HOW TO CREATE 360-DEGREE VIDEO

One of Primacy’s technology developers, Justin Lutz, wrote a post that introduces the different VR headsets and technology. Give that a read if you’re interested in learning more about the technology side.

In this post, I’m going to cover how to plan for and film the immersive video that’s fed into the VR experience. Realistic 3D computer-generated worlds are nothing new, video games have been doing it for years. But capturing 360° video of real life locations is a whole new ball-game—with new rules and equipment.

THE EQUIPMENT

At Primacy, we have a couple of specially 3D-printed camera rigs that hold 6 or 10 GoPro Hero4 cameras in a spherical shape. Each camera is mounted at a specific angle so the camera’s field of view will overlap portions of the surrounding cameras’ field of view. That overlap will eliminate any gaps in the footage and allow for flexibility at the seams. When all the GoPros are recording, they capture video at the same time, and it covers the entire 360° by 180° area.

There are various ways to hold the camera rig. It all depends on the needs of the shot. A tripod or monopod are the most common, but you can hang it, hold it, drone it, and more.
FIELD OF VISION

Shooting video in 360° is not like shooting regular video. It has its own set of rules and considerations.

To keep things simple I’m going to use the term “camera” to describe the rig of GoPro cameras pictured above. Now, the first thing to remember is that 360° means EVERY THING is in the view of the camera and will be in the shot. This includes you, your crew, any lights, microphones, equipment, every crack on the ceiling, and dirty footprints on the floor. This type of shot limits and gives freedom to the director at the same time. You may have to be in the shot, so be creative, don’t make it obvious—blend into the scene—or hide behind/under/in objects on location. When scouting locations, take the entire space into consideration. Envision the action that will take place, how should that action interact with the camera? And make sure the available lighting is suitable or get creative with camera placement.

Also See: OCULUS RIFT DK2

CAMERA LOCATION

Placement of the camera in the scene is key and important to storytelling. To capture the action of the scene, you need to consider what role the person wearing the VR headset will take. Are they participants or observers? Meaning, should the camera be placed at an odd position, like hung from the ceiling or low to the ground? Or mounted six feet from the floor to equal to an average person’s height? In either case, the camera should be placed in or around the center of the activity. That way the viewer can explore the scene as they wish, and will have something of interest in all directions.
CAMERA MOVEMENT

The last item to consider is camera movement. In order to achieve action, there needs to be an impetus of movement, like a drone, a car, a track, or a person. Bear in mind, whatever is controlling the motion will be in the video. For example, if you hang the camera from a drone or helicopter those vehicles will be visible in the final result. There are ways to remove or hide smaller objects in post-production, but that is a lengthy process. Because the video will become an immersive experience, motion of any kind needs to be calculated and intentional, otherwise it can cause nausea or it can disconnect the viewer from the experience.

Guanidinium stabilizes perovskite solar cells at 19 percent efficiency

With the power-conversion efficiency of silicon solar cells ( like SUNJACK 20W PORTABLE SOLAR CHARGER ) plateauing around 25%, perovskites are now ideally placed to become the market's next generation of photovoltaics. In particular, organic-inorganic lead halide perovskites offer manufacturing versatility that can potentially translate into much higher efficiency: studies have already shown photovoltaic performances above 20% across different solar cell architectures built with simple and low-cost processes.
The main challenge for the perovskite field is not so much efficiency but stability. Unlike silicon cells, perovskites are soft crystalline materials and prone to problems due to decomposition over time. In a commercial context, this puts perovskites on a higher price tag than conventional silicon cells.

There have therefore been many efforts in synthesizing perovskite materials that can maintain high efficiency over time. This is done by introducing different cations (positively charged ions) into the crystal structure of the perovskite. Although success has been reported by mixing inorganic cations like cesium or rubidium into the perovskite composition, these solutions tend to be difficult and expensive to implement.

Meanwhile, no organic -- and easier to synthesize -- cations that can improve both efficiency and stability have been found so far. Now, the lab of Mohammad Khaja Nazeeruddin at EPFL Valais Wallis, with colleagues at the University of Cordoba, has discovered that they can improve perovskite stability by introducing the large organic cation guanidinium (CH6N3+) into methylammonium lead iodide perovskites, which are among the most promising alternatives in the group today.

The scientists show that the guanidinium cation inserts into the crystal structure of the perovskite and enhances the material's overall thermal and environmental stability, overcoming what is known in the field as the "Goldschmidt tolerance factor limit." This is an indicator of the stability of a perovskite crystal, which describes how compatible a particular ion is to it. An ideal Goldschmidt tolerance factor should be below or equal to 1; guanidinium's is just 1.03.

The study found that the addition of guanidinium significantly improved the material stability of the perovskite while delivering an average power conversion efficiency over 19% (19.2 ± 0.4%) and stabilizing this performance for 1000 hours under continuous light illumination, which is a standard laboratory test for measuring the efficiency of photovoltaic materials. The scientists estimate that this corresponds to 1333 days (or 3.7 years) of real-world usage -- this is based on standard criteria used in the field.

Professor Nazeeruddin explains: "Taking a standard acceleration factor of 2 for each ten degrees increase in temperature, an acceleration factor of 8 is estimated for 55 °C as opposed to 25 °C degrees. Hence the 1000 hours at 55°C equivalent would be 8000 hours. Our cells were subjected at 60°C, therefore the numbers could be even higher. Assuming the equivalent of 6 hours full sunlight/day, or 250Wm-2 average irradiance (equivalent to North Africa) the total number of days are 1333, equals to 44.4 months and 3.7 years stability. However, for the standard solar cell accreditation a series of stress tests including temperature cycling and damp heat are also required."

"This is a fundamental step within the perovskite field," says Nazeeruddin. "It offers a new paradigm in perovskite design as further explorations beyond the tolerance factor limit could prevail for cationic blends while preserving a 3D structure with improved stability through increased number of H-bonds within the inorganic framework -- a problem that we are now close to solving."

Tips to Maximize Garage Space

Getting most out of your garage depends on how well you organize, maintain, and enhance space. Garages are commonly used spaces where you can dump different items that does not look nice if you place in your living area. Installing functional garage storage system can help you out in utilizing and organizing the space that can add value. You may have dumped unused items, cleaning supplies and gardening equipment in your garage but have you ever considered the space that can be utilized by placing the items correctly in appropriate place. You may have planned to extend your garage in the past but because of low budget, you could not manage it. Guess what, now you can easily add space to your garage without spending lot of money. Here are some tips to help you in maximizing your garage space.

Clean up the Mess


You have never cleaned up the mess from your garage since you are dumping the stuff right from the beginning. Now it is time to get your mess cleaned up to maximize the space and bring on some space that has not yet been utilized. Sort out the things that you need to throw away, offer for sale or place it in your garage for future use. After cleaning up the mess, you will find out how you have emptied the space that was unorganized and was not utilized properly. Remove all the items that you feel are of no use in future. You can also earn some bucks by putting these items on sale and utilizing that money to buy some storage racks and hooks and other garage supplies.
Look for Garage Cabinets

The most effective and easiest way to maximize garage space is by installing garage cabinets. If you are thinking of maximizing garage space, utilize wall space and ceiling by installing hooks and cabinets. Garage cabinets comes in variety of sizes, designs and material that can help you make use of your space effectively. Storage cabinets are ideal way to increase amount of storage space, you have in your garage. These cabinets can prove to be very much helpful in cleaning the floor space and maximizing the area to adjust more stuff. Before buying cabinets, make sure what type of cabinets are suitable for you. Wall mount cabinets are a good choice but if you go for moveable cabinets, they can prove to be easily managed in the future.
Hooks and Pegboards



The key to maximizing your garage space is by getting off the stuff from the ground as much as possible. One of the easiest way is by installing pegboards and hooks. Hooks can be installed on any wall and hang items like bicycle, gardening equipment and cleaning supplies. Hooks can be installed on ceiling to utilize space and avoid messing up the floor and can be helpful in hanging tin cans, metal buckets or fire bucket. Pegboards can be very much helpful in managing small tools like screwdrivers, axe, saw, drill machine and other tools that are used for either repairing car or any other machinery such as lawn mower. The pegboards are very much helpful in organizing items that are used frequently. Maximizing the garage space means that you must look for each corner to manage things. You can make use of garage door to hang different things such as gardening supplies, small boxes to keep stuff and other possible items that are taking up floor space.
Go for Ready Made Things

It is very easy for you to maximize garage space by buying ready made things that will let you to organize your garage in efficient manner. For example, if you are finding it difficult to manage your bicycle or car equipment, simply contact home improvement store and get recommendations from an expert. You can save plenty of time and money by organizing your garage.There are numerous online and local stores to purchase garage stuff. However, if you go for online purchase, you can save your time as well as money. Most of the online stores will offer you huge discounts and money saving offers along with free shipping and free giveaways.
Look for Boxes

Whenever you purchase a new item, it comes in a beautiful packaging. Make sure to remove the item from the box and place it in right place. The box can be used to manage small items efficiently. Stacking up boxes over one another can save plenty of space. In order to make it easy for future, make sure to label the box with right name. For example if you are keeping tools and equipment used for gardening, write it down on the box. Boxes can be very much helpful in organizing your garage space without making extra investment. Boxes that contain daily use items should not be stacked up over one another because it can waste your precious time.
Use overhead Racks

One of the best place to maximize your garage space is by using overhead racks that comes in affordable price. These racks can be installed on the ceiling and used to hang different items such as gardening equipment, paint supplies and other stuff. The Overhead racks are designed in such a way that are safe to use and can be moved whenever you want. You can make use of any part of your garage to free the space and manage more things without investing lot of money. Ceiling, walls and doors are all places that can be managed in order to increase the space in your garage. Think of the ways in which you can manage each nook and corner of the garage in order to maximize space.
You can find some other ways to manage your garage space. These tips will surely help you in maximizing your garage space without wasting too much money and utilizing and cleaning garage space. It is important that you consider all safety measures in order to make your garage space safe without any mishaps and hazards.

Also Check the best gate opener MIGHTY MULE 350

The best flashlights for camping

1. J5 Tactical V1-PRO Flashlight

This product is known for being the so-called original 300 lumens tactical flashlight (for example:
SUNJACK CAMPLIGHT )and was named the official flashlight of Joe Gibbs Racing and Carl Edwards’ Number 19 ARRIS Toyota Camry.
It is one of the bestselling products of its kind and price point. It is an LED flashlight and runs on one AA battery, or a 14500 rechargeable. This product was designed to be long lasting and is meant to be suitable for hunting and camping.

It is made of a heavy duty, compact material that is extremely tough and durable. Given the small amount of battery needed, the flashlight can be said to produce an impressively strong light, and can last for more than an hour of continuous use – or a couple of weeks with regular daily use. It was manufactured to feel balanced in a user’s hold and has a built-in clip for easy portability.

The beam of light can reach up to 600 feet on a clear night, which is approximately the length of two football fields. Users can adjust the focal range of the flashlight, allowing them to zoom in for a brighter and more intense ray of light, or zoom out for a wider view.

It has three brightness settings of high, low, and strobe – the latter of which is meant for cycling – so that users cancater to their specific needs with the light.

Some inconveniences that may come the product include the fact that in order to cycle between the brightness modes, users must repeatedly click the light on and off to get to their desired settings.

The clip-on function is also known to be stiff, and despite claiming to be a 300 lumens flashlight, the product can sometimes not appear to be very bright.

With that being said, the J5 team advertises that any users unhappy with their light can contact them with the issues involved.
2. OxyLED Super Bright 800 Lumens CREE T6

This product can be purchased inexpensively in a bundle with rechargeable batteries, an AC charger and charger base, and a white tube for fixing the battery.

It is one of the bestselling handheld flashlights in the market, and although it is not officially named a tactical flashlight in its product name, it has all the features of one and more.

The OxyLED flashlight is built from a durable aluminum alloy that is of aircraft grade, and it is covered in premium type 3 hard-anodized, anti-abrasive, coating.

Its lens is manufactured to be extremely clear, and is made of a tough material with an anti-reflective coat for maximum brightness. In addition, this product can be used even in heavy rain due to a high water resistance level of IPX-6.

Although its battery area means it cannot be submerged entirely in water, there is built-in protection for the battery area in order to keep it working under extreme conditions, and also to protect it from overcharge and over-discharge while extending battery life.

Users can choose to use an 18650 rechargeable Li-ion battery, which is included in the package, or 3 AAA batteries. This 500 lumen flashlight is designed to produce a natural sort of light from a compact space at a high outputs.

It has five settings, which include three levels of brightness as well as a strobe option and an SOS function. These lights can all be adjusted and zoomed in and out to match a user’s current needs. The Cree LED light is meant to have a lifespan of over 50,000 hours.

However, there is no memory system on the flashlight, so it will always switch on with the high setting regardless of mode a user turned it off in, which can be inconvenient. The battery it comes with is also not known to last for as long as it claims all the time, especially after recharges.

With that being said, the product has a 30-day money back guarantee and comes with a 12-month replacement warranty, so users can contact the company if they have issues with the flashlight.

If you want a budget tactical flashlight that you don’t need to buy extra equipment for, and are fine with an above average performance, this may do well for you!
3. PeakPlus LED Tactical Flashlight

The PeakPlus tactical flashlight is of professional grade and comes with a kit that includes a high-quality rechargeable lithium-ion battery along with a charger and case for that battery.

It also includes a battery sleeve and a green case. This product is fully designed for outdoor use and is made of a strong, anti-abrasive, skid proof aluminum alloy that is also water resistant. Its body is meant to withstand shock and remain durable under harsh conditions.

The flashlight has a high powered and high quality durable pro series LED chip that works best with an 18650 battery. It can also run on three AAA batteries if needed.

The 1200 lumens LED lamp itself is meant to last 100,000 hours as has a wide range of 200 to 500 meters. Like the previous entries, this product has five modes, which are full, medium, and low brightness as well as strobe and SOS settings. These modes are then adjustable with a zoom function.

There may be some issues with durability and quality, as the product is meant to be budget-friendly and cost efficient. The extra cases and holders that are part of the kit may be of a cheap quality, and some parts of the flashlight may not be up to a user’s satisfaction.

With that being said, this product has a 100% customer satisfaction guarantee that consists of a 30-day money back warranty, and users who have issues with their product can contact customer service atany time for questions, clarifications, and ways to solve the problem.
4. Vizeri LED Tactical Flashlight

This military quality flashlight is made from aluminum and crafted with a hardened anodized finish. Its components are threaded directly into the flashlight tube, unlike cheap pressure-fit type torches, and each spring is gold-plated to fight against corrosion.

The product is also submergible in water for up to 3 feet, and it is waterproof at a grade of IPX7. It can be fitted with AAA or CR123 alkaline batteries, or even rechargeable 18650 lithium ion batteries for more intense usage.

A CREE T6 XML LED light is used for this flashlight, allowing it to be extremely bright and intense regardless of its lumens. It has five modes, namely the high, medium, and low brightness settings, and then the strobe and SOS functions.

The product has a zoom function that works to focus on certain points for added versatility, and it is not a telescoping focused light, meaning that the twist focus will remain on target even if it is jogged accidentally. Despite its focus, the light is also meant to be very illuminating and will light up a large area even when focused on one point.

The product is designed to fit nicely into the palm of a user’s hand, and it comes with a lamp diffuser, a holster with a D-ring, and a carabiner. This is so that a user can attach it to a wide variety of areas, like the outside of tent or a utility belt. Vizeri as a company also stalks a bike mount, weapons mount, remote tactical switch, orange diffuser, and lithium batteries for purchase with this flashlight, so options are open.

Vizeri as a company also stalks a bike mount, weapons mount, remote tactical switch, orange diffuser, and lithium batteries for purchase with this flashlight, so options are open.

It is noted that the product does not handle being dropped very well, and falling for a particular height above five feet runs the risk of damaging it for some models. However, the flashlight is meant to be able to withstand water, freezing, and dropping, so this is not meant to happen.

The company offers a full refund and returns for users who are not satisfied with the product. If you want something of military grade that won’t break the bank, this may be a good option!

5 Crucial Steps for Launching a Business This Year

Establishing your own business can be one of the most exciting parts of your career. Starting your own business offers many opportunities and allows an entrepreneur to choose his or her own hours and spend more quality time with family. You may have more fun at work and even be able to choose the people you work with at your startup. I started my first company when I was 23 and I recently started another one in the online invoicing space called Sighted.com.

Launching a new business takes a lot of time, energy and courage. If you skip steps, you could set yourself up for failure. Start your 2017 off right with these five crucial steps every new business needs to be prosperous.
1. Know your industry and what’s missing.

Starting your own business is about more than just knowing an industry. As an entrepreneur, you should make it your mission to find a gap in the market that no other company has thought about. For example, eXp World Holdings Inc. achieved this by being the first to take its real estate company to the cloud. Other companies are now following the lead of eXp World Holdings.

5 Things to Know If You're Starting a Business Under 30

So, you’ve decided to start a business, even though you’re young and don’t have much experience. That’s okay -- in fact, it’s better than okay. There are a ton of advantages to starting a business in your 20s and 30s, including higher long-term potential gains and (generally) a higher level of energy and enthusiasm.
However, before you get too deep into your entrepreneurial endeavor, there are a few important things to know about starting a business before you’re 30:

Dave Ramsey's 10 Steps to Success

If you have ever so much as Googled the word debt you’ve probably heard of national radio host, TV personality, author and money management expert Dave Ramsey. The no-nonsense CEO of Ramsey Solutions is on a mission to get American families out of debt.

He has a popular story: The young bankrupt husband and father rebuilds his life and starts a business that grows from a church Sunday school class into a 500+ employee media empire. Along the way he wrote five New York Times bestselling books, grew his audience to 12 million weekly listeners and has had more than four million customers go through his flagship program, Financial Peace University.

I jumped at the chance to join him at Ramsey Solutions in Nashville, Tenn., recently and ask him how he bounced back and built his mission into a massive success.