What is equirectangular video?
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For hosts checking panoramic camera output
Equirectangular video maps viewing directions around a sphere onto a rectangular image, commonly with a 2:1 width-to-height ratio for a complete panorama. In a live 360° call, the viewer renders this image as a surrounding scene so each participant can choose a direction without changing anyone else’s view.
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One live environment. Independent views. Each participant chooses where to look, without changing anyone else’s view.
A wide rectangle is not proof of a complete panorama
A stretched flat image can have a 2:1 shape without containing the full scene. A cropped camera feed may omit directions that no viewer control can restore. Verify the actual coverage and projection, not just the image dimensions or the camera’s product name, before choosing panoramic viewing.
Recognize the source format
An unrendered equirectangular image looks stretched near the poles because it maps spherical directions to a flat rectangle.
Understand independent views
Each guest selects a portion of the same live source. Rotating the view does not require the host to reframe the camera.
Check full coverage
Test multiple directions in the rendered scene. Missing, repeated, or badly distorted areas can indicate an unsuitable output or setup.
Set realistic detail expectations
Video resolution covers the whole panorama. Zoom enlarges captured pixels rather than revealing information the camera did not record.
Projection changes the view, not the camera position
The browser can render the panorama as a directional view, but that does not create a walkable model or reveal surfaces behind objects. Stitching, lighting, and compression affect the result. Use a compatible X4 or X5 setup that actually supplies full equirectangular output; a flat webcam mode is insufficient. Follow the X5 setup guide and compare the concept with a 360° video call.
From room to live 360° in three steps
- 1
Create a Room
Create your host account and set up a room from the dashboard. Schedule your meeting if you want to arrange it in advance.
- 2
Share the Link
Send the invitation to your participants. Guests use a supported browser without a CallPano account or app download. Test permissions and room access before the session.
- 3
Go Live in 360°
Test an Insta360 X4 or X5 through a compatible webcam mode that supplies full panoramic output, not just a flat webcam feed. Camera firmware, computer, and browser compatibility matter. Once the panorama is working, guests can look around independently.
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Frequently asked questions
Is every 2:1 video equirectangular?
No. Dimensions alone do not establish projection or coverage. Confirm that the source maps the full surrounding scene correctly and test how it renders in the panoramic viewer.
Why does the raw image look stretched?
Mapping a sphere to a rectangle stretches regions near the top and bottom. A compatible panoramic viewer uses that mapping to display a directional view rather than showing the raw rectangle.
Can CallPano turn a flat webcam feed into a panorama?
No. Selecting panoramic viewing cannot recreate directions absent from the source. The browser needs full equirectangular camera output for genuine independent 360° viewing.
Does equirectangular video provide measurements or 3D depth?
The projection alone provides neither measured dimensions nor stereoscopic depth. A live panorama shows the scene from the camera’s position; use separate measurement and inspection methods when needed.
Verify the image before inviting guests
Check the full scene with another participant, then return to the glossary for related camera and browser terms.
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