VLC media player features 360-degree video on Windows and Mac

VLC media player features 360-degree video on Windows and Mac

VLC media player adds support for 360-degree videos, images using giroptic technology

VLC, the world’s most versatile open source media player, has added support for 360-degree videos via their preview program. VideoLAN — the makers of VLC — released the technical preview labelled as VLC 360 for the upcoming version 3.0 of VLC on Saturday.

To develop the functionality, VLC’s development team worked with 360-degree camera maker Giroptic. The full version of the feature, which allows Windows and Mac users to view 360-degree photos and videos, as well as panoramic photos, is expected to arrive as part of the VLC 3.0 update at the end of the month. It also supports the spherical display mode, which is another step toward full VR capability.

As always, the software is open source and the new features can be controlled using the mouse and keyboard.

Currently, the VLC 360 is available only for Windows (7 upward) and Mac OS X (10.10 upward). The organization plans to release VLC 360 functionality for all platforms including Android, iOS and Xbox One, as soon as it is rolled out.

“Mobile versions will use the phone sensors to navigate inside the videos,” notes on the technical preview website said.

But if you can’t wait to try out the panoramic playbacks, you can get the Windows build here and the mac OS build here. Be warned, though, that technical previews are often buggy.

The folks at VideoLAN added: “VLC will probably support VR headsets like Vive, Daydream, Oculus or OSVR, in 2017. VLC will also get 3D audio playback, including head tracking headphones. We’ll keep you posted.”

VLC thanked Giroptic, saying: “This project wouldn’t have been possible without the help of Giroptic, who has provided samples, cameras, code and expertise on those features.”

“We are very proud to contribute our expertise in 360° to this open source player. This will allow the millions of VLC users to take full advantage of a promising new technology and be widely involved in its democratization,” Richard Ollier, co-founder and CEO of Giroptic, said.

The final release of version 3.0 of VLC is expected on November 30, 2016.

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