Field of view – FOV
OK, we looked at spheres, cylinders, balls, and orbs. That was fun! Now, let's talk some more about 360-degree media and virtual reality and why it seems so compelling. There's a huge difference in the experience of viewing a 360-degree video on a flat screen versus inside a VR headset. Why?
In a theater, on a computer screen, or in VR, the angle from one edge of the view area to the opposite is commonly referred to as the angle of view or field of view (FOV). For example, an IMAX cinema theater with larger screens than that of the conventional cinema encompasses more of your peripheral vision and has a wider field of view. The following table compares the horizontal field of view of various viewing experiences. A wider field of view is important to provide immersive experiences.
These FOV values pertain to looking in one direction without moving your head or eyes:
|
Viewing experience |
Horizontal field of view (FOV) |
|---|---|
|
A 27" computer monitor |
26 degrees |
|
A movie theater |
54... |
