Microsoft Hyperlapse makes GoPro movies more watchable

Microsoft's Research division showed off Hyperlapse at Siggraph 2014, this is a new algorithm that aims to make GoPro movies more watchable. The algorithm scans video clips to reconstruct the physical path you took in 3D, and then generates a super-smooth 10x-speed video that looks a lot like a fast-paced video game. The technology smooths out all the small, jerky movements and creates a hyperlapse video that you can show to family and friends. The algorithm will be released as an app for Windows, according to Microsoft researcher Johannes Kopf it takes several hours to convert a 10-minute input video into a 1-minute hyperlapse video.

As you’re probably aware, first-person perspective videos are very popular right now. This is mostly due to the massive success of GoPro, but lifecasting and cellphones with video recording capabilities have been around for a long time now too. In the future, of course, head-mounted displays like Google Glass will undoubtedly churn out a lot of first-person video as well.

The problem is, most of this footage is completely unwatchable. You, the shooter, might occasionally watch a few clips and reminisce — but the idea of sitting down and actually watching your entire holiday again, in real time, is daunting. If you have the time and skill (most people don”t), you could edit the footage into a series of fun clips. You is also easy-to-use software that’ll simply speed your footage up, which makes it a little less daunting — but the shakiness of the footage makes for a pretty unpleasant viewing experience. And thus, Microsoft Research looked for another solution.

Source: ExtremeTech