VLC Pushes Boundaries: Introduces 360-Degree Video Support

If you’ve ever delved into the world of digital media, then you’ve likely come across VLC – a versatile application that revolutionized video watching with its ability to play nearly every video format imaginable. But this software isn’t just a mere video player; it’s also equipped with features that enable streaming of internet-based videos and even handy tools for video creation. Now, it’s pushing the boundaries further with the introduction of a feature that is set to bring an immersive viewing experience to users – 360-degree video support.

Recently, VideoLAN, the company behind VLC, has unveiled a glimpse of the future with a preview of this innovative feature. The preview showcases how the application can effortlessly handle and play 360-degree videos in an immersive, interactive manner. VLC users need only to wait for the release of VLC 3.0 by month end to get a hands-on experience on this exclusive feature, with versions available for both Windows and Mac.

VideoLAN did not venture into this endeavor alone. Leveraging upon synergies, the company has partnered with Giroptic, a company renowned for its prowess in 360-degree imaging technology, to develop the 360-degree view system. Richard Ollier, co-founder and CEO of Giroptic, expressed immense pride in bringing their 360-degree expertise to one of the world’s most widely-used video players.

This advancement not only empowers millions of VLC users with an engagement with cutting-edge technology, but it also propels the democratization of this promising new technology. This feature adds another dimension to your watching experience by giving you control over the point of view using your mouse and keyboard. This lets you freely explore photos, videos, and panoramas in a 360-degree viewing environment from your desktop.

But the innovation doesn’t end there. This feature will also be rolled out for VLC’s mobile apps, extending the immersive, panoramic viewing experience beyond the desktop. In the pipeline for 2017, is a 360-degree audio support as well as compatibility with VR headsets, like the Oculus Rift, Google’s Daydream, and HTC Vive.

With these developments, VLC doesn’t just remain a video player but transforms into a dynamic, immersive VR player. This signifies just the beginning of an exciting new era, with promise of more advanced tools to be unveiled in the future, courtesy of their productive partnership with Giroptic.