Fall seems to be the season of 360. Another consumer 360 camera is set to hit the market this November, the Vuze Camera from HumanEyes.
The Vuze Camera offers point-and-shoot simplicity, automatic stitching, and claims to be the only consumer-level 360 camera that can shoot 3D stereoscopic video, which makes this an ideal camera for amateurs, as well as fast-paced news crews and scene-setting 360 videos.
It’s equipped with eight full HD cameras, each with 120-degree horizontal and 180-degree vertical fields of view, which together offer 4K resolution at 30 fps. What makes it possible for this pocket-sized camera to shoot in 3D is the location of each camera.
“There are two cameras on each side, so it captures the whole sphere twice—one for your right eye and one for your left eye—so it simulates human vision, how we see things and feel depth,” said VP Products and Marketing Rutha Aronson. Although the camera can be controlled remotely from your phone using the Vuze app, there is currently no live review option.
The camera is also equipped with four microphones, one on each corner of the device, but HumanEyes is working on a spatial audio solution.
“When you move, you can hear and feel what’s behind you and what’s in front of you, so you can feel the 3D aspect of audio as well,” Aronson said. “It’s really the most immersive way you can transform the capture.” Aronson said the company expects to be releasing those capabilities to customers in the spring of 2017.
Stitching is done automatically in the camera’s accompanying software, Vuze Studio.
“What was really important to us was to make it very simple,” Aronson said. “So, all you need to do is connect our camera and Vuze Studio pops up automatically.” Then, import your video and Vuze Studio will stitch it automatically.
Although you can’t edit stitch lines in Vuze Studio, per se, you can choose whether to stitch based on objects in the foreground or the background.
Since the camera setup doesn’t capture directly above or below the camera, Vuze Studio closes the gap at the top by cloning the surrounding area and allows you to add an image or logo to cover the gap beneath the camera. You can also set the first frame and add titles. Videos are exported in standard MP4 format for use in any other professional video editing software.
In addition to the camera, app and Vuze Studio software, every camera also comes with a convertible tabletop tripod/selfie stick and a VR headset from Homido.
The Vuze is currently available for pre-order for $800 or 900€ and shipping will begin in November.
For more information, visit the Vuze Camera website.
