Charlotte CBS implements virtual from Hybrid, FX

WBTV-TV, the CBS affiliate in Charlotte, has added virtual studio technology using Hybrid TV’s Neon solution.

Earlier this year, WBTV-TV debuted a new hard set from FX Design Group that also included an area specifically designed for virtual breaking news, weather events, elections and special coverage.

The virtual set at WBTV-TV relies on Hybrid’s Krypton 3D engine and Ozone external control application. Using fixed camera signals on a green screen, Neon allows astonishing virtual camera motions such as virtual roll, pan, traveling and crane movements, according to a statement from Hybrid.

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FX Design Group added this virtual solution in the beginning of its design planning stages. Mack McLaughlin, CEO and creative director of FX advises that “having the two versions – hard set and virtual set — give stations the utmost in technology in preparing for the future and the best in flexibility for the ever-changing broadcast environments.”

“Our shared mission, with FX and Hybrid, as we brought the virtual set on-line, was to blur the lines between real and virtual, so the viewer experience is enhanced well beyond what any station can do with a hard set alone,” said Dennis Milligan, the station’s news director, in a joint statement issued by FX Design Group and Hybrid. “This effectively doubles the creative space available to producers.”