Just a few years ago, spherical videos seemed like something out of science fiction. Today, they are becoming an integral part of marketing, virtual tours, VR games, and even blogs. 360° video is a unique way to interact with the viewer, when you don’t just show a picture, but allow them to literally look behind the camera. This is freedom of angle, control over attention, immersion without boundaries. But how exactly do you edit such content without losing the effect of full presence? Let’s figure it out.
What makes 360 video special
To understand the essence of editing, you need to realize that we are not working with a rectangular frame, but with a full-fledged sphere. Imagine that each frame is an expanded projection of the planet. It is distorted, stretched, and only after publishing on YouTube or Facebook does it “roll up” into a ball again, which you can rotate with a mouse or tilt your phone.
An error at the editing stage – and the viewer gets not an immersive effect, but a digital nightmare with jerky movements and “floating” texts.
360 video is most often recorded in MP4 format with the H.264 or H.265 codec. For high-quality transmission of details during rotation, the minimum acceptable resolution is 4K, but 5.7K and higher are increasingly used.
How to shoot for 360: even before editing
Editing begins long before working in the editor. Mistakes at the shooting stage cannot be compensated for in post-processing – they are fatal for the final result.
What is important to consider:
- Avoid moving towards the object. The 360 camera has no “front” – moving straight ahead disorients the viewer.
- Hide tripods and the operator.
- Use “invisible zones” between the lenses.
- Shoot in a stable environment. The slightest gust of wind or a shaky surface will be felt by the viewer many times more intensely.
What to know before editing
To edit 360 video, you need the right set of tools. You don’t have to spend thousands of dollars to get started. Three things are enough:
- A camera that supports 360° recording (e.g. GoPro Max,
Insta360 X5) - Editing software that supports 360 video
- Understanding how to save metadata and not ruin the project
Working with 360 video is, first and foremost, working with space. It is important to consider that the viewer can look in any direction, which means that the usual editing rules do not apply here.
Please, remember:
- Stabilization is a must. Even a slight camera shake is perceived as an earthquake in VR.
- Transitions should be smooth. It is better to use dissolves than sharp cuts.
- Titles are placed as 3D objects. This is necessary so that they are not distorted during review.
- Do not overload the audio track. Spatial sound works more effectively than loud.
The best editors for 360 video + nuances to be aware of
There are many programs for editing spherical content, but for beginners, a combination of simplicity and functionality is important. You can find help in Insta360 Studio, Pinnacle Studio or Movavi Video Editor. They support working with 360-degree video, allow you to stabilize the image, add titles, effects and export videos without losing VR metadata.
But together with the video editor, you may need another tool.
If you’re working with different media formats, not just video but also audio, you might often need to convert files to ensure compatibility. For example, creators sometimes look up how to convert MP3 to MP4 when they want to combine audio tracks with visuals or create video content from sound files. Many video editors and converters can help with this, streamlining the process as part of your creative workflow.
Color and sound in 360: nuances
Color correction in 360 video requires special attention. It is important to achieve a balance of lighting between the front and back projections. As for the sound, a regular stereo track makes the immersion “flat”. Much more immersive is spatial audio – spatial sound that “moves” along with the direction of the gaze.
Export and check the result
When editing is complete, it is important not to spoil the final step. Make sure that:
- The correct format is selected (MP4, H.264 / H.265)
- Spherical metadata is preserved
- The “360 Video” or “VR metadata” settings are enabled
- The video is tested in a VR headset or YouTube VR
- The slightest mistake – and the video will open as flat or will be distorted.
Where to publish 360° video
YouTube: The most widely used platform for 360° video. Just upload your video with the correct metadata, and viewers can explore the scene using their mouse, touchscreen, or VR headset.
Facebook: Allows 360° videos to be shared in the feed or on pages. Viewers can navigate the video using a mouse or finger, or immerse themselves via devices like the Meta Quest.
TeliportMe: While primarily known for virtual tours, TeliportMe also supports embedding 360° videos directly into interactive experiences. This makes it ideal for storytelling, immersive presentations, and combining video with spatial navigation to create a richer narrative environment.
When publishing content, check that spatial audio is supported and that the spherical marker is read correctly.
Bottom line
Working with 360 video is not just editing, but the real creation of a new environment in which the viewer becomes an active participant. Every camera move, every title, and every sound effect affects the experience. With our guide, you can easily go from flat videos to immersive worlds. And all from a regular laptop.
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