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|Release Date=16 June 2017

Ricoh R Development Kit, the new spherical, live streaming [[360-degree video ]] capture camera developed by [[Ricoh ]] was put on display for the first time at [[CES 2017 ]] held in Las Vegas earlier this year. The company has started shipping the camera to pre-order customers and developers building applications for the product. The Ricoh R 360 Camera and development kit can be purchased for $499.

Ricoh R is basically the larger version of the hugely popular [[Ricoh Theta 360-degree Camera ]] plus a few significant changes. The most significant addition is the capability of Ricoh R Camera to [[live stream ]] 360- degree content for 24 hours on the trot. Although Ricoh R’s predecessor had the live streaming capability, the model was not designed for live streaming for long hours.

Ricoh R 360 Camera streams video content at 2K resolution; this isn’t the best output resolution, but enough to create a worthwhile [[virtual reality ]] experience. The camera performance matches the standard set for fully spherical video streams. The Ricoh R system does real-time stitching of the recorded video and converts the footage to the [[Equirectangular Projection Format]]. There is no external software involved in the stitching process. The delicate task is carried inside the camera. The stitched video content is transmitted through the [[USB ]] or [[HDMI]]. The system also allows storage of the content in a [[MicroSD card]].

Ricoh has carried out several tests on the 24-hour live streaming system. For instance, the company used the Ricoh R 360 Camera in a school enrollment ceremony. Students used a virtual reality headset to follow and participate in the ceremony captured and live streamed using the Ricoh R system. The 360-degree camera has been used to stream live concerts, events, and also act as advanced [[Telepresence systemsSystems]]. The company is exploring new and innovative uses for the Ricoh R 360 Camera every day.

A lot has been written about the difficulties of creating 360-degree content. But, the practical applications of a live streaming 360-degree camera are endless. To give a boost to the live streaming 360-degree content creation technology (which is still in its infancy), the makers are releasing the Ricoh R [[Development Kit]]. Ricoh sees huge growth potential for the live streaming full spherical technology. Their conclusion is based on the trajectory the virtual reality technology is taking and the outcome of several beta tests, conducted by the company, with the help of a diverse set of interest groups.

* The camera outputs spherical high-definition 2K videos at 30 fps ([[frames per second]])* The video captured by the two [[fisheye lenses ]] is stitched in real time using sophisticated stitching software inside the camera

| Video Format || [[MP4]]

20 February 2017 – Ricoh announces its decision to exhibit the prototype at [[Mobile World Congress2017 Congress 2017]] in Barcelona27 February 2017 – Ricoh exhibits the Ricoh R Camera at [[Mobile World Congress]]. The event wasstreamed was streamed live on [[YouTube]]

22 April 2017 – Ricoh R Development Kit Prototype exhibited at [[NAB Show 2017]]01 June 2017 – Ricoh releases 5 application repositories on [[GitHub]]16 June 2017 – Ricoh starts shipping the Ricoh R Development Kit to customers who pre-ordered theproductthe product