The power of 360 degree videos

A 360 degree video – or immersive video – is a stripped-down form of virtual reality: It offers a similar experience, but without additional hardware and it can be viewed on your smartphone.

Have you already thought about how you can use this? In this blog we explain why it is wise to think about 360 degree videos.

What is 360 degree video?

A 360 degree video is a video where the viewer can turn the camera while watching and look in all directions. This can be done by filming a specific scene from all directions simultaneously with a special camera.

Benefits and possibilities of 360 degree videos

360 degree videos bring a number of benefits:

Experience and interactivity

Compared to other forms of content, video is already a powerful tool for creating immersive experiences. 360 degree video takes this a step further. By watching a 360 degree video you immerse yourself in a (slightly) different world and you are director, protagonist and viewer at the same time.

This works best on a smartphone. By turning the phone you decide what you see. And if you use a cardboard, you will notice this even faster. Turn your head and the image immediately moves, the 3D display (with separate images for both eyes) further enhances that experience.

All this provides an increased level of experience. Situations start to feel real more quickly and that evokes emotions. This allows you as a viewer to empathize and remember the experiences you have while watching better. It is that combination of experience and learning that makes 360 degree video interesting, for companies, but also as an educational tool for education or corporate training.

New forms of storytelling

The basis of almost every form of video is a story. In 'normal' video you tell this in a linear form: the events take place in a logical order that is the same for everyone. With 360 degree video, the shape of the story changes from linear to non-linear. Multiple storylines are possible because the viewer determines the perspective and shapes the story themselves. And that can be different every time.

No hardware required

Unlike full Virtual Reality , the viewer does not need anything extra. You can watch a 360 degree video on almost any device or platform, which makes it more attractive for companies to invest in.

Applications of 360 degree video

There are many ways to use 360 ​​degree video. Well-known and less well-known. Useful and less useful. But in all cases, the increased experience and realistic images provide added value compared to regular video.

Experience

When 360 degree videos are part of video marketing campaigns, the emphasis is often on experience. In this way, viewers can be introduced to unique experiences that they would otherwise never be able to experience or visit places that appeal to the imagination.

Also consider virtual tours . Sometimes as simple as the 360 ​​degree tours that everyone knows from Funda, but sometimes as a way to introduce people to your office. Or to use for the onboarding of new employees or to visit a museum remotely.

Corporate training and educational applications

360 degree video has a number of didactic advantages compared to existing educational resources.

• Be unobtrusive : You can look around everywhere without being a disruptive presence.

• Visualizing difficult situations : You can virtually visit places that are normally difficult to reach and thus experience situations that are dangerous or expensive to imitate.

• Learning from experts : Watching while experts perform a certain action is very educational.

• Determine the perspective yourself : With a normal video the camera directs your view, but with 360 degree video someone determines the perspective themselves, and thus the learning experience.

• Repetition : The same learning situation can be viewed several times and each time from a different perspective.

• Learning is faster : The viewer remembers information better, which makes learning faster.

• Save time and money : A 360 degree video is financially interesting compared to other forms of training: you record a video once and then reuse it. You give training again and again and everyone must be present on location.

Concern

In addition to education, healthcare The most appealing applications in healthcare are 360 ​​degree images from the operating room to support the training of doctors and surgeons. Equally useful applications are videos that prepare people for treatment by explaining what patients can expect. Or videos that can be used to create understanding among loved ones by imitating the experience of someone going through life with dementia or, for example, psychosis. And 360 degree videos are useful in the treatment of an anxiety disorder, for example as part of exposure therapy in which people are slowly exposed to the source of the anxiety disorder or unpleasant memories.

Want to know more about 360 degree video?

Because 360 ​​degree video is a relatively new development, the possibilities are far from exhausted. So have you become interested in the possibilities or would you like to brainstorm? Then schedule a session with one of our specialists.