Show and Tell: Ricoh Theta 360 Degree Camera

[@CrazyDiamondAJ]

I love when we get to see the clutter of film stuff on the other side of the room. As a practicing filmmaker I can appreciate the tripod setup on apple boxes like a champ.

[@kael13]

Cool idea. And a nice shutter sound.

[@MakeSomething]

I've heard 360° video is coming to KZbin. Could be a cool investment!

[@str8todamoney]

Its here.

[@fluxalt]

str8todamoney and damn its so cool

[@CJBorCHARLES2]

Ethan L you goshdarn right

[@3DPrintingNerd]

It did come to KZbin! It's a lot of fun - WAIT A SEC, A reply 3 YEARS LATER!

[@ELPHITS]

This idea would be fantastic for vehicle/dashcam's. Being able to record full 360 from one point is great for insurance claims. Especially here in the UK where dash cam's are fairly new and insurance companies are still a little sceptical of them.

[@AceSeptre]

Something like this has huge law enforcement potential. Most squad cars have a single camera pointing forward, some might have a second facing the rear of the vehicle, but a small camera able to quickly and accurately take 360° panoramas would be great for video evidence for something like an officer pulling up to a busy scene, or a crime in progress.

[@RCmies]

Hope the next GoPro has something like this, imagine capturing something like a parachute jump, and then viewing it with a VR headset and you could look around the place. But I think we would also need the Y axel to be 360 degrees, so it should be a cube with a lense on 4 of the sides. Damn the future with VR and everything. The kids in the year 2025 or something are going to be having so many amazing gadgets we can't even think about at the moment.

[@Dadamlarson]

+wonderr the sp360 from kodak records 214 degrees of the Y asix & has a dual mount so you can stitch together the footage pretty easy from what I hear. The new 4K will have 235 degrees of the Y axis.

[@RCmies]

Adam Larson Yeah well now KZbin has 360 videos as well and there is the y axis now.

[@Dadamlarson]

Ah my apologies for not being clear. You can upload the videos super easy to KZbin but to upload full spherical you would have to stich the 2 hemisperical videos together in a MP4. I'm working with Kodak right now so full disclaimer that I am super in love with 360 technology and cannot wait to see where things go in a social VR sort of way. I hope iOS gets on board soon otherwise I'm gonna get a Android phone that has the cardboard option in KZbin.

[@RCmies]

Adam Larson Yeah I understand but when I wrote that comment there was no 360 videos on KZbin :D Good luck with your work :)

[@snower13]

Nicely done Norm.

[@BlobVanDam]

Once this gets cheaper and better, it could be a real asset. For now it seems a bit overpriced given that it's just making easier/quicker a task you could otherwise do with your existing equipment. I hope this continues to develop.

[@dbdevries]

What existing equipment do you currently use?

[@BlobVanDam]

Dalton DeVries I don't do it myself, but as Norm mentioned, smartphones have software to create ok panoramas, and there is stitching software on PCs to take a series of photos and create 360 degree VRs (although to be fair, those setups often involve multiple cameras with specialized lens which would cost a whole lot more, but it is also possible with a standard camera). The main point for me is that this doesn't currently have the resolution to be more than a toy, so $300 is a bit much. With a higher resolution, this would definitely be worth it though.

[@strugglingwithdeamon]

BlobVanDam my sentiments exactly. you'd actually come out with a better quality photo using your phone.

[@AndyAtHome]

Realtors need this. I'm tired of one photo of a room from the inside and one from the doorway. You can't get a very good sense off the room from two pictures like that.

[@PabloLaConecta]

VR combined with 360 video is surely going to be huge in the future.

[@MichaelRainabbaRichardson]

Check out vantage.tv Immersive video is here. 360 is still more tech-demo than production-ready, but 180 is production-ready (works with existing cameras and workflow) and for most events, is plenty to provide immersion. As more companies move towards making 360 capture easy, cheap and not bulky (Not 100k like Jaunt, not requiring a cart like LadyBug) while allowing for real-time THEN packing in standard formats like perhaps 4K, then 360 content will become more common-place. Right now, even if the cameras weren't a challenge, transmitting the video is because 4k is barely sufficient and few productions have the proper workflow and equipment to handle it meaning real-time isn't possible and the biggest use-case for 360 is real-time events. When a scenario is staged (not real-time), then 360 is nearly always overkill because the subject will be setup in the real-world for a real crowd and 180 is plenty.

[@daniel.pendzich]

This is pretty cool! Once this tech gets around 60 bucks I'll pick one up.

[@Jydmd]

Woah, the video mode is awesome.

[@Mcgrath2212]

you are pronouncing the name of the company wrong its 'Reek-oh" RICOH

[@tested]

***** you're right!

[@TimelapseMyGoPro]

+Mike Bellomo Yea, like the name Rico basically.

[@tylerschroeder3722]

I'm a sales rep for Ricoh and people pronounce it RYCOH all the time... I just got with it for the most part haha

[@DutchRC]

I'm pretty sure this would be a nice tool for lots of youtubers. To diversefy their footige :)

[@FIREDRAGON158]

Now to wait for virtual reality movies!

[@DavidPeveto]

I could see this being really interesting for on-ride, dark ride videos. Increase the video resolution/length of videos and putting ride reviews online would be really fun.

[@6reve]

Ricoh/Pentax is hugely underappreciated for their innovative and frankly outstanding cameras. Brands like Canon has been able to coast on their brand name alone for years now, but they're soundly getting beaten in almost all categories by their competitors. The only group of people still best served by Canon are press photographers who cares more about reliability and the frankly outstanding pro support that Canon provides than they care about image quality or innovation

[@SomePoorSap]

This is actually pretty interesting.

[@SteveSalstrand]

Diggin you Moto X 2014! Thanks for the review.

[@marisanojames4105]

Nice video. But the picture supposedly taken by the phone at the end of the clip isn't the same one that was displayed (as the camera is down on the table in the picture, but held aloft in the video). Instead it's the same picture that was displayed circa 1:35 in. Why did you do that?

[@LogicalStatements3]

great potential , it's quite amazing.

[@GutembergRochaSilveira]

This is very cool! I Need one this!!!

[@ernestmac13]

I like whatever camera(s) the use for Wii Street U and Wii Panorama View. While the prior uses photos, the later uses video, and neither has any of the fish eye lens distortion seen with cameras, like the one's your speaking about. It could be a matter of price or number of cameras used, I am going to try and find out what they used.

[@Tech4YourNeeds]

Similar to Google Photosphere is nothing new but I'm glad that is coming to more devices.

[@legham21]

VR movies would be Awesome!!!

[@CJBorCHARLES2]

they need to build things like this into phones ASAP for youtube 360 degree video! just imagine instant photospheres and 360 video with your phone

[@EliteC64]

Been enjoying stereoscopic 3D on my phone with Google cardboard for a little while now. Currently beta testing an app soon to hit play store to view 3D 360 photos called stereospheres by Chris Dickinson, Well worth keeping a fisheye out for :D

[@31518525corey]

Imagine replacing dash cams with this. If you got in a crash, you could see what was going on all round you right before.

[@iamnotapoet]

Thanks for the review. What do you thing of the newer Theta S? Sweetie & I have been Bed Vlogging for 7 years. But the Ricoh Theta S 360 camera has us out of bed creating a series of Pilots for new Network shows [NOT]. Look for “Soup 360 w/ Zork & Sweetie" and other such things on our channel. We LOVE the Ricoh Theta S? BUT we DESPERATELY need Ricoh to send us a 4K version of this FANTASTICALLY FUN camera! It’s only downside is it’s completely crappy NON 4K resolution that makes these 360 degree videos VHS 240p equivalent. A 4K version would be more like a 720p or 1080p equivalent. -- Eric ZORK Alan & Sweetie [Professional Poets & BedVloggers]

[@kakasanti]

Can you mixed regular footage with "360" ones in one single video and would KZbin interpret them accordingly after uploading.

[@thishandleisntavailable1]

This would be amazing as a dash cam for bicycles.

[@purpleAiPEy]

This is what devs were talking about at the crescent moon demo... Sports in VR!

[@joselonet]

hey good video,what camera do you use to record your videos?

[@MitchGurowitz]

Quad mountable? Do you recommend it (other than the price)?

[@TheSneezingMonkey]

These cams will get cheaper soon....and it's a really nice gadget! I want one...in 2 years from now! :)

[@Matthewjohnwilson]

Its a great idea and the product is nice and pocket sized but way to exp for the image quality that you get in my opinion.

[@Druwar]

So if you turn off the wifi, how long does the battery last taking pictures?

[@Mister_Eiffel]

Future. My only problem with this is; I want to see the whole thing at once :/

[@Average_Libtard]

you want to see the whole 360 degree picture at once?

[@Mister_Eiffel]

john papple Yea. Like, 360 degree picture is just a fancy term for panorama. you still look at 1 portion from an angle. I want a picture you can look from one angle, that picture is 360 degree field of view

[@itsciwi]

Francis Lafontaine. É. I mean... you can do that. I just doesn't look particularly good. I don't know about the Ricoh but the photosynth app (360 degree stitching) saves as a normal flat photo. It's the software that interprets and stretches that photo to create the 360 degree view in software.

[@Average_Libtard]

Francis Lafontaine. É. I disagree with that because I imagine seeing a 360 degree picture, laid out to be one flat picture, but it won't seem like a 360 degree picture because of how you perceive it. If you mean dragging the picture around to see other parts is a pain (kind of like google street view or something) I can see what you mean, but I just think laying out a 360 degree image in traditional format kind of defeats the purpose.

[@Mister_Eiffel]

john papple Okay, bear with me. imagine the information of the 360 picture as a sphere around the recording device. Now imagine that sphere kinda being split at the top like an orange. All of a sudden, your 3D sphere turns in what's almost a 2D disc with the recording device at the center, the "field of view" wrapped like a ring in the middle and the sky and upper field as an outer ring.

[@0009LUIS]

Hey Norm, do you know about any 360 degree camera that actually can provide me a high/full resolution video? Thanx for sharing!

[@hanvyj2]

Great for capturing reflect maps for cgi effects on a shoot

[@andylopez1754]

Definitely getting this;D

[@user-zp5vt1tu6b]

I could see technology like this being used to make very immersive and scary horror movies for the Oculus rift style headsets

[@Cade_The_Squirrel]

this would make for a badass FMV based lightgun game! :D

[@matiasg19]

that's great! I would buy one if the res would be better.

[@sjdjjq]

This tech would be perfect as a dashcam on top of your car, saving money on multiple camera's front and back.

[@AnthonyGugliotta]

I'll stick with my nodal ninja.

[@annieharada]

to show my paris-loft in 360 d is good to let people understand spaces and also around my living place in Richard Lenoir - Oberkampf near Marais Bastille - Yes, win time and help for choice

[@IceInMaWeiner]

Awesome oculous rift potential.

[@Lightlydock]

Right now the resolution seems kinda low for regular use. But i can see some applications when it improves.

[@caballeroPL]

There seems to be a difference in exposure between the two cameras. Why?

[@whytofly7084]

Can you watch the captured Video on the Oculus Rift?

[@burns2142]

would be great idea as a action camera

[@suzangray6483]

Hi, is this camera compatible with ROS ? I want to communicate this camera with 2d laser scanner on ROS platform

[@Uterr]

what a cool stuff! =3

[@theneverwas2835]

this will be great for 3D artists if higher quality

[@oO_ox_O]

For VR this should to be combined with a depth sensor (ToF or similar).

[@Granite]

They could be vehicle cameras if they were tweaked. Using them on police cars, your car etc..

[@grgharrison9]

What phone is norm holding?

[@kellobello7822]

Future phones will have this as standard. Equal strength front and back facing cameras with the stitching done internally. These gadgets will also eventually become obselete.

[@SuperPizzaManZ]

Why only 3 minutes? Does it overheat?

[@Kainkun]

that would be perfect for making hdris

[@Emariess]

those would be perfect for doing CGI, realistic reflections/lighting maps for any object you're trying to comp into an image.video.

[@BaineWolf]

better dash cams, better security cams, I can see it going somewhere.

[@Landrew0]

I think you need at least 3 cameras for a proper 360 panorama.

[@sanzoTravels]

I want a better version of this now!

[@Ctrl-h]

theta vr video? but see EVERYTHING?

[@karlisstigis]

This could be great tool for HDRI capturing..

[@Cyboar]

VR headset streaming?

[@ricande]

But is it oculus supported?

[@insertyoutubehandlenamehere]

@0:35 "If I flip it around, there's actually two fish-eye lenses..." So it has 3 total? Where is the second on the back? LOL

[@unknown-zh5cb]

wish you guys would post links

[@DDeFFacto]

They've been selling these here in Japan for a while, and while the concept is interesting, they're just.Too.Expensive. They were selling them for 15000 yen(126 US dollars) at our collage for a while, and they couldn't sell even one. I'd rather save up and buy a ball type 360 camera like a panono.

[@blackrobe1651]

This reminds me of the Flip Camera, but for 360 degrees. It will soon be replaced.

[@kellobello7822]

The video quality from the samples I've seen elsewhere looks really bad. I'm glad companies are going down this route as vr is amazing. However they need to up the detail.

[@YouTubeAutoRepair]

Would like to check this one out

[@BurkeLCH]

I plan on doing a motorcycle ride around South America. I'd like to have a 360 camera streaming for VR users. If anyone knows tech I should look into, let me know. I'm thinking about getting a Kodak SP360 to play with.

[@asifhussain6298]

Romanatwood

[@StormSilvawalker]

Fpv drone with 360* view!

[@dacasman]

damn, I had this idea a few years ago Dx

[@rymo51]

Is it "Rhy-coh" or "Ree-coh". Isn't Ricoh an old photocopier brand?

[@TheRealSmithFamily]

300 bucks for something that takes ho-humm photo's and video in the round? Sorry, I can't get on board with it. Good review though Norm!

[@bobshitzens7214]

People who need 3D environment lighting rejoice!

[@timh8273]

It's like google street view for anyone! You can actual take photos like google done for street view!

[@JulianFortune]

perfect for oculus

[@msben64]

video camera record only 3 minutes? wow

[@ddnn3]

I believe REE-KOH is the correct pronunciation.

[@eLJaybud]

Fine. Now build it into a phone so I don't have to bother with another device!

[@VanSanProductions]

you can see how messy the room is out of the shot. haha.

[@jamble7k]

portable google street view of your own

[@MuhammadZaki-el3lv]

jamble7k

[@koskenkorva123]

360 Selfie

[@ronaldnethery8448]

If you go to Swiftyirl, he posted a video that you can actually see everything 360 style by just moving your finger across the screen

[@genrev205]

Could make surveillance cameras a little more interesting...

[@tangerinealarm]

Kinda looks like Sony's Bloggie cameras from many years ago. This looks like an interesting idea. The image quality is awful for the price. Maybe once it hits the fourth or fifth generation it might be good. But for now I'm not sure even experimental film makers will find it useful.

[@_zproxy]

haha. they should market it as neuralizer.

[@MrNeoncactus]

Did he just call a sun roof a moon roof?

[@engineeredlifeform]

If you stick your butt through it, it's a moon roof.

[@IAmJSquared]

A moonroof is a glass panel, a sunroof a metal panel. ~ the more you know.

[@judoandskater]

Moon roof ???? not a sun roof????

[@sytran666]

Moonroof is a glass panel with a sliding cover to let light in. moonroof also slides back like a sunroof for an open air feel.

[@Lap-Deer]

Neat

[@eoin483]

first wooooo straight outta Boston MA

[@buffoonustroglodytus4688]

Fail you're not first.

[@AntoineLeGrand610]

Sir Gus the Mighty he is, I don't see any comment older than his. This is an incredible achievement and I truly admire his philosophy that being the first to post a comment is better than being the first to post a great comment.

[@eoin483]

ya

[@ReadyWhenYouAre]

At 2:04 moon roof?

[@brianalmeroth7338]

It's THEETA