Skip to main content

Live-stream 360 video for 24 hours? The new Ricoh R could make it possible

Ricoh, the company behind the camera line being called the iPod of 360 shooters is now working on a live-streaming camera. During the Consumer Electronics Show on Wednesday, the company announced the Ricoh R Development Kit, a 360-degree camera capable of live streaming for up to 24 hours (plugged into an outlet of course).

As a development kit, the R is currently expected to launch sometime during the second quarter of 2017 only to developers looking to incorporate the camera into their product or business.

Related Videos

Like earlier Ricoh Theta cameras, the 360 device uses two lenses and real-time stitching software to shoot immersive videos. Still wrapped in a small body that doesn’t look much like a traditional camera, the Ricoh R is expected to offer live-stream capabilities with a simple setup, unlike the Ricoh Theta S that requires a USB connection to use the feature. The R can use either USB or HDMI connections for the feature.

Ricoh is releasing the source code with the camera, which will allow third-party developers to design software to control the camera through a connected computer.

With an internet connection and a power outlet, the camera can shoot stitch and broadcast continuously for up to 24 hours, or record to an SD card. The camera shoots 2K video stretched around a 360 perspective at a 30 fps frame rate.

The Developer’s Kit launch means the camera likely won’t be available to consumers anytime soon — and live-streaming in 360 degrees is still a young concept. While the other Theta cameras are popular among everyday users, the potential for live-streaming in 360 for 24 hours is less of a consumer perk and more of a business or broadcast one.

During CES, Ricoh representatives told us that the camera could technically operate longer than 24 hours, but as of now, one day is the official spec. The Ricoh R looks similar in shape to the Theta S, however, the prototype has an aluminum body and while it essentially uses similar components, it uses a different circuit board. Ricoh was live-streaming successfully from the Ricoh R booth to YouTube, which users could manipulate the 360-degree onscreen view.

While the Ricoh R won’t be widely available yet, the company used the new concept camera to live-stream from the CES show floor. A price and exact release date have not been released.

Editors' Recommendations

Welcome to London: Airbnb is using Twitter live 360 video to showcase travel spots
twitter 360 live video launch buys periscope

Airbnb is one of the first brands to jump on Twitter’s recently launched live 360 video feature. The online accommodation marketplace is tapping its hosts and local insiders to showcase a selection of homes and experiences currently available to book as part of its recently launched “Trips” initiative.

On Friday, the company kicked off its broadcasts with a 360 live-stream of its “Cameroon Fusion” experience. The live clip saw Airbnb host Carnie host an at-home cooking class as she prepared a Cameroonian feast with the help of her guests.

Read more
This iPhone accessory aims to make live-streaming 360 video simple
giroptic io announced annecy novembre2016 vanessa andrieux 2911

Giroptic is aiming to turn iPhones into 360 shooters with a simple accessory and app -- announced today, the Giroptic iO is a 360 add-on camera for both the iPhone and iPad.

Unlike Giroptic's previous camera, the 360cam, the iO aims to pair the possibilities of a 360 camera with the connectivity of a smartphone -- including live-streaming -- by adding a dual-lens camera through the lightning port. The iO uses two f/1.8 lenses to capture a 360 view both horizontally and vertically. Videos are shot at a 1920 HD quality at 30 frames per second, while the JPEGs measure 3,840-pixels wide.

Read more
Next generation of Facebook Live will let you live-stream 360-degree video
facebook, facebook live

Facebook Live has absolutely taken off as a way to interact with friends and fans of your pages, and Facebook isn't slowing down in terms of its development. The company has just unveiled the next generation of Facebook Live, called Live 360, and as the name suggests, you'll now be able to broadcast content in 360 degrees.

The launch of the new Facebook Live, which is a collaboration with National Geographic, is set for 12 P.M. ET Tuesday. The publication will broadcast live from its Utah-based Mars Desert Research Station, where scientists have been living for the past 80 days in artificial habitats that are aimed at replicating life on Mars.

Read more