Method to capture, store, distribute, share, stream and display panoramic image or video

A method for capturing and assembling panoramic image data, the method comprising:

• (a) capturing, using a panoramic image capture device having image assembly parameters, image content data;
• (b) encoding the image content data and the image assembly parameters into a panoramic image file;
• and
• (c) assembling, based on the image assembly parameters, at least a portion of the image content data into an output image.

A panoramic imager comprising:

• (a) a panoramic image capture device having image assembly parameters, the panoramic image capture device configured to capture image content data;
• (b) an encoding device electrically coupled to the panoramic image capture device, the encoding device configured to encode the image content data and the image assembly parameters into a panoramic image file;
• and
• (c) a decoding device configured to receive the panoramic image file and assemble, based on the image assembly parameters, at least a portion of the image content data into an output image.