Archive for the ‘Virtual Sets’ Category

Brainstorm-Dragon adds dynamic new angle to real-time graphics

Brainstorm-Dragon is demonstrating an interesting new real-time graphic implementation at NAB 2009.

The system is dubbed as a “markerless camera tracking system” adds some exciting new dimensions and possibilities to the world of 3D news graphics. The system doesn’t require any senors and therefore is highly portable.

In our demonstration, poster-board size sheet of material was utilized. One side was white while the other was a green hue. (more…)

Suze Orman goes virtual

The Suze Orman Show on CNBC has debuted a new virtual set by Full Mental Jacket and Brainstorm.

The new set allows information to be displayed in new and innovative ways, “One advantage of a virtual set is that informational graphics can be inserted directly into the template, making them crisp and clear.” With this new setup, Suze Orman can give here advice with charts and graphs appearing all over. The technology powering this virtual setup is the same technology NewscastStudio reported on at NAB 2008.

Continue reading for more pics and information. (more…)

NewscastStudio Election Wrapup

This year’s election season was full of many new looks, toys, gizmos and hype-generating devices… but this begs the question, how much was really necessary?

Did CNN need to spend over $300,000 to beam a reporter into their New York Communications Center? Did NBC need to create a scaled down “Democracy Plaza” renamed as “Election Plaza?” Did FOX need a giant touch screen? (more…)

Actually, it’s not even a hologram

A physics expert tells the Chicago Tribune that CNN’s images of Jessica Yellin and singer will.i.am images aren’t technically holograms — and neither was Princess Leia in “Star Wars.”

Another expert agrees: “A ‘real’ hologram uses diffraction to reconstruct the wave front that would have come from the actual 3D object. A hologram cannot be viewed from the front and from behind as in the CNN segment—this was a dead giveaway that the image shown was not in fact a hologram. A real hologram can only be viewed within a specific range of viewing angles.”

Also:

• Gizmodo has an article explaining how the system works
• CNN’s own video that goes behind-the-scenes of the ‘hologram’

Video clip pokes fun at CNN holograms

Roundup of reactions to election night

• Inside the studios of Fox News on Election Night
• After a Night of Illusions, Television Records Reality
• Anchors, Beamed in and Live, Are Skittish
• On TV, Computer Graphics Eclipse The News, Anchors, Results

Inside NBC’s green room

The virtual studio set NBC is using seems rather small — but of course that doesn’t mean anything when you’re talking about computer generated sets!

We’re guessing the raised disc on the floor allows talent to know where the center of the “floor” is and where most of the graphs come out of.

Thanks to MIchael for the tip.

BBC creates a unique feel while providing a different view

Originating from BBC’s studios in Washington D.C., BBC is providing coverage of 2008 Presidential Election on 4 different networks around the globe.

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MSNBC unveils new 3D studio

Today, MSNBC unveiled a new virtual studio for Chuck Todd to break down the election results in.

The new virtual studio matches NBC News and MSNBC’s current Decision 08 graphics package. This creates a seamless branding effect across their various election graphics from the networks of NBC. More pictures after the jump. (more…)

Additional election night set, graphics details released

• ABC News is debuting digital maps that will allow on-air talent to pull up real-time and historical data. ABC is also planning a double-tiered ticker as well as a left-hand pillarbox displaying more data.
• CBS News will utilize touch-screen technology as well, though it’s not clear to what extent this will be used. CBS has used touchscreens in the past, but has never used technology to the extent of the other networks. For quite some time, the maps were displayed on a monitor built-in to the desk and shot from an overhead camera. The anchor would then be able to point to various states and data, but little else.
• Fox is debuting not one, but three new HD studios election night; a project that’s been two years in the works. The studios will be equipped with a giant touch-screen wall to provide results.
• NBC has apparently found a new way to display data that doesn’t rely on pie charts, but isn’t saying how. The network will apparently utilize this in its virtual studio and will also make use of real HD monitors as well. NBC and MSNBC have been using a Surface touch screen table for coverage, but there’s no word if it will be put to use on election night.

CNN planning virtual Capitol, holographic correspondents

CNN appears to be gearing up for a extremely high-tech night of election night coverage that may trump all other networks’ gadgets.

Using a combination of Vizrt technology and gear and software from an Israel-based company called SportVu, CNN will be combining virtual environments with real-time data feeds to create stunning visual guides to the plethora of data being pulled from all over the country.
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