How do you create virtual tours for real estate? Is it difficult? What software do you use?

Question

What kind of camera do you use? How long does it take to create one, at the house and on your computer? Is the software hard to learn? Do you need a certain kind of webhosting company to upload it to? Is it better to just hire someone to do it?

Answer 1

A sequence of still photos is pretty easy. It's kinda basic, but it'll do the job. Just need a basic photo editor for this.

Video clips from a digital video camera are also pretty easy. Need basic video editing software.

Quicktime VR is much more interesting because the user controls the view. Check the Apple website for information. It takes a digital still camera and a tripod, and a good bit more composition time. Need special software to assemble the sequence, too. But the end product is cool.

You can do a lot of fun things with Flash or Shockwave, too. But these s/w packages aren't cheap.

Generally you won't need special web hosting unless you're trying to do something like stream large video files.
If you're completely new to this and don't mind the study and work, it could be a real kick creating these things. But if you're in business and need to get a product out quickly, probably better to bring in someone with the know how. Consider a local tech school or high school or college, where you may find web page design students needing a project.

Answer 2

I no longer bother with a video tour. Rather, I use a good selection of still photos. The video tour thing seems to have run its course. At first everyone thought it was the best thing since sliced bread, but, in our area at least, most have foregone the VT in favor of still photos.