RT Software and Canon plan real-time virtual reality graphics demos using Canon PTZ cameras and Unreal Engine 3D graphics. RT will also show a new on-air graphics plug-in for Avid iNews.
Broadcast graphics developer RT Software and Canon have announced a collaboration for IBC 2024. Visitors to the RT Software stand will be able to view a live real-time virtual reality graphics demonstration. RT will will also show its new plug-in for on-air graphics in Avid iNews.
RT Software will be using their Swift Studio package – software for virtual studio and augmented reality graphics environments – to render 3D Unreal Engine graphic objects and superimpose them on the live feed coming from the Canon CR-N500 PTZ camera. Visitors will see how the graphics interact with live presenters. For any broadcaster considering expanding their studio operations with a full virtual studio or augmented reality graphics, this will be an opportunity to explore what is possible, first hand.
Swift Studio can be used to integrate presenters into a photoreal or stylised 3D world, or drop in AR objects during live sports or news shows. Sets are built as required using the Swift CG editor, either within the Swift environment or combined with Unreal Engine projects.
Using Swift, users can add dynamic data anywhere within the scene, including within the Unreal Engine elements. Control any dynamic elements with our web based Swift Live control surface, and then render using our reliable Swift Engine.
The full system will include full pan, zoom, tilt control of the Canon CR-N500 PTZ camera using the Canon RC-IP100 PTZ controller with pre-set camera movements triggered from within the graphics themselves.
From the graphics playout side, RT Software will be including their Swift Live control surface, a HTML5 application running inside a Chrome browser. This reconfigurable user interface allows different studios or individual shows to control dynamic elements and set up specific layouts tailored to their different styles of operation. Also, as browser based software, the cost of ownership is lower because the UI can be run from any suitable PC with a Chrome browser.
Mike Fredriksen, RT Software Commercial Director said, "We've enjoyed working on the integration with Canon, and this collaboration cements our relationship. It's great to be able to show our products together in this way and hope our customers can come and learn by being able to see how easy it is to build cost effective augmented reality systems by visiting our stand.
"Although we compete directly with the mainstream broadcast graphics developers, we also make sure we always have a focus on cost effective workflows. RT Software and Canon are both able to support the demonstrated configuration with both NDI and SDI. This aligns with our NDI strategy in which we bundle NDI licences at no cost for all our systems."
RT Develops Avid iNews On-Air Graphics Plug-in
RT Software is also showing Swift News software updates with a new HTML5 interface for Avid MediaCentral | Newsroom Management – specifically, the iNews client. Journalists can create on-air text and images directly within the Avid MediaCentral | Newsroom Management environment using a straightforward plugin.
Swift News, which gives journalists control over their content, generates consistent on-air graphics that align with the station's brand identity. Advantages of the new HTML5 plugin include Animated Graphics Previews directly within the desktop interface, improving the accuracy of the final broadcast.
The interface maintains consistency with the Swift Live browser interface (see above) available for gallery graphics operators, also improving efficiency. Built on a robust IT foundation, the new UI is also designed to support future enhancements and developments as they are needed.
Raymond Thompson, Sr Director of Partners and Alliances at Avid remarked, "The Swift News integration with MediaCentral | Newsroom Management expands the Avid newsroom environment. It highlights Avid's MediaCentral l Cloud UX open-platform approach which results in flexibility and choice to broadcasters when designing graphic deployments that engage audiences. RT Software continues to impress with their innovative solutions."
Swift News not only suits daily news broadcasts but also supports special events like election coverage, due to its versatile integration with external data sources. rtsw.co.uk
