YouTube is one of the many online services that allow users to stream virtual reality videos. However, since they can be pretty big, a compromise often has to be made on quality to ensure that these large videos can be streamed properly. However, Google wants to make sure that the compromise doesn’t have to be made for a very long time. It has been working on improve YouTube VR video quality and has now introduced a new projection technique which will improve the level of detail for VR videos. This is actually a joint effort between YouTube and Daydream.
Virtual reality videos require a large number of pixels per video frame to provide that immersive experience. Ideally, the streaming service would match human visual acuity of 60 pixels per degree of immersive content to provide an amazing experience but there are limitations in the form of user internet speed and device compatibility.
One way out of this issue is the use of better projection methods. What this new projection method does, basically, is that it distributes an equal number of pixels across all angle changes whereas conventional projection methods only deliver pictures that are sharp in certain areas.
Even though the sharpness may not be evident in certain areas there will be no evident weak points in the VR video. Currently, this new projection method is only supported on Android devices but Google does say that it’s going to enable it for iOS and desktop viewing soon as well.
Filed in . Read more about Google, Virtual Reality (VR) and YouTube. Source: youtube-eng.googleblog