FAQ

What is a street view video map?

A street view video map is a website or app with a map and video player such as YouTube where the video player and map are connected so that video routes can be rendered on the map and a marker shows the video’s current geographical position.

There are not that many street view video maps in existence. Notable examples include https://www.mapchannels.com/VideoMaps.aspx, https://videomapia.org and probably the most sophisticated, https://maps.video.

What video equipment is needed to contribute to the street view video map?

A video camera or mobile phone with stabiliser is needed to record video for the website and apps so that video footage is shake free and stable. This is because the camera is travelling along and without suitable stabilisation the video will be very shaky and not pleasant to watch. Optical image stabilisation alone found in mobile phones will not be enough to record decent footage. Suitable video cameras include GoPro Hero and GoPro Max/Fusion series, DJI Pocket series and DJI Osmo stabiliser for mobile phones.

Although not required, a decent audio recorder, microphone such as Zoom H1n and wind shield will improve the quality of the audio recorded and shield the audio from wind noise.

Can 360, 3D, VR video be used with the street view video map?

Yes it can! 360, 3D, VR video works natively with the Windows 10/11 App. Instructions for processing .360 video from GoPro Max and GoPro Fusion. 360, 3D, VR videos also works wth YouTube, although sometimes less well when viewed on certain mobile devices. It is recommend to view 360, 3D, VR videos on desktop for the full experience. With the Windows 10/11 App the cursor keys are used to pan the video, look around and view the whole scene. With YouTube on desktop the video can be dragged with the mouse to look around and on mobile you can point the smartphone in different directions. The Apple Mac App currently does not natively support 360, 3D, VR videos.

How do I find my location on the map?

Just press the geolocate button on the top right of the map if it is available. You may need to click the map to hide the video to see it. It has a dot with a crosshair. Your location is not uploaded or recorded and is done purely within the browser. Follow the prompt in the browser. The map should centre on your approximate location.

How do I view the whole map?

Just click the earth button on the lower right and the map will zoom out and load all the locations where there is a video route. Click a pin or marker cluster and the map will zoom in. Keep clicking a pin or marker cluster until the video loads. This is a quick and easy option to move around the world.

I want to share a video route onto social media/email, how do I do it?

If you are within the app just click the clipboard icon below the video if it is loaded in the video window. If you are on the website map find the video you want to share and click the share button below right of the video. Click the clipboard icon to quickly copy the permalink to your device’s clipboard. You can then paste it in a social post, message or email. When a user clicks the permalink the website map will load and show that video route.

How do I add a video route to the map?

Click the Add Video Route button at the bottom left of the map screen. You can do this within the website but also within the apps. You will have three options to choose from. Click the GoPro option if the video was taken with a GoPro and select all the .MP4, .LRV or .360 files that represent your video(s). Alternatively do the same if you have .gpx files. Follow the instructions to add your video route to the map.

What data is uploaded with the GoPro .MP4, .LRV and .360 import options?

Only the latitude/longitude coordinates, the associated timestamps and video recording date time are extracted from the GoPro, uploaded and stored in the database when you click submit. No other data is extracted such as serial number etc. The extraction is done purely in the browser or webview. Only when you click submit will the final latitude/longitude, timestamps, recording date time, filename or YouTube share url, optional project filter, optional hyperlapse speed and optional description be uploaded and stored in the database.

What data is uploaded with the .gpx import option?

Only the latitude/longitude coordinates and the associated timestamps are extracted from the .gpx, uploaded and stored in our database when you click submit. No other data is extracted. The extraction is done purely in the browser or webview. Only when you click submit will the final latitude/longitude, timestamps, filename or YouTube share url, optional project filter, optional hyperlapse speed and optional description be uploaded and stored in the database.

What is a suitable video for this website?

A continuous take video is best where the camera is moving along without location changes or cuts such as a video taken straight from a GoPro. Suitable videos might include street view videos, road survey videos, and fibre optic trenching surveys, drone videos or flying videos. Try to avoid intros where the camera is not moving. The video must match the route rendered on the map otherwise the map will not be in sync with the video. You also need to comply with the terms of service when submitting a video route.

Who owns the copyright to the video and route?

You retain all copyright to the video route itself. YouTube has its own rules regarding the videos when the videos are hosted on YouTube. When you add a video route to the map you give maps.video permission to display this route and video on the map indefinitely until such time as you may decide to remove it. maps.video may take screenshots of the video route and video to share on social media and in promotional materials.

Are fully private video routes available?

Yes! If you want your video routes to be fully private and visible by only the signed in video route owner please select the fully private option when adding a video route. This is a great option if you want to keep your video route network hidden for commercial or privacy reasons.

How do I delete a video route I added to the map?

Find the video you want to delete and if you are logged in with the correct account, three vertical dots will show below right of the YouTube video or to the right of the addresses. Click this button and choose ok. The video route will be permanently deleted but the video will remain. No actual videos will be deleted. The video route deletion can not be undone as all the data is permanently erased.

How do I share my feedback about the website or apps?

You can send an email to tom@maps.video. I will be most grateful for any feedback you can provide.

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