I have been doing a bunch of research on using 360 degree / panoramic cameras.

You can read the full report at: http://ipvideomarket.info/review/show/116


Basically, I came into the research being very skeptical. The ipix really soured me on the whole technology. What I learned is that the resolution is a lot better, the cameras are significantly cheaper and now that IP cameras are widely supported, it's actually pretty compelling.

Of course, there are lots of places and situations I would not use it for but now, at least, it seems like it's become a serious option.

What has your experience been with panoramic or 360 cameras?

I looked at 360 cameras about 3 years ago. I thought the idea was good but the technology wasn't good enough to make the cameras useable in all but selected applications where the end user was aware of the weaknesses of the product.

At the time I thought the Grandeye camera was the best but even that one wasn't good enough for mainstream applications.

The cameras didn't have the resolution, sensitivity or frame rate required or expected by most. I think the idea of recording a 360 scene and being able to ptz through the recording is a no brainer but only if the picture quality is useful. It wasn't when I looked.

I looked at 360 cameras about 3 years ago. I thought the idea was good but the technology wasn't good enough to make the cameras useable in all but selected applications where the end user was aware of the weaknesses of the product.

At the time I thought the Grandeye camera was the best but even that one wasn't good enough for mainstream applications.

The cameras didn't have the resolution, sensitivity or frame rate required or expected by most. I think the idea of recording a 360 scene and being able to ptz through the recording is a no brainer but only if the picture quality is useful. It wasn't when I looked.