In Broadcast - May/June 2011 - 43

MAY/JUNE 2011 | WWW.INBROADCAST.COM

43

IN THE NEWS
Vinten Radamec set out future virtual reality
AT NAB 2011 Vinten Radamec highlighted its full virtual reality solutions capabilities with a Virtual Reality set up with three of the industry’s leading graphics providers. These demonstrated the full scope of Vinten Radamec’s solutions as the broadcast industry moves further into the realms of virtual reality technology. Vinten Radamec is predicting that this year will see a significant increase in demand for virtual reality systems. Karen Walker, Commercial Manager at Vinten Radamec, said: “We’re already seeing several strong trends in the virtual reality sector this year. Virtual advertising and product placement will be big on the broadcast agenda as marketers take advantage of the change in Ofcom rules and look for more sophisticated ways to convey their messages to TV audiences. “The diversification of robotics is another trend that looks set to continue, as broadcasters look outside the traditional news room environment and utilise robotics in other applications such as sporting events. There has also been a surge in the use of studio automation systems, as studios move towards more efficient production processes by using tools to produce programming with a minimal amount of crew.” Walker said that another trend in the sector was the transformation of programme sets: “Since HD was introduced the quality of sets has become a priority in a bid to maintain consistent high visual quality. Hard sets are being either combined with virtual elements, or replaced by virtual sets, in an increasing number of applications.” The future of virtual reality technology was clearly demonstrated at the three Vinten Radamec sets on the NAB2011 show floor. The dedicated VR sets showed how Vinten Radamec’s solutions are designed for ease of integration with third party equipment, by displaying its products working live with software from leading graphics providers, Brainstorm, Orad and Vizrt.
Vinten Radamec VR studio robotic solutions

Converting robotics for use in a virtual set operation was demonstrated through one of the set ups which incorporated the Fusion FP-188VR pedestal working with an FH-100VR head controlled by a Vinten Radamec HDVRC control system and partnered by a Brainstorm rendering system. The cost effectiveness of using robotics combined with virtual sets provides the benefits of low head count and low costs in the studio. Showing the benefits of full 3D virtual reality tracking was a set running with the Vinten Quattro SE, a lightweight and compact manually operated pedestal with built in encoders, which provide precise real time digital electronic positioning over the floor and in elevation, combined with the

Vinten Vector 950i pan and tilt head and connected to an Orad rendering system. Simulating a typical sports OB situation working on a single rendering system provided by Vizrt was a set up displaying the Vector 750i encoded pantographic head. This showed the ease of deploying virtual or augmented reality applications in a sports OB or any other kind of dynamic set up environment. Walker said: “This year’s NAB event has provided us with the perfect global platform to show how Vinten Radamec’s robotic camera support systems and camera tracking range offer the best solutions for today’s virtual and augmented reality applications in studio and outside broadcast environments.”
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In Broadcast - May/June 2011

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