VLC is an app that can play any format, and now that includes 360-degree videos.
VLC maker VideoLan recently released a technical preview of VLC that can support the new 360-degree video medium, Slash Gear reported. The preview is available on the desktop version of Windows and Mac.
According to VideoLan, it partnered up with Giroptic the company that developed VR cameras. This partnership allowed VideoLan to develop the 360-degree video capable VLC.
Besides 360 videos, the new VLC app can support panorama and 360 photos. Users can pan through these images using the keyboard or the mouse. However, the preview still has bugs that need some fixing.
360 Video Playback for Mac
VLC Media Player app can let Mac users experience 360 videos on their computer with ease. Mac doesn't have motion tracking features, which means navigating through the images needs a mouse. VideoLan announced that it will also release a 360-degree playback for iPad and iPhone, 9 to 5 Mac reported.
VideoLan said its new 360-degree video playback uses the Spatial Video spec, while the panoramic and 360-degree photos follow the Spherical spec. It is accelerated with the help of Direct3D11 and OpenGL.
360 Video Support for Other Devices
VideoLan will release the 360 video support in its new VLC 3.0. It will also offer this feature in VLC's mobile apps soon. Besides that, the company announced that it will release a version of the software for VR headsets, including Google's DayDream, HTC Vive, and Oculus Rift.
In the future 360-degree audio and head tracking gears will have VR versions, as VideoLan is working on it. According to the company, it will launch this new software on Android devices that supports Daydream VR. After that it will be available for Oculus Rift and Vive.
Earlier in 2016, VideoLan provided VLC app to the new Apple TV to provide a more available format for the device.
