Announced last year, YouTube’s 360-degree videos are one of the easiest source of content for VR headsets, like Cardboard. Today, Google is announcing support for live 360-degree video streaming, as well as support for spatial audio.
Google has long livestreamed Coachella, but select performances this weekend will be the first to be livestreamed in 360-degree video. YouTube has the end goal of making once limited experiences “available to anyone, anywhere, at any time” in as immersive a format as possible.
To accomplish the feat, Google has been working with companies like VideoStitch and Two Big Ears to make their software compatible with 360-degree livestreams and spatial audio on YouTube. In its blog post, Google says more companies will be announcing support soon. In addition, all YouTube Space locations around the world will soon have gear to shoot live in 360-degree and with spatial audio.
Starting today, all videos on YouTube will gain support for spatial audio. Announced earlier this year for Cardboard, spatial audio allows people to pinpoint exactly where audio is coming from. Listeners will be able to discern more than just whether a noise is coming from the left or right, but if it’s coming from the front or rear. This “360-degree” audio is particularly used in VR to create a fully immersive experience.
To demo immersive video with spatial audio, Google has put out a playlist of videos. Google recommends wearing headphones and listening on an Android device for the best experience.
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