GoPro just opened up registration for its insane 16-camera rig called Odyssey — designed to work with Google's Jump platform for virtual reality (VR) video.
Google Jump is an intriguing platform that aims to enable filmmakers to create 360-degree VR videos they can upload online and view on the Google Cardboard VR.
Google and GoPro co-designed the Odyssey using Hero4 camera modules, allowing 16 cameras to work together and act as one for Jump VR video — creating 3D, 360-degree content. The rig makes it easy to sync all cameras and comes with neat features such as shared settings, as well as frame-level synchronization.
Filmmakers can then upload the immersive video they create with Odyssey to Google's Jump Assembler, which leverages Google's cloud computing power, as well as high-tech computer vision to process the video and get it ready for upload to YouTube.
Interested filmmakers in the U.S., the U.K., Canada, the European Union, Brazil and Japan can now register on GoPro's website for early access to the 16-camera Odyssey rig, but only limited quantities are available. Simply signing up does not guarantee that you'll be part of this limited-access program (LAP).
First of all, even the registration process is quite the feat. In addition to the usual information such as name, address, job title, organization name and email address, applicants must also submit a link to their YouTube profile, describing in 50 words or less what they want to do with the Odyssey rig — noting how they currently capture and share immersive video content (if they do), and submit links to sample content that shows off their previous work.
Google and GoPro will assess the registrations and select partners for a chance to buy the limited-quantity rig for $15,000.
Those who pass the selection process and get early access should start receiving their rigs in November, but the LAP is open until the end of the year. The package will include the Odyssey Panoramic Capture Rig and the 16 GoPro Hero4 Black cameras, 16 "bacpacs," i.e. connectivity mounts for each camera, cables, 16 microSD memory cards and a Pelican case for safe storage. GoPro warns that the rig housing is not waterproof, which means that using it in wet environments can damage the cameras.
