Google Partners with Xiaoyi to Launch YI Halo, a VR Camera That Shoots 8K 360-Degree Video
Image: Pexels
At last year's Google I/O conference, Google announced that its VR filming programme Jump would go into mass production of the Jump Odyssey, developed with GoPro, and would also work with Chinese manufacturer Xiaoyi (YI Technology) on a similar device. Almost a year later, this VR camera, named the YI Halo, has officially made its debut at the NAB Show in the US!
The YI Halo was created from Google's Jump VR filming programme, and its core appeal is that stunning virtual reality video can be shot "simply". Continuing the concept of the earlier programme, the camera has a rounded shape and combines as many as 17 Yi 4K cameras. That is one more than the GoPro Odyssey, and the extra camera sits on top of the rig, allowing it to capture the view from above as well.
As for the key image quality specifications, the YI Halo can shoot 360-degree video at up to 8K@30fps, the same as the GoPro Odyssey. At 5.7K resolution, however, the YI Halo's frame rate also rises to 60fps, which improves the smoothness of the video. Combined with Google's Jump software, all it takes is the touchscreen on the body, or even a mobile app, to easily produce stitched, high-quality VR video.
On other specifications, the YI Halo's built-in battery offers up to 100 minutes of runtime, and it has a built-in AC charging port so you can shoot while charging; it also supports third-party V-mount external batteries. Since 360 filming is still at an early stage, Xiaoyi also guarantees that the YI Halo will receive comprehensive firmware support in the future. Thanks to its strong integration, simply using the touchscreen is enough to update all 17 built-in cameras directly, which is quite remarkable.
The price of this monster-class VR camera has not yet been announced, but further news is expected at Google I/O 2017 in mid-May. Compared with Facebook, which only recently unveiled its high-end VR filming solution Surround 360 at the F8 conference, the virtual reality market looks set to be very lively this year!
http://www.ettoday.net/news/20170425/911131.htm
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