HMD As Monitor: Immersive Media's IM360 VR Toolkit Enhances VR Filmmaking Workflow

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Filming video in VR creates new problems that were never an issue in traditional film. For example, directors and film crews must be in a separate room to film 360-degree scenes, or else production staff would be in the shot. The IM360 Virtual Reality Toolkit has been designed to enable directors and film crews to view virtual reality scenes in real-time through a VR HMD.

The IM360 VR Toolkit simultaneously displays the content being filmed to a "video village" comprised of large screen monitors, as well as a VR HMD. The director can view the scene being filmed with the headset on and, in real-time, preview the scene in VR, while the rest of the crew can watch on the monitors.

"We're proud to debut this innovation and streamline the creation of bold new immersive content," said Ryan Whitehead, of IM360. "Our Toolkit is operated by a virtual reality technician and mirrors the traditional pipeline to simplify the VR production process, open lines of communication and help to ensure sets run smooth and the team can realize their creative vision."

Immersive Media said this system not only lets the director view the shot while it's happening, it lets them playback scenes, and even output the desired content directly to the editors. The company said that video is recorded in both RAW and 4.4.2 Pro Res files. The director and other crew members can access a 4K-quality VR stream of the action.

Immersive Media said that captured and edited content can be viewed using IM360, as well. It is not limited to live streaming. The company said this system can save time and money by increasing the efficiency of VR video production.

The first use of the IM360 VRT will take place this Sunday, August 30. MTV has partnered with Immersive Media to broadcast the VMA's red carpet experience in virtual reality. MTV stated that it believes in VR and doesn't consider it a passing craze or parlor trick. The company is excited to embrace the new technology and believes that IM360 VRT will enable the company to make better use of VR in live broadcasts.

While not actually covering the event, IM360 will also be present at Virtual Reality Los Angeles (VRLA) on Saturday, August 29 at the LA Convention Center.

Follow Kevin Carbotte @pumcypuhoy. Follow us @tomshardware, on Facebook and on Google+.

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Kevin Carbotte

 Kevin Carbotte is a contributing writer for Tom's Hardware who primarily covers VR and AR hardware. He has been writing for us for more than four years. 

2 Comments Comment from the forums
  • Oldbutstillatit
    I wish I wasn't 45 or this had started half a century earlier than it did. I'm going to miss the really awesome stuff as I'll be dead when it finally happens but, I do like seeing it's beginings.

    I think I'll do a personal "time capsule" for future generations of my offspring detailing my personal experiences, feelings and thoughts during this time in history as it relates to the birth (I was there in the 70's & 80's too) of virtual reality. Maybe it's my age but, I'd love to read some of my ancestors experiences, thoughts and feelings when they first used a phone of had a photo taken. I did get to talk to my grandmother about her first time seeing an automobile. Great story for another time and place but, in all the chaos and excitement, it's important to capture the "human" element for future generations. If only to provide fodder for "One hundred years ago people thought we'd still be using our eyes for VR" articles on the Neural Net.
    Reply
  • kcarbotte
    I wish I wasn't 45 or this had started half a century earlier than it did. I'm going to miss the really awesome stuff as I'll be dead when it finally happens but, I do like seeing it's beginings.

    I think I'll do a personal "time capsule" for future generations of my offspring detailing my personal experiences, feelings and thoughts during this time in history as it relates to the birth (I was there in the 70's & 80's too) of virtual reality. Maybe it's my age but, I'd love to read some of my ancestors experiences, thoughts and feelings when they first used a phone of had a photo taken. I did get to talk to my grandmother about her first time seeing an automobile. Great story for another time and place but, in all the chaos and excitement, it's important to capture the "human" element for future generations. If only to provide fodder for "One hundred years ago people thought we'd still be using our eyes for VR" articles on the Neural Net.


    That's a really good idea! I've never thought of that before, but I really like that. I might just do it myself.
    Reply