Category: Pixvana SPIN Studio

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Pixvana Officially Launches Cloud-Based VR Platform SPIN Studio

For those wishing to create and distribute virtual reality (VR) video content then Pixvana’s SPIN Studio might be just what you’re looking for. Today, the company has announced the official launch of its XR storytelling platform, alongside its new stitcher as part of SPIN Studio.

Pixvana SPIN Studio

Pixvana’s SPIN Studio is a cloud-based end-to-end platform for creating, editing, and distributing immersive video content.  Creators can build interactive story experiences using hands-on tools that work with natural gestures and actions from within the headset. They’ll also be able to expedite processes, from camera upload to image editing, stitching, and distribution.

Using an Oculus Rift for example, users can combine media into interactive stories using Oculus Touch in a WYSIWYG interface. While in VR they’ll be able to sequence linear stories from their VR playlist, connect scenes in branching timelines, add interactive hotspots to guide the user’s gaze, incorporate hotspot actions, add graphic overlays and logos, and more.

“We are bringing to market the first complete set of cloud-based VR tools, with the capability of creating and editing in a virtual environment, making it easier than ever to build immersive VR experiences,” said Forest Key, Co-Founder and CEO of Pixvana. “With this release, we’ve completely reimagined the way people create interactive stories, and made it possible for them to unlock the real potential of VR media. Both expert and novice creators can now make VR video experiences and engage with audiences in more powerful ways – enlivening events, presentations, classrooms, tours and more.”

Pixvana SPIN Studio

As part of SPIN Studio Pixvana has launched its new stitcher, allowing creators to turn multiple video files into a story. The software renders masters at 8K+ resolution in the cloud.

“8K is the future. With it comes incredible benefits, but the sheer volume of data still poses challenges,” said Jason Paul, general manager of Gaming Software and Virtual Reality at NVIDIA. “With NVIDIA’s VRWorks 360 SDK, the SPIN Studio solution for rendering 8K in the cloud simplifies the workflow, making 8K more accessible to many content creators.”

The complete end-to-end SPIN Studio feature set includes:

  • VR Video Upload – Get raw files into the cloud quickly using a camera-agnostic uploader tool.
  • Asset Organization – Easily manage VR video assets, including 2D and 360-degree photos and audio tracks from the cloud-based CMS.
  • VR Video Editing – Level horizons and tweak color for lifelike results, automatically or with quick manual adjustments.
  • VR Video Stitching – Stitch perfect XR masters in 8K+ resolution.
  • In-Headset Creation – Work directly in the headset to build immersive experiences, with interactivity; add graphics, pictures, hotspots, sounds, text and more.
  • VR Video Sharing – One-click VR casting capability for sending optimized videos to select headsets anywhere in the world, or for publishing to Steam or YouTube.
  • SPIN Play – The app that brings it all together, from in-headset creation to easy video sharing. When used in “creation mode”, running on the Oculus Rift, the app lets you move content easily in 3D and has the power to place media spatially with a flick of the wrist.

SPIN Studio is compatible with devices including Oculus Rift and Oculus Go, Samsung Gear VR, Google Daydream, and HTC Vive. Users can sign up for a free trial of SPIN Studio today. For further updates, keep reading VRFocus.

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Pixvana Open-Sources its VR Video Streaming SDK

Pixvana is a company focused on immersive media and XR storytelling by way of its SPIN Play platform. Today, it has  announced the open-sourcing of its software development kit (SDK) for third-parties to use. 

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Pixvana’s SPIN Play SDK is an Apache 2.0 open-source-licensed library which can facilitate the addition of high-quality VR video playback, dynamic controls, and cross-platform VR support for developers to plug into their Unity applications. Cloud-based CMS supports advanced data flows for media companies and users can upload from existing cloud storage and export to custom or public endpoints.

“Application builders needed a drag-and-drop solution to add 360-degree and 180-degree VR video to their Unity based applications for Virtual, Augmented, or Mixed Reality apps,” said Beverly Vessella, Product Manager at Pixvana in a statement. “By opening up our valuable, cloud-based VR plug-in to the community, we hope to accelerate the adoption and innovation of VR and AR applications.”

The SPIN Play platform includes features like Field of View Adaptive Streaming (FOVAS) and VR-native playback projections. One of the newest additions to its feature set is an overlay option uses an Oculus Compositor Layer to deliver high-quality 60fps video for fully immersive 360 degree with monoscopic content.

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As for examples of Pixvana’s technology in action, earlier this year CNN used the SPIN Play SDK to deliver the CNNVR App for Oculus, giving users access to breaking news and original stories produced in a 360-degree format. Using the Pixvana SDK, the app met “fast startup” requirements, immediately delivering content tuned for high quality within seconds of a viewer selecting any CNNVR video.

“Pixvana partnered with our development team to customize the content pipeline and enable our editors in New York to get the highest quality content into the CNNVR app as quickly and as seamlessly as possible,” said Jason Farkas, Vice President at CNN.

Download the SPIN Play SDK here, and for further updates from Pixvana, keep reading VRFocus.

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Pixvana Creates New VR Video Playback Technology for SPIN Play

Pixvana, the company behind the SPIN Play platform has announced the launch of its new “overlay” virtual reality (VR) video playback technology to improve visual quality.

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Now available on the updated SPIN Play platform, the new version uses an Oculus Compositor Layer to deliver high-quality 60fps video for fully immersive 360 degree with monoscopic content. The technique works by bypassing the typical rendering path, and instead sending pixels directly to the display, effectively ray-tracing through the lens.

This means creators and producers can now upload their own content to SPIN Studio and stream it to Oculus Go at the highest quality possible.

“For years we’ve been focused – and pushing – on increased playback quality to help move the industry and VR adoption forward. Finally, audiences can now view immersive content in the sharpest, highest quality by either streaming or downloading it to the Oculus Go,” said Mike Swanson, Senior Architect at Pixvana in a statement. “Similar to John Carmack’s newly re-released version of ‘Henry’, you really have to put a headset on and experience these improvements first-hand, in order to appreciate the sharpness of the higher resolution. We are excited about these types of innovations and collaborations that continually advance the industry, making VR experiences more and more life-like to the viewer.”

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“This is a true breakthrough in the VR industry,” Swanson continued. “It’s analogous to when consumer audiences were first introduced to high-definition television and the entire viewing experience shifted forward. We’re opening up this enhanced experience and making it more broadly available to creators and audiences everywhere.”

In the near future Pixvana will also offer the video playback technology across Oculus devices in stereo.

Last month saw Pixvana announce a collaboration with camera rental agency Radiant Images, so whenever a company hires equipment it’ll gain free access to the SPIN platform. For any further updates from Pixvana, keep reading VRFocus.

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Pixvana’s SPIN Studio Platform Available as Free Trial from Radiant Images

Pixvana’s SPIN Studio platform, a cloud-based solution that handles everything from stitching, editing, publishing, and playback for content creators, is now available as a free trial via Radiant Images the company announced.

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Radiant Images, is an immersive technology solution provider and 360 camera rental agency, so when any company rents a camera system from them they’ll receive free access to the Pixvana SPIN Studio platform through the end of summer 2018. Customers will also gain early access to the newest features and tools from Pixvana as they become available.

“In the VR production business, Radiant Images is the go-to VR rental company content creators rely on for the best quality equipment and technology available today,” said Pixvana co-founder, Scott Squires in a statement. “It’s our pleasure to put Pixvana’s VR-native tools into the hands of Radiant’s world-class clientele who leverage the most advanced equipment and services to push the creative boundaries and develop leading-edge, immersive experiences. At Pixvana, we are committed to the growth of the entire VR ecosystem and are excited about this partnership opportunity to showcase the power of the SPIN Studio platform to the world.”

A few months ago Pixvana unveiled Spin Studio’s latest feature, VR Casting. This is a solution for content creators and distributors to send 360/VR video directly to multiple headsets anywhere using a system the company calls “pair-and-share”, which Radiant Images customers will be able to benefit from.

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“The Pixvana team has built some of the most impactful VR video delivery and authoring tools available on the market,” said Michael Mansouri, president and co-founder of Radiant Images. “Our customers will appreciate the creative capabilities that are opened up by the SPIN Studio feature set, and the leading distribution technology making it easy to share content with clients, partners and others.”

SPIN Studio, including the SPIN Play app, is compatible with all major VR headsets, including Samsung Gear VR, HTC Vive, Google Daydream, Oculus Rift, Oculus GO, and Windows MR devices. As Pixvana continues to expand the SPIN Studio platform VRFocus will keep you updated.