VLC media player now features 360-degree video and photos

VLC, an app that lets users play almost any video format on any platform, is taking support to a new level. The company announced a technical preview that lets its desktop app play 360-degree videos, allowing users to see the footage on their computers.

The preview is available for Windows and Mac devices, with the full version available when VLC 3.0 is released, which we can expect to launch at the end of December 2016.

VLC’s creators, VideoLan, teamed up with 360-degree camera maker, Giroptic, to create the new system capable of displaying photos, videos, and panoramas. Users can control the point of view in the footage through the mouse and keyboard. VideoLan noted that it would also make these features available on its mobile apps, allowing users to navigate the clips as long as their devices have an accelerometer.

The new feature will also support VR headsets such as Oculus Rift, Google’s Daydream, and the HTC Vive beginning in 2017. Additionally, it will get 360-degree audio support “including head tracking headphones.”

As it’s still in preview mode, those interested in trying out VLC 360 should expect that may be finicky. However, it’s evident that VLC is making strides to enable VR experiences across all of its supported platforms.

Source: Engadget