GoPro, Inc has announced their insanely awesomely awesome Odyssey, a 16-camera rig designed for Google’s 3D, 360° virtual reality platform. The Odyssey will be available in limited numbers and doesn’t come cheap at US$15,000.
Professional content creators and producers can apply to participate in Jump, through the Odyssey Limited Access Program (LAP) and purchase an Odyssey rig for delivery later this year.
First announced at Google’s annual developer conference, Google I/O, Odyssey offers a 360° camera array for stereoscopic 3D content capture. Features such as genlock camera synchronisation, multi-camera control and extended battery life aim to eliminate challenges faced by content creators at the forefront of immersive content capture. Together, GoPro’s Odyssey and Google’s Jump platform will make it possible for anyone to experience a time or place like they’re actually there – through immersive, 3D, 360° content.
The big price tag may seem exorbitant, however it is important to remember it includes:
• 16 HERO4 Black cameras, fully loaded with custom firmware
• 16 array bacpacs with syncing cables
• Custom-‐built ultra-‐rugged Pelican case
• Microphone
• Warranty
• Support
YouTube will be adding support for VR video playback soon. In the mean time, you can get a glimpse of the possibilities of Odyssey and Jump by watching this 360° video featuring the best of New York City.
