Olympus creates 360-degree HD camera and projector

J. Topolsky|11.21.07
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November 21st, 2007
In this article: 1080i, 360, 360 degree, 360Degree, axisymmetric free-form-surface lens, AxisymmetricFree-form-surfaceLens, camera, hd, hdtv, olympus, projection, video

Sure, regular HD is nice -- you really get a gander at an anchorman's makeup, and the stars' wrinkles are shocking -- but does it go far enough? Olympus doesn't think so. The camera company -- long known to bring the goods on the picture-takin' end -- has just created the first 360-degree, 1080i camera and projection solution. Utilizing a proprietary system based around an "axisymmetric free-form-surface lens," the camera can shoot video at horizontal and vertical viewing angles of 360-and-50-degrees, respectively; the images can then be projected in the same range by a separate unit. Obviously, you won't see this in the consumer sector any time soon, but it does open some pretty interesting opportunities for installations and security alike.