Exciting news from HTC, Viveport Video now supports 6DOF images. For VR photographers shooting 360 stereo, depth information can be generated by taking the disparity of the two eyes, and generating a greyscale depth map. This map is usually combined with one eye for an over/under 6DOF compatible image. In reading the release it sounds like Viveport is generating the depth info for stereographic images in a similar manner, in addition they seem to be making a cube projection for 2D images as the release says the new viewer improves view of even 2D images.

I have been experimenting with 6DOF for a few months. One advantage in post production is that only one eye’s image needs to be edited for special effects like skin cleanup, tripod removal, object deletion and compositing. One disadvantage is that some stereo information is lost in the depth map. Very fine details that might look very three dimensional when viewing the original two eyes can be lost in the depth map conversion.

Quick Intro video for the NEW #6DoFLite video mode in @Viveport Video Player which turns ANY #existing 360 or 180-degree video into a #6DoF video you can move 1-2 meters in any direction. Supports all @htcvive devices & #ViveWAVE 6dof devices. Releases this week in update!