Stats unveils first look at virtual set technology

Nicole DeFord demonstrates Stats standalone virtual set technology at NAB on Tuesday. Photo: Dak Dillon/NewscastStudio

Stats unveiled its first look at its standalone virtual set technology that runs off the same backbone of Vizrt’s hologram technology used on CNN this election season.

The standalone product uses multiple cameras to allow for a 180 degree view. Photo: Dak Dillon/NewscastStudio

The offering does not require any tracking system or camera operators, instead relying on multiple fixed miniature high definition cameras mounted in arranged in ring around the talent, the company revealed at a press event during the NAB Show in Las Vegas.

Although the demonstration in Las Vegas only allowed for 180-degrees of talent coverage, a full 360-degree setup is possible.

During the demonstration, the perspective shifted effortlessly around Nicole DeFord, a Stats market analyst who was being placed into the virtual environment. However, video quality did suffer a bit due to the smaller size of the cameras being used.

The product can also integrate full motion video and interactive data.

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While the virtual set market is very crowded (it seems to be one of the recurring themes at this year’s NAB), this offering is unique in that it is implemented using a fixed setup that doesn’t require any tracking technologies to create a fully-immersive 3D environment. Assuming the cost can be kept down, video quality improved and the platform performs well, it could have some practical applications for TV news.