Who do I create a panoramic draggable video for use online?

January 9, 2016 12:53 PM

I want to create a panoramic interactive HTML5 video to use online. How do I pull it off?

I want to set up a video camera on a tripod and shoot 180° view of Times Square. I want to embed it fullscreen on a webpage and users would be able to drag it around with their cursor. I don't need it to scroll vertically like this, just horizontally.

Can I do this with a single GoPro and stitch it together?

Or is this a lot more complicated and requires multiple GoPros?

posted by critzer to Computers & Internet (5 answers total)

Unless you have an additional need to have something happening simultaneously (long line all jumping) a single camera should work. A quality still camera on a tripod might be better, take overlapping shots one after another then find some stitching software.
posted by sammyo at 2:21 PM on January 9, 2016

Response by poster: take overlapping shots one after another then find some stitching software.

Can you tell me how I'd do this with video? It sounds like you're describing static photos which is not what I want.
posted by critzer at 2:23 PM on January 9, 2016

This looks specifically designed for this sort of thing.
posted by BungaDunga at 2:48 PM on January 9, 2016

What are your quality requirements? It seems to me I saw a tripod in which the camera pointed upward and shot 4 mirrors (or some such scheme). I would guess shake would be a big problem if you pushed a cart along on street surface even if you half-deflated pneumatic tires.

I'm assuming you need to shoot real-time (to allow the crowds to move in a non-staccato fashion).

A panoramic drone might make sense. Or a lighter-than-air craft. Can you see taking a small Zepplin for a walk? Tricky to keep stable!

I think it's not an easy problem!
posted by cleroy at 4:46 PM on January 9, 2016

Best answer: This Kodak camera may do what you want. Or using 2 or 3 gopros. Or a few Canon cameras with Stereo Data Maker, which supports video. Depends what quality you need, how much you can spend, and how much tinkering you are comfortable with.
posted by Sophont at 8:59 PM on January 9, 2016