If you like VR, or even if you don’t, we are sure you can recognize the value of being able to view a YouTube video from a 360-degree perspective.
Three hundred and sixty-degree YouTube videos are now becoming much more common, as VR technology is getting cheaper, making it easier for part-time video producers to shoot a professional-looking 360-degree video and upload it.
What is more, cheap VR headsets are becoming more popular in the general population, who are flocking to their favorite online video platform to give them a try and receive the 360-degree experience.
Still, as popular as VR technology has become, it is not as easy as just popping on your VR headset if you want to view a 360-degree YouTube video.
No need to fear, though; there are third-party 360 VR apps available on the market today that help in this process.
These apps are indispensable for VR users when watching 360-degree YouTube videos, as the Oculus Rift and the HTC Vive, the more common VR headsets today, are not set up to watch these videos.
In particular, the following VR apps will adjust your screen and headset so that you will be able to watch your favorite 360-degree YouTube video on your desktop as it was meant to be seen – in VR.
YouTube VR App
The YouTube VR App was developed by Google, so you know it must be good.
Well, we are not actually saying that everything that Google creates is automatically good but in most cases, and in this one specifically, it happens to be true.
We purchased this app on Steam (you must have SteamVR to run the app), and from our initial tests it has worked with every 360 and 180-degree video we chose thus far.
However, other users who have tested it have complained about not being able to view stereoscopic YouTube videos, and about a medium-quality video stream.
In our opinion, this app, which is in fact the official VR YouTube app, works pretty well with YouTube videos – at least the ones we watched – and will definitely give you the 360-degree experience you want.
We do suggest to wait a bit before purchasing, as the app has yet not been tested widely, and there may be several bugs that need to be worked out before it is working optimally – don’t worry, because Google generally fixes bugs pretty quickly.
If you do wish to try it, be sure to leave your comments on the Steam page so that they can relay the consensus experience back to Google, and thus anything that needs to be fixed will be done so more quickly.
Virtual Desktop
While it may not be the official YouTube Virtual Reality app, according to our tests it provides perhaps the best 2– and 3-dimensional playback features of the three 360-degree software we have tested.
The caveat, however, is that it will cost you about $14.99, but its easy functionality playback options justify the price.
Virtual Desktop works in five easy steps:
- First, select your 360-degree YouTube video.
- Second, copy the video URL.
- Third, start the Virtual Desktop application.
- Fourth, select the video from the menu screen.
- Fifth, paste the URL, and your video will start playing automatically on your VR headset.
With Video Playback there is no need to download any files, and you get the chance to watch both 2- and 3-dimensional videos in high-quality VR, as long as you have a good connection. We believe this more than offsets its small price tag.
Vive Video
If you are looking for a free solution to your 360-degree video needs, then Vive Video has got you covered.
This video player, designed by HTC, works on both the HTC Vive and Oculus Rift headsets.
The main feature that distinguishes this video player from Virtual Desktop is its motion controls functionality, which is entirely compatible with gamepads, keyboards, mouses, Oculus controllers, and HTC Vive motion controllers.
The one drawback we found with Vive Video was that you need to download manually YouTube video files to your PC before you can watch them on Vive Video.
*** If you are the type of person who likes just to plug and play, then this video player is probably not for you.
However, if you do not mind downloading a few files before you view them, you will not find this video player’s simple process that difficult or time-consuming.
To watch a 180-degree video using Video Vive, follow these steps:
- First, download the selected YouTube file to your desktop.
- Second, click the thumbnail to play the video.
- In order to view a 360-degree YouTube video, you will have to take some additional steps.
- First, click Select Viewing Mode (the eye icon in the bottom right-hand corner).
- Second, select Mono.
- Third, hit next.
- Fourth, select the 360 option.
- Fifth, hit done.
Again, if you do not mind following a few extra steps to watch your 360-degree video, then this video player is a good option, especially if you do not want to pay for this video player’s VR and 360 abilities.
This concludes our 360 VR app reviews for YouTube videos.
A final word of caution: If you are susceptible to motion sickness, only select those videos that play at 60fps.
Any speed above this, and you run the risk of feeling dizzy, and maybe even vomiting.
The HTC Vive
If you already own an HTC Vive headset, or are planning on buying one, this short introduction will give you some quick facts about its features, abilities, compatibilities, and some basic how-to and what-to information to get you started.
While HTC, the company that makes the HTC Vive VR headset, is no stranger to digital products, its new virtual reality headpiece is its first venture into the realm of VR.
One of the unique aspects of the HTC Vive is its ability to combine bodily motion with your current desktop VR system.
This ability allows gamers and players a more authentic VR experience, as the Vive is able to connect and track the VR headset with its dual controllers.
You will thus feel that your entire body is actually engaging with your chosen virtual world, instead of just pretending to be there.
Headset
HTC’s headset can match your head movement with the visual displays you see on its display screen.
Basically, as you turn your head left, the virtual images appearing in front of you also move left.
As you move right, they move right. As you look up, they appear up, and as you look down, they also move down.
The concept is quite simple: Where the head goes, the body follows.
The HTC Vive VR headset applies this concept in such a way that really makes you feel that you are moving around the room with your entire body, even if you are standing still.
If you have never worn this particular headgear before, trust us when we say that you will not be able to tell if your body is in your living room or in the reality you see on the HTC Vive display screen.
Controllers
As its controllers and headset can track each other’s movements, the HTC Vive amplifies the full-body experience.
The headset comes with two controllers that match your hand movements with the images that you see.
You will be able to observe your hands moving in the virtual world just as you move them in the real world.
The HTC Vive’s dual controller room-scale feature evokes a strong desire to move about the room, as you start to feel that your virtual body is no different than your real one.
You are no longer playing a game on a screen, but are living it in real-time and in real-life.
Your brain will not be able to tell the difference.
Room Scale & Standing Room Only
As the HTC Vive’s main aim is to give the user a full-body virtual experience, its main attraction is its Room Scale capabilities that allows you to outline the area in which you wish to play or view your video.
The software that comes with the HTC Vive headset and controllers provides safety features which keep you from leaving your chosen area while you are playing your game or walking around in your video.
If, on the other hand, you do not wish to use a big space for your VR experience, you can always switch to the Standing Room Only mode, which demarcates a small square area right beneath your feet; this mode is intended to keep you in that tiny space while viewing your video or playing your game.
While the Room Scale feature allows for more body engagement and therefore a more realistic experience, the Standing Room Only feature is great for when you don’t have a lot of room to work with, but still want to feel like you are inside the game you are playing or the video you are watching.
Price
The HTC Vive is not cheap, as it is a premium VR system that engages both the mind and the body to duplicate real-life movement, and thus a more realistic experience, while engaging in its virtual framework.
That said, the basic bundle will cost you around $600.
That is assuming that you already have VR capabilities attached to your PC.
If not, then all the extras will raise the price even further.
The basic package comes with a headset, two controllers, cables, adapters, and two lighthouse stations.
For added features, like wireless movement, object tracking, and audio enhancement, you will have to spend more money.
With these extra features, plus many more not named here, you can expect the price tag to increase to well over $1,000.
The Oculus Rift
Another popular headset among VR enthusiasts is the Oculus Rift.
The Rift headset was designed by Oculus VR, a subsidiary of Facebook, and released in 2016.
It was one of the first mainstream VR technologies to hit the market, and provides users with a great VR experience at an affordable price.
Now let’s see what this VR headset has to offer!
Headset
The Oculus Rift headset has been mostly geared toward gamers, but as has been alluded to above, those wishing to view 360-degree YouTube videos can also use the headset with the appropriate app.
While gaming headsets are not new to the gaming world, Oculus Rift has made theirs widely available.
Its two main attractions are its field of vision capabilities, and head motion monitoring.
With traditional VR headsets, users usually experience a tunnel-like effect when viewing the display screen.
With the Oculus Rift, though, the field of vision is enhanced, due to the headset’s 100-degree diagonal capabilities.
If you are using the Rift either for gaming or for viewing 360-degree videos, you will be able to have a much broader look into your display, which is going to enhance the verisimilitude of your experience.
You will not only be able to see in front of you, but to both sides, as well, if you are wearing an Oculus Rift headset.
As with the HTC Vive, the Oculus Rift is also able to track the user’s head movements, and display an image in front of them no matter which way they look.
This ability, combined with a broad field of vision, gives the VR experience a more natural feel that traditional VR headsets lack.
Controllers
Initially, the Oculus Rift headset came with an Xbox Controller, thanks to a partnership formed with Microsoft.
However, the latest bundle comes with its own motion controller: The Oculus Touch.
The Oculus Touch can track the user’s hand and finger movements and gestures, and produce an indicated result within the VR (3D) space in front of them in real time.
The controllers (one for each hand) employ an analog stick for directional movement, and two buttons: One for firing a weapon, and the other for grabbing and striking things.
If you like gaming, the Oculus Touch is perhaps the best VR controller available to manipulate objects, grab an item, fire a weapon, or with which to strike your opponent.
Gaming/Viewing Space
To use the Oculus Rift Consumer Basic Bundle, including the headset and One Touch Controllers, all you need is a space wide and high enough in which to stand.
However, if you are using the Oculus Rift for gaming purposes, you should know that some games require specific measurements for optimal gameplay, so you will have to make space accordingly.
The truth is that, while the company recommends using the Oculus Rift as a standing-only VR system, we have used the Rift Headset and One Touch in a seated position, and were able to view our videos and play our games without difficulty, which further testifies to the flexibility of this VR product.
If you like standing, however, we recommend you leave yourself enough room to move or swing your arms, and to take a step or two.
Really, that is all you need for this VR system.
Price
Perhaps the greatest feature of the Oculus Rift, in our opinion, is the price.
The Rift headset, which used to be $599 when purchased alone, has recently been reduced to $399.
This new price also includes the One Touch Controllers and the headset.
The One Touch Controllers used to be sold for $199 separately, so when you add to that the former headset price of $599, you are talking about a price tag of about $700, minus taxes.
The current price, including both items, is only $399, which is nearly half that cost!
