Immersive and Interactive Video Solutions in Media and Entertainment
Now more than ever, media companies need to prepare for the new era of immersive content. Income generated from immersive platforms can potentially increase US media revenue by up to 20% by 2030. Media companies, especially those operating in the video streaming space, should prepare for this change and build up their capabilities to develop “lean-in” content, real-time operations, and nonlinear storytelling. In this article, we’ll delve into the most exciting types of immersive and interactive video solutions and explore how they can be applied in different spaces of media and entertainment.
Augmented Reality
Augmented reality (AR) is immersive, practical, and fun, making it a perfect tool currently used in the entertainment industry for live events, movies, and TV shows. Some augmented reality solutions are showing song lyrics during concerts, letting movie audiences choose camera angles, and making video games more realistic and immersive. With AR interactive video solutions, viewers can engage with content in real time and become a part of the story themselves.
The release of the new Apple Vision Pro and its absolutely impressive, immersive experience has made its own contribution to this growing trend, shaking the industry even further and creating a need for immersive video solutions. This mixed-reality headset introduced a new chapter in the convergence of many media and entertainment domains. For instance, with its high-definition visuals and computing power, the device promises to significantly impact the art space and change how artists, galleries, and museums engage with digital and immersive experiences. Besides, Apple has announced an upcoming feature that could potentially transform how fans and onlookers experience sports: an immersive video of the 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs, specifically designed for the Apple Vision Pro mixed reality headset.
This initiative marks a significant leap in sports broadcasting, offering an unparalleled level of immersion that allows viewers to feel every moment of the playoffs as if they were in the stadium.
Virtual Reality and 360-Degree Video
These immersive and interactive solutions have the potential to transform many sectors within the media industry. Sports and betting, filmmaking, gaming, and digital journalism are just some of them.
Sports and Betting
Virtual reality (VR) has already been applied to the live sports and betting industry, where users can place real-time bets through mobile devices at home or in-venue, watch a game from a player’s POV, instantly purchase merchandise, and share custom, real-time statistics with friends. These capabilities are absolutely flexible, allowing fans to pick and choose their desired capabilities according to their preference. Immersive sports will integrate digital channels to satisfy the fans’ needs, providing them with varied enhancements to live events.
Filmmaking and VR
Filmmakers can now create highly immersive experiences for audiences with VR solutions. It can be used for pre-production, like planning and choreography, in-production, for capturing 360-degree footage, and in post-production, for VFX and editing. VR helps filmmakers bring their vision to life with greater precision since it can test and refine their shots and concepts. Disney is already on top of the game with Disney Movies VR, which can now take users to red-carpet events and even an interview with the cast.
Gaming and Interaction
VR technology continues to revolutionize the gaming industry as well, providing gamers with an even more immersive and interactive experience. Previously unimaginable with traditional gaming, players can now enter virtual environments and interact with the seemingly realistic world. From adventure games and shooters to sports simulations and puzzles, VR creates enhanced accessibility, interactivity, and immersion while creating completely new forms of entertainment in a virtual setting. The adoption of 360-degree video technology for a more immersive viewing experience is evergrowing, particularly in areas like virtual tours and events.
360-Degree Music Video Streaming
360 VR technology is now also debuting in the entertainment sector, producing 360-degree music videos. Not only can it replace the traditional formats, but it’s also effective in easily allowing artists to adapt to this change. This technology is ideal for grabbing the viewer’s attention and keeping them entertained the entire time.
Live Events
Live events are also undergoing some beneficial changes with the help of 360-degree videos and their promotional capabilities. When arranging large events, interactive media is crucial since it helps lure in viewers and sparks interest in future events. 360-degree videos create a sense of presence and participation, making them so appealing to the viewer of, for example, a live broadcast of a music festival. They become a part of the audience and can interact virtually, which will likely make them want to create that experience by physically attending in the future as well.
Digital Media and Journalism
Storytelling is now completely different with VR technology. Viewers can now be immersed in any real-life or fictional event, creating a much deeper, personal experience. BBC News was on top of this trend with their release of “We Wait,” transporting the viewer into a refugee crisis. This style of documentary is truly transformative and more engaging than most traditional forms.
Essential Aspects for the Successful Incorporation of Immersive Video Solutions
Implementation of tech is good when it is done successfully. To implement immersive video solutions, some aspects must be considered. Selecting the appropriate platform and tools while also taking cross-platform compatibility into account is a must to ensure a quality experience for the user. Comfort cannot be ignored with such technology,
so incorporating methods to prevent motion sickness — like maintaining a high frame rate, providing a static reference point, or using teleportation for movement — is crucial. Ensuring customizable comfort settings is also essential since users’ comfort levels might differ significantly. Hence, some options, such as movement speed, the field of vision, or control schemes, should be adjustable. That being said, any stutters, lag, frame rate dips, or delays are unwelcome, so performance optimization is essential.
Final Thoughts, Conclusions
A new wave of immersive content has made its way through to the industry with the development of AR, VR, and 360-degree tech, and companies need to be prepared. Some basic but essential steps can help companies successfully implement digital video interactive technology like 360-degree or other interactive video technology.
Want to learn more about what DataArt can do in the world of immersive and interactive video solutions? Visit our video expertise page to delve into the video industry and explore our solutions.
Author: Max Kalmykov
Vice President of Media and Entertainment Practice at DataArt
Originally published on https://www.dataart.com/blog.
