SMPTE 2016 Q&A: Pierre Routhier’s ‘13 Rules for Quality VR’
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Day 2 of SMPTE 2016 kicked off with a look at the latest developments in virtual-reality technology and workflows. Advanced-imaging specialist Pierre Routhier of Digital Troublemaker has lived on the bleeding edge of developments from 3D to 4K and now VR. In an effort to push for clearer VR production standards, he presented a paper titled “Virtually Perfect: Factors Affecting the Quality of a VR Experience and the Need for a VR Content Quality Standard.”
Routhier warns that improperly produced content can generate physical stress and/or interrupt a viewer’s suspension of disbelief. Without clear standards, it is hard to achieve a consistent product that meets customer expectations beyond novelty. Routhier’s paper, therefore, suggests a foundation for a VR-content QC standard, based on his analysis of hundreds of VR experiences, with four criteria for multicamera (stitched) images, two for spherical VR presentation, and five criteria for stereo 3D VR image pairs. For each criterion, the paper describes the suggested benchmark, issues to avoid, causes, effects on the viewer, and both preventive and corrective measures. Here are his “Rules for Quality VR”:
- MAINTAIN THE ILLUSION
- PROTECT VIEWER COMFORT
- MASTER YOUR LENSES
- SYNC YOUR CAMERAS
- KEEP YOUR DISTANCE
- STABILIZE, STABILIZE, STABILIZE
- MANAGE LIGHT CAREFULLY
- PRESERVE THE HORIZON
- QC FOR ALL INTENDED VIEWING DEVICES
- THINK SPHERICALLY (PARTICULARLY IN POST)
- COVER YOUR TRACKS
- IF YOU WORK IN 3D, QC IN 3D
- LEAVE TELEPORTATION TO SCIENCE FICTION
SVG spoke with Routhier at the SMPTE 2016 show to discuss these rules and the challenges he foresees for live VR sports content:
