Mike Wuerthele
A new image said to be from behind the scenes of an undisclosed Apple TV+ show purportedly shows a VR camera rig used to film the show for the Apple Vision Pro headset.
The camera shown in a Tweet by David Altizer on Twitter isn't immediately identifiable. Allegedly, it has been in use to shoot "180 [degree] VR" for Apple TV+. If true, this would make it widely compatible with how Apple Vision Pro presents VR experiences.
Most VR camera rigs that we've seen and have experience with have protruding optics for myriad reasons. It's unclear if the two lenses on the camera shown are retracted, or the rig is used as-is.
RUMOR: Apple has been shooting all their AppleTV+ shows in 180 VR.
— David Altizer (@dvdaltizer) July 7, 2023
Leaked photo of the 180-camera rig on set. pic.twitter.com/JKZ8mKizSR
Given that we already know that the technologies for Apple Vision Pro have been in development for eight years, the claim makes some level of sense. Cameras capable of shooting 3D and VR content for modern televisions and later VR headsets have been widely available since 2010.
The Apple TV+ service debuted on November 1, 2019. It seems reasonable that the company was forward-thinking in media it produced.
However, VR thrown into the mix adds to the cost, complexity, and production time of media. And, this discounts the willingness of a producer and director to shoot in 3D or VR.
It seems less likely that content Apple purchased for Apple TV+ would have been shot with the technology shown. And, Apple hasn't yet been clear about best practices for media intended for the headset, or how it should be captured by the film industry.
At present, there's no way to verify the provenance of the images. Also not verifiable is if the image was actually shot on an Apple-funded set.
The Apple Vision Pro headset debuted at the 2023 WWDC, taking up nearly half of the keynote presentation. As of yet, there's no firm ship date for the unit, beyond "early 2024."
Apple Vision Pro is expected to launch exclusively in the US to start. Expansion to other countries will come as the years wear on.
Charles Martin
Christine McKee
Malcolm Owen
AppleInsider Staff
15 Comments
That’s what I would be using it for. TV shows and movies.
I doubt it. Putting weird cameras on set for hundreds of people to see? Not a great way to keep a secret, and not a peep was heard. Maybe recently, but I'd be very surprised if it goes back more than a few months. I doubt it would even benefit most shows.
Wouldn’t be surprised to learn That’s a speaker. Not a camera. LOL
The camera setup would more likely be IMAX with software determining which eye to place the higher percentage of content on depending on dominance (determined during an initial setup) - if Apple were shooting specifically for the Vision at all. It’s funny how much some people want VR to be more than it is.
There’s something weird about this photo. Specifically with the two cases. Does anybody else see that?
AppleInsider's "Unlikely" rating for this rumor is spot-on. If this were true, Apple certainly would have made it a major talking point as part of their big reveal last month, given the general lack of substance around Day 1 content and app offerings.