APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR NON-UNIFORM PROCESSING OF IMAGE DATA

Methods and apparatus for processing of high resolution content so as to obey desired encoder constraints. In one embodiment, the method includes capturing high resolution imaging spherical content; mapping the spherical content to another frame of reference (e.g., a non-uniform mapping and scaling) splitting up the mapped and scaled content into respective portions; feeding the split up portions to respective imaging encoders; packing encoded content from the respective imaging encoders into an A/V container; and storing and/or transmitting the A/V container. In one variant, the mapping and scaling are chosen to enable rendering of 1080P content in a desired scope or range (e.g., 360 degrees) using commodity encoder hardware and software.