Facebook develops 3D 360-degree video capture system for virtual reality applications

Facebook has developed an open-source, 3D 360° video capture system based on 17 industrial cameras that includes hardware specifications and software code for camera control and post processing that is available on GitHub.

Called the Facebook Surround 360, the system enables developers to leverage the design and code, and content creators to user the camera in their productions. In the system, 17 Grasshopper3 GS3-U3-41C6C-C cameras are used. Grasshopper3 GS3-U3-41C6C-C cameras are color USB3 Vision cameras that feature the 4.1 MPixel CMV4000 CMOS image sensor. This sensor is a 1” global shutter sensor with a 5.5 µm pixel size that is capable of achieving a frame rate of 90 fps.

Fourteen of these cameras are arranged with a 50% overlapping field of view around a circle each using a wide-angle, 7 mm f/2.4 lens. One camera is arranged on top with a 2.7 mm focal length fisheye lens, while the last two cameras are arranged on the bottom each with a 2.7 mm focal length fisheye lens.

Facebook has also developed automated stitching software that reduces post-production retouching effort and time. Following a video shoot, users can view the output as a 3D, 360° video with no intervening hand processing or fixing using a Samsung Gear VR headset. Facebook estimates that if a potential user has all the parts ready for build and an assembly manual on hand, the Facebook Surround 360 should take approximately four hours to assemble, and an additional few hours to set up the operating system.

Based on Facebook’s specifications, Point Grey developed a number of virtual reality bundle options, which can be viewed here.

View more information on theFacebook Surround 360.

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