Last month marked a turning point for immersive video on Explore POV on Apple Vision Pro. After months (years!) of anticipation, I became one of the first people in the world to get my hands on the Blackmagic URSA Cine Immersive camera. I was soon on a plane to French Polynesia, determined to showcase what this revolutionary technology could capture in one of Earth's most stunning locations.

Today, we're launching that footage on Explore POV, along with our biggest app update yet. But this is more than just new content - it's the beginning of a new standard for Vision Pro content quality.

Why the Blackmagic Changes Everything

The Blackmagic URSA Cine Immersive isn't just any VR camera. Co-developed with Apple, it's specifically designed to create content for spatial computing platforms like Vision Pro. The specifications alone tell part of the story:

8160 x 7200 resolution per eye – delivering unprecedented detail in immersive video
16 stops of dynamic range – capturing subtle light variations impossible with previous cameras
Apple's custom lens system – eliminating the stitching artifacts that plague traditional VR content
Native AIVU format support – optimized specifically for Vision Pro playback

But specifications only matter when they translate to real experiences. Standing in French Polynesia's crystal clear lagoons, watching the Blackmagic capture every ray of light, every grain of sand visible through the water – that's when the technology really shows its insane capabilities.

What We're Launching Today

We've released multiple videos from French Polynesia, each showcasing different aspects of what makes this camera special. From crystal clear lagoon scenes, to sweeping mountain vistas that seem to extend forever, every frame demonstrates why Blackmagic immersive video represents the future of Vision Pro content.

We've included a free demo - because seeing is believing! The quality jump from standard VR180 to Blackmagic footage has to be experienced firsthand.

Completely Redesigned Explore POV App

To properly showcase Blackmagic content, we've rebuilt our app from the ground up:

AIVU Format Support: Full compatibility with Apple's immersive video format
New Interface: Faster, more intuitive navigation
Enhanced Streaming: Optimized HDR delivery of these massive files without compromising quality
Better Discovery: Find exactly the experience you're looking for with improved filtering

Behind-the-Scenes Content

You've been asking for this - and we finally did it! Our first ever behind-the-scenes video, shot entirely in immersive. You can actually be there with us on the shoot, experiencing it all through your Vision Pro. Come along as we scout locations, haul gear up mountains and chase perfect light on our recent shoot in French Polynesia. Get an insiders view of what it really takes to capture these moments!

The Journey to This Moment

Three years ago, I was experimenting with jerry-rigged camera setups in a motor home, trying to capture New Zealand's beauty in stereoscopic video. The goal was simple: create immersive content so compelling it could transport people anywhere in the world.

When Apple announced Vision Pro in 2023, everything clicked. Despite having zero coding experience, I built an app and launched Explore POV. What started as a personal project to share my videos quickly grew into something much bigger.

Last year, Apple invited us to Cupertino to chat about what we were building with Explore POV and the future of our immersive video. That meeting reinforced our belief that we were on the right path. Now, with the Blackmagic, we can finally create content at the quality level Vision Pro deserves.

What Makes Our Blackmagic Content Different

While others might use this camera for tech demos or controlled studio shoots, we believe groundbreaking technology deserves breathtaking locations. French Polynesia offered the perfect canvas – pristine waters, dramatic mountains and lighting conditions that push the camera to showcase its full potential.

Every shot was carefully chosen to demonstrate specific capabilities:

Morning light on water to showcase dynamic range
Mountain vistas to demonstrate depth perception

The result is Vision Pro content that doesn't just look better, it feels fundamentally different. The sense of presence, the feeling that you could reach out and touch what you're seeing, sets a new benchmark for immersive experiences.

Looking Forward

We’re excited to announce that in September, we're introducing "Sessions" – curated journeys through our content library lasting 10, 20, or 30 minutes. Perfect for meditation, relaxation or simply escaping to another place.

We're also letting our community choose our 20th country destination. Stay tuned to find out how you can vote for where we go next!

Experience It Yourself

To celebrate we're offering up to 40% off subscriptions through August 25. But honestly, the free Blackmagic demo alone is worth downloading the app!

Download Explore POV on the App Store

We started this journey with a simple belief: that immersive video could help people connect with our world in profound new ways. With the Blackmagic URSA Cine Immersive and Vision Pro, that vision is becoming reality.

Your headset has been waiting for content like this. Come see what's possible when cutting-edge technology meets the world's most beautiful places.

Follow our journey: @ExplorePOV

The Blackmagic URSA Cine Immersive is Here: A New Era of Immersive Video Begins