Please note: This PhD defence will take place in DC 2314 and online.
Liwei Wu, PhD candidate
David R. Cheriton School of Computer Science
Supervisor: Professor Jian Zhao
Although live streaming and virtual reality (VR) have been widely studied, their combination, VR streaming as a mass media format, has received less attention. In VR streaming, the streamer uses a VR headset to share their experience in a virtual environment, while viewers watch on traditional 2D devices like computers or smartphones. As VR adoption increases in consumer markets, VR streaming is expected to become a key part of online content ecosystems. Research into VR streaming can offer valuable insights into both VR and live streaming. It also highlights a shared principle with traditional media: projecting 3D environments onto 2D surfaces. This similarity suggests that VR streaming can benefit from established practices in film and animation to improve its storytelling and viewer engagement. VR streaming also provides a foundation for exploring more diverse and personalized extended reality (XR) streaming experiences across AR, VR, and MR devices, expanding the design space for more interactive and engaging streaming experiences.
This thesis investigates the essential role of the virtual camera in VR streaming to build connections and create engagement between streamers and their viewers, and outlines future possibilities for extending VR streaming to XR streaming through three projects. To achieve these goals, I collected and analyzed VR streaming videos to objectively observe VR streaming common practices; interviewed with media domain experts to investigate the connections between traditional media and VR streaming; and explored design tools to facilitate non-technical users to analyze and explore the future opportunities of XR streaming.
To attend this PhD thesis defence in person, please go to DC 2314. You can also attend virtually on Zoom.