyssey-rig-for-jump-vr/ https://www.engadget.com/2015/09/08/gopro-odyssey-rig-for-ju...
    - ge96 10y ago
      Both of them, the Lytro camera captures multiple depths of field. Combine that with stereoscopic 360 cameras so that $15,000.00 camera might as well make that at least $30,000 now with twice as many cameras. That's hard though, where does it focus? Screw that instead lets make a 360 phased array grid camera so we can rapidly capture everything Edit: actually the phased array crap I thew in there doesn't make sense, only of you're meeting an em wave not receiving.
mianos 10y ago
You want to look at the Xiaomi Yi 4k. They have an API for IOS and Android to do exactly this. https://www.facebook.com/groups/YIOpenAPI/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/YIOpenAPI/ Just say yes to excess: http://panotek360rigs.com/product/hydra360-xiaomi-yi-2-4k/ http://panotek360rigs.com/product/hydra360-xiaomi-yi-2-4k/ Also, on the FB forum, there are a bunch of experimental rigs and some apps.
kitanata 10y ago
If you're doing any sort of software development requiring cameras GoPro is definitely NOT the way to go. We use Point Grey for our camera equipment. Not only are the cameras very high quality, but their API is a developer's dream. Unlike GoPro's overreaching application process, $100, or $1k fee, and an extremely limited API/features, these guys practically shove as much documentation and libraries down your throat that they can. I fucking love Point Grey cameras. https://www.ptgrey.com/blackfly-usb3-vision-cameras https://www.ptgrey.com/blackfly-usb3-vision-cameras
- jimcsharp 10y ago
  Thank you for this. GoPros have been challenging and we're looking for alternatives for the next camera rig we build. One nice thing about GoPro cameras that I think I would miss with these is their built in WiFi. It's perfect for ad-hoc field laptop scenarios.
adilparvez 10y ago
Kind of related: 360 real time stitched video http://www.argondesign.com/products/argon360/ http://www.argondesign.com/products/argon360/

carbocation 10y ago

I think the Kodak Pixpro is purpose built for what you're describing, for what it's worth: https://store.mypixpro.com/?route=product/product&path=70&product_id=103 https://store.mypixpro.com/?route=product/product&path=70&pr...

thrownblown 10y ago
off topic, but isn't 3DR done?
- georgemcbay 10y ago
  Not fully done, but they've "retreated" from the consumer drone space. Basically they got crushed by DJI (which was pretty predictable since the Phantom was already kind of the Bandaid/Google brand of consumer drones before 3DR went all-in with the Solo). 3DR still exists but is trying to pivot into some kind of "enterprise" mapping drone company.

bronson 10y ago

You think selecting one is confusing? Wait until you try to use it!

BipolarElsa 10y ago
Only so many clowns can buy a GoPro. Just another fad.
- sctb 10y ago
  We've asked you already to stop, so we've banned this account.

ge96 10y ago

Not 180, but you could buy that $15,000.00 go pro camera set for 360 video haha Although I think truly immersive 360 video would require not only stereoscopic eg. Dual cameras per fov, but also that new camera technology that captures at multiple depths of field. Litho or something don't know what it's called. Then you can focus on different focal points of the video like up close or super faraway

initram 10y ago
You're thinking of the Lytro light field cameras. https://lytro.com/ https://lytro.com/
- umeshunni 10y ago
  No - OP is probably thinking of this GoPro rig: https://www.engadget.com/2015/09/08/gopro-odyssey-rig-for-jump-vr/ https://www.engadget.com/2015/09/08/gopro-odyssey-rig-for-ju...
  - ge96 10y ago
    Both of them, the Lytro camera captures multiple depths of field. Combine that with stereoscopic 360 cameras so that $15,000.00 camera might as well make that at least $30,000 now with twice as many cameras. That's hard though, where does it focus? Screw that instead lets make a 360 phased array grid camera so we can rapidly capture everything Edit: actually the phased array crap I thew in there doesn't make sense, only of you're meeting an em wave not receiving.

mianos 10y ago

You want to look at the Xiaomi Yi 4k. They have an API for IOS and Android to do exactly this. https://www.facebook.com/groups/YIOpenAPI/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/YIOpenAPI/ Just say yes to excess: http://panotek360rigs.com/product/hydra360-xiaomi-yi-2-4k/ http://panotek360rigs.com/product/hydra360-xiaomi-yi-2-4k/ Also, on the FB forum, there are a bunch of experimental rigs and some apps.

kitanata 10y ago

If you're doing any sort of software development requiring cameras GoPro is definitely NOT the way to go. We use Point Grey for our camera equipment. Not only are the cameras very high quality, but their API is a developer's dream. Unlike GoPro's overreaching application process, $100, or $1k fee, and an extremely limited API/features, these guys practically shove as much documentation and libraries down your throat that they can. I fucking love Point Grey cameras. https://www.ptgrey.com/blackfly-usb3-vision-cameras https://www.ptgrey.com/blackfly-usb3-vision-cameras

jimcsharp 10y ago
Thank you for this. GoPros have been challenging and we're looking for alternatives for the next camera rig we build. One nice thing about GoPro cameras that I think I would miss with these is their built in WiFi. It's perfect for ad-hoc field laptop scenarios.

adilparvez 10y ago

Kind of related: 360 real time stitched video http://www.argondesign.com/products/argon360/ http://www.argondesign.com/products/argon360/