Nokia introduced Ozo, a new virtual reality camera geared toward people who make content.Priced at $50.000, the device went on sale today and it’s certainly a product meant for professionals.
The device features eight synchronized shutter sensors and eight microphones to produce stereoscopic three-dimensional video, according to a statement from the company. Special software for the device will allow people to view three-dimensional content in real time and doesn’t require people to put together panoramic images ahead of time.
“We’re thrilled to introduce OZO to the content creation world, and to define a completely new category of virtual reality capture and playback solutions,” said Ramzi Haidamus, president of Nokia Technologies. “OZO aims to advance the next wave of innovation in VR by putting powerful tools in the hands of professionals who will create amazing experiences for people around the world. We expect that virtual reality experiences will soon radically enhance the way people communicate and connect to stories, entertainment, world events and each other. With OZO, we plan to be at the heart of this new world.”
Conceived at the company’s R&D facilities in Tampere, Finland, OZO made its first appearance at an industry event in Los Angeles attended by representatives from major studios, production houses and media and technology companies. Nokia will conduct final testing and refinements to OZO in partnership with industry professionals, in advance of the product’s commercial release.
OZO captures stereoscopic 3D video through eight (8) synchronized global shutter sensors and spatial audio through eight (8) integrated microphones. Software built for OZO enables real-time 3D viewing, with an innovative playback solution that removes the need to pre-assemble a panoramic image - a time-consuming process with solutions currently in the marketplace.
OZO’s filmed content can be published for commercially available VR viewing hardware such as head mounted displays (HMDs), with immersive, full 360-degree imaging and spatially accurate original sound. OZO also integrates into existing professional workflows and works with third-party tools, dramatically simplifying content production at all stages.
Nokia Ozo weighs 10 pounds and has eight sensors, that take photos at over 2000 x 200 resolutions, leaving space between each pair of cameras equaling the space between the human eyes. 8 microphones are also included, delivering such a detailed soundscape, that you can hear all the tiny details of a scenery.