Facebook shows its first video from its 360-degree camera rig

Facebook was quick to talk about being at the forefront of 360-degree video when it unveiled its Surround 360 rig, but how good is that massive 14-camera array, really? As of today, you can find out for yourself. Mark Zuckerberg has posted the social network's first video shot and produced with the Surround 360, and it's a good hint as to what you can expect from virtual reality movies. The 3.5-minute short is more of a tech demo than a creative work (you sit in New York City's Grand Central Terminal as visitors walk by), but it showcases both the seamless nature of the video the potential of the format. It feels more like you're there, not just peeping through a lens.

You can watch the video without using a VR headset. If you do, though, you'll probably want to use your phone instead of your PC -- the mobile experience lets you swing the view around just by tilting your device. However you watch, this bodes well for the aspiring VR auteurs who start building Surround 360 rigs this summer.