Virtual reality, in the studio and on location, is proving to be an ever more valuable part of the creative producer’s toolkit

The key challenge is deriving the XY location of the pedestal. The current technology from Vinten Radamec uses a reference mark on the studio floor from which other locations are calculated by the movements of the wheels.

These techniques can be used with manual encoded pedestals like the Vinten Quattro SE, for example, which provides precise real-time digital electronic positioning of floor and height movement, or robotically operated configurations, with perhaps several pedestals under the control of one operator.

Where robotics are required, the Vinten Radamec Fusion system is more commonly applied, using the FP-188VR pedestal with FHR-120VR pan and tilt head. The FP-188VR can be quickly switched into manual mode, allowing it to perform as a standard Vinten studio pedestal, in a way which is familiar to operators.

Freedom of Movement, with Pinpoint Accuracy

Using encoded heads and, where necessary pedestals, provides the location information required for the vast majority of virtual reality projects, and can be used equally well for conventional productions. They perform professionally and require no additional installation in the studio apart from the pedestal reference marker on the floor.

Some users, however, may want to give the cameras absolute freedom, to be used on complex supports like jibs and rotating heads, or handheld. In this case, each camera has to calculate its own position, height and angle, and there is no alternative to using a grid of reference points.

To meet this need, Vinten Radamec has licensed the Free-D system originally developed by the BBC. This uses a system of circular barcode targets mounted, at varying heights, in the lighting grid. Attached to each camera is a small spotter camera with a high intensity LED light source to illuminate the bar codes.

The spotter camera, which is set at 90˚ to the main camera, sees a number of targets and from their barcodes and relative positions can determine eight degrees of movement with accuracy within 1mm and 0.01˚.

The Arrival of 3D Virtual Reality

Today, of course, we are seeing rapidly growing interest in 3D virtual reality, driven to a significant extent by the success of the 2009 film Avatar, which is now taking the concept of VR onto a new level.

At NAB 2009, Vinten Radamec gave the first ever showing of the realtime integration of live stereoscopic 3D cameras as part of a virtual environment, on the multimedia booth of its partner, Brainstorm.

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Brainstorm used a stereo pair of cameras supported by a Vinten Vector 950i pan and tilt head. The 950i provided a constant stream of positional information to the Brainstorm virtual graphics processor, ensuring that real and virtual elements remained in perfect synchronisation. The NAB demonstration also allowed visitors to see themselves in 3D, with graphic elements added around them.

Seamless Integration In summary, virtual reality, in the studio and on location, is proving to be an ever more valuable part of the creative producer’s toolkit. A range of solutions exist to bring the live and virtual elements together seamlessly, from manual encoding through free movement to full robotics, without diminishing the skill and professionalism of the camera operator, and ensuring an excellent return on investment.

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