Live 360-degree Broadcasts Could Be Coming To YouTube

However, the company is trying to set up specifications along with the camera manufacturers enabling people to stream live 360 degrees videos from their 360-degree cameras just as they do with their regular cameras.

YouTube is developing the capability to livestream 360-degree video on its platform, BuzzFeed News reports exclusively.

For Google, live 360-degree video seemingly is the next frontier.

Google is doubling down on VR content and has also hired a VR Evangelist.

In March 2015 it launched 360 videos and in June it added support for Google Cardboard, which is cost effective VR device for smartphones allowing users to get immersed in 360-degree videos.

360-degree video is created by “stitching” together the video from multiple cameras, which is usually done after the video has been taken. But for that dedicated hardware is needed which is expensive. The popular video-sharing platform already features some immersive 36-degree imagery that you can experience by checking out some of Google’s virtual tours. In its report, BuzzFeed embedded a 360-degree video shot at Tomorrowland; live footage from the EDM festival would give viewers a chance to feel as if they’re actually there.

Certain cameras, such as GoPro’s Odyssey can stitch together the video in real-time, but the camera was developed in partnership with Google, meaning YouTube knows the exact specifications.

At the moment, only a select number of 360-degree cameras are capable of that feat, and the video they do output is low quality and designed for the operator’s benefit. Considering YouTube’s scale camera manufacturers are likely to be agreeable.