Vimeo Gets In On 360-Degree Video With New Platform

In the online video world, all the cool kids are making 360-degree videos, so naturally, the platform known for its cool, artsy videos has decided to get in on the action. Vimeo has launched Vimeo 360, a new hub that will spotlight 360-degree filmmaking while offering numerous creative resources to its users.

Vimeo 360 is designed to be a user-friendly service that caters to filmmakers looking to produce high-quality work. Videos can be uploaded in resolutions up to 8K, and creators who wish to sell their 360-degree work can link it to the pay-to-view Vimeo On Demand platform. Meanwhile, integrations with devices like Samsung Gear VR connect Vimeo’s 360-degree library to the world of VR.

For those who are newer to the 360-degree world, Vimeo 360 offers a number of introductory lessons through its 360 Video School service. If you would prefer to learn from observation, 19 expertly-crafted 360-degree videos are already available on a channel launched by Vimeo

. One of our favorites is a documentary about fossil hunters in the Gobi Desert, courtesy of the American Museum of Natural History.

Fossil Hunters of the Gobi: A 360 Scientific Expedition from AMNH on Vimeo.

“Vimeo’s creator community is known for pioneering new video formats and pushing the boundaries of storytelling,” said Anjali Sud, SVP & GM of Vimeo’s Creator Platform, in a press release “With this launch we hope to usher in a new wave of immersive content that sets the standard for cinematic quality and powerful narratives in a 360 environment. We believe Vimeo creators are the missing piece to taking 360 video from nascent to mainstream.”

Vimeo’s 360-degree offerings will be on display this week at SXSW in Austin. Integrations with additional VR devices, such as the HTC Vive as Oculus Rift, are expected to be announced later on.