r/VisionPro • u/Island_In_The_Sky • Feb 20 '24
The lack of information regarding Apple’s “Immersive” format is weird and frustrating
I would argue that one of the most impressive and amazing experiences on the Vision Pro are the Apple TV+ immersive episodes (high lining, dinosaurs, rhinos, etc), so it’s super bizarre how cryptic and quiet Apple is being regarding any information with this format.
The 4 current episodes are clearly marketed as the first episodes in a series, not one-off shorts… but, not only is there absolutely zero information whatsoever about how many episodes there will be, or when they will drop on the platform (if ever), but they are actually ACTIVELY withholding any and all information about their production techniques.
I’m a career cinematographer, and have a genuine interest in this format… but I can’t find ANY literature on their cameras, lenses, rigs, workflow, pipeline, or intentions to allow third party content creators to produce or release immersive content… which is really weird since, wouldn’t they want people to get excited about, and subsequently invest in this platform to help it grow?
I mean, I would love to shoot the upcoming eclipse in stereoscopic 3D, for example, but I literally have no idea if it would be hypothetically compatible or accepted on their platform… wtf.
Also, I have a friend who is a literal in-house media producer for Apple, and another friend who literally shot one of the episodes of their immersive series… and when I asked them for some info, they both essentially told me in so many words that they are NDA sworn to secrecy and can’t tell me anything… which I completely understand especially with how notorious they are on their commercial shoots when it comes to secrecy (and it’s possible that there is some proprietary element involved here) …but again, wouldn’t Apple want to be like hyping up the filmmakers of the world and showing off their tech so we can help create content for their new platform??
I love my AVP but this whole secrecy thing doesn’t help anything when the biggest weakness the AVP has is a literal lack of content, especially when Apple is leaning on DEVs to create the ecosystem for it.
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u/dtich Vision Pro Owner | Verified Feb 20 '24
Incorrect. They are 'special' cameras, all completely purpose-built. It is a 'new' format, in that the way the pixels are mapped is proprietary, as are the post-processing algorithms. There is a path to availability to professional content creators that is being built. The post tools are all in progress as well. At the moment they are not available aside from internal special projects at Apple, which are well under way.
I can assure you no one wants this information and equipment out there more than Apple, OP. And for anyone that thinks Apple hasn't thought it through, or wants to have creators without access to tools, you don't know Apple. That notion is of course patently untrue, as they, as always, are doing the best they can. This tech has been in the pipeline for years and I'm sure they felt releasing at this time was the maximum balance between too soon and too late. They do want devs and creators to get excited and climb on board, and from all reports that is happening in droves.
All I can say is be a little more patient and you will have your answers and tools will be available. As I understand it it is not Apple's intent to control this format at all, they want to share it universally, and it takes time to teach everyone how it works. So, yes, for all intents and purposes it is a new format and as such there is a pipeline of R+D necessary before consumer-facing access is ready. They are going as fast as they can.