Watching videos has moved beyond the brilliance of 4K. Instead of going for bigger screens, it perhaps makes more sense to go small but immersive. 360° videos not only show high resolution but also offer an all-round view that provides a delightful experience.
With a headset from Oculus such as Quest or something more affordable like Sony PlayStation VR, it is easy to view amazing virtual reality videos and be transported to another world from your living room.
So slip on your headsets and let us introduce you to a whole new dimension of entertainment. The first four are VR 360 and the last 180.
BBC Earth: Total Solar Eclipse: 360 VR Video Seen From Space | Earth From Space
BBC Earth became famous with Blue Planet. If you have lost the child in you, watch this video that records the 2019 solar eclipse from space. In a word, it is transcendental.
If you cannot be an astronaut or buy a ticket on the Virgin Galactic flight in 2030, this is the next best alternative. Like all other 360 VR videos, you can find it for free on YouTube. Six minutes of sheer joy that is bound to be seen by you again and again.
CreatorUp: Sao Paulo in 360° VR
CreatorUp is a YouTube channel that has produced some of the top VR videos in the travel genre.
This travel piece lasts five minutes and takes you on a magical trip through Sao Paulo in Brazil. From the Museum of Art to the glitzy downtown, the video has been shot using GoPro Max and Qoocam, providing a crystal clear view of fantastic architecture.
CreatorUp manages to get stunning shots from a drone and innovative methods such as an invisible handheld selfie stick! They also have a tutorial playlist on their site that teaches you how to produce similar videos.
National Geographic: Iceland’s Glaciers – 360 | Into Water
Obviously, if BBC Earth is doing it, Nat Geo cannot be far behind. The seven-minute-long video will make you marvel at the cutting edge technology used in the production.
The narrative has Dr. M. Jackson travel through the Icelandic countryside. The rugged beauty of a landscape shaped over millennia by volcanoes and glaciers is captivating and keeps you glued to your headset.
With an unbelievable degree of immersive feel, you would believe that you are a part of the exploration team. This is the first installment of many VR videos on the same theme to be launched by Nat Geo.
National Institute of Standards and Technology: In the Eye of the Fire – 360° video
We have all seen forest fires burn out of control in Australia and brazil. But how does it appear to a firefighter who is in the eye of the firestorm?
NIST put together this video with the help of the New Jersey Forest Fire Service to help train firefighters from around the world.
How did they get inside the controlled burn forest fire? Through a specially designed water-cooled polycarbonate glass cage that housed the camera and photographer.
It is alarming to see the fire dance from tree to tree and approach. You will literally cringe as the flames whip up and pass by, and embers fly everywhere.
What’s Inside: What’s Inside the Washington Monument
The father-son duo shows you the most visited attractions in the US capital. Standing over 550 feet tall, the Washington Monument is one of the best-known tourist attractions on the East Coast after the Statue of Liberty.
The monument went through a three-year renovation and reopened in 2019 and dazzles the viewer with its magnificence.
This is one of the longest VR videos on YouTube and plays for almost 14 minutes in 5K splendor (only if you have a fast internet connection, of course).
The narration is splendid, and in a deep baritone, the guide describes how the magnificent obelisk was built to honor George Washington, the first US President who led the revolt against the British.
One of the best applications of VR in the coming days would be educational, and this really sets the benchmark high.
Last Words
All of these videos were added in 2019 and play in at least 4K, with most going up to 8K. Watching them is quite a welcome change from playing endless First Person Shooter games with dizzying monsters and learning more about the world we inhabit through VR.
