Enhancing Access to 360-Degree Video Collections: A Novel Interface for Immersive Exploration in Virtual Reality

Abstract

Traditional methods for browsing 360° video libraries in virtual reality (VR) often use a two-dimensional grid with thumbnails, similar to how standard videos are displayed. However, this fails to take advantage of the immersive capabilities of VR. This study introduces two alternative interfaces that make better use of VR’s three-dimensional space: a conventional filmtrip interface and a new hierarchical interface to explore videos. In a comparative study with 32 participants aged 18 to 30, users completed a timed search task to find a specific video using both interfaces in counterbalanced order. Performance was measured by search time and accuracy, while user experience was evaluated with the UEQ-S and post-task feedback. Results showed that participants found videos significantly faster with the hierarchical interface, though accuracy was similar across both interfaces. Participants also rated the hierarchical interface higher in terms of hedonic and overall quality, suggesting it offers a more enjoyable and efficient browsing experience for 360° video libraries in VR.